Vintage jewelry is popping up everywhere, especially at flea markets and antique booths. You can find baggies for very cheap, or purchase individual pieces.
My jewelry has a different story. It was given to me years ago when a beloved great-aunt passed away.
A few pieces I wore back in high school, setting my own 80’s funky style with Bertie’s pieces.
Since I inherited her collection of costume jewelry, it has been sitting for decades, unused and unworn.
I simply didn’t know what to do with these outdated items!
What can I do with old costume jewelry?
This week I want to share a fast and easy idea for upcycling vintage costume jewelry, into something fitting for a modern wardrobe.
Certain items have a classic appeal and are still wearable, but if you have a bag of clip-on, or screw-back earrings, chances are they aren’t being worn.
How do you make repurposed jewelry?
My friend April came over and we spent an afternoon reimagining these tiny art pieces.
We chose to create hair clips!
The first step is to carefully use pliers to take off the back hardware. Wiggle back and forth gently, so as not to break the whole earring and avoid cutting fingers…they can be sharp.
We went to Hobby Lobby and in the jewelry-making section, there are bobby pins with circular bases at the decorative end.
These are easy to find at most craft stores. They hold a well of adhesive, allowing plenty of room for glue to cover the entire back of the earring.
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We also picked up some alligator clips, and while pretty, we noticed the pieces stuck better with the bobby pins.
We also experimented with ring bases, from the same section at Hobby Lobby and pin
bases.
All of them turned out great!
The next challenge is thinking up ideas for these necklaces.
Here are a few of the finished pieces, they will look especially fun with growing out short hair! You could also make them as gifts for people, and attach them to a piece of cardstock like on the picture below.
I have another plan in the works for celebrating the life of Bertie with the remaining jewelry. Something unexpected for a decor piece… you can see it here.
Have a wonderful time upcycling your costume jewelry!
