We’re the kind of upcycling loving crafters who hate throwing just about anything out. Even if something broken or unwearable, you’ll still catch us staring at it and trying to think of ways to make use of the pieces. This is especially true with broken jewelry because it breaks our hears to toss out something so pretty! That’s why we’ve been looking for new ways to upcycle broken jewelry whenever possible.
Just in case you love the idea of getting crafty with broken jewelry just as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 fantastic ideas that will help you get started.
1. Jewelry heart canvas art
Do you have quite a number of broken jewelry pieces that don’t quite match, giving them an eclectic aesthetic when you gather them together, but that still look quite pleasing? Then it sounds like you have what you need to make something like this lovely canvas art heart featured on Coco for Beauty!
2. Broken jewelry door wreath
Have you actually been collecting broken jewelry for years and you have a very large collection to work with? Then maybe you’d like to make more of a statement piece and create something like this fantastic jewelry laden door wreath! DIY Show Off shows you how it’s done.
3. Broken jewelry necklace holder
If you ask us, there’s something kind of poetic about the idea of turning broken jewelry into a decorative way to store the jewelry you can still wear. Check out how Looking Fly on a Dime made these fantastic wall hangers from old rings and pendants and hung necklaces from them.
4. DIY Shourouk inspired bracelet
What if we told you that you could turn your broken jewelry into a wholly new, wearable piece of jewelry? We liked the idea a lot as well! Thanks to this tutorial from Make It and Fake It, you can learn how to turn earrings and rings into embellishments on a bright rope bracelet.
5. Jewelry piece embellished sandals
Are you very into the idea of continuing to wear the pieces of your broken jewelry indeed but you’d rather make something other than another jewelry based accessory? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Recycled Fashion embellished their otherwise plain strap sandals using beads from long broken necklaces and bracelets.
6. DIY brooch fridge magnets
Sometimes all it takes to make something pretty is a bit of glue! We love the way Meegan Makes created a set of fancy fridge magnets by affixing pieces of magnetic strip onto the backs of old rings, earrings, brooches, and pendants.
7. Jewelry Christmas tree canvas art
Just in case you loved the idea of making canvas art but you think you’d rather make a different image than just a simple art, here’s an idea for the holiday enthusiasts! Thrift n’ Pick Country Style walks you step by step through the process of making a canvas mounted Christmas tree from broken jewelry pieces.
8. Jewelry piece embellished clutch
Here’s an option that we’ve actually made before at home and still use to this day! We love the way Jewelry Pendants chose pieces that all coordinated with each other and a plain clutch they owned along a colour themed and glued them all across the front for some simple, clustered embellishment.
9. Jewelry Christmas ball ornament
Were you quite intrigued indeed by the Christmas theme but the canvas art idea didn’t really interest you? In that case, we’d suggest taking a look at how Carolyn Wainscott made this fantastic jumbo Christmas ornament covered in pearls and rhinestones from broken jewelry instead! We love the way it sparkles on the tree.
10. Costume jewelry earrings to cocktail rings
Do you have a small collection of big costume earrings that have broken posts or clamps or have lost their back, so you haven’t worn them in years? Then we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how I Am Style-Ish affixed the gems and baubles to simple metal rings and used them as cocktail rings that mark the stem of your wine glass so you always know which is yours.
11. Upcycled jewelry camera strap
Perhaps it’s a string of pearls you’re looking to give a new lease on life because the string has broken but you still managed to keep them all together? Well, if you’ve ever liked taking photos as much as you love wearing jewelry, then we think this fantastic pearled necklace camera strap project featured on Inhabitat will be right up your alley.
12. Vintage brooch drawer handles
Do you have a few pieces that are much larger than the rest that you’ve set aside because you’d like to do something a little more special with them? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at how Lovely Etc turned their old brooches into stellar looking vintage inspired door handles!
13. Jewelry and velour ribbon bookmarks
So long as you can get your hands on some velour ribbon and jewelry clamps, like you see in the photo, you’ve got just about everything you need to make these fantastic upcycled jewelry bookmarks! Intimate Weddings walks you through the process step by step.
14. Broken jewelry and key necklace pendant
Are you actually still thinking about the idea of turning your old jewelry into new accessories but you’re looking for something a little more crafty and unconventional than what you’ve seen so far? Then we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Running With Sisters made a sheer ribbon necklace with a key pendant that has been embellished with rhinestone from accessories past.
Have you made other lovely looking projects and pieces with broken jewelry before that you were very happy with indeed but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section.
