Giving (and receiving) a generic gift is always such a letdown (“Another toaster? …You shouldn’t have…”). Becoming a guru in the art of gift giving need not be brain surgery: simply give the joy of customization! Knowing that something was handmade just for you elicits a warm and fuzzy feeling, and if you’ve been looking for ideas to get you started, you need look no further. This Top 10 collection is devoted to the art of custom monogram pendants. Show off your birthright by wearing your initials!
1. Fine Silver Monogram Necklace
I adore the muted lines of this primitive-style hand-sculpted metal clay pendant. Once fired it becomes fine silver. By MadisonReeceDesigns, $34.
Simple and sweet, this tiny initial necklace by simplyuboutique is perfect for those with an affinity for modern typography. (Sans-serif fans, put your hands up!) $16.
Looking for something a little fancier? The cursive lettering of these pendants is quite effusive! By Laladesignstudio, $25.
4. Two Initial Square Pendant in 14K Yellow, White, or Rose Gold
You and your honey can wear your hearts on your sleeves (er, necks) with this custom pair of initial pendants. By SorellaJewelry, $335.
5. 1877 Sterling Silver Antique Signature Monogram Necklace
These monogram necklaces come with a bit of history. According to dlkdesigns, “While looking through my old book collection, one of my favorite pastimes is coming to margin notes and signatures from those who have held the books before me. This ‘e’ is an original clipping snipped from an antique dictionary from 1877. The first page includes many names signed almost like you would in a yearbook. Own a piece of history, 132 years old.” Amazing! By dlkdesigns, $36.
6. Black and White Nouveau Monogram Glass Frame Pendant
This Art Nouveau beauty is fit for a queen! Best of all, you can unlatch the frame and slip in a photograph if you elect to change the design. By theMIX, $25.
7. Custom Vintage Initial Locket Necklaces
These charming lockets are made from vintage West German glass cabochons. Get yours before they’re gone! By shescraftyhandmade, $23.
8. AQUA letter of your choice monogrammed wax seal pendant
Does this pendant look familiar? It just may be if you’re a watcher of reality television phenomenon The Bachelorette! This particular piece was proudly worn by Jillian (with the letter “J” emblazoned upon it) this season. Publicist Lisa Hanson told us how this necklace came to be on the show: “Recently I purchased a necklace for myself from little miss RitzyMisfit. Her customer service was so fabulous and I loved her necklace so much that I decided I wanted to help her grow her business. I emailed and asked if she was interested in sending one of her necklaces to Jillian, this season’s Bachelorette, while the show was filming in Hawaii. She made and overnighted the necklace and, of course, Jillian wore it on the show!” By RitzyMisfit, $28.
Spice up your neckline with a custom copper dot (and maybe show off your allegiance to Etsy while you’re at it!). By museglass, $22.
10. Silver Petite Initial Necklace
I love the delicate simplicity of this tiny letter. Make a statement — subtly. By threebirdsdesigns, $17.
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112 comments
Sign in to add your ownjessjamesjake says:
Love it! much better than another toaster.
2 years ago
DanaLaymon says:
oh i love looking at these pendants. I've been eyeing one of a D for a while. good selection!
2 years ago
actionjackson says:
Hey, a toaster is a great gift...if it's your first one or your toaster is broken beyond repair. :) I love seeing monogrammed stuff-it reminds me of my nerdy little monogrammed backpack I had as a kid. It's always a little tricky selling monogrammed pieces, even if you let everyone know you can do custom work. I've got a few lettered skeleton heart keys in my shop, and I haven't had much luck selling them. Any tips?
2 years ago
KOALACaddie says:
You are absolutely right! There is nothing like receiving a gift with your monogram on it. The cursive letters from laladesignstudio's shop are just lovely.
2 years ago
BayMoonDesign says:
LaLadesignStudio caught my eye because my last name starts with an L and I love jewelry.
2 years ago
FlanneryCrane says:
How unique all the designs are! I love them! Great talent here...keep up the good work!
