Jewelry crafters expand creativity by hitting up yard sales

One of a kind, collectible jewelry can be made made from vintage buttons, beads and components!

A good friend gave me a great tip. Have you ever considered reusing old costume and beaded jewelry to make new creations? Repurposing elements from vintage pieces can be a creative method of inspiring new designs!

Yard sales, flea markets and thrift stores are wonderful resources for picking up inexpensive jewelry -- often in lots!

Below are a few tips to keep in mind when hunting out secondhand jewelry treasures to repurpose:

• Components: Look beyond the overall appearance of an out-dated piece and consider the individual components. Parts and pieces can be repurposed into something new.
  
  
• Beauty in details: Look out for tiny charms, unique findings, and other decorative elements that can be mixed in with new for a fresh design approach!
  
  
• Emphasize the positive: Watch out for potential in pieces. Consider if an item will clean up easily or could possibly be taken apart. Focus on those and pass on anything badly damaged or stiffly soldered designs.
  
  
• Re-style: Creativity is the key. A single earring could become a pendant. Old buttons, computer parts, bottle caps — anything with a hole in it actually — can add whimsy when incorporated into new designs!
  
  
• Negotiate: Bargaining at yard sales and flea markets is expected. Plus, if you see multiple pieces you like, buying in bulk can often yield fantastic deals!
  
  
• Search Online: Check out "costume jewelry lot" or "vintage beads" searches on eBay.

Bead Jewelry Blog

Here's another video to check out to learn more about what to look for when buying costume jewelry at yard sales and flea markets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeZIjee_Vog

....