Recycled Post: DIY Credit Card/Hotel Card Jewelry

Originally posted 8/13/09

I have another quick, easy, and cheap thrifty DIY transformation this week.

You may remember my sister and I made a quick shopping trip to Dallas a couple weeks ago.  Upon leaving the hotel, my sister grabbed the plastic hotel key cards and said “I’m keeping these!” I thought they would be a pretty cute souvenir.

The more I looked at them, the more I thought we should do something with them….I suddenly thought they would make cute earrings! Since this would be my first attempt at making any sort of jewelry, we had to make a supply run.  We picked up some jump rings and ear wires like these:

                         

We cut the cards into various small shapes. I then used a leather punch (because it was handy and I didn’t feel like messing with the drill) to make holes in the top of the shapes. We then attached the jump rings and ear wires with needle nose pliers.  Voila!  Custom jewelry!

Here’s my beautiful sis modeling one set:

More photos of our completed designs:

Out of the two cards, I think we ended up making at least four sets of earrings and three pendants. Now she has a unique, wearable souvenir!  The way they are printing such cool designs and photos on hotel key cards, gift cards, and credit cards these days, the possibilities are endless! 

You could take a little more time and make a bracelet like this one on Scavenging:

And check out these cute pieces for sale on Etsy (click on the photos to go to the listing):

Now you’ll think twice about leaving your hotel key behind or letting the cashier keep your redeemed gift cards!  I’m sure we all have a stash of used gift cards or expired credit cards taking up space in a drawer.  Save them from the landfill or recycle bin and turn them into wearable art!

Sharing with some of the parties seen HERE.