Pressed Pennies

So if you know me at all, you know that I have an unhealthy obsession with pressed pennies. I have three books full of them with pennies from every country I have visited. Although my collection started as just a fun thing I did with my dad (the first one I have is from a San Francisco Giants game in 2000), it has turned into a great alternative to buying a whole lot of junk when traveling. Instead of buying something for the sake of it and spending money on something you don't even want, I search high and low for a pressed penny.

Many of my friends can attest to how annoying and obsessive I get trying to find pennies in odd places but I am always so happy when I find one. Fun fact: you can usually find penny machines in large churches in Europe, no idea why. And, because all my friends know about my collection they often bring me back a penny from their travels as well (my friend Bryanna got me one in New York and my friend Charlotte got me one in Las Vegas). Here is a website with LOADS of penny machines from all over the world: http://www.pennycollector.com/arealist.aspx

One of my favorite places to get pressed pennies is Disneyland. I have a whole book dedicated just to ones from Disney. I always like to get a little something while visiting the park and pennies are a heck of a lot cheaper than anything else you could find. Plus, Disney is super cute at hiding their machines in weird places, even with a season pass I still find new machines all the time. This website is pennies just at Disney Parks: http://www.parkpennies.com/disney-pennies-wdw/disney-pennies.htm

Most recently I have started making jewelery from the pennies (and sometimes quarters). I am currently making a charm bracelet with the coins I collected while I studied abroad. As soon as I am finished I will share a pictures and a tutorial.
Below is a picture of a necklace I made for Charlotte because she loves Tinkerbell (I even made myself a matching one) A really awesome alternative to touristy knick knacks: