Stamped Washer Necklace Tutorial: Courage

We always have a special Christmas lesson for our Young Women at one of our homes the Sunday before Christmas and wanted something special to give our Beehive class. My wonderful adviser and crafty girl extraordinaire, Amanda (from Every Crafty Endeavor), came up with the idea and the supplies to do stamped washer necklaces that say Courage to go along with next year's mutual theme. I am so nice and took pics of the process so that you can do it too. I know, I know...too kind.

(Stay tuned for how we tie them in to the Christmas nativity lesson)

Supplies Needed:

• Heavy Hammer (you can use a regular one, you will just have to hit harder)
• Washers (ours were about an inch)
• Alphabet stamp set
• Black permanent marker
• Baby wipe
• Leather, ribbon, or a chain to put the charm on
  

Stamp sets are available on Amazon for $15 if you need one. *Update: I just bought a stamp set on sale from Harbor Freight for $10 including shipping!

1. Take your supplies to a concrete area so you don't damage whatever is under your stamping. (We froze our little tushes on the porch in 30 degree weather, but the end result was well worth it and it really did not take that long.) Pull out the letters you will be using and put them in order. Place the first letter stamp equidistant from the hole in the middle and the edge. Now, with the other hand, whack the stamp with the hammer 3 or 4 times (depending on how hard you hit and the weight of your hammer).

See cute Amanda demonstrating her great skill.

2. Keep it going with the other letters. Place the next letter by aligning the edge of the stamp with the first letter and turning a hair so it follows the curve of the washer. This may take some getting used to. We had to redo some. Continue with each letter.

3. Once you have the letters stamped, get your permanent marker ready. Color over the letters so that the indentions are black. If you have a stubby marker like me this may take some doing. Once all the letters are covered, wipe with a baby wipe until you are left with black only in the letter indentions. I would do each washer one at a time. It is easy to wipe off when they have not been sitting.

4. Now just thread your "chain" of choice through the hole and you are good to go.

I love how they turned out! I love that they represent the theme so well! "Be strong and of a good courage." Joshua 1:9

Now, for how they will be tied to the lesson. We are going to be talking about how each of the people in the Nativity Story had to have great courage. We will talk about each piece of the nativity as we place it on the table and also have a song to go with it.

• Mary-to be the mother to God's Son and to travel to Bethlehem 9 mos. pregnant and give birth in a stable
• Joseph-to find out his wife to be will be giving birth to God's Son
• Jesus-to be the one to volunteer to come to earth and sacrifice himself for us
• Shepherds-to have an angel come and then go to find the Christ child. Spreading the word to others.
• Three Kings-followed a star to find the Christ child and did not tell Herod where He was

I am so excited for this lesson! It is so personal to have it in Amanda's home with the fire crackling and everything so cozy. Last year, the Christmas lesson was AMAZING and I can only imagine this year will be the same!

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