What's on My Bench???

Today's episode is from JET member Phylly of SendingLoveGallery and LovesVintageDelights. She is going to talk about how the two shops relate to each other.

I work primarily with gemstones and art glass to make jewelry for my shop SendingLoveGallery at Etsy, but I also enjoy “repurposing” and “upcycling” vintage components into “new” handmade jewelry. While looking through potential stock for my vintage shop, LovesVintageDelights, I often find necklace strands, earrings and brooches that are broken or not in good enough condition to put in the shop. From these I harvest the beads and the findings that are still good and try to re-use them in a new creation.  Here’s what’s on my bench, waiting to recycle.

Some are single pieces that may become a necklace pendant.

In a few cases I’ve already found a group of vintage earring clusters that will become a bracelet, like the group of white and gold earrings on the jewelry board above, almost ready to go!  Here are some more candidates for a bracelet:

These aurora borealis crystal pieces came from mid-century earrings. After removing the broken clip backs with pliers I’ve secured each cluster to a silver metal backing. They will likely be the focal point of a necklace when I find the right crystals to form the necklace strand.

Here’s an example of some of the backings I use to make bracelets and necklaces. Some work as trays for domed back  earring clusters. Other times, a flat finding is best. The gold tone circular findings with a rounded back work to fit buttons that have a shank. The large floral piece used to be a brooch that I’ve set in a gold tone tray like the largest one in the photo. I’m thinking it will be the focal for a bracelet when I find the right vintage beads to go with it.

These are vintage dress clips. I’m planning to use the vintage glass beads from the broken necklace above them to make chain necklaces using the clips as pendants. The clips have been waiting for a long time until I found just the right shade of old glass beads that harmonize with the slightly yellow vintage rhinestones.

The last photo shows another vintage dress clip and some possible crystal beads to go with it. They happen to be modern glass. Also there are 2 vintage black buttons on the left that I plan to make into dangling earrings.

I’m hoping to get some of these re-styled, eco-friendly jewelry creations into my shops before Christmas. Please come and see! I plan to have the pieces featuring vintage glass in SendingLoveGallery in the section “vintage art glass jewels." The pieces featuring vintage earring clusters and buttons will go to LovesVintageDelights in the section “upcycled vintage jewelry."

Please return next week to see What's on My Bench???