How to Make Custom Jewelry with Upcycled / Repurposed Supplies

Designing and creating my own custom jewelry from any number of vintage or thrifted items is one of my favorite pastimes. In fact, I can’t even recall the last time I bought fashion jewelry at a big box store! I love the feeling of wearing cuff bracelets or cute necklaces that are one-of-a-kind to me.

To give you an idea, here are a couple of the upcycled jewelry projects that I’ve made. First, a pearl and hemp bracelet made from a strand of pearls from the thrift store…

And these wooden pendants made from upcycled tennis rackets, of all things!

Learning how to make bracelets, how to make earrings, upcycling leather bracelets from old belts, or any kind of custom jewelry or boho jewelry that you can imagine is easy when you upcycle and repurposing vintage jewelry or other jewelry making supplies. And by all means, don’t stop there- vintage sewing supplies, game pieces, belt buckles, and other “bits” are perfect for upcycling into custom jewelry.

To say “the sky’s the limit” is putting it mildly when it comes to handmade jewelry from upcycled supplies.

So, I’ve gathered some of my favorite custom jewelry, handmade jewelry, and boho jewelry ideas around to spark your imagination – bracelets, necklaces, rings, you name it!

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Custom Jewelry Upcycling Ideas

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So, what kind of custom jewelry will YOU be making in the near future? Here are some other ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Create couple necklaces by upcycling a pair of vintage earrings or using the same pattern of antique silverware
• Bracelet making using unusual elements, such as old guitar strings
• Make a heart necklace or cross necklace from vintage buttons
• Locket necklace paired up with antique rosary beads

Remember when I said the sky’s the limit when it comes to handmade jewelry or custom jewelry of your own imagination? I wasn’t kidding, was I? Hope this inspires you to look at jewelry making supplies differently- and to grab broken jewelry when you see it on the cheap! You can always salvage parts from that, as well.

Now that you made your own handmade jewelry, you need to organize it! Get all kinds of upcycled jewelry organization project ideas here before you go!

Craft on!

S

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