7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

yayuk — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:28:36 GMT

I like this article couse I have a lot of jewelry need to redesigning

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

yayuk — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:27:10 GMT

i reallly love with this article and give me a lot of inspiration to design the jewelry

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

Eileen1224 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:14:56 GMT

Great suggestions! Thank you. I'm taking afresh look at all the stuff I never wear for whatever reason.

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

linda@891 — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:02:24 GMT

Enjoyed this blog. I also did a blog on redesigning jewelry - called "Redoing the Family Jewels" it is at Lindasudimack.blogspot.com and it is the November entry - several blogs back. I just realized this is from last year - hope you get this...Linda

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

taya_etc — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 04:42:52 GMT

Recycling and coming up with something new that can be useful is really worth it. You get to save as well as explore more options based on how you want things. Also check out jewelry designs here http://www.taya-etc.com.

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

segarcia — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:54:00 GMT

great article! I find myself taking apart and doing a "remake". This neclace really does have an edgier look. both pieces are great really. We all have different moods and will dress accordingly, so why not do it with our jewelry?

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

Andy27 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:07:22 GMT

You've inspired me to saunter over to the over fifties village to stick up a notice to ask for any unwanted bead necklaces to add to my small collection. Hope there will be some goodies that someone is happy give away. I'll let you know!

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

Michelle Mach — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:04:15 GMT

Tangent Treasures -- What a smart business angle! I bet you learn a lot from the designs you create for your customers. I think it really stretches your creativity to work with materials that you did not choose.

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

beadidani — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:46:08 GMT

Very informative article.

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

Tangent Treasures — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:06:14 GMT

A good proportion of the commissions I take are to make "new from old", customers bring in pieces that they want revamped, or sometimes just one or two beads as a basis for something new. I really enjoy the challenge - I always take a photo before I start and at every stage, its really interesting to see how ideas develop!

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

Michelle Mach — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:01:24 GMT

Beth--I love the solution of simply adding another strand of beads. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best!

Joy--One of the early Stringing magazines had a designer who did just that--she used an earring as a pendant for a necklace. I couldn't find a picture online, but if I remember correctly, it was the kind of earring piece that already had the hole on top. She just removed the ear wire and used something (probably a jump ring) to attach it to the necklace. Maybe a reader will have photo of their own version of this idea.

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

Joy@132 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:15:54 GMT

I have thought about that many times. I have, over the years, saved single earrings I have lost the mate to. I'm sure there is someone who has done this and wouldn't mind sharing photos and design instructions.

I love your magazine

Joy H.

Phoenix, Arizona

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

bethullman — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:15:59 GMT

I do this often, with jewelry I make for both resale and my own use, as well as purchashed/inherited items. Old pieces often need a re-work because of some broken part, or even worn-off finish, and I've come up with some unusual solutions, including converting to or from pins, adding wire wrapped crystals over worn spots and rebending metals into new forms. For necklaces sometimes the easiest solution is adding a second and/or third strand with complementary beads -- a solution I love because I almost always make those necklaces in such a way each strand can also be worn alone. Lots of flexibility!

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

Michelle Mach — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:29:32 GMT

What lovely comments!

-Patricia, I love how you said that after your redesign you had beads left for another project. That was hard for me to learn--I'd love a strand of beads so much that I'd want to cram them all into one necklace. Not always a good idea!

-Julie, I bet even the "seriously dated" stuff will inspire you at some point. You never know!

-Renae, I save my "redesign" projects for when I'm not feeling especially creative. This way, I feel I already have a good start and just need to keep going.

-Jan, I can't speak for the other editors, but I know I definitely have days when I'm not feeling the creative vibe. I'm better now at holding off on crimping/finishing until I feel more sure of a piece. When I started, I was all about "make it tonight, wear it tomorrow." That can lead to a lot of crazy designs!

re: 7 Tips for Redesigning Jewelry

JanG@25 — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:42:38 GMT

I'll chime in and say, "Great article, Michelle!" To me, redesigning a piece of jewelry that doesn't make it, either at first or later, is a sign that I'm growing and not getting stagnant. It's nice to read that you also redesign pieces; it's so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that because you're an editor, you're somehow magically gifted in the art of perfection first time, every time. OK, I suspect this comment will inspire chuckles among the other editors, but you understand what I mean, i hope. If even the experts change their designs, there's hope for a relative novice in this delightful art and craft.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Jan