DIY Day: Jewelry with Swarovski Crystals

I’m continuing the bling theme from yesterday’s post and joining Kimba yet again for DIY Day.  There are always a ton of great projects linked up over there!

I’m not a jewelry-maker by any means, but I just couldn’t pass up the beautiful Swarovski beads over at Artbeads.com.  They were nice enough to provide me with some so I could try a new project.  I had previously bought some ear wires and jump rings to make this jewelry, but I didn’t really want to spend any money on other supplies, so I used parts from jewelry that I don’t wear any more.

I took apart this beaded choker:

these earrings:

and these elastic beaded anklets:

I made a bracelet using the elastic cord from one of the anklets

these gorgeous Swarovski crystal beads:

and the crystal beads from the purple choker pictured above.  Here’s what I ended up with:

Using genuine Swarovski crystal beads really adds a rich touch to this jewelry.  The small beads in between are plastic and just don’t have the sparkle that the Swarovski ones do.

I also made some earrings using purple and light topaz bicone beads.  I used a credit card to add a little extra color to one pair, using the same method as in my DIY Hotel Room Key Jewelry. Here’s how they turned out:

This was a fun project to do on a rainy afternoon.  Using materials and tools (needle nose pliers) I already had kept the cost down. I got to be creative and design a custom piece just for me!  I have to say though, I will leave the mass production of this kind of jewelry to the pros, it was a little too tedious and detailed for me to do all the time.

So don’t be afraid to re-purpose some of that old jewelry you never wear.  It’s easy to give it a whole new look.  And if you need a way to display or store all that beautiful jewelry, why not check out my Jewelry Organizers?!

I’ll also link up to Transformation Thursday later this week.

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I’ve been asked by Cheri at Its So Very Cheri to post a message for her….I know some of you probably read her blog too and have been trying to enter her current giveaway.  DUE TO SOME GOOGLE ISSUES, Cheri has been informed that she has not received many comments about her give-away and you may not even be entered.  Please head over and e-mail Cheri so she can re-enter you.  Let her know how many days you have entered and she will make sure your name gets put into the drawing.  She is also extending the give-a-way until OCT 13 to give you more opportunities to enter each day.  Just be sure to e-mail her.  She has added ways you can get extra chances as well. 

http://itssoverycheri.blogspot.com