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Age shouldn't define you. You can keep reinventing or refining yourself. Now, think that, but with old jewellery turned into new! Fast fashion is a big topic these days, with items often made from poor materials, and intended to be pretty much disposed of after they fall from style. So how about new jewellery in new styles, created from old and unwanted beads, alongside new parts? That's a good way to get your fashion fix, and know that you've helped the world in a small way.
Behind the scenes of eco-conscious makingAhh, the less glamorous side of jewellery design! After a recent chat on twitter with Andy from Create England, about the stages involved in something as "simple" as using charity shop curtains to make bags, I thought it's worth sharing some of what goes into my own upcycling work. It's not as straightforward as you might think. Once I decide that I'm going to use an old necklace, I strip it into separate parts, and clean them according to their materials. Usually mild soapy warm water and a good scrub gets rid of built up dirt (older necklaces can be surprisingly grim with a mix of sweat, moisturiser, and who knows what). I might also need to use metal polish if there are metal beads, pendants, fixings... While cleaning, I look over each part for any damage or flaws, and separate the beads by size, shape, and quality. Once everything is clean, it's left to dry. Once beads are ready to use, I might find that ideas I have aren't possible, because the size of the bead holes are too small (really vexing!) or that I need to wait while I get in other beads or parts specially to make the old beads truly sing. Damage I haven't spotted may cause beads to crack while I'm working with them, which is a real problem when I only have a limited number to work with! Renewed and shining againUltimately it's quicker and easier making jewellery with brand new beads, but it's much less interesting, and far less satisfying. I enjoy using unwanted jewellery so much, I've now based a full range around it, drawing attention to the past of the beads as a part of their appeal alongside their inherent beauty.
A little contemporary design blended with some ancient influences, gives you eco-conscious choices of jewellery in styles you'll find so many ways to wear - Welcome to the Renewed range! Available now, a selection of earrings, necklaces and bracelets, giving new life to old beads.
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