How to Earn the Girl Scout Junior Jeweler Badge (Get Moving!)

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Updated April 2023

One of the easiest ways to accessorize an outfit is to wear jewelry. It does not have to be expensive at all-my Nana was the Queen of Costume Jewelry and I inherited it all. She never left the house without her matching necklaces and earrings, most purchased at a flea market in her later years.

Jewelry making can be a fun hobby and a profitable one as well if you are talented enough. I know several people who do craft fairs and earn a nice income doing something that they love.

Your troop can earn the Junior Girl Scout Jewelry Badge in one meeting if you go on a field trip and take a jewelry design class or over two meetings. I have always felt that rushing meetings just to fulfill requirements sends the wrong message to the girls. Art takes time, and some girls (like my very artistic daughters) can spend a lot of time on their designs.

Photo from Pixabay and used by the author in Canva

Step 1 Get to Know the Tools of the Trade

This step can be accomplished three different ways. The first way is to go on a field trip and part of making jewelry is having the person in charge showing the girls the tools and how they are used.

The second way is to have a guest jeweler come to your meeting to show the tools and give a demonstration on how they are used. S/he can lead the girls for the other requirements.

A third way to fulfill this requirement is to watch a short YouTube video on the topic.

 

Step 2 Make Jewelry With Metal (Can also fulfill Step 5)

There are many crafts that you can do, and one of the easiest crafts to do with the girls is to make a washer necklace. 

There are many online tutorials on how to make this necklace. Here are the basics that you need:

Washers (you can use different sizes if you want a multi-layered look)

 

Washers Available on Amazon

For the necklace you can purchase:

 

Necklace Cord Available on Amazon

Necklace Chains

Ribbon for Necklaces

How do you decorate the washer? This is where you find what works for you. There are many tutorials for making a DIY washer necklace for kids. You can use nail polish, glitter, glitter glue, ribbon, beads...there choices are endless.

Step 3 Turn Everyday Objects Into Jewelry

You can really get lost on Pinterest looking for a craft…there are so many! One that is simple and popular with girls is a bottle cap necklace. They are easy to make and you can have the girls create a one-of-a-kind necklace with their name on it.

Here is what you will need:

Circles for Bottle Caps (free template to download)

Bottle Caps

If your girls are into fundraising for big trips, then they can use this to create necklaces to sell at craft fairs once they have fulfilled their fundraising requirements.

Or you can buy these in bulk.

100 Flattened Silver Bottle Caps with Holes and 8mm Split Rings Attached 

from Amazon

100-Piece Epoxy Stickers for Bottle Cap Pendants, 1-Inch, Clear 

from Amazon

Hot Glue Gun

Markers

Scissors

Glittery Beads (optional)

Have the girls create their own design and cut out the circles. You place a dab of hot glue on the inside of the cap and place the image. Top with clear sticker. Place on the chain and the girls can put beads on either side.

Step 4 Create Jewelry Inspired by Another Culture

If you studied a specific country for World Thinking Day, then you can carry the learning one step further and make a craft from that culture. Otherwise, select a country and find something that will work for your girls.

You can make macrame, Egyptian beads, Native American inspired bracelets…there are so many choices!

Image created by the author in Canva

Step 5 Make a Sparkling Gift

Here is where you can save a bit of time. Just make a second bottle cap necklace with sparkly beads to give to someone or use the beads to make a bracelet or necklace.