Comments on: Using Unusable Jewelry Supplies

By: Beadalicious Supplies

Beadalicious Supplies — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:05:27 +0000

Jan What a good thing to be sharing old pieces in class and turning them into new art. And I love the idea of grandmothers pearls being treasured once more. Our will have jewelry tutorials in the coming months and recycling/repurposing will no doubt be incorporated.

By: Jan Miller

Jan Miller — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:59:43 +0000

I agree totally about never throwing anything out, I started beading 20 years ago in a very small way just for me and my daughter and when I was distracted for a few years and had no time for beading….(imagine!) I kept old beads from back then….now I am giving classes these beads are part of a huge practice bead-bin for students to make their practice piece when they get used to the techniques…..there is much bartering and trading going on across the table as they sort through the huge variety of odds and ends…..I also encourage students to come to a Creative or Recycling day where we re-model what I call ‘Old and Unloved Jewellery’. One triple strand of grandma’s pearls can make a piece of jewellery for many members of the family, thereby all having a momento of their grandmother.

By: Dita Basu

Dita Basu — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:12:10 +0000

After reading these posts it inspired me to go through my old jewelry box where there are many pieces that are expensive materials but not my style any more. Now I feel better to break them and create some thing new. Some where I had read “It’s not important how much you have, rather how much you enjoy them”.
Recycling this way, going “green” I do enjoy them much more.

By: Beadalicious Supplies

Beadalicious Supplies — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:53:13 +0000

Great tips, and I see lots of folks are “Green” ~ Never throw out anything, Reuse & Repurpose. Add a pair of interesting beads or gems to jazz it up a bit. Also save all your silver clippings, they can be recycled!

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:44:39 +0000

Hi, I never thrown anything away either, it drives my husband crazy! Sees, unless I buy ‘A’ or ‘AAA’ grade strands there is always 1 or 2 bad stones in a strand, but now that I hold classes in my workshop they come into their own, odd left overs, chipped stones or with bad inclusions don’t matter because they go in my ‘practice’ tub. Students make a practice piece to get used to the tools, techniques before I let them lose on the real thing! I don’t intend them to particulary want the practice piece but in fact 50% cannot part with their first masterpiece, substandard stones or not! last class there was much trading and giggles over the table as they each rummaged through their own ‘bin of a thousand beads’ looking to match stones each one liked. It got them used to shapes, colours etc too, a great ice breaker for groups who arrived not knowing each other.

By: The Bead Dreamer

The Bead Dreamer — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:53:28 +0000

I save mine for my nieces to use when they come to visit. They love making jewelry and I’ve taught them basic jewelry techniques.

By: Dita Basu

Dita Basu — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:06:23 +0000

That is not a bad idea Rena, to put beads that you can not think of using in a treasure chest- others may have some ideas and uses. It fosters giving, recycling and creativity. I’ll remember it. Dita.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:18:33 +0000

Great idea, Sharon! Create without worrying about ruining expensive-quality materials. I usually add my "unusables" to my treasure chest that I have available for kids (actually people of all ages!) to rummage in at shows. Occasionally I pull something back out of the chest to use myself, but more often other people enjoy these odds and ends, and everyone's allowed to keep their favorite "treasure" out of the chest. The items that really appeal to other folks are often my unusable castoffs!

By: Sharon Fullen

Sharon Fullen — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:49:40 +0000

I’m basically a very frugal person so I never toss any questionable beads, wire, etc. away. Instead I look for ways to incorporate them into designs where the “weakness” is hidden or even embraced. I also use questionable beads, components and wire as part of my practice and experimentation work. As I am always trying new things having materials to stimulate the thought process without any worry of damaging good inventory is a real plus.

By: Kcrystina

Kcrystina — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 02:59:41 +0000

Thank you Rena for this post! You’ve given me a reason to keep all the beads and supplies I was thinking of giving away or throwing out. *grin*