Posted by Snow in Look at the materials used in vintage costumes, beaded gowns, and old pieces of vintage jewelry. The sewing and beads piece can be re-used for new jewelry and unique artistic creations. New media and mixed media like paper and found art are recognized in art installations and art galleries around the world. Recycled art and art composed from materials found or reclaimed find green clients.
Jewelry composed from found materials or recycled materials can be eye catching and a conversation piece. The sky is the limit when recycling anything for the jewelry making effort. Jewelry from tinted and polished bits of metal, carved bits of wood, strung together crystals, and recycled findings and fastenings is a very practical approach.
Recycling jewelry is a very good way to keep an old favorite piece alive in another incarnation. A lost cufflink or earrings no longer means the end of the life for that piece. Recycling earrings that are orphans into jewelry fastenings or clasps is a classic recycling method for jewelers. Recycled earrings are great ways to dress up sweater buttons or evening dress straps.
Anything can be made into jewelry. Items like new media, flash drives, guitar picks, guitar strings, recycled typewriter keys, pencils, paper clips, anything that attracts the eye and look well designed. Recycled media and materials like flowers or even game pieces can make sustainable jewelry that finds green customers. Chicken wire with copper or gold shielding can make quite interesting hair accessories like headbands or barrettes.
Recycled materials can be anything colorful or metallic, plastic or part of some other use. One famous French designer once made a costume for a play with a necklace of spools of thread. Beaded projects like curtain pulls or decorated pillows can be made from fabric, thread and beads or buttons of all one color family. Scout out Ebay for ideas if your everyday items don’t strike the recycling fire without inspiration.
Before throwing out that item of clothing like a pair of jeans or a favorite holiday shirt, take a second look. Could it make a durable pillow covering, or could some of the beads, trims, or zipper be recycled into a new project? Build a bin inside your home or garage to collect things like this that can be recycled for jewelry or crafts projects.
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