Make your own Valentine's Day jewellery

Last year I put a lot of time into my Valentine's Day message , making 11 prototype cards . I chose the best card and it went down well, but it's now hidden away in the loft in a keepsake box. I assume that this is what happens to the other billion-odd cards sent each Valentine's Day. After all the effort that goes into a homemade card, it seems such a shame that most will end up in the attic or the recycling bin. I've decided to send a message again. But this year, I want it to be an item that has a purpose beyond reiterating my love. There are lots of ways you can make something with a message: a cross stitch bookmark , beads on a jumper or even in the pattern on a garden lattern . But I want it to be something a bit more personal, so making a piece of jewellery for the person I love seems perfect. These cufflinks with old maps on Etsy inspired me to make my own version. I'm still working on the message. I want it to be something I think about regularly, such as: "Remember to dust when you clean the house." Just kidding - he's great at dusting. Now that we've lived together a while ... Though I'm sure he'd like it if I had a necklace with a message saying, "Check your pockets before you say you've lost your keys." Here's how you can make your own jewellery with similar sweet nothings in it. What could be more appropriate than making cufflinks with sentiments of love? After all, they say you should wear your heart on your sleeve. What you need to make cufflinks • Cufflink blanks • Glass cap/cabochon (You will find these have all sorts of different names online. I ordered glass caps from Manchester Minerals .) • Epoxy glue • Paper with message that is the same size as the glass cap/cabochon What you need to make a pendant • Pendant pad (I used Dichro Findings ) • Chain • Glass cap/cabochon • Epoxy glue • Paper with message that is the same size as the glass cap/cabochon How much time will it take? Just minutes to make, plus overnight drying. What to do 1. Select your message or image. Your first words to each other? Where you met? Your favourite holiday destination? A fragment of poetry? A map signalling where to meet for a date? Use the glass cap as a template. If you're making cufflinks, remember you'll need two! 2. Glue the message on to the cufflink blank or pendant. Leave to dry in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 3. Stick the glass cap over the top of the message. Try not to use too much glue - a thin layer should be plenty. 4. If you still want to send a Valentine's Day card, you can always use a hole punch to make two holes in the card and use those to display your cufflinks or pendant. 5. If you don't have the time or enthusiasm to go the whole hog this year, you can always order a pair of ready-made photo display cufflinks from Cuffs'n'Collars . Then all you have to do is cut out your picture and place it in the holder.