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15 Eco-Chic Jewelry Projects for Earth Day (and Every Day!)

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We’ve all heard the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra, right? Well we’re giving that old incantation a bit of an update… Get ready to “revamp, repurpose, and revitalize” with these eco-chic DIY jewelry projects! In honor of Earth Day, we at AllFreeJewelryMaking are pulling together some of our all-time favorite jewelry tutorials using recycled materials. “Go green” and get gorgeous with these Earth-friendly and fashion-forward DIY jewelry ideas. Not only will you save some trash from the landfill, but you’ll save yourself a bit of money by upcycling materials you already have at home into fresh and fabulous DIY jewelry.

 

Instead of going to the craft store the next time you need jewelry supplies, you’ll be heading to your favorite fast food restaurant after you see this DIY idea. Would you have guessed this Golden Neon Pyramid Necklace was made from drinking straws, paper, and paint? Bet you’ll think twice before tossing that fountain drink in the trash. Give yourself an excuse to swing by the drive-thru of your favorite burger joint by putting this knockout statement necklace on your “to-do” list.

 

poptabbracelet

 

Make a bracelet that really pops with this cool recycled bracelet project. Different versions of this DIY Pop Tab Bracelet have been popping up all over the blogosphere, but this one from Taking Off At Nine is really top notch. The pink satin ribbon gives it an ultra feminine touch and adds some softness to the silvery tabs. So cheap and easy to make!

 

 

Doing some redecorating? You might as well redecorate your wardrobe while you’re at it with this Paint Chip Petal Necklace project. Save those leftover paint chips the next time you’re giving your home a fresh coat and turn those colorful scrap cards into your next necklace creation. You can add a splash of color to your walls and your outfit all at once.

 

plasticbottleearrings

 

Got the itch to make some earrings? We prescribe this tutorial for Jewelry Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles to relieve your jewelry making urges. Poppy from Poppy’s Money Tree House is clearly doing her part to save our planet with these clever recycled jewelry designs. Use a prescription bottle to get the amber effect shown here, or use any empty plastic bottle you have lying around to create your own version of this project.

 

 

 

Not all repurposed jewelry projects have to come from the recycling bin. This 6-Minute Upcycled Necklace revamps an old piece of jewelry into something fresh and fun. Give new life to those old forgotten bead bracelets lying listlessly at the bottom of your jewelry box, or revitalize some retro accessories picked up from a second-hand shop. All you need is a few beads to make simple and sweet necklaces like the one shown here.

 

 

These jewelry projects prove that you can be elegant and environmentally conscious all at once. If you’re looking for even more ways to save the Earth and some cash while crafting, check out Chic Recycled Crafts: 10 Recycled Jewelry Tutorials to find a roundup of our top 10 most popular recycled jewelry projects on AllFreeJewelryMaking.com, as chosen by our readers. Go glam and go green at the same time with these Earth-friendly ideas.

Have you ever used recycled or upcycled items in a craft or jewelry project? Tell us about it!

 

Michaels RE-Love Blogger Challenge

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MichaelsTo celebrate Earth Month, Michaels created a blogger challenge to challenge us to create something new from something old. Taking someone’s trash and making it treasure is no easy feat, but I stepped up to the challenge with a few ideas in mind and my Michaels store down the road.

I started with the idea that I wanted to use metal in some form. It’s not a material I use often in my crafting endeavors, but I know that working with metal has been on my list of “things to do” for awhile. I’ve worked with ceramics, paint, and even wood but metal has not been something I’ve had time to try.

I made a trip to my local thrift shop and picked up a handful of used stainless steel and silver spoons and various other utensils:

SONY DSC

Pretty, right? I loved the designs on each handle and the uniqueness of each spoon. I could tell each spoon had a history or a story – a part of a set at one point in time now separated and mismatched. While useful for college students looking for cheap silverware for their apartment, these spoons will most likely sit around for awhile to be eventually thrown out. Not to get sentimental, but I’d like to think I rescued these spoons from ultimate doom.

