MAKE JEWELRY WITH THRIFT SHOP FINDS, TINY TOYS, EVEN OUTDOOR FAUCETS!

Create unique jewelry with recycled and upcycled materials. It's easy and fun!

Find inexpensive costume bits and pieces to assemble into a new necklace! Alter old-fashioned screw-type earring backs by snipping off the screw and rolling what's left into a loop. The backs of clip-on earrings often pull right off with pliers.

Start your design at the center of a chain with the largest elements. Work outward on each side with smaller parts.

This neck candy was made with junk pins and ear bobs.

I like to use all silver-tone or all gold-tone pieces together,
but you can mix and match.

Necklace above done with deconstructed brooches and earrings on a spare chain.

The two pieces seen directly below utilize a common piece of 

hardware: faucet handles! Other materials include vintage 

earrings or buttons, chains, clasps, findings (including jump 

rings &/or jewelry wire), and a few beads. Tools needed

 are pliers and wire cutters. I also added a touch of metallic 

acrylic paint to the "flower" shapes.

Old faucet handles as elements in a bracelet and a necklace. 

String some beads & add a few novelties!

This necklace is a mix of high and low: 

glass beads left over from other projects, 

and plastic key chain dangles. Achieve 

a similar Pop-art effect with small 

novelty pencil sharpeners.

(Be sure to see some tips on jewelry-making, at my last post.)