A while ago I did a one day jewellery making course, the focus of which was making pieces out of everyday things such as safety pins and buttons. We also had a go at up-cycling old or broken jewellery. With the aid of a pair of pliers, I joined this old brooch to a string of beads. Not exactly complicated but I was chuffed with the result and have worn it loads.
Anyway, the point is, it really opened up my eyes to the possibilities of jewellery in charity shops and at car boots. I've started looking out for strings of cheerful plastic beads and pretty old granny brooches. There's something simple and almost child-like about them. Okay they're plaggy, but they're old school and I don't mind if I know I'm finding a new use for old tat. So take a look at some of my recent finds.
A porcelain flower brooch. These are often snaffled up by vintage sellers but you can still find them in charity shops. I paid £3 for this but I've seen them going for less at car boots. They chip easily so watch out for jagged edges or file them down with a bit of sand paper. I like this one because it has Forget-me-nots but I'm really on the look out for a pansy.
A string of plastic turquoise beads. Nothing to them really but I love the colour and shape of them and they're so easy to fling on over a sweater or blouse to brighten it up.
Likewise, this short string of cream plastic beads took my eye. They're just the antithesis of a lot of the jewellery on sale in high street stores right now. I know it's still artificial and at 50p is hardly fine jewellery but at least it's not in landfill. And If I tire of them I can always give them to Flo one day to play dress up.
Oh and I haven't just artfully styled them on a tea cup, as is the fashion these days. I did actually bag this too. I really like the design on the saucer and it looked lonely all on its own. It can come and keep my others company.
What do you think? Do you like kitsch jewellery or should it stay in granny's wardrobe?
Linking up to Magpie Monday. Come and have a look at other thrifted treasures here
lovely finds! I often miss the jewellery section, will make a point of hunting it out next time :)
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Lovely finds. Love the porcelaine brroch
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxx
I like brooches, I tend to wear them to hold together a cardie that has no buttons, or that needs nipping in at the waist.
ReplyDeleteWill keep an eye out for a pansy porcelain brooch for you on my scavenging moments!
Hope you had a nice weekend. x
I have some pansy (or maybe violet) earrings - I will add my eyes to the brooch hunt for you. I don't generally go for plastic beads but that said I do have a few strings. I have wide ranging jewellery tastes so as soon as the right mood comes along everything gets an airing in the end. I just bought a pendant from a craft fair which had been made from a marble, simple idea but effective.
ReplyDeleteExcellent work with the upcycling, and purposeful styling or not the teacup and beads photo is very effective - get thee to Etsy!
Oooh I likee!
ReplyDeleteI never seem to find porcelain jewellery which isn't chipped to hell, so thanks for the sandpaper tip!
Love your styling too :0)
I used to sell those brooches at a gift shop I worked at. There are cheap ones about. But if I remember rightly the Coalport ones were the best quality. We sold so many of them in the late 80's especially my favourite ones which were poppies so gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteI love retro jewellery plastic and real!!
Everything comes back into fashion if you wait long enough. Great you have the eye and skills to jazz things up too.
ReplyDeleteI like your turquoise best
I took a jewellry making course at college a few years ago and you are right when you say it opens your eyes to possibilities. I am so reluctant now to buy ready made jewellry and when I do it's usually to pull apart (Primark is brilliant for cheap beads) It's come to the point now that I have more beads than I know what to do with. I even had a stall on Greenwich Market for a few months in an effort to get rid of some of the stash. It didn't work...I just ended up buying more :)The little flower brooch would look lovely on a hairband or as a hairclip. Very in!
ReplyDeleteThe more kitsch the better in my book, all about the plastic-fantastic :o) Love your necklace you made :o) Scarlett x
ReplyDeleteI love kitsch jewellery - I picked up and old fashioned brooch with the silhouette of a lady on and it contrasts really well with my tough brown leather jacket. I also have a Hogwarts badge that I wore to one of the opening nights at the cinema a few years ago and it has just stayed on my trench coat since then! Well I like it anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love the top necklace that you made with the brooch and beads - it's gorgeous. I will look out for a pansy porcelain flower brooch for you on my magpie outings :) xx
ReplyDeleteI'm rather a fan of kitsch jewellery - I love the way it can make such an eye catching statement with an otherwise sedate outfit. I've picked up quite a few myself just recently, those and pearls. You little cream necklace is gorgeous Kat, but the star of the show for me is the teacup and saucer - it's an absolute cracker!! :-)
ReplyDeleteJem xXx
Glad to see the brooch you found on our workshop has come in handy!Rosie
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Josie and I have another Jewellery workshop running this saturday at ArtisOn if you're interested...
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