RE Purpose

Now armed with my rescued spoons, I went into my Michaels store and headed straight to the Jewelry section. Here I found tools that will help me re-new these spoons and give them a new life.

I bought:Michaels RE Love supplies

 

 

 

Letter PunchInsriblio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eager to get started, I headed home and got to work. There are a variety of ways to flatten spoons and bend their handles. I haven’t quite mastered all of the techniques just yet, but see all those spoons above? I have plenty of them to experiment on in the future. My chosen method for this particular challenge involves this old vice in my dad’s tool room:

Vice

Not pretty, but it does the job. I also decided that perfection wasn’t my goal. I wanted a vintage look and a result that doesn’t scream “I bought this” or “this is perfect.” Part of re-purposing materials is understanding that the materials must speak for themselves. To completely disguise what an object once was almost defeats the purpose. That’s why I want to re-fresh these spoons so that upon closer inspection you can say “hey, that’s a really cool thing you did with that spoon!” Or something like that.

RE Fresh

So, after smushing the spoon and using my manly strength (okay, my dad may have helped). I took a hack saw (also my dad’s) and sawed off the handle of the spoon. Using a nifty drill to make a hole in the flattened spoon, and the files from Bead Landing, I ended up with a flattened spoon pendant. But it needed something a little extra of course. So I pounded away and used the letter punches to finish the deal. So far, the RE-Love challenge has taught me to RE-…

Create

Stay tuned for more about my RE-Love project and see the final pieces!

Are you upcycling to celebrate Earth Month?

Cinema Saturdays: How to Make Paper Beads

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One of the best things about making jewelry is that you can find materials from the most common items around you. A drawer knob can become a funky pendant, an old T-shirt can become a braided jersey necklace… But one of my favorite supplies to use when making recycled jewelry is paper!

Have you ever tried making paper beads? It’s so fun and so easy! Trust me, once you start, you’ll be hooked. And you end up with tons of cheap (read: FREE) jewelry supplies for fabulous new bracelets and necklaces! It’s the perfect weekend activity to do alone or with friends. Go green while saving a little green by making paper beads!

How to Make Paper Beads

Follow along with this video tutorial to learn a simple technique for making recycled paper beads. Then watch the video below to learn how to use your colorful paper creations to make a fun beaded bracelet or necklace.

Here are some other ideas for using your homemade paper beads to create fun new accessories:

If you enjoyed this crafty cinematic experience, be sure to subscribe to the AllFreeBeadedJewelry YouTube channel for even more free jewelry making videos!

What’s your favorite “green” material to craft with?

What is Steampunk Jewelry?

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Steampunking:  When Victorian feminine style meets robust metallic accents.  It’s the ultimate clash of opposite medias…and it’s the latest craze sweeping the crafting world.

Steampunking gives a whole new meaning to “girly gear”, mixing lace and metal to get the ultimate in jewelry accessories.  Common steampunk supplies include vintage clock gears, cogs, various pocket watch parts, and other brass findings, like washers and nuts.  Mix these odds and ends with feminine lace, Victorian accents, and 18th century style accessories and you’ve got one heck of an art piece.

Similar to mixed media art, steampunk jewelry is great for those who love to shop the thrift and junk stores.  Chances are you could probably create a stunning piece from the stuff sitting in your junk drawer right now!  So gather up those broken nick knacks and let’s turn them into something fabulous!

Get your creative gears moving with this Quick Steampunk Pendant.  This locket charm is a great project for steampunk beginners.  You can easily make it into a necklace, a pin, or even a beautiful Victorian brooch.

I know we’ve got some time before Halloween, but I just can’t wait to make this cute Mini Top Hat.  While most steampunk crafts are heavy on the medal, this whimsical top hat is more Victorian with subtle hints of metallic flair…perfect for Halloween, New Year’s parties, or even Mad Hatter Tea Parties!

