Recycling Jewelry with Bead Simple!
When I heard that one of my crafty heroes, Susan Beal, was coming out with a new book on beading, I was excited, but I also cringed at the thought of diving into yet another craft. I was into jewelry making back in junior high and high school, but have hardly opened my bead box in the last decade. The last thing I need with my already impossible schedule is inspiration to dig that out from the depths of my studio. But alas, the book is awesome, and not only did I get out that old bead collection, but I also went on a mini online shopping spree for jewelry making tools, wire, and findings, and a trip to my local hardware store for some fun stuff! I'm in deep...
Ok Threadheads, I'm getting off track here, because my purpose in writing this post is to tell you about my favorite element of the book - Susan (like me) is a big fan of reuse and crafting with what you already have on hand. Yay for recycling! One of my favorite projects in the book is the "bracelet alchemy necklace," in which she takes a vintage bracelet and repurposes it into a fancy necklace. And then there's the "lost and found necklace" which uses a vintage medal as the focal pendant. These got me brainstorming about other things I could remake into new jewelry, or ways I could make old, never-worn items into new, much-loved pieces!
So, I took this awesome film canister which was already converted into a pendant by an etsy crafter, took it off the broken chain it was on, and made it into this!
Now I encourage you to go through old boxes and drawers, find long-forgotten pins, pendants, an earring that lost its mate, or a bracelet or necklace that's falling apart, and create some amazing pieces of your own! And if you're not the jewelry wearing type, some other projects in Bead Simple include clothing embellishments, household items, handbag charms, belts, and sunglasses leashes. Or how about stitch markers for you knitters? Or cellphone charms? Be creative and post your pictures in the comments!!
Craft, recycle, vintage, earrings, bead, jewelry making, pendants, pins
