Fish Amulet

The fish, an amazing fertile creature, has long been regarded as a symbol of increase and wealth. The Buddhists look upon the carp as the personification of endurance. They frequently wear fish amulets to help them in their business transactions. The fish is a bringer of good fortune and fortitude to everyone, but it is especially lucky for those born under the sign of Pisces (like me!)
  • 1 1/4" x 4" piece of 18 gauge silver
  • electric drill and 1/16" and 1/8" bits
  • scribe
  • centerpunch
  • tracing paper
  • carbon paper
  • emery cloth
  • electric drill buffing attachment and polishing compound
  • half-round file
  • 7 jump rings
  • long-nosed pliers
  • tin snips (or hand saw)
  • hammer

Draw the shape of a fish, dissecting it into seven separate sections to represent the days of the week, and transfer with the carbon paper to the emery clothed surface of the silver. Scribe the traced lines. Depress points down the center with the centerpunch, indicating the holes to be drilled. Drill two 1/16" holes in both sides of each of the five body sections of the fish. Drill 1/16" and 1/8" hole in the head and 1/16" hole in the tail.

Carefully cut each section from the silver with tin snips or a small hand saw. Gently tap each piece flat with the flat end of a ball-peen hammer to flatten after the cutting. File the edges smooth with the half- round file. You may need to flatten again with the hammer. (Note* if you use the other side of the hammer, you can make some interesting scale-like textures on your fish but don't hit too hard or you will warp the shape of your pieces.)

Emery cloth each section and apply the polish compound to the buffing attachment. Polish your fish to a high sheen. Insert the jump rings and assemble your fish. The fish can be suspended from a chain from a jump ring inserted through its eye hole.