2 years ago
BeadsInTheBelfry says:
yay for initial necklaces! Let's not down toasters though. lol. I can also get behind a nifty toaster too.
2 years ago
kristyndors says:
great gift idea - unique yet timeless. these are all beautiful!
2 years ago
moonstr says:
great article! that A is talkin to me...
2 years ago
UglyBaby says:
ooooooooh...the wax seal pendant -- what a great idea!
2 years ago
TheCottageCheese says:
very cute pendants! who doesn't love a monogrammed necklace?
2 years ago
AWEshop says:
Terrific! I love the unique ones. Not just the first letter of your name, but a statement about who you are!!!
2 years ago
paramountvintage says:
i love them all! what a great accessory!!!
2 years ago
spacejam says:
cool!!
2 years ago
beachhouseblues says:
VERY FUN!!
2 years ago
rubygirl says:
Lovely selections! My personal favorite has to be the lovely art nouveau pendants from Istanbul Designs. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19079757
2 years ago
thebestvintage says:
Some cool takes on letter IDs!
2 years ago
elishalong says:
I love that wax seal one! I think I might have to get one for myself!!
2 years ago
BPyarns says:
what fun pendants!
2 years ago
tootie111 says:
These are really unique and fun monograms!
2 years ago
colbyjune says:
My favorite is the one by Madison Reece Designs. I like how it is subtle and organicish.
2 years ago
abotslife says:
A toaster?
2 years ago
pinkycreations says:
I love all of these pendants!
2 years ago
uncharted says:
i'm not usually a monogram wearer, but these are beautiful!
2 years ago
RubberStampPress says:
These pendants are just lovely!
2 years ago
VixVintage says:
I love the Block Monogram Pendant, nice picks.
2 years ago
MademoiselleG says:
Nice items! Love the "her name is ..." necklace.
2 years ago
lolaandemilin says:
These are all so pretty! I love the teeny tiny one by threebirdsdesigns
2 years ago
RockPaperSilver says:
Monograms rock! They are so sophisticated and grown up;)
2 years ago
tinycharm says:
sophisticated!
2 years ago
OliviaClare says:
Love them all!
2 years ago
zombuki says:
I wish I hadn't just let all mine expire, d'oh!!
2 years ago
Aquanetta says:
Great monograms! Love the cursive necklaces :)
2 years ago
PomLove says:
i must have that tiny initial necklace! teenangster, once again you have pulled off a fab collection... my hat is off to you, great job!
2 years ago
aprilmist says:
yes, no more toasters! quite a beautiful array of monograms, great gift idea!
2 years ago
breadandroses says:
what is not to love in these fabulous personalized gifts! all beautiful. lockets hold a special place in my heart! wonderful collection.
2 years ago
Radness says:
what lovely handmade jewels!
2 years ago
funkomavintage says:
oooh lovely! I'm always looking for anything with T or R or TR (tressieruth)
2 years ago
thestapeliacompany says:
I will take one of each please! :)
2 years ago
girltuesdayjewelry says:
Too difficult to pick a favorite. They all ROCK!!!!
2 years ago
TheBeesWrists says:
They are all so beautiful!
2 years ago
gndesign says:
I love these pendants! Very unique.
2 years ago
EarthenTreasures says:
Definitely! Monogram jewelry is better than your run-of-the-mill gift. All these are uniquely beautiful.
2 years ago
steinschmuckdesign says:
Wonderful choices, thank you!
2 years ago
RedsCat says:
I love monogram pendants! I've been making them for years - and I wear them, too (first initial, last initial, boyfriend's initial) - you get the idea. And they really do make great gifts.
2 years ago
jennybethphotography says:
great list - thank you! i'm already starting a list of "favorites" for christmas and these are wonderful. and maybe one of myself. :)
2 years ago
smidgebox says:
gorgeous! [and my hand is up, i love sans-serif]
2 years ago
VinnyFromBrooklyn says:
These are very nice - The world cannot have too many monogrammed pendants
2 years ago
beadinbythesea says:
Thank you for including me in this feature and my first Storque Article and... showing off my PMC Initial necklace shown in the letter "D"! Lots of lovely selections here.
