Sunday, September 14, 2014

Bejeweled

I haven't sewn a single stitch this week. You see, I've been on a jewelry kick, and since it's kind of an ordeal to get out and put away my copious beading supplies, I like to make sure it's all out of my system before I clean up and proceed to the next craft project. So at the moment, my entire sewing desk is covered with beads, wire, jump rings, and whatnot.

It all started when I noticed the dreadful state of my boss' lanyard for her keycard to get into our office. It was essentially a ribbon with colorful rhinestones glued to it, and now that most of those rhinestones have fallen off, it's looking a little sad. So I decided to make her a new one. I went to Joann's and grabbed some lanyard clips for $1.12 (25% off $1.49) and two strands of bright, cheery beads at $6 (40% off $10) to supplement some similar beads I already had. Those beads were in the form of this necklace, which I had made several years ago from an old brooch that was my grandmother's. I just never wore it though. The colorful brooch plus the wild beads was just too much bling.

Upcycled Brooch Necklace - Before

So I took it apart, and used its beads - and the beads I had just bought - to make this brand-spanking-new [and much more durable] lanyard!

Colorful Beaded Lanyard

Then I added a length chain to the brooch using jump rings. I feel like simplifying the necklace will help keep the brooch the focal point, as it deserves to be.

Upcycled Brooch Necklace - After

But as I said, I couldn't just put away my jewelry stuff after two items. So I pulled out this necklace, which a friend had given me months ago. She said she was never going to wear it, so I could have it or re-purpose it if I like.

Lapis Drop Necklace - Before

I'm not that keen on chokers (they're a little too '90s, right?), so I disassembled it and made it new again. I used head pins to dangle the stones from a basic chain necklace. Then I added a second, shorter chain with a few more drop beads on it.

Lapis Drop Necklace - After

The best part of this one was when the friend who had given it to me complimented it when I wore it on Friday.

Lapis Drop Necklace - After


Next up was an old bracelet (with I totally forgot to photograph) from a different friend. It was just a basic, single-strand bracelet in shades of purple.

Purple Dangle Necklace

I took all of one kind of bead from it (the rest went into the stash) and put them on head pins. A little chain, some jump rings, and a clasp later, and I've got another new necklace.

Purple Dangle Necklace

After that, I went through my stash and grabbed a few random one-of-a-kind beads.

Drop Necklace

Dangled on head pins from a bit of chain, and they look like they belong together!

Drop Necklace

Lastly (for now), I pulled out another necklace I made years ago. This one began life as a pair of clip-on earrings from my Granma's jewelry box.

Clip-On Earring Necklace - Before

I had wired them together and strung up a necklace, but the wiring wasn't the most attractive solution, and I wasn't happy with how I strung the beads. The smaller beads at the top just made it look like I ran out of the red and silver beads at the bottom (which I had).

Clip-On Earring Necklace - Before

So this time, I used jump rings to join the earrings together and created my own linked chain with the red beads incorporated.

Clip-On Earring Necklace - After

Vast improvement!

Clip-On Earring Necklace - After

Fair warning: I'm not sure it's entirely out of my system yet. So don't be surprised if you see some more beadery in the near future.

8 comments:

  1. These jewelry refashions are beautiful! I've tried making jewelry before, but I'm not very good at it. Yours are so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just like with sewing and knitting, it's taken a lot of practice and learning from mistakes. And I still have miles to go!

      Delete
  2. I agree with dannyscotland - you're good! I would be quite happy to see more beading posts. I especially like the first and last pieces made from your Granma's brooch and earrings. Can I ask where you get your chains, and do they stand up to wear without turning colour?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jenny! I knew I wouldn't wear the brooch or clip-ons, so I wanted to find some way to update her jewelry to my style.

      I usually get my notions at one of the big-box craft stores - Joann's, Michael's. I think these chains came from Hobby Lobby, which I don't think you have in Canada. They seem to stand up pretty well, but to be fair, I have a lot of jewelry (mostly me-made), so no one piece gets worn that frequently.

      Delete
  3. Awesome! I've been wanting to do something like this for a long time but I haven't gotten around to buying supplies..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Yeah, it's a little bit of an investment that first time, but once you buy a pack of jump rings, they'll last forever. Plus, I like to keep an eye on the craft stores' sale ads. Most of them will put jewelry-making supplies on 40-50% off pretty regularly. Then you can go stock up at half the cost!

      Delete
  4. Hi Carissa!
    I just love your vintage jewwlry!! So gorgeous!
    Love especially what you did with thw vintage ones!
    Kisses from Portugal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I really wanted to wear my Granma's pieces, but didn't really like them as is. Just like with refashioned clothes - sometimes the fabric's beautiful, but not the style.

      Delete