Re Purposed Necklace

A while back, you may remember my post about the fun jewelry my sister-in-law sent to me. This has been a great source of inspiration and fun.

I dug thru the bag and found some awesome button covers. Hello 90's! Working with gold is way out of my comfort zone, so I challeneged myself this morning to create. I had a bit of gold wire from a custom order, so I set to work.

This delicious mess of disguarded jewlery proved to be a treasure trove of gold accents to work into this piece.

If you look closely at the top photo you will see the gold beaded strand that I used as the base of the design, and the button covers peaking out. I incoporated gold beads from another necklace, and some fun plastic beads I got as a grab bag. Way too much fun this morning!

Calavera skull fun - Rings & Things blogger challenge

I have been knocking around an idea for a couple of days and finally sat down this morning to make it.

I wanted something fun and flirty to make with the dancing senor and senorita charms. Girly but with an edge. I used three sections of gold tone chain and made a length of wrapped beads with gold tone wire. Added the Calavera skulls as charms and there she is. Quick.

Now that I have it made, I am going to change out the toggle for a lobster clasp. The toggle is a bit difficult to work with.

44-940-56-AG Viva Mexicana charm, dancing senor (antiqued-gold plate)*
44-940-57-AG Viva Mexicana charm, dancing senorita (antiqued-gold plate)*
28-335-18 Lampwork 'calavera' flower skull bead (black,white)*
28-335-15 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead (black, white)*
Random black beads





The bobby pin has been worrying me. I have no 'glue' skills. I don't think it is in my genes. I try and fail repeatedly to get something to stick to a glueable blank. I have tried many types of glue but still no luck. I wanted to do something funny and cute and creepy all at the same time. That is when I thought about adding the skull to the flower bead.

So funny.

I used floral wire and ran it thru the bead. Then added seed beads to the wire. Ran the ends of the wire back thru the bead to make the 'frame' around the bead. Then I bent the wire to the back of the bead and twisted it twice to keep it tight. Then I brought the ends of the wire together and strung the vintage lucite flower bead onto the wire. I folded the wires apart at the base of the flower bead and I put a dot of glue on the bottom of the flower bead and on the glueable platform of the bobby pin. It set up but not well. I enforced the glue by wrapping the tail of the wire around the top of the bobby pin.

floral wire
seed beads
30-822-1 Bobby pin (white metal)*
LUC3900RD German Lucite Matte Deep Red 3-Petal Flowers 39mm*
28-335-15 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead (black, white)*





I need to re do it, make it more stable, appealing and functionable -but for now, it makes me smile :)

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Beadin Path were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Beadin Path Design Partners. These items are for review or design purposes.

More shell pearl earrings - Rings & Things blogger challenge

Made these earrings to go with the pendant from a previous post
47-408-SP 20 ga copper wire
29-555-10-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 10mm (Blue Mix) *
28-000-007-443 Bead, Glass, Faceted Round, 10mm (Electric Blue) *

This is one continuous piece of wire for each earring. Cut about 6 in of wire. Hammer one end of the wire to create a head pin. Slide on the faceted glass bead. Bend curves into the wire with your round nosed pliers. Hammer to strengthen and flatten the wire. Add the shell pearl. At the top of the pearl, make a 45 degree angle bend in the wire. Create a coil around the end of your round nosed pliers at the bend. Carefully push the bent wire back up straight. Using a form (ink pen will work) bend the remainder of the wire around the form and snip off the excess. Hammer the ear wire to strengthen.

Wa-la!!! You made and earring out of one piece of wire!




Made these to compliment the necklace from this previous post
28-000-007-273 Bead, Glass, Faceted Round, 10mm (Electric Purple)*
gold tone chain
re purposed links


Quick and easy peasy - two pair of earrings in under 15 minutes!


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Rings & Things Blogger Challenge - gold tone serpentine necklace

After yesterdays frustration with trying to incorporate the design and the chain, this morning, I did the right thing. I allowed the chain to do it's job and I attached a pendant to it.

What I used from Rings & Things - Item 40-148-4 Chain, 18", Serpentine (Gold Plated)
Part of the necklace extender from the re purposed necklace
Random plastic, wood, lamp work and crystals
Decorative gold tone head pins

Working with gold is not my for-tay. I just don't have a lot of gold to play with. I dug thru some of my re purposed items and found a gold necklace with a lot of fun beads attached - de construct. Dug some more and found a few head pins I had purchased for a special order. The more I dug, the more I found, the more ideas I got.

I like the clunky-ness of it. As it moves, it is always changing it appearence. Can't quite explain it. It is very light, but has enuff weight to stay centered on your chest. I love how it has a 'click' 'click' noise when I play with it.

I had a lot of fun this morning. I was taking pictures, when James came downstairs for his breakfast. "OooOOoo00ooH! that is purtee!" he says - "Looks like christmas and antiques".

hrm - got me thinking. I am going to submit this for the December issue of Bead Trends. December=Christmas=Perfect!!!

"December issue of Bead Trends!?" I hear you say - Yes! and you should too!! Click Here!

Here is the final product.




Little closer



And I am taking it for a test drive today - Already got one compliment on it this morning while running errands!