2 years ago
cottonbirddesigns says:
Great finds!
2 years ago
moonovermaize says:
Very nice pendants and that is so exciting that her necklace was worn on the show! Wow!
2 years ago
SquaresOfFlair says:
I love the selection here and have several in my shop! I love monogram pendants!
2 years ago
MadisonReeceDesigns says:
Thanks for including me with these wonderfully talented Etsy Artists!
2 years ago
TheJoyofColor says:
This article reminds me i lost a really old pendant of my grandmother, an oval one you could put a picture inside... i loved it so much, i think that the connection to past genration that made it so unique to me - i loved the pendant by DLKDESIGNS
2 years ago
MinceCo says:
I gave a store bought card with a gift and it ended up being used for a plate!! I got the message and now do the custom thing ALWAYS!!
2 years ago
hyvamax6 says:
Wonderful selections! I love abstract art,too. I am glad you wrote an article about it! http://www.antlala.com/ sincerely good oil painting art! great artist!
2 years ago
JoannasPhotography says:
so pretty! love SorellaJewelry's one :)
2 years ago
AzitasSurprises says:
great selection.
2 years ago
patspottery says:
Very nice, etsy is so diversified:>)
2 years ago
capitalcitycrafts says:
these are all just great! hard to choose which I might like best!
2 years ago
NicoleMarieC says:
I just started making these and I love the process. My only problem? Not making them for everyone I know and love as gifts!
2 years ago
maidavale says:
These are great! And, I totally love the Bachelorette story. It's amazing what selling on Etsy can do!
2 years ago
BraceletsbyLinda says:
Beautiful work. I can't decide which one is my favorite!
2 years ago
bluprints says:
Lovely!1
2 years ago
livingstonandporter says:
More good stuff! love the monograms...all the unique styles~ love 'em all.
2 years ago
DimeStorePretty says:
What about a monogramed toaster?
2 years ago
evihan says:
such a great picks:-))
2 years ago
amber84 says:
loving the 'fine silver' M pendant. lovely. ;)
2 years ago
bijouxdellostregatto says:
I love all these pendants!
2 years ago
artwithallie says:
Letters and fonts are awesome! Personalised gifts made for the individual are always the way to go. I'm so over the 'process line' stuff with no personality aren't you?
2 years ago
fsarah says:
the silver petite initial necklace is so cute, as i normally like things which are small!
2 years ago
cynthiacallan says:
A classic monogram is timeless.
2 years ago
baconsquarefarm says:
Lovely selections~ anyone of these could find a new home at my house~!
2 years ago
GreenTease says:
Super finds! People always love getting handmade stuff that's a given.
2 years ago
threebirdsdesigns says:
Thank you so much for including my necklace!!!
2 years ago
sandali says:
AWESOME pendants -- I LOVE the classic ones ~~ old is most definitely gold in this case !! LOVE it ;)
2 years ago
Fishstikks says:
There are some seriously awesome monogrammed necklaces here! I would be thrilled to own any one of them, such a hard decision indeed!
2 years ago
riorita says:
Wonderful ideas for a gift. How come I never thought of it myself! Thank you!
2 years ago
designlab443 says:
great job, love it! "T"
2 years ago
LisaFerinDesigns says:
Plenty of A's for my daughter! I love the double initial pendants.
2 years ago
babook says:
Monogram it`s popular way anytime ; )
2 years ago
rafya says:
Wonderful pendants, better than another toaster.
2 years ago
MartaWeaverJewelry says:
Love the watch face with letter!
2 years ago
klacustomcreations says:
very cool finds, monograms are always popular and in style and stand the test of time.
