Turn an ordinary bottle cap into a meaningful keepsake with this fun and easy DIY bottle cap photo necklace! Whether you’re crafting for Mother’s Day, a birthday, or just because, this personalized necklace is the perfect way for kids to turn their favourite memories into wearable art.
Add a family photo, a pet picture, or even a tiny piece of your own artwork to make this upcycled jewelry truly your own. This craft is simple enough for kids, sweet enough to give as a heartfelt gift, and unique enough to become a treasured keepsake.
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DIY Bottle Cap Photo Necklace
Materials:
- Photo (sized for your bottle cap)
- Craft foam sheets
- Metal bottle cap
- Gold acrylic paint
- Glossy Mod Podge
- Pendant bail
- Leather necklace cord
Equipment:
- Pencil (or pen)
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Prepare the photo and backing
- Choose a bottle cap to be the base of your pendant and select your favourite photo to include in the necklace. Place the bottle cap on the photo and trace around it.
- Cut the photo into a circle shape following your tracing. Detail scissors work really well here to get perfectly round edges.
- Now trace the bottle cap onto a sheet of craft foam and cut it out as well. This will help raise the picture up a bit in the pendant.
Step 3: Paint the bottle cap
- Paint the outside of the bottle cap gold (or whatever colour you like). This step is optional if you already like the colour of your bottle cap. Allow to dry.
- Repeat, adding more coats of paint until you’re happy with the coverage. It could take 3 to 6 coats of paint depending on the colour of your cap and the type of paint.Allow the paint to dry completely between each coat.
- Now paint the very bottom of the cap and the sides inside the cap. Again, allow to dry.
Step 4: Attach the photo and seal it
- Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge inside the cap.
- Place the foam circle into the cap.
- Add another layer of Mod Podge and place the photo into the cap. You may need to slide it down on one side and push down the other side so it sits flat.
- Then seal the photo with another thin coating of Mod Podge. Allow to dry.
Step 5: Attach the bail and cord
- Add glue to the back of a necklace bail. We used hot glue here, but recommend using tacky glue or super glue for a longer lasting hold.
- Place the bail on the top back of the pendant.
- Attach a leather cord or jewelry chain through the bail.
- Your DIY bottle cap photo necklace is complete!
- Now have fun making a pendant of everyone in your family!
Helpful Tips:
- Use glossy Mod Podge to give your photo pendant a shiny, glass-like finish or try Mod Podge Dimensional Magic for a more resin-like domed effect.
- Choose a high-quality photo or print your picture on photo paper to avoid smudging when applying Mod Podge.
What kind of bottle caps work best for this bottle cap pendant?
Standard metal bottle caps (like those found on glass juice bottles) work perfectly for this Mother’s Day necklace craft. Just make sure the inside is clean and dry before starting.
If you can’t find the right style cap in your local grocery store, you can order glass bottle lids online. This works perfectly for this craft, especially if you need a bunch for a group activity.
Can I make this necklace craft without a photo?
Definitely! Instead of a picture, add a piece of patterned scrapbook paper, an inspirational sticker, or a pressed flower. You can even do a little drawing on a piece of cardstock and add that to your bottle cap pendant!
You can also add glitter, beads, or other small embellishments before sealing them with Mod Podge.
What else do I need to make my upcycled necklace craft?
A bail is glued to the back of the cap, creating a place for the necklace cord to go through. Bails are available at most craft stores or online, but an adult can also drill a hole through the cap instead.
Once your bail is attached you’ll need to choose your necklace cord. You can pair your photo pendant with a leather necklace cord, a ribbon necklace, or a metal chain — whatever suits your style!
This DIY bottle cap photo necklace is such a sweet way to turn a simple bottle cap into something beautiful and heartfelt. Whether you make it for yourself or give it as a gift, it’s a fun, sentimental craft that’s full of personality. So grab your favourite photos and start creating your own wearable memories!
Here’s even more DIY jewelry ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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