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I just spent the day scouring the re-use stores in my town. I found all sorts of interesting objects for using in my jewelry. I wanted to share with you my findings and maybe inspire you to go hunting for you next design elements in an unlikely place.
I am sure everyone has taken apart vintage jewelry for reusing in a new piece of jewelry. I wasn't out to find old jewelry, even though I did find some. I was after odd bits of junk.
I found all sorts of round rings, most of them were washers and small wheel parts, and some I have no idea what they were previously. But now they will become rings in a necklace. Don't you love the rust and worn finish?
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I also found some games. These pieces can be drilled very easily, even the dice. They will become beads. Are you seeing the possibilities here? I am going to save the score cards and game boards for some mixed media projects, they make great backgrounds.
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Are you looking at that big red ring and wondering, what the heck is that? Look closely and you will see it is a ring from the top of a set of curtains. I thought it would be super cool as a pendant with an art bead hanging from the center. I really like that it has been used and shows the wear.
I hope I have inspired you to go searching for your next components in an unlikely place.
Happy Beading!
Jennifer
Jangles
8 comments:
How clever. I love all your finds. You have a good eye and imagination.
Super fun! THat is the sort of element that I look for all the time for my jewelry...although I prefer the things that already have a hole in them because I am not gifted with tools (physically or figuratively!) THanks for the inspiration! Enjoy the day! Erin
I love the way you are able to see outside the box, so to speak! I can look at the same things, and not see the possibilities. I really have to learn to look at things in a new way. Thanks for the tips!
These are great ideas and i just bought a pack of washers yesterday!
Some of your finding give me inspiration!
Hugs xx
Pat
Wow, great finds! It's great when you can see the possibilities in 'junk'.
I have a place near me called Materials Resource Center which is back to back with Restore, Habitat for Humanity's reuse store. Between the two I have found great jewelry findings and fabric and paper and even storage for my beads!
These stores are a wonderful resource and are good if you want to be green as they say. I also have donated to them so its a win - win for all.
Happy Hunting!
Paula Lee
Really bold and beautiful!
It must have been a lot of fun to browse the re-use stores. We don't have anything like that around here, but even if we did I don't seem to have the same insight that you do.
Great pieces!
Alice
You have some very clever ideas. I love incorporating old sewing notions into my jewelry. My favorite is old plastic buckles. I'll have to take a look at my husband's tool bench!!
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