Repurposing vintage jewellery

[Suzy1975]

Hello

I'd like to have a go at repurposing vintage/costume jewellery into new items but haven't got a clue where to start.

I've never made jewellery before so I'm a complete beginner!

Can anyone recommend a good book or website that will give me some basic knowledge of jewellery making?

Thanks

Oooooh wtaching this thread!!!

google 'jewellery making' and you will find loads of online advice & videos about specific skills. You'd need basic tools like small pliers, wire cutters etc & if you were taking things to bits to 'rebuild' maybe things like jump rings & chain, fastens - all of which can be bought online.
Although its overpriced, I'd start with Hobbycraft if you have one nearby to get a few basic bits & bobs so that you can see what you're buying (but dont go mad!!)

The hardest thing is finding decent vintage stuff - i've been looking for genuine stuff for a while & so far can only find tat - and thats not really worth the time, effort & cost to re-model

Whizzz - thanks! I actually went on a basic jewellery making course at the Bead Shop in Nottingham, which was excellent. It covered much of what you mention. I bought supplies (pliers and findings) from eBay and pick up vintage jewellery from charity shops and car boots. Have a nice little collection now. I set up my Etsy shop selling the jewellery last month and hope to do a craft fair later in the year.

What do you make?

I make all sorts of beady stuff - i use glass beads, gemstones, pearls etc - mostly stringing rather than seed bead stuff. I've been busy with other things for a while but getting back into it now. I have a Folksy shop that I am trying to restock at the mo.

The vintage element was really only for myself as I love old & unusual stuff.

Have you been to craftster.org ? It's amazing and has a grat jewelry section...withlots of this kind of thing.

Off the top of my head I have seen some lovely bidal stuff done with vintage brooches....harpieces and also once a bouquet of vintage brooches!

Whizzz - what's your Folksy shop name? I'd like to have a nose.

Anenome - thanks, I'll take a look at that later. I'm actually planning to make bridal jewellery and hair pieces using vintage elements. There's some gorgeous stuff out there!

Do either of you use vintage buttons in your jewellery?

Its just that I have a beautiful necklace made from 1930s and 40s French buttons (according to the lady who made it). Its really beautiful and gets lots of positive comments.

Something you might want to consider

NorbertDentressangle - that sounds lovely! I have a bracelet made of vintage buttons and china. I wonder if it's the same designer?

Sorry, I didn't answer your question, Norbert; I don't use vintage buttons but have thought about it. Vintage glass ones are beautiful!

My shop is www.folksy.com/shops/IzzyWizzyBeads

I've never used buttons - to be honest, I have difficulty finding proper vintage stuff locally. I think a lot of what is sold online isnt vintage at all, or you may get one decent piece in a bag of junk!

have you tried to get stuff off ebay: I make recycled vintage jewellery and get vintage lots off ebay so get loads of old brooches/chains etc. And car boots are great if you get chance.
Got a facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/i-love-handmade-things/194162186433?ref=ts if you fancy having a look: teach workshops in Cornwall too , and got a book out beginning Oct called 'Junkbox Jewellery':) Just let me know if you want to ask me anything specific about making vintage stuff or getting materials etc x

I'm marking my place on this thread.I started a jewellery making course tonight and really enjoyed it.I have a big box of old buttons and beads so it will be nice to make use of them at last.

Whizzz - I know what you mean about things that aren't vintage being listed as vintage. I've fallen into that trap! Sometimes it's easy to see what is the real deal. I use a lot of clip on earrings in my work, for example, and I can tell that they're the genuine thing. I also get given a lot of stuff by friends and family.

florasparkle - I do get quite a bit of stuff off eBay. I think charity shops are great too. Have picked up some real bargains. Wow about the book! That's pretty impressive! And thanks for the offer of advice. I'll start by asking whether you've done any fairs and how you displayed your jewellery. Also, what do you use for packaging?

Hi MrsThis - whereabouts was your jewellery course and what materials did you use?

Actually, florasparkle, I have another question. Do you recommend facebook as a marketing tool?

The course is at my local library,in Melton Mowbray.I'm using beads at the class,but experimenting with felt at home.It is very addictive and I've been scouring charity shops,car boot sales and Ebay looking for old necklaces,but they are not cheap.

At the end of the month I'm doing a day course on knitted flowers and felt work,which should be fun,especially as no one has ever been able to teach me to knit so far.

Suzy I make jewellery which I sell at parties and have a facebook page www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=165237046822857 I keep meaning to set up a proper website but the facebook page has been ace at letting me put my work out there so people can see what I'm on about. I've not been doing it very long and it's been a real boost when people say nice things about your stuff too! (Incidentally, if anyone is in the Bristol/North Somerset area and wants to have a party, you get 20% of the value of the nights sales to spend on any jewellery you like! Can't resist a plug!)

hi Suzy1975, could I ask what type pliers you got and from who on Ebay? - thanks

Cinnamonthecat - the pliers are by Beadsmith and they were £9.99 for a set of five. An absolute bargain! The seller was sanctuarybeads.

helenhicks - have you considered selling on Etsy rather than setting up your own site? It made more sense to me to do this as all the hard work setting up a site from scratch was done and the traffic/audience was already there. All I needed to do was create and personalise my shop, then promote it. It's quite cheap to list too - just 20 cents (about 12p) an item. I like the idea of Facebook too and may set up my own page on there (I must be the only person in the world who hasn't been on Facebook).

thanks Suzy1975 - I ordered them and they arrived today-they are perfect! Going off to leave feedback now...