Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Bead Recycling

I have a couple bags of garage sale jewelry that I have been meaning to take apart and use in another way, but have been putting it off for some reason.

It might take quite a bit of creativity to see something beautiful in something old or in something manufactured using inexpensive beads, BUT what a great challenge that would be!!

I am challenging myself to begin somewhere, so I looked through all the jumble of garage sale necklaces and found this one with a cool blue bead.

I like this one because it reminds me of the blueberry quartz gemstone. It is very light and I have a suspicion that it is made of some type of plastic.

Does that really matter? Not so much as long as you can balance it out and mix it with something that brings out its positive qualities.

I think this bead would work well mixed with some plain darker blue beads with a nice shine and maybe even a pearl or two.

What do you think? I'd love to see some pieces others have made from recycling used beads. Please make sure to leave a link so we can all see it. Now that I have taken this one apart, I need a plan! Have a good one!

3 comments:

FiberBeads said...

Lisa, I love that blue shade and I also agree. If you like it, what does it matter what it's made from? Good luck in your recycle challenge.

Azure Accessories said...

I've yet to do any pieces with "recycled" beads, but I've thought of it...there are some amazing beads out there that could be put to good use, and many people would love recycled jewelry!

I too like the bead but then I'm huge fan of blue...I also agree...it doesn't matter what the bead is made from but what you do with it!

I like your idea regarding the tube bead...I think I would also include some silver, gotta have silver! :0)

Have fun...I look for ward to seeing he finished piece...

Cheers

jrnuerge said...

I too have always recycled my old jewelry pieces and decided to teach others to do the same. I lead jewelry recycling workshops where women bring their bag of old and broken jewelry and leave with new one-of-a-kind pieces. But most of all, they learn a craft which they will have forever and pass on.
JR Nuerge
Eco-friendly+Eco-nomical=
Eco-fabulous!
http://www.jewelryrecycling.biz