Vintage Inspired Spring Necklace

Designing with Flea Market Finds

Finding affordable craft supplies, are always on the mind of those who do crafts as a hobby.  Shopping at flea markets can be a fun place to look for your next set of jewels. Buying dated jewelry that can be redesigned is a creative way to not only save money on supplies, it can be a wonderful way to find unique and one of a kind beads or findings. When shopping for used jewelry look for items that still have good working parts as well as beads that can look like new with a little cleaning and polishing.Once again, buy only items that you really love, you will find a use for it. Flea market shopping will yield not only vintage jewelry but also newer jewelry with findings that can give good continued use. Read the following list for a few pointers for buying used jewelry:

• Make sure the jewelry can be cleaned easily
• Buy only pieces that you love
• Buy used jewelry with good competitive pricing. Old isn't necessarily cheap
• Clasps and closures should be in good working condition
• Rosary bead chains are a good component for today's jewelry styling
• Religious symbols are highly sought after items
• Souvenir charms to mix with other charms to create theme jewelry
• Glass beads and pearls in your favorite colors
• Chains and more chains, buy them a variety of colors and weights
• One of a kind earrings can be used for charms or used as pendants on a new necklace
• Mix and match vintage beads with newer beads for an eclectic look

Vintage Romance Bracelet

For those of you who follow my blog, you know how much I love collecting and designing with vintage costume jewelry.  Creating one of a kind fashion accessories from recycled jewelry has become quite popular with many designers. The mix and match styling is a way to add new excitment to your wardrobe, often for prices far below what you would pay in a high end boutique. What was once dated and discarded costume jewelry, can now have new purpose mixed with today's findings, beads and chains. A little time and creativity can have you making jewelry that is as unique as the person wearing it.

When asked what I look for when buying junk or vintage jewelry my answer is always the same.  I look for items that have good elements of design and function. I use only items that can still give good continued wear. Functional items need to be in excellent operating condition.  I buy what I truly love. I know that if I love it, I will find a use for it.

I am proud to be a member of the Artbeads.com blogging team. Supplies for the Vintage Romance Bracelet have been provided by the Artbeads.com company at no charge to me for use in reviewing the Artbeads.com product line. The products used in this bracelet includes firepolished 8 mm Czech glass Opal beads Glass Beads and silver Bali Beads I found these products to be of very fine quality. For more ideas, visit their website. Stop by their learning center for more ideas as well as great tips and techniques.  http://www.artbeads.com/
Disclosure...As a reviewer of products at Artbeads.com, I received the Czech beads as well as the Bali Silver beads and components used in the project above free of charge. I have been asked to review these products and give my honest opinion of the products...positive or negative. I am not being compensated by Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

New Beads and Charms

Look what came in the mail over the weekend!  My Artbeads order!  I am so excited.  I was thrilled when I opened the wonderfully wrapped bundle of  Swarovski crystal beads, pearls,  sterling silver charms . I really like their silver toned chains  I had ordered these items just a few days before and was very pleased with the delivery and the packaging.  The quality of the products is amazing.  I can hardly wait until I can make up a new design with these beautiful items. Make sure you check them out.  I felt I had fantastic service and the products are wonderful.