DIY Jewelry Recycle Series : Part 6 - Watch Strap Cuff

I've been saving a couple of old watch straps for ages, forever thinking about things I could do with them. It wasn't until I saw this watch strap cuff here at ASOS that I thought, "Bingo!". Though inexpensive, its such a cool way to use up those pesky leftover watch straps! Don't ask me how I ended up with them in the first place, I hope you'll see soon. :)

Here's my inspiration:

Now, here's what you'll need to make your own version:

•  A couple of metallic bangles (I used an old pair)
• A watch strap
• Super - Glue (or E6000)
• Heavy Duty pliers

Step 1: Cut off the watch clasps using the plier. This step is going to take some effort unless you have an extra pair of helping hands.

Step 2: With the pliers cut the bangles at their joint.

Step 3: Create about an inch gap in the bangles.

Step 4: Put a thin line of glue on one of the bangles and gently place the other one on top of it. Wait to dry.

Step 5: Start attaching the smaller watch strap first. Once semi-dry, turn the bangle over and put another few drops of glue to seal from the back.

Step 6: Glue on the longer strap in the same fashion.

And your watch cuff is ready. Sand the edges a little if required.

Great for layering with other bangles!

DIY : House of Harlow Inspired Safety Pin Necklace

I've seen a lot of safety pin art jewelry off late, and frankly, that's inspiring for a recycle-ista like me - Another source of getting close to the latest fashion and beautiful art easily and economically :) While I've come across many a high-end designs involving intricate, gold-plated work, I decided to start simple with the unique and beautiful inspiration below.

Check out this gorgeous delicate safety pin necklace by House of Harlow:

Here's what you'll need to make your own, albeit customized, version of it:

• A safety pin, any size
• Length of chain
• Jump rings, 3mm and 6mm
• Chain clasp
• Tiny Swarovski rhinestones (I used Ocean Blue)
• Instant super glue (or E6000)

Here's how:

Step 1: Put a drop of glue with a toothpick on any side of the safety pin head. Start placing the rhinestones on it carefully.

Step 2: After you reach about halfway, put a drop of glue on the other half of the safety pin. Spread with a toothpick.

Step 3: Once the top of the safety pin has been covered, cover the sides with rhinestones. Allow sufficient time to dry.

Step 4: Attach the smaller jump ring to a chain end and attach this to the safety pin loop.

Step 5: You'll have to follow a slightly different approach for the pin head. Attach a jump ring to the other chain end and insert over the open pin as shown.

Step 6: Close the pin, twist the jump ring under the pin head. Seal with a drop of glue.

Step 7: Cut the chain in the middle and attach the clasp and larger jump rings.

And there we have it!

Layer with other delicate jewelry for interesting effects.

--Cheers! 

DIY Jewelry Recycle Series : Part 3 - Studded Garland Necklace

As you probably know, I started this year with a promise to myself to reduce material wastage. DIY Jewelry Recycle Series has been created for precisely this - to inspire myself (and hopefully you) to make best use of items I have at hand (and do something better with the extra cash? We'll talk about the "better" later!)

The third (See first and second here) in line for this series is keeping well with my growing obsession with anything involving studs, rivets, spikes, pyramids of any sort and of course, garlands. 

Check out how you can make your very own version of this studded garland necklace recycled from an unused bracelet.

Here's what you'll need

• Studs (from other jewelry, clothing, shoes - anything you find a tad too embellished)
• Basic flat nosed pliers and crimping tool
• Jump rings (4 or 6 mm)
• Jewelry chain
• Lobster clasp

Step 1: Pry apart the studs from your item like there's no tomorrow. Or in this case, just snip the bracelet cord. Sew-on studs work the best for this.

Step 2: Arrange the studs as you want them on your necklace (I took 7 of them) and cut about six 1 inch pieces of delicate jewelry chain.

Step 3: Start attaching the studs to the chain bits with tiny jump rings

Step 4: Continue until all studs are attached

Step 5: Add in desired chain lengths on either side, with lobster clasp and you're done!

I was so psyched by this that I ended up making another version in silver!

-Cheers

Supplies used:

DIY Jewelry Recycle Series : Part 1

Always a lover of beautiful jewelry, I can't resist when i come across great deals for it. Just as I can't throw it away, when I inadvertently lose or break stuff (:()

These earrings, for example, were shiny, new, beautiful and most importantly, two, when I got them! Enter traveling and sale season and an ongoing day job, the lords of fate eventually played their cards and miraculously, one if the earrings disappeared without a trace! (I never could figure out how that happens.)

Finally, Courtney Cox and Jennifer Mayer came to my rescue! Check out her look in Cougar Town in collaboration with the designer here.

Now here's what you need to convert your forsaken chandelier earrings to jewels à la Monica!:

• Old earring
• jump rings 4mm
• Any chain of choice (can be taken off other unused jewelry)
• Lobster clasp

Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Take apart your earring (or whatever is left of it) for its findings

Step 2: Attach 2 jump rings through both holes of the discs. Attach about 5 cm of chain of either side of the disc

Step 3: Continue extending your necklace up till you get the desired length.

Step 4: Attach a lobster clasp and 5-7 consecutive jump rings on the ends of the chain

Ta-da!! Guess you don't need $3200 after all!! (For now :))

- Cheers!

DIY : Gold Twig Necklace

Gold Twig-gy jewelry has caught my eye lately. It has a certain understated appeal, especially in the cold weather when combined with cozy knits. 

I've been looking everywhere for it, but hey if you can't find it, make it!

Here's what you'll need:

• A small twig of thin-medium width
• Superglue
• Gold metallic spray paint
• Sandpaper
• Clear nail polish
• Gold wire
• Gold chain
• Lobster clasp
• Craft Knife
• 3-4 gold jump rings 

Here's how to make your own twig necklace with an actual twig :) 

Step 1: Choose a few twigs of thin to medium width, depending upon how you want the end result to look. Cut relevant sections of the twig leaving about 5 mm extra on each side.

Step 2: Sand the twig lightly to enhance texture.

Step 3: Apply a thin layer of superglue all over the twig to reinforce it. Leave to dry.

Step 4: Once the twig is completely dry, spray a coat of Gold metallic spray paint on all sides. Add coats as per your preference. I had to use 2 coats to get the color of my liking.

Step 5: Leave to dry completely. Once dry, cover with a coat of clear nail polish to protect against future color change.

Step 6: Wrap small sections of the twig ends with the jewelry wire as shown

Step 7: Add in chain sections of desired length either directly into the trailing wire loops or through a jump ring on either side.

Step 8: Attach the lobster clasp and a jump ring to the other end of the chain 

Here you have it, your very own twig jewelry! Perfect for winter! :)