[Iris]

Christmas is coming and I would like to make something for my grandson who is now 12 but I have no clue what that would be. It would probably be easier to send him a gift card for Game Stop but that doesn't especially appeal to me, although he'd probably like to have his addiction to games fed

So, anyone have any ideas what to make for a growing 12 year old??

TIA

[Quill]

Well, I'm no boy, but back when I was twelve girly things were definitely out. When it came to jewelry, something simple - like a leather / cotton black cord with a pendant on it - was far better than anything sparkly.

I remember once we took a trip to a renaissance festival and I found a dragon claw and marble pendant. I loved that thing! It was so cool. I lost it awhile ago, but I bet he'd get a kick out of something like that if he's interested in fantasy RPGs. Or you could make some kind of polymer clay fang.

EDIT: Wow!! This is it!! http://www.beadsandc...s/imp/i6020.jpg
http://www.beadsandc...ER-PENDANT.aspx

I don't know how trustworthy beadsandcharms.com is, but I'm totally going to have to try to get this charm again. Yay!!!

[DawninCal]

The boys I know in that age range like to wear single animal teeth or claws on a leather cord. Leather cord or macrame bracelets with a few plain beads in neutral colors are also popular. I don't know a single kid who doesn't like to personalize their backpack with charms of different types hanging on cord or chain especially if they feature their school mascot and school colors. If he has a cell phone a cell phone charm might go over well.

You could also make something that incorporates the colors and mascot of his favorite sports team if he's into sports.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.



Dawn

[Quill]

We think alike with the cord, Dawn!

Now that I think of it, hemp and cowry shells, wood, or little carved skulls are also popular.

[krysmh]

A wide band ring with some kind of symbol - dragon, flame, skull, tribal, etc etched/pierced/stamped/etc in would be cool.

If he carries any keys, a hip keychain.

If he plays guitar, a personalized silver or copper guitar pick. (Would also look cool as a keychain or pendant on leather cord.)

Depending on personal style, maybe chunky manly looking chain maille? My hubby loves his sterling hp 4-1 bracelet. It's oxidized to a gun metal black.

[DawninCal]

We sure do, Quill, and we posted at exactly the same time!



Dawn

[rocknwow]

I think this could fulfill all the suggestions.

The metal skulls are from Fire Mountain. The leather is from Rio. I can sell you the sharks teeth, whale teeth, dinosaur teeth, meteorites and a whole lotta cool things 12 year old boys love. It's kinda my specialty.

The best part...eventually 12 year old boys become 30+ year old men and they just want the bigger more expensive teeth.

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[Barb Macy]

Heheheh! I was going to suggest one of Kevin's sharks teeth necklaces. . .

I've made my 11-year-old son several, and for gifts for boy's birthday parties. They are always a hit! We have found quite a stash of prehistoric sharks teeth on the beaches in Florida where my MIL lives.

[cmydesigns]

Chainmaille is a hit with that age group. My son (who is now 15) has had a couple of aluminum and rubber bracelets that he wears a lot.

The shark's teeth are also a great idea, as are arrowheads and anything made of bone. Boys just love to gross out girls telling them "yeah, this is made from bone" at that age.

[TffnyNelson]

rocknwow, on 16 November 2009 - 04:46 AM, said:

I think this could fulfill all the suggestions.

The metal skulls are from Fire Mountain. The leather is from Rio. I can sell you the sharks teeth, whale teeth, dinosaur teeth, meteorites and a whole lotta cool things 12 year old boys love. It's kinda my specialty.

The best part...eventually 12 year old boys become 30+ year old men and they just want the bigger more expensive teeth.

I have a few bone skulls like the one on the left that I would be glad to give you too. I got them down in NYC back in March. I just remember the trips my family used to take to Florida and my brother ALWAYS bought tons of shark teeth and at least one necklace each time that was made of shark teeth!

[BeadSire]

My son is 12 and he loves the sharks tooth - he's also army mad so maybe a dog tag with his favourite symbol - he loves his and wears it all the time!

[Iris]

I like those pendants Kevin!! He all boy and has the usual gross sense of humor so he would like the skulls I'm sure and probably the shark teeth too. I think I'll go check out your sites. Since you've already invented "the wheel" I don't need to do so

[oriole6]

Does he play guitar? I just made this for my 13yr old nephew. His favorite color is purple, so I made it with purple picks.

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[gd-fan]

Well, I'm 14 and the jewellry most of the guys my age wear is chain necklaces with a simple charm but that might seem a bit boring to make so why not take inspiration from the surfer necklaces around which are very in for both boys and girls. But remember the most important thing about original handmade jewellry, no ones gonna be thinking oh yeah I saw that in Animal or whatever and no one is gonna be wearing the exact same thing!
Some inspirational pictures:
http://cdn1.ioffer.c...6/IMG_2205l.jpg
http://sandboxsouven...s/IMG_3412l.JPG
Good luck and happy christmas to your grandson!

[gd-fan]

Well, I'm 14 and the jewellry most of the guys my age wear is chain necklaces with a simple charm but that might seem a bit boring to make so why not take inspiration from the surfer necklaces around which are very in for both boys and girls. But remember the most important thing about original handmade jewellry, no ones gonna be thinking oh yeah I saw that in Animal or whatever and no one is gonna be wearing the exact same thing!
Some inspirational pictures:
http://cdn1.ioffer.c...6/IMG_2205l.jpg
http://sandboxsouven...s/IMG_3412l.JPG
Good luck and happy christmas to your grandson!

[Scubamage]

I have a few examples to inspire you at my etsy site: http://rabidjewelry.etsy.com I also have numerous sets of teeth of various shark breeds (bull. sand tiger, lemon, etc) that I can let go pretty cheap. I have some bear claws as well but would need approval from their owner as to their disposition. I can also supply nice Apache arrow heads (of course some school councelor might look at them and consider them a weapon as they are about 2-3 inches long!).

Mike