What do I do with it all?

In my last journal entry, my friend Lain asked what I do with the old jewelry I hoard...do I keep the pieces as is or do I tear them apart. this question caused me to go into the family room and pull the things I've been working from while watching tv and take some pictures.  Much to my husband's dismay, I'm a pack rat.  I have a hard time letting anything go.  When I started making jewelry a year or so ago I did it for myself and for gifts...not to sell.  I was afraid that if I allowed this part of my life become "work" it would take all the fun out of it.  In many cases I do take things apart.  Mainly on newer things that I've found at garage sales...It's very easy to find sterling earrings with dangly charms.  I will always take the charms off.   Whenever I find anything tiny that would make a good charm (like a scatter pin or clip on earrings), I will cut off the pin part or earring clip and if I can't find a place to attach a jump ring, I'll create one with my metal hole punch or fisker's hand drill or I'll attach a back that has a loop.  The old enameled butterfly in yesterday's post is from the victorian era....I didn't want to alter it much because I didn't want to ruin it.  I was able to squeeze the c clasp on the back closed and I used my wire cutters to nip off the sharp pointed end of the pin.  Once that was done I just added jump rings to it's antenna.

As for the bohemian garnets...I think I'm going to take the bangle bracelet to someone who repairs antique jewelry.  It has all it's garnets but there is a broken hinge that keeps the front and the back pieces together.  It's also missing it's safety chain.  I believe once it's repaired it'll be worth something and I'll sell it.  The necklace is actually missing some pieces.  If I could do whatever I wanted, I'd make a bracelet for myself using the back part of the necklace (the clasp and the thinner  part of the necklace)...then I'd use 2 of the matching sunbursts as dangle earrings. :)  I'd totally do this but my hubby thinks I'll be making a big mistake...(breaking up such a beautiful piece).  I'm about 99.9% certain I'll do it anyway.  I would never wear a necklace like that but a fine, delicate bracelet and funky earrings...totally. :)

oxox

Comments

[Judy Scott]

Hi Tracy what an amazing collection, If you think you'll wear them go for it and remake! if it were me I would use it in my little quilts ~ Im quite a simple person when it comes to jewellry though!!! I always love to see jewellry on others I would love to have longer fingers so I could wear big rings!! Have a fab weekend, Jude x

[Lain]

Thanks for the show and tell! So fun! Wish I had more room around here... maybe when some of these durned kids move out (in about 15 years). xoxoxo Lainie

[violetismycolor]

What a lot of cool stuff! You DO collect, don't you? It's all wonderful.

[Cindy Ericsson]

I say you should go for it. If you can't wear it in the current condition, you won't value it. If you can re-make it into something that you will love wearing, why not? Otherwise, it's like having a china cabinet full of fine china that you've never put on the table for your family and guests to enjoy.

[Suzanne]

Hi Tracy, Have you seen Holly's blog/art site? She does fun things with her little treasures, too, in her collages. http://hollylovesart.blogspot.com/

[Tricia]

Wowser! You got yourself some pirate treasure! Thanks for the eye candy and the update.