I think it would be safe to say that most of us have some pieces of jewelry laying around that could use some fixing up. Giving a new look to an old piece of jewelry can be fun and relatively easy on the purse strings. Perhaps you have what used to be a pair of earrings, but you lost one and you just haven't been able to convince yourself to toss the remaining piece away. Take a look at it again, you might be able to make a new piece of jewelry out of it. It might make a cute charm for a bracelet. Then again, you might be able to combine it with something else and make a pendant. Your imagination and creativity can find a new purpose for your old jewelry
Honestly, making yourself some new jewelry doesn't have to use other old pieces of jewelry. You can get really creative and use old dominoes, mahjong tiles, or just about anything else you can think of. If you would like some tips and suggestions on how to go about giving your jewelry a new look, I would recommend that you take a look at Fitzcharming's article. In Altered Art Craft Jewelry we find that there are many ways to alter items around our house, particularly older pieces of jewelry into something new and fun to wear. She gives us tips on items to use and the tools we would need to re-purpose all sorts of items into a new life.
"Well, I'm just not artsy or crafty enough to do this," might be what you are thinking. Not a problem, as Fitzcharming also gives us some ideas on where we can find Altered Art Jewelry by artisans across the internet. Creative and crafty people are saving a variety of items and giving them new life and a new look and helping the environment by using articles found before they get tossed away.
I've seen this trend growing in my line of work. Many customers are coming in looking at vintage jewelry and discussing how they plan to rework them to make a new piece. I'm always fascinated with their ideas and beg them to bring the piece back in when they are finished.
After you have read Fitzcharming's informative article, go take a peek around the house and see if you have some things you can give a new look to.
Visit Altered Art Craft Jewelry
Image Credit: Crazy Jewels
Bev, as you know, I am a jewelry artist, and I have noticed a trend for remaking old jewelry or even other old items into new jewelry. I think this is a mixture of the economic recession--trying to make more with less, and the love of vintage style that is going on.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the reason, there are loads of ways to create your own or recreate your own jewelry, or find a local artist that is doing it for you. :)
Well, isn't that interesting. I just discovered one of Fitzcharming's pages earlier today and here you are reviewing one of her lenses. I can see why you liked this page, considering the business you are in. I would bet that jewelry made from re-purposed items is going to be very popular.
ReplyDelete"Repurposed" or "upcycled" jewelry is now very popular but many artists, like myself, have been making and selling jewelry from vintage jewelry and reclaimed materials for years. I started taking apart costume jewelry to make funky new stuff back in high school. So glad it's enjoying greater popularity today!
ReplyDeleteEverything old is new again: jewelry from repurposed materials has its roots in the art jewelry movement; the current eco-friendly, "green" aesthetic has its roots in the "back to land" movement of the 60's/70's and even the Depression area practicality of using what you have at hand.
Thanks for a great post - Altered Art Craft Jewelry looks like a fantastic book!
I've been a fan of Fitzcharming for a while, and she may make a jewelry convert of me yet!
ReplyDeleteShe knows a lot about charms and everything associated with jewelry. She did a great job with this lens, and is cranking out a nice body of work in this area (as well as some of her other interests, like dogs).
Never thought of a Squidoo-lens review angle on a blog, but that's a really good one, too, because there are so many inspiring things on Squidoo. Your site is inspiring new writing horizons for me as well.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for mentioning my Squidoo Lens in your article. I'm a big vintage jewelry fan and it's so much fun to write about jewelry on Squidoo because the information reaches so many readers. I appreciate your thoughtful perspective on this subject.
ReplyDelete