Most of the jewelry that I wear out often is just for fun. Any jewelry that I have had bought for me or passed down is kept tucked away safe and sound. I would rather lug around a five dollar ring over losing something that’s priceless to me. With that being said, I have a lot of cheap jewelry that I love. The pieces work well with all of my clothing and have become my “go to’s”. The flaw of buying something that’s cheap is that usually it’s not very sturdy. So if something that you love breaks, then why not repurpose it yourself? Here’s what I mean….

If one of your favorite necklaces has broken, you can simply take it apart and use the components to make a new one. Go to Michael’s or any craft store that sells beads and ends and buy something that will go with what you’re using. Restring and secure your clasp on the end. It’s a very simple and easy way to salvage something that you love to wear. Plus, it adds a little uniqueness to something that’s sold locally and a lot of people probably own. Charms from bracelets and even old key chains can be remade into a fabulous necklace.

For rings, if a gem pops out or if the adornment that fell off is flat, then use a hot glue gun or craft glue to put it back in place. If the surface is flat and wasn’t held in by any prongs, then you may have to hold it for a few extra minutes to make sure that it stays in place. If you don’t, then it’s just going to slide down and you will have to keep putting it back in place until the glue has dried. If you lost the piece that fell off, then take the back off of an old broach or find a vintage rounded button that you love. The bottom has to be one that’s sewn on by a small metal loop on the underneath of it. Take the metal off so that it’s flat and glue on to your flat surfaced ring. It’s a great way to make a statement ring that no one else will be wearing.

Earrings are a little more tricky. Obviously if you paid more for them or if they are sentimental, then just take them to a jeweler and ask if you can have them reset. Don’t be fooling around with them if there’s a chance you will damage then more and be really pissed about it. If you’re dealing with cheapies and one has broken completely, then take them apart and try to reuse them by reworking them into a necklace or bracelet. If you’ve boughten earrings and they turn out to be way too heavy, then string them on a piece of leather or a chain for an immediate necklace update. I’ve had to do this numerous times. Really, if your options are to either never wear them or let them stretch your ears down to your belt, then making a necklace out of them seems like a great alternative.

Bracelets and watches are the same game. You can easily add a watch that’s band has had it onto a piece of ribbon or leather. You can even restring it with some pearls and add a clasp on the end to make it more feminine. The possibilities are endless. Plus, you don’t have to toss out something that you love.

I have spent many an hour hunched over a bowlful of beads with a sore back wondering why I started a devil project. In the end though, I have made tons of necklaces. I have given them to friends and people have asked to borrow them. With a little effort, no one will ever know that you made it. So the next time your favorite piece of jewelry breaks, don’t scream like a howler monkey. Look at it as an opportunity to make it into something unique and special.

xo Stephanie