Speaking of The Mad Hatter, I cannot tell you how much I love these Steampunk Cupcakes.  These little decadent bites are perfect for Victorian costume parties or masquerades…or even for hosting steampunk crafting parties!

If you ask me, I’m all about simple and savvy jewelry.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a little color and sparkle, but I’d take something soft and feminine over something glitzy and shiny…and that’s why I just love these Faucet Handle Necklaces.  The sweet flower in the center of these steampunk necklaces reminds me that there’s life and joy in even the dirtiest of places!

Even those who don’t really like the technical look of steampunk accessories can still enjoy creating steampunk crafts.  These Full Steam Ahead Earrings use metallic items to make steampunk earrings that look classy and vintage.  I love that these earrings could go with just about anything, from jeans and a tee to a little black dress!

Love the steampunk look but don’t want to wear it?  Steampunk home décor is a great way to add vintage charm to your living space.  This Steampunk Frame is a great way to get started and experiment with different techniques and styles.  A trip to the thrift store or hardware store will give you enough materials to create this frame in no time.

I don’t know about you, but I’m really excited to try this new steampunking craze!  Plus now I have a great use for all my broken watches and jewelry!

What do you think of steampunk jewelry?  People seem to love it or hate it, and we wanna hear what you think!

Unexpected and Unique Recycled Jewelry

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We rummage through old drawers, chests, and closets and toss out old toys, appliances, and clothes. But sometimes, just before our hand looses grip on a long, lost, unloved item, we suddenly see potential in it. We cut, bend, add, and enhance until we have something new and beautiful that clasps boldly around our necks or lays delicately across our wrists. On our site you’ll find a link for projects for unique recycled jewelry. I have a number of my favorite projects below, but first I want to talk about a totally unique recycler I found online that makes jewelry from objects you wouldn’t have thought of.

Left and right images from Brancusi’s site.

 

Rarely, do I know what to do with old technology. Keyboards, microchips, and circuits are all bound for the trash, but recently I discovered a guy that has incredible jewelry making designs for bracelets using what was thought to be useless computer parts. His name is Constanti Brancusi and he is the maker of Paola Mirai Jewels. Click on this link to see more of his stunning jewelry. I have to appreciate someone who can take raw and ugly parts and transmute them into fascinating, beautiful jewelry.

He’s not the only one that can do it though…you can too! Here are some easy projects for what will be highly envied jewelry.

Pop Can Beads:  Using recycled metals for making jewelry is very eco friendly. Take a tin pop can and transform it into a bracelet that looks like it’s made of expensive pewter beads.

 

Vintage Pendulum Necklace:  This is a great example of vintage recycled jewelry. You’ll never look at old kitchen knobs the same way again. Sway your friends into jewelry making with this fashionable piece.

 

Zipper Bead Necklace:  This necklace bellows bold and beautiful, but no one will think it’s from zippers, and so simple to make.

 

 

Reclaimed Rubber Bracelet:  Did you every think you could make a stylish bracelet from a flat bike tire? Not only is it possible, but it’s also simple to do.

 

Tea Canister Cuff:  This might go for $40 bucks at the store, but it’ll cost you nothing to dig through Grandma’s cabinet’s or just a few dollars to buy a canister of tea with an appealing design.

 

 

I found two more jewelry making ideas for you to try on bloggers sites. I picked out DIY Shrinky Dink (from plastic container!) [TUTORIAL] from blogger Roudi writer of C is for Craft because I cringe every time I throw away plastic. This  project is such a cute way to reuse it.

I found an incredible site that reuses worn strings from instruments to make jewelry. Strings…and a Dare by Xavior, has so many unique creations. My personal favorite is what’s made from piano wire.

I want to ask all you readers, have you made any jewelry from recycled pieces? If so, what did you use and make?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

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