Round-Up: Repurposed Jewelry Tutorials

I hope that my recent feature on the upcycled jewelry creations of Laura Florence Designs inspired you to see what’s inside the jewelry counter at Goodwill in a new light. Laura proves that new life can always be given to an old piece of jewelry. Now, here are a few specific tutorials so that you can upcycle your own thrifted finds into a new fashion accessory.

1. Martha Stewart provides a list of easy tricks for turning costume jewelry into more modern accessories. From pinning a brooch onto a swath of velvet ribbon to create a bracelet to attaching a bracelet to a longer piece of ribbon to make a belt, these ideas can be accomplished by even the most inexperienced crafter.

2. A bow makes everything better! Ruffles & Stuff provides some jewelry-making basics for creating your own customized necklace. You can combine chains and baubles from your thrifted finds using some of her techniques, but for a really easy fix, just find a basic chain necklace at Goodwill and tie on some bows with a pretty ribbon.

3. You can even make a watch more fun with this tutorial from 3 Sweet P’s. Instead of passing up a watch with a weathered, old band at Goodwill, just take the watch face and attach it to a lovely piece of fabric that you braid yourself. This blogger got inspiration from a watch she saw at Anthropologie for $68, but you can make your creation using Goodwill goodies for just a few bucks.

Have fun treasure hunting at your local Goodwill, and if you’re inspired to upcycle one of your finds into a one-of-a-kind accessory, be sure and share it with us in our Flickr photo pool, Goodwill Hunting.

Thanks, Amanda! You always know how to inspire us to get crafty. We want to know, readers: Have you ever upcycled a piece of jewelry you found at Goodwill?