Hope or Despair Apocalypse Pendant

This pendant represents either a pessimistic or hopeful view of an apocalyptic future. Either this pendant holds a seed ready to be planted upon establishing a new homestead, or it will flower at the site of the wearer's death.

Materials:

Thick piece of veg tanned leather

Screw-on grommet (I got these at my local craft show near bag handles, clasps, and straps.)

Small screwdriver

Large jump ring

Leather punch

Thinly woven fabric

Seed (I used a sunflower.)

Chain

X-acto knife

Metal ruler

Stylus or awl

Hammer or mallet

Leather modeling tool

I had previously dyed this piece of leather with Rit dye. Follow the directions on the box to dye your own.

Press the side of the grommet with the threaded holes into the leather to create an imprint.

Use the leather punch to make room for the grommet.

Press the grommet into the resulting hole.

Cut two pieces of thinly woven fabric that are larger than the grommet. A biodegradable fabric would be ideal, but most plants will have no trouble growing through the fabric if it's thinly woven.

Place one piece of the fabric over the grommet in the leather.

Place your seed on the fabric.

Place the other piece of fabric over the seed.

Screw the other half of the grommet over the fabric.

Cut the leather into any desired shape. I chose to cut the edges at an angle using a metal ruler as a guide. You can sand the edges to even them up or round them off. Any fuzzy bits can be burned off with a lighter.

Add details with a leather modeling tool. I just drew a few circles in the corners, but solobo has created an ible on leather tooling that would be very helpful if you'd like to add more.

Use a stylus or awl to punch a hole and insert the jump ring.

Add your chain.

Now make a decision. Are you wearing this seed to flower from your demise or create a new beginning?