Making Jewelry from Recycled Junk!
What do you do if you don’t have any beads around the house and want to make some jewelry? You could drive all that way out to the local beadshop but then you have to get dressed and made up and brace the cold weather. Instead, why don’t you just go shopping in your own garage or attic?
Don’t know what I’m talking about?
Then check out this great “earth friendly” site today that sells all sorts of products, including art, jewelry and decorative pieces all made out of recycled “junk” that would normally end up in a landfill. Most jewelry that is made out of recycled material is created to hide the fact that the material isn’t new. But these bracelets and earrings celebrate their previous forms and bring a fun design element to them!
The site is Eco-Artware.com and it’s amazing some of the things they have! You could spend a lot of time browsing through all the amazingly funky and totally functional things, but I was really drawn to the recycled jewelry portion.
Eco-Artware is just one of the many different websites and companies now making recycled jewelry made from junk and other non-traditional materials. You can see that Eco-Artware has some jewelry made from typewriter keys, guitar picks, Scrabble pieces, sea glass, old bicycle parts and more! You can easily make your own paper beads, create jewelry from computer parts and even make some amazing “bicycle jewelry” with a little imagination.
But I think that’s only the beginning… Imagine some of the little things you could make jewelry with around your home:
- bottle caps, both plastic and metal
- hair pins, old jewelry pieces
- all sorts of old game board pieces (I bet Monopoly jewelry would be a hit!)
- dried beans? ( Okay, I’m stretching here
)
- old keys (a favorite) or old silverware
The only problem I see now: Now I don’t want to throw anything away!! 
|
Here are some other jewelry making articles you may like: The Bead Peddler Beads, Jewelry and Poetry all Mix With Beadshaper Rose Klapman Fall 2010 and Winter 2011 Jewelry Trends Sarah Palin’s Jewelry Three Different Bead Museums |
Comment by Kay
Can anyone give me a site that explains how to make bracelets from vintage typewriter keys?
thank you
Pingback by BeadBoard.Net - Bead Jewelry Making Ideas » Blog Archive » Amy Pfaffman Creates Beautiful Bead Jewelry from Broken Junk
[...] I’m always fascinated by the idea of making jewelry from “junk” partially because my beading hobby can get a little expensive and partially because it seems like a creative way to help the planet. [...]
Pingback by BeadBoard.Net - Bead Jewelry Making Ideas » Blog Archive » Bead Jewelry from Newspaper and Candy Wrappers
[...] My regular readers know that I’m a fan of using “alternative” materials when creating bead type jewelry. I’ve seen typewriter keys used for jewelry, all sorts of jewelry made from recyclyable material and even bracelets made out of coffee beans. A few nights ago I was “Unwrapped” on FoodTV that featured an artist who made jewelry from newspaper and candy wrappers! I started poking around online and found that there are more than a few “newspaper jewelry” artists out there! [...]
Pingback by Using Hardware Washers for Homemade Bead Jewelry - BeadBoard.Net - Bead Jewelry Ideas and More!
[...] are not really considered traditional jewelry items. In the past we’ve seen people who make jewelry out of recycled junk and craft beautiful jewelry pieces out candy wrappers! This time it’s decorative wrapping [...]
Comment by Tami Keith
In response to Kay wanting to know if there were any “how-to” sites for making jewelry from typewriter keys, I found a few that I plan on checking into:
http://reviews.ebay.com/How-To-Make-Hand-Crafted-Jewelry-And-Sell-It-On-Ebay_W0QQugidZ10000000002051530
http://www.beadsbaublesandjewels.com/projects/106/106-3.htm
Hope this helps!
Comment by Enthral
Jewelry made from recycled and vintage items is a great way to be more earth friendly with your body decorations and you always get a completely unique piece. I create jewelry made with recycled, reused, repurposed and vintage materials myself. I never know what I’m going to make when I pick something up at the local flea market, but it is always interesting~
Comment by sweet tooth
i make guitar pick earrings and sell them for $5.00. i’ve made 700 bucks so far!!!!!
Pingback by The Fun of Creating Bead Jewelry from Alternative Materials
[...] if I would personally wear jewelry like that. I’ve also seen a lot of jewelry artists make bead jewelry out of junk and typewriter keys and even Scrabble [...]
Comment by tabychan
I love these argoment and yours ideas. I make jewels with old material, I love recycles!
http://tabychan.wordpress.com
Comment by Kelley Davidson
Hi,
Where can I buy the silver backs that are used in typewriter key jewelry I see rings, with a pretty design around the edge and the key sets inside of it. The backs for earrings,pendants, cufflinks and etc?
Thanks,
Kelley
Comment by Lucy
Do you have any easy ideas on how to make a few accessories out of recycled material (e.g. plastic bags, foil, buttons…..). I have an assignment due next week and need some inspiration
Thanks, Lucy
Comment by Carole M. Schaefer
I have been saving ol jewelry for years and want to remake it for a hobby.
I truly don’t know where to start, class, looking at the work of others, etc.
What doe you suggest?
Carole