Turn scrap pieces of wood into jewelry. In this instructable I made pendant necklaces by sanding small pieces of wood and stained them with a non toxic stain. Use different types of wood (cherry, maple, ash etc) for different colours and picking wood pieces with an interesting grain pattern makes for unique jewelry.

Step 1: Material:

Wood
Pendant bails
Mineral Oil (baby oil)
Strong coffee

Tools:

Wood cutting tools (saw, Dremel etc.)
Sandpaper (varying grits)
Pliers
Paint brush
Rag

Step 2: Shape Wood

Cut the wood to the shape and size that you like with a saw or Dremel tool (one of the pendants I made was about 32mm X 25mm in size with a thickness of 5mm.)

Round the edges of the wood, I used 60 grit sandpaper for this.

Step 3: Sand Until Smooth

Sand the wood with increasing grit sandpaper until it is nice and smooth, I used 80,100,150,180, 220, then 320 grit. Always sand with the grain, and don't skip more then one grit size.

Step 4: Drill Hole for Bail

With a pencil mark the centre of the pendant where the hole for the bail should go.

Drill hole with a small bit (1/16th).

Step 5: Stain

Since I will be wearing the wood necklace near my skin, I didn't want to use a polyurethane stain. So I choose a natural, non toxic way of staining the wood, coffee.

Brew some coffee stronger than you would drink, I made it about 4X stronger. Filter and let cool before you use.

Apply the coffee stain with a small brush, this may take several coats ( I did 5 coats), dry between coats.

Since it is a water based stain, it will make the wood a bit rough (it raises the grain) so lightly sand to make it smooth again.

Step 6: Oil

I used mineral oil as a non-toxic finish. It also deepens the colour of the wood. Pour a small amount of mineral oil on a rag, rub it into the wood and wipe off the excess.

Step 7: Add Bail and Chain

Put the bail on and squeeze shut with pliers and add a pretty chain.

Introduction: Wood Pendant Necklace