Tag Archives: upcycled beads

How many of those Pinterest projects have you made?

That’s a question I asked myself after listening to a discussion on that topic on a crafting podcast. Have I actually made any of these projects that I’m pinning, and if so did they turn out much like the original? I spend a fair amount of time pinning, for both business reasons and because I enjoy it. I have a Pinterest board called Craft Ideas – has all this work of collecting attractive items to inspire me actually done any good? This past weekend I went on a jewelry bender and I thought it would be good practice for my motor skills to try to make versions of some of the projects on my Craft Ideas board and here are some of the results. I hope I added enough of my own touches not to make these a total rip-off!

Too bad I don’t have more than one key like this, I’m pleased with this result. Creator of the original: Jennifer Evans.


I didn’t have any large briolettes so I used more faux pearl and crystal beads and linked them together to make more volume.
Creator of the original: Joan Stowell.

I added dangling beads to the bottom of my fringe instead of using paddle headpins. Creator of the original: Stefanie .


I added longer strands of faux pearl and crystal beads to mine and to compensate for the extra length I used post earring findings instead of earwires. I also substituted faux leather cord for leather. Creator of the original: Lynda Carson.

I liked the idea of seed beads on wire wrapped around the bead, but I ended up just using a small scrap of chain to hold my dangles under the large bead instead. I’m going to revisit the seed bead on wire idea, but will need some lighter weight beads to try it on if I’m going to make earrings like in the picture. I decided the large faux pearl beads I had on hand were too heavy for earrings. Creator of the original: unknown.

Have you been inspired by something on Pinterest? Feel free to share a link to your original inspiration and a link to your finished project in the comments below!

Bracelet with Emerald Green Polymer Clay Beads

Double stranded bracelet made with polymer clay beads coated with Emerald PearlEx powder. Short segments of chain keep the strands together. Chain, findings and apple green faux pearl beads were recycled from thrift store jewelry. To make the beads see tutorial – http://www.jacquardproducts.com/pearlex_clay_beads.html

Bathroom Makeover – Beaded Curtain

DIY beaded curtain made from recycled beads

I’ve been saving assorted plastic beads for many years. I decided to select some of these in colors that go well with the tile work I’m doing in my bathroom and make a beaded curtain for the doorway from them. I’ve wanted one of these since my childhood in the 1970s, but never had one until now!

DIY beaded curtain

Fishing line and different kinds of cord and string will stretch when loaded down with beads, so I decided to experiment with stringing on recycled florist wire. I like the results – I won’t ever have to restring these because of stretching, and they are easy to attach to the screw in hooks that I used to suspend them.

DIY beaded curtain