Our Monthly Tip: Repurpose a Lost Loved One’s Vintage Jewelry

A framed vintage jewelry tree made from pins, earrings, necklaces and chains
Credit: Vintage Jewelry Art Store/Etsy.com

Our Tip of the Month

Not all of your lost loved one’s jewelry collection was made up of costly pieces thought to be” worth” passing down to the next generation. So why not upcycle their less expensive fashion jewelry into a special holiday memento or two? Most likely, most of their vintage jewelry was of the fashion or “costume” variety. These pieces are typically made with non-precious stones and metals such as brass, bronze and copper.

The holiday season is a perfect time to add a piece or two — or more — of  your lost loved one’s vintage jewelry to your home decor and decorations with DIY crafts.

How-To Suggestions

A costume jewelry collage as elaborate as the holiday tree made from pins, earrings, necklaces and chains (pictured at the start of this article) takes some time, but can become a family heirloom. Besides an assortment of costume jewelry you’ll need:

• jewelry tool set
• pair of tweezers
• good strong craft glue
• one felt or black cotton velvet scrap
• one shadow box frame

Steps for the tree collage:

1. Base the size of your collage on the amount of jewelry you have and the number of collages you wish to make. It can be as small as an index card or as large as 16×20 inches.
2. Use a sturdy piece of cardboard for the back, then glue the fabric to the board with spray glue and let dry.
3. Start gluing from the top of the tree down, leaving about 1 1/2 inches for a header space. Then poke straight pins in. Be sure to measure the same amount of space on each side as your move down, forming the rest of the tree with the pieces of jewelry. Make room for about 1 1/2 inches space at the bottom as well. (Do not use superglue because it releases gasses under glass. It will also turn gold black.)
4. Line up several large pieces down the center and lay all of the large pieces out before gluing any. Step back and look at it a number of times over a period of several hours to be sure you like the layout. Then glue them.
5. Next go around the edge with small pieces and fill in with small stones or whatever vintage jewelry pieces you have.
6. Dust the finished, dry collage with a piece of tape rolled around your finger
7. Add a frame.

Other holiday gifts and keepsakes made from the costume jewelry of lost family and friends are sure to add a special sparkle of remembrance to the season.

Repurposing your lost loved one’s vintage jewelry can be
as simple as creating an elegant napkin holder by
attaching a brooch to ribbon
Credit: bhg.com

Gather the beads, pearls and shiny accoutrements of a loved
one’s costume jewelry and turn them into holiday balls. Adding the initials
of the person you are honoring will personalize the ornament further.
Credit: pinterest.com

Our memories of our moms and dads, aunts and uncles and siblings are enhanced in a very personal way when we are reminded of the signature rings, tie pins, cufflinks, necklaces, bracelets and brooches they wore. And, while we may not pair the novelties of their day with our own outfits, we can recapture the memories these pieces evoke by repurposing them.