Everybody has some old costume jewelry at the bottom of their jewelry box that you wouldn't be caught dead wearing, but for sentimental reasons you just can't seem to part with. Why hide them away?  Recycle Your Vintage Costume Jewelry and turn unused pieces into beautiful handmade, functional beading jewelry art pieces.

First, disassemble the pieces to be recycled. Separate beads, links, clasps, charms and other components to be reused. You will need some additional basic supplies like needle nose pliers, bead cord, jump rings, headpins, etc. and if desired add a few new beads to supplement your vintage ones. Now that you have disassembled the vintage piece, what can you recycle it into that is useful and beautiful to use today?  Below are some ideas; the possibilities are endless!

• Ready to Bead Items - Many ready-to-bead items are available online or at your local bead store including fan pulls, lamp finials, channel charms, wine charm rings, bookmarks, pens, hatpins, stickpins and more.

• Beaded keychain - Simply string desired beads on a 2" headpin (or other stringing material), loop the open end with needle nose pliers (trim excess wire if necessary), and then attach to key chain ring with a jump ring.Or, subbstitute an eyepin for the headpin and use a jump ring to attach a charm to the bottom loop.
  

• Jean Charms - Quick and easy fashion accessory to dress up your jeans. Simply string desired beads on a 2" headpin (or other stringing material), loop the open end with needle nose pliers (trim excess wire if necessary), and then attach to a four inch link ball chain with a jump ring.  Now you're set - this easy fastening chain is simple to attach to the belt loop of your favorite jeans.

• Multi-purpose Charms - Use jump rings to attach charms to lobster claw clasps - utilize recycled clasps where available. You can also use your choice of stringing material to create beaded dangles to use with or instead of charms to create fashion accessories for attaching to cell phone straps, charm bracelets, zipper pulls, bookbags, purses and more.

These are just a few ideas from GeminiDreamsBeads.com to get you started.

   

Did you know that beading can be a great source of extra income! It's true. Imagine being able to do something fun like beading and actually get paid for it. Just think... work from home, no more dealing with rush hour traffic or the expense and worries of day care! That's right, people actually pay good money for beaded jewelry, clothing and home decor items, so why not give them what they want and earn $30 - $100 an hour!  Many helpful beading jewelry business books can answer your questions.

You could even choose to start your home beading business part-time while continuing your current job. That way your hobby could become a great second or third income. And how would you like to buy your beading materials and accessories as tax deductions? (A perk of having your own business). How would you like to have the flexibility to work around your family commitments? It's all possible through beading. But you have to take the first step. You have to first learn how to bead like a pro and the resources on this website can help you do just that!

How-to information from Beading Daily.

Make this quick pair of earrings! Here's how...

Techniques:
Stringing
Wireworking

Materials:
2 Bali silver 10mm beads
4 copper 4mm round beads
2 decorative silver 2” head pins
1 pair silver ear wires

Tools:
Chain-nose pliers
Round-nose pliers
Wire cutters

Thread the following onto each head pin: 1 copper bead,
1 Bali bead, and 1 copper bead. Make a wrapped loop just
above the last bead. Open each ear wire with chain-nose
pliers and attach a beaded head pin.