Beautiful Things from Recycled, Found or Upcycled Objects

Much as I adore working with natural gemstones and in particular, Irish stones,  turning outdated, old or found objects into a thing of beauty can be really satisfying. Not only is it a very green and economically sound thing to do but it is also creatively fulfilling. You can do some very simple things with buttons, beach treasure, old broken jewelry etc.

From time to time I recycle old broken jewelry to make handbag charms, key chains etc. Most of the components of this brown mother of pearl and bead purse charm (sold) came from an old broken necklace.

Next time I'm making something like this I will post instructions.

butterfly button pendant

Stray buttons have lots of uses in jewellery and of course, for updating old outfits, handbags etc. I love to wire wrap them into pretty and affordable, button pendants.

plain black umbrella, personalised with a bright button

But one of the traditional and easiest ways to cheer up a tired-looking outfit is of course, to either embellish with colourful buttons or simply change the existing buttons to something more interesting

Last winter several of my work mates had similar black umbrellas and I kept picking up the wrong one. So I personalised mine by adding a pinky-purple button to the wrap-around tie.

While I was at it, I decided to drag out a simple black, zip up, wool coat that had seen better days and make it match my brolly.

As the original black buttons on the cuffs and neck were just a tad bigger, I decided to keep them and just stitch the purple ones on top. This 'frame' effect looks more finished and suits the heavy material better.  After a spot of dry-cleaning, this old coat has gleaned a whole new lease of life. 

Irish seaglass bookmark

 One of my favourite materials is seaglass, naturally tumbled and frosted by the sea and found on local beaches.

It's not always easy to wire wrap it so that it stays secure but remains beautiful, but getting it right can be so rewarding.

vintage seaglass keychain

Seaglass makes beautiful jewelry but I also use it for bookmarks and other gifts

And this week I listed an ornament or sun catcher that I made by upcycling a cool piece of beach-worn glass I found on a Dublin strand.  The sea and silt have softened up the edges of the glass, but I don't feel it is frosted heavily enough to truly classify as 'seaglass.' Hence the term 'beach-worn.' However, it is an aesthetically appealing find. The bubble-effect glass almost looks liquid when hung on a lit up Christmas tree. So-called trash can really turn into treasure

Candle holder made by recycling packaging and found seaglass

 You don't have to be very artistic to make beautiful things from found or upcycled objects. To see how to make the easy peasy candle holder above, click HERE.

Beach Treasure.

 

( Aqua seaglass pendant)

 I've just reaslised that my joy at wire wrapping seaglass jewellery may have surpassed my love of gemstones. 

 

(Irish seaglass bookmark)

Capturing a nugget of irregular shape tightly, but prettily, presents a unique challenge. The aim is to make it secure without covering up too much of the frosted glass. 

I prefer the piece to look light and effortless; not easy when you don't follow standard wrapping patterns. Each piece holds its own secret and provides a new puzzle to solve. Sometimes I study the contours and bumps of the nugget carefully and work out a vague design before I start. Just as often, I let the piece show me the way as I go. I am often surprised by the results.

(lime seaglass pendant - SOLD ITEM)

Part of the joy is knowing that this is recycled treasure that is decades old. The heavily frosted pieces can be over 100 years of age. 

 (Willow pattern sea pottery - sorry, also SOLD)

 Beach-worn pottery can also be fascinating. It's usually local and I've read that most sea pottery found in these parts pertains to the 19th and 18th centuries.  (I have an inkling that would exclude the terracotta tile and most certainly, the sea-softened red brick pieces!)

(plastic comb spotted on a pebble beach...did somebody take it literally?)

And then there's the beach combing. It's highly addictive and can leave you bent over in two with a sore neck for a day or two. But the rewards are worth it if you find something that is fully frosted with no sharp edges. Once in a blue moon you might find a rare or exceptionally beautiful piece.

 

Last weekend I met up with Mo of Huggle Knits and Heli of HeliMG for a day out searching for beach treasures. I was looking for rare and beautiful pieces I could wrap.

Mo was seeking out small and dainty pieces of seaglass and tile to use in mosaics and other projects. Heli was searching for anything lovely or unusual, perhaps for table decor or the garden. (CLICK HERE for an idea for a candle display.)

If I tell you exactly where we went, I'm afraid I might have to kill you. Serious beach combers tend to jealously guard their favourite strands and coves and keep them secret. However, location isn't necessarily the most important factor in this pass time. It's not so much where you search as  when you go.

The day after a stormy night is best as the choppy sea will probably have washed up a lot of bounty. For once, the Irish weather did me a favour. As you can see, I yielded a massive haul. Once I have it all properly cleaned up and dried I will show you the best bits. 

TO LEARN HOW TO CLEAN SEAGLASS AND POTTERY CLICK HERE

TO LEARN HOW TO CARE FOR SEAGLASS JEWELLERY CLICK HERE

TO LEARN ABOUT VARIETIES OF GREEN SEALGASS CLICK HERE