Vintage jewelry, or any jewelry you no longer wear, is often too pretty or sentimental to give away. There’s always the hope of finding an orphaned earring’s mate or finally getting around to fixing a broken clasp. But if you’ve decided that crafting with your vintage or broken jewelry is the best course of action, then maybe these ideas will inspire you.
Refashioned Jewelry
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
Have a string of pearls that’s about to snap or just isn’t your style anymore? It may be just the piece to reimagine into a breezier, more contemporary piece of jewelry, like this bracelet. Not so stuffy anymore, eh?
Topiary Tree
Photo source: Jennifer Perkins.
How fun is this topiary tree made from vintage brooches? Enamel flower pins look FABULOUS as a collage- be it a bridal bouquet or fun DIY topiary like this.
Mother-Daughter or BFF Necklaces
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
A pair of vintage clip-on earrings might not be something you ever plan on wearing again. But they’re often easy and fun to upcycle into a pair of one-of-a-kind necklaces that you can share with someone special– your best friend, daughter, sister, etc.
Knobs and Pulls
Photo source: Lovely Etc.
Looking for a way to really jazz up your dresser? Create a few drawer knobs or pulls from old brooches for a truly unique look. Talk about one-of-a-kind and turning a dresser into an heirloom.
Christmas Ornaments
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
Vintage brooches with broken clasps are an ideal focal point on DIY Christmas ornaments. Even if they’re missing stones or are still in good condition, they add sparkle to your tree instead of sleeping in a jewelry box.
Ribbon Bookmarks
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
Whether you make them for yourself or to give as gifts for a reader, these DIY bookmarks with vintage jewelry are as functional as they are pretty. And they’re always a hit with bibliophiles, which really do make them the perfect gift.
DIY Magnets from Vintage Jewelry
Photo source: Petticoat Junktion.
Clip-on earrings, small pins, and even rings are fun and easy to refashion into DIY magnets like these. They add pizazz to your kitchen, fridge, and memo boards and are a great way to put that vintage jewelry to good reuse.
Wine Glass Charms
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
Cute little charms from necklaces and bracelets are the perfect thing to repurpose into wine charms for your next Girls’ Night In. Heck, you could even make them as the activity for your fun get-together, too.
A Crafternoon with wine and wine crafts is never a bad thing, after all…
Touches of Bling
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
Vintage rhinestones are so fun to play with in fresh new ways. And this broken necklace was the perfect thing to add a little flash to some fabric bracelets.
Vintage Jewelry on a Leather Cuff
Photo source: Salvaged Living.
Leather cuffs are cool and all, but a plain one can be a little…well, plain. Adding a vintage brooch to a leather cuff, however, is a game changer and so easy to do!
Bling Bottles
Photo source: Petticoat Junktion.
Decorating with bottles never seems to go out of style. And speaking of style…vintage jewelry adds such a fun touch to your bottle collection! What a great way to personalize your decorative jars and glass with a little bling.
Candle Embellishment
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
The handles on this brass cauldron candle were just begging for a little…something. And some fringe earrings from the clearance rack (or your own jewelry box) were the piece of pizazz that it needed.
Vintage Jewelry Collage
Photo source: Shop at Blu.
Any number of pieces of vintage jewelry can be used to create a framed collage like this– especially if you have a LOT of it. The hardest part is deciding which shape to work with- something like this heart? Or perhaps an initial from your name?
More Christmas Ornaments
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
When in doubt, you just can’t go wrong with adding broken jewelry to your DIY Christmas ornament projects. Gold, silver, copper- it all goes perfectly with a tree!
Crafting with Vintage Jewelry
Photo source: Sadie Seasongoods.
There really are all kinds of applications for your old jewelry- from craft projects, to home decor, to new and improved pieces to wear. I hope you found some inspiring ideas for your own collection of vintage jewelry- happy crafting!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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