2 years ago
pinkbuffalo says:
I love all of these! When I was in college, Tiffany jewelry was very popular amongst a lot of the college population, ESPECIALLY the cursive monogram necklaces. Unfortunately for those of us who aren't made of money, those necklaces were too expensive to justify spending 100 bucks on a sterling silver piece. The ones done by Laladesignstudio are just as elegant as Tiffany's, affordable, and of course, handmade. You're supporting a fellow entrepreneur rather than a multi-million (and quite possibly billion) dollar company. The Nouveau monogram pendants by theMIX remind me of the Roycroft letter style! As a Western New Yorker, I have a special place in my heart for the Roycroft'ian' style. :)
2 years ago
worksandfinds says:
Laladesign caught my eye. Hey, that's me.
2 years ago
barbarasandra says:
Very nice! Love it! :)
2 years ago
verymaryjewelry says:
I love selling on Etsy, but I love to buy even more! I have book marked my favorite shops to go back and buy for birthdays, Christmas,etc. My friends and family love the gifts from Etsy, they can't wait to see what I've found new! I love to buy some thing to give and make a matching piece of my jewelry to match, I think it is very thoughtful. The art of gift giving, is knowing what people like and make it unique!
2 years ago
loda says:
These are great. I love something personal,but unique. I don't think I could choose a fave. A toaster is important, but this so much funner!
2 years ago
Tina669 says:
I love all of these pendants!
2 years ago
FrillyButts says:
I love the wax seal pendant!
2 years ago
IcingOnTheCupcake says:
Love personalized gifts!
2 years ago
bedouin says:
Individuality Prevails!
2 years ago
PeachyCheek says:
How cute. I make pendants with my artwork, but creating custom monogram ones are a great idea! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5125322
2 years ago
shesells says:
I love this monogram idea, especially for gifts.... I have several in my shop that use vintage glass initial letter charms from West Germany circa 1960. Some of my customers have purchased their own initials, some their spouse or love, and others group several together on a chain with their childrens' initials. I even offer a layered necklace. Here are some links to them: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27715988 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26944576 http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26368797 Hope that you might have a minute to take a looksie...
2 years ago
ohoo says:
I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT !!!
2 years ago
lilworkerb says:
I agree 100% Personalized gifts are the ones we cherish most, and keep the longest.
2 years ago
SimpleTraditions says:
I wish I had money!!!!
2 years ago
monkeyandsquirrel says:
so so pretty! i just gave all my bridesmaids monogram necklaces for gifts. they were a hit! love love love them:)
2 years ago
busterandboo says:
You can find vintage typewriter key pendants in my shop - choose your letter!
2 years ago
bluerthanblue says:
Beautiful monograms, initials, ideas, and ARTICLE. I hope my work can be as beautiful and wanted as the artists featured. Thank you!
2 years ago
my3gemz says:
Love the monogram necklace Jillian wore on the show in Hawaii. I want one!
2 years ago
EyeShutterToThink says:
These are too cute. I made one of my own at home (so easy) and it turned out awesome :)
2 years ago
Warmth says:
Stunning Collection.
2 years ago
raegirl says:
What is it about letters that make something seem more respectable and civilized if you adorn the item with them? I just bought some monogrammed linens today--not my initials, but that doesn't matter (my latest collection)
2 years ago
1022SeaShellAve says:
Beautiful Selections, the photography is amazing!
2 years ago
PersonalizedJewelry says:
Have you seen our selection of exclusive monogram necklaces? We also offer an amazing monogram ring, bracelet and earrings!
1 year ago
ali23sha says:
I liked to collect the information about jewelry.Its very interesting to know about the jewelry.thanks for post this article.Body Jewelry
1 year ago
ali23sha says:
I liked to collect the information about jewelry.Its very interesting to know about the jewelry.thanks for post this article. http://www.freshtrends.com
1 year ago
WordandVerse says:
Love monogram items because they are so personal. I hand paint and cut monogram letters that I sell in my shop. Love, love love!
1 year ago