Handmade Vintage Styled Jewelry (trash to treasure project)

I love the look of vintage jewelry, and used to be able to buy it affordably at a local antique mall, which, to my disappointment, recently closed. In the past year or so, I also discovered the work of vintage styled jewelry artist John Wind, of Maximal Art and fell in love immediately with his gorgeous and pricey pieces. I wanted to try my hand at making something similar, but on a shoestring budget. While walking the aisles at Wal Mart and also at Joann's the other day, I happened upon some clearanced rhinestone belt buckles. I picked them up and using my wire cutters, I clipped out the metal bar and tongue in the center of each buckle (they came out quite easily. That left me with a jeweled frame without a back.

For the square frame, I was able to go to Lowe's and have a glazier cut me a small piece of glass to set into the back of the buckle. I glued the glass into the frame using Glass Tac and allowing it to dry overnight. Then I cut artwork to fit into the frame and used Martha Stewart Decoupage Glue and Sealer to glue the art to the glass. Allowing this next layer to dry, I cut a piece of fabric and glued that over the back of the piece. I then attached ribbon at the top with a glue gun, although if you have a soldering iron you can solder on a jewelry bail or small jump ring to the top to tie the ribbon through. Otherwise, you can hot glue or sew a pinback to the back of the buckle and you have a gorgeous brooch. This one is my fave - I love the French Blue color - wouldn't it be a great little gift to give a bride for that "something blue"?

On the oval pieces, the glazier could not cut oval pieces of glass for me, so I cut a piece of clear transparency and glued that in, instead. On the two oval pieces, I also cut a piece of chipboard and glued that in behind the artwork, after first covering the chipboard with patterned paper to finish the back. I forgot to take pics of the backs of these projects so will update this entry with those tomorrow. But otherwise -- it's pretty much the same process. I also didn't use the Martha Stewart decoupage glue on the oval pins - though you could, since it dries clear. I simply glued all three layers, the transparency, the artwork annd the chipboard, to the back of the frame with the Glass Tac glue on the edges only. It's not vintage quality, admittedly - but it still makes a lovely embellishment and you can use it to dress up a layout, mini book or other special project, or you can make up a bunch of these and set them on a small plate - they're just so pretty!

This is what the oval buckle looked like before (it's a Prym Dritz product available at Hobby Lobby and probably at other sewing and notions stores;

and regrettably I don't have a before pic of the square buckle -- but I found it at Walmart in the Crafts section for $3.00 on clearance. If you make one of these, I'd love to see how it turns out!

Also - for those of you who are new to my blog, thanks for reading and stopping by - and commenting too. I welcome you, and am gratified to have this small readership! Lisa had asked about where I got the vintage images for the easter basket project (I will be removing that project from the website soon - so if you need pics then you might want to right click and save them to your computer) - that project has been accepted for publication so I will be taking it off my blog in the next day or so. Anyway - if anyone needs the images - please drop me an email and I will send them to you. Happy St. Patty's Day!   

Comments

[Jan Olson]

Ranjini,
You are so creative! I love the belt buckle transformation. So pretty :) I am heading to the belt clearance aisle tomorrow :)
Jan

[Alisa N.]

These are beautiful Ranjini. Thank you for your warm words and thoughts. They are very much appriciatied.

[Cynthia]

Simply beautiful! I think sometimes we are more creative when we are on a budget. It forces the creative muse to come alive.

[stacy]

Ranjini, these are lovely!! what amazes me is that you see a belt buckle and poof turn it into something so beautiful. You have such an incredible gift. Thank you for sharing it with us!!

[Sherry B]

These are lovely!

[marion]

So beautiful! I would look at those and see a buckle and you looked at them as the base for a beautiful piece of jewelry! The same with the easter baskets! I saw those and thought that they were rather tacky and went on my way. Not you, you looked at it and saw that you could make something really lovely from it! I would love to have copies of some of those vintage images. love anything vintage!
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[Cris Cunningham]

I officially dub thee "Queen of Found Objects". Love what you've done with these otherwise ordinary pieces Ranjini. The mere mention of Maximal Art takes my breath away. We have a store in town that sells these beautiful pieces. I've been hoarding them for some time now. Hugs, C.

[Sarah Keith]

The pink rhinestone was is so pretty! I have a couple of vintage rhinestone buckles like this. What a wonderful idea. Your creations are lovely!
Sarah