Recycling Jewelry

Down through the years I have been gifted with old unwanted or broken jewelry. These well-meaning aunts and old family friends did not realize that I simply can't turn this kind of thing down. As a result I have this huge stash of glittery, shimmery and shiny junk.

It is now a treasure trove. LOL

Your old ugly necklaces, bits and pieces and purchases that were too good a deal to pass up can become very stylish bracelets and necklaces in a surprisingly short amount of time.

Craft stores will usually have their jewelry making supplies on sale at least once a month.

I have learned the hard way to NOT use beading thread as it just does not hold up to the stresses that I put on a bracelet.

I use tiger tail or some other type of stainless wire and secure with crimping beads. Both of the above bracelets were second hand store ugly necklace purchases.

The Gypsy In My Soul

Like many crafters I have an addiction to the shiny, glitzy and pretty baubles.
I have been collecting beads in many forms for years for that "someday" when I will make something fabulous.

While this bracelet is not fabulous, I happen to be very fond of it and have enjoyed wearing it for a few years.

The first one was purchased and made with beading thread. This did not hold up well at all. When it broke many of the beads just disappeared. So I used the basic design, stuck in mostly my beads, leather and button clasp. Instead of beading thread, I used tiger tail, a stainless steel thread. I may even be doing some classes on this bracelet in the future.