Valuable Finds, Part II
Today I’ll continue with the topic that I began in my last entry, pre-owned jewelry. The two costume sets that I wrote about were in perfect condition, but I also buy jewelry to take apart and use to make other items. For example, many of the unappealing plastic beads in one necklace that I bought for a dollar or two a few years ago went right into the trash. The rest of the beads, and there were quite a few, were sterling. I’ve used these silver beads in countless other necklaces that I’ve made. Also, most of the old earrings that I buy are clip-ons, which were very popular in America until the 1960’s, when ear piercing became the rage with us groovy hippies. I fiddle around with the clip-ons until I figure out a way to add earwires so that they work with my pierced ears.
I’ve been making beaded jewelry for about 15 years, so I have the tools that I need to update pieces such as ugly necklaces and clip-on earrings. If noodling around with old jewelry sounds like fun to you, I suggest visiting a bead shop with knowledgable staff. They will sell you the right tools and give you the information to turn your old treasures into something wearable that you can enjoy today.