Remake with beads


Brook recently went through her costume jewelry pile and decided to get rid of a necklace that she’s had for four years, but has outgrown since her style has changed.  I was going to add this piece to our donation box, but decided to keep it since I was low on beads.  So I took the necklace apart…

… and sorted out the beads that appealed to me.

I used these beads to make this chunky necklace,

this linear-looking necklace,

this duo of bracelets,

and this bracelet too.

I was so excited to discover that I could create 5 pieces of jewelry using the beads from Brook’s one necklace.  And it’s even more exciting that there are still beads leftover…I think these red ones can be made into a lovely something or two for Valentines Day.

It feels so satisfying to take something that’s lost its luster to create something fresh.  I love, love experimenting with the possibilities…do you enjoy doing this too?  And as a bonus, doesn’t it feel great to save money this way?



16 Comments, Comment or Ping

  1. oh becky,
    you are magnificently gifted
    w/taking the ordinary
    & seeing it into something
    extraordinary. xox

    June 20th, 2011

  2. absolutely. and it is feels amazing to wear something so original with a little story behind it. lovely.

    June 20th, 2011

  3. Beky,
    You did a beautiful job. I have boxes of magnificent new beans and struggle with what to do with them. You took a used piece and made something really charming. What a nice job!
    Big hugs,
    Suz

    June 20th, 2011

  4. Becky, you’ve been so busy since I was last here. Everything you make is so precious and simple and needs little embellishment to get the point across! It’s how life should be!
    Hugs to you!’
    Diane

    June 20th, 2011

  5. It not only feels great, but they all look marvelous! Well Done~ I can’t wait to see what you will do with the red ones ;D

    It always amazes me, what can be done with what is on hand! Thanks for sharing and encouraging everyone to recycle~

    June 20th, 2011

  6. You have made so many treasures out of one discard. Great way to upcycle. Wonderful week to you…

    June 20th, 2011

  7. laura huffman

    so lovely Becky. how fun to make so many pieces. my daughter also went through her beads and i benefited was able to decorate a bag using a large chunky wooden necklace. i like it, not sure it will appeal to anyone else, but it was fun creating. have a great week.

    June 20th, 2011

  8. Yes it does – what a great idea!
    Years ago and far away, we were broken into and the thief snatched and grabbed from my jewelry box; in the aftermath I was left with several orphaned earrings..
    Last year I was looking at those orphaned earrings, plus their replacements (which I never did get attached to as they were more representative of what I had lost than I what I wanted) and decided it was time. I spent a day taking them all apart and now I use the beads and charms in my creations. Something good does come from something bad if you will let it!

    June 20th, 2011

  9. Amazing! How many beautiful things! I also love to reuse stuff, which is fun and also money saving. Love your creations, as always!

    June 21st, 2011

  10. It’s good to know that we’re part of the same “reusing things” club.

    June 21st, 2011

  11. You are so talented and clever! Lovely bracelets! Did your daughter want any of the “new” ones? I always love when I re-use or recycle something old into something new!

    June 21st, 2011

  12. I love these, Becky. I am not at all surprised that you turned one discarded necklace into all these beautiful pieces. You are the “MacGyver” of craft projects! lol Did Brook steal any of the new pieces back?

    June 21st, 2011

  13. Brook’s going super-simple these days and very rarely wears jewelry or accessories. Me, I’m the opposite…I always wear a pop of something.

    June 21st, 2011

  14. these are really work of art! beautyful!

    June 21st, 2011

  15. Reading your blog as I take a quick lunch break. I must say your projects are pretty awesome! 🙂
    Okay, lunch break is over.
    Thanks for the eye candy!
    xoxo!
    Michelle

    June 22nd, 2011

  16. Love them… I have so many old jewelry pieces that I made (from the 70’s – I hate to date myself) and I even have new pieces from Target that I bought expecting to change. They are just sitting there waiting for me to get to it…hopefully this summer.

    June 23rd, 2011

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