Engraved Stainless Steel Guitar Pick Necklace

I engraved a stainless steel guitar pick to make into a necklace using a Muse Laser Engraver.

I was very much inspired by Pinterest, along with my urge to find/create cool necklaces.

Supplies:

1. Muse Laser Engraver
2. Stainless Steel Guitar Picks (with holes) (x2)
3. Ball Chain
4. Ball Chain Connectors
5. Jewelry Pliers/ Tool to cut ball chain
6. Black Enamel Spray Paint

Somewhat Optional:

1. Cardboard
2. Paper clips (x2)
3. Plastic Guitar Picks (as a test run)

Programs/ Apps Used:

1. Adobe Fresco
2. Pinterest (Optional)
3. RetinaEngrave (RE3)

First, search for a design you like or create one yourself in Adobe Fresco. I went on Pinterest and decided on an anatomically correct heart.

Download the design and put it into Adobe Fresco. Then I traced the design, making sure to use a brush I liked. Or, skip that if you already created a design you like.

Because stainless steel cannot be engraved with the Muse Laser Engraver, I chose to spray paint the guitar pick with black enamel spray paint, so that when engraved, the steel could shine through.

Additionally, I painted two picks so that I had a test run pick.

In order to spray paint these tiny picks, I got a piece of cardboard and poked paper clips through it so I could hang the guitar picks.

Then, I got some help from Craig and The Gang (the school handymen), who helped me find the paint and also spray painted it for me.

Let dry for however long is needed, I let mine sit for a day.

Before you begin engraving on your spray painted picks, I would recommend doing some test runs!

I ran three test runs. Two on plastic guitar picks, and one on an extra spray painted pick.

From these test runs, I learned what size my design needed to be and how to line up the laser. I noticed that when I would run the perimeter and center everything perfectly— the design would consistently be a little bit farther on the left than preferred. To accommodate for this, I moved the pick so that it was slightly more on the right.

Feel free to play around with this step so that you can perfect it!

Once you feel comfortable, you can engrave your official spray painted pick. Additionally, if you would like to add a design to the back of the pick you can a do that as well.

Now that your guitar pick is engraved, your final step is to attach it to a chain! (Or you can also add a clear coat of spray paint or clear nail polish to maintain the paint)

Measure out your desired length of ball chain and cut using the jewelry pliers/ tweezers.

Thread your pick through the chain and connect both sides using a ball chain connector.

BOOM! Very cool necklace! :D