Five Clever Ways to Reuse Old Costume Jewelry

Despite the winter chill, you have a burst of energy and decide that you want to get a little jump on your spring cleaning. You choose to start with your jewelry box that is full of dazzling costume jewelry pieces, and after assessing your box's inventory, you decide that you want to scale down on your collection. What do you do with these gorgeous statement jewelry selections with which you are ready to part? Do you throw them into the trashcan (ultimately, the landfill), or do you find another way to reuse those lovely items? Here are five suggestions for what to do with those bejeweled objects:

Create new jewelry masterpieces.

You can take those old costume jewelry pieces and create an assortment of new masterpieces. You can transform elegant, flashy earrings into chic scarf or sweater pins, or you can string a collection of beads from old necklaces and bracelets into a new fashionable adornment for your neck. Use your imagination and craft a host of beautiful accessories to compliment your wardrobe.

Sell your jewelry through a consignment shop.

If you are in need of extra money and want to pass along those classy treasures to someone else to enjoy, you can take your old costume jewelry to a consignment shop for resale. Most shops of this nature pay you at least 50% of the price at which your items sell, so you may want to consider this option as a possible destination for your formerly loved jewelry.

Concoct decorative wind chimes.

Wind chimes produce a calming and welcome melody no matter what the season may be. You can utilize your jewelry castoffs to produce an alluring wind chime that is sure to please. Directions for how to make a wind chime from recycled material is available online.

Donate your jewelry as props for dramatic performances or simply for dress-up play for the children.

If you have children, you can always donate your old costume jewelry to them for use while playing "dress up." If you have older children or know someone who is involved in a drama club or the theater, you can give your previously worn costume jewelry to them for use in a performance or play.

Make beaded bookmarks.

You can take the beads from old necklaces and bracelets and use them in the creation of beaded bookmarks. In addition to the beads, you will only need ribbon and scissors, and directions for how to produce a beaded bookmark are available online .

When you find those pieces of costume jewelry to which you are ready to say good-bye, keep these five ideas of other "missions" for those items in mind. You can let your creative light shine, earn some extra money, or bless someone else with these treasures while being kind to the environment in the process.

Sources:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4665481_wind-chime-recycled-objects.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5368017_make-bookmarks-out-beads.html