Craft a Mixed Media Brooch Using Recyclables

I love creating mixed media projects. It's a great way to craft using different techniques, with an assortment of supplies that wouldn't ordinarily go together. Now that is the definition of true crafting. I pulled out some miscellaneous items I had been saving and others I had not delved into in a while, to create a one-of-a-kind brooch. I loved how well it came out, so I am planning more as gifts for family, friends and possibly even to sell. Since no two will be alike, I can't really make a mistake.

This project is super quick, but plan an evening of stress free relaxation time to play, ahem... I mean work on them. They really are easy and a great way to craft something beautiful from old costume jewelry, junk drawer finds and your seldom used craft supplies. I mean, come on, it uses glitter! Now who wouldn't enjoy that?

Metal bottle cap (beer or pop, I used an old Hire's pop cap)
Two needle nose pliers
Drill and small bit
Craft glue
Paint brush
Clear or white crystal glitter
Odd tiny things-button, typewriter key, Bingo marker, charm, broken dish (there's not a lot of room, so keep it small)
Sequins
Seed beads
Jump ring
2-inch head pins, three
Assorted vintage beads
Jewelry glue
3/4-inch pin back

1. Prepare the base. Bend and squeeze the rim of a metal bottle cap, out and flat, using needle nose pliers. Drill a small hole centered on the rim of one edge.

2. Paint the inside of the bottle cap with craft glue. Sprinkle the glue with clear or white crystal glitter. Allow the glue to dry.

3. Paint over the glitter with a thick coat of craft glue. Place an odd tiny thing (see list) off center in the bottle cap. Sprinkle two sequins in the glue. Randomly sprinkle seed beads over the rest of the glue covered space. You do not have to completely cover the glue. It will dry clear, allowing the glitter to peek through. Allow the glue to dry.

4. Grasp a jump ring with needle nose pliers on one side of the ring end and another pair of needle nose pliers on the other side. Slightly twist the ring in opposite directions, opening the ring. Thread the ring through the drilled hole in the bottle cap. Do not close the ring.

5. Thread an assortment of vintage beads, on a 2-inch head pin, to within a 1/2-inch of the end. Choose head pins and jump rings with either a gold or silver finish to match the metal of the bottle cap. Grasp the tip of the head pin with tip of the needle nose pliers. Twist the end into a loop. Repeat with two more head pins. Slip the loops of the head pins over the jump ring and close the jump ring.

6. Turn the bottle cap with the back side up. The beads on the eye pins are at the bottom edge of the brooch. Apply jewelry glue to the back of a 3/4-inch pin back. Position the pin back on the back of the bottle cap, just above the center. Allow the glue to dry.