Vintage beads!!

Does anyone else out there pick up vintage jewlery and beads, to make new projects with. In my spring and summer yard sale'n, I pick up Chec. crystals, vintage glass beads, etc. I lucked out last year at a church sale, that had strings and strings of crystal necklaces, (poorly strung) for .25 each They also had some vintage pieces. I must have pick up 30 strings. Some times I can't break up the old sets, they are just such great pieces of art work, those I sell in the antique section of the store where I rent space. I have trained my husband to pick up all strings of beads to test the weight, if its heavy, its a good piece, he holds on to them till I catch up. I also find the odd set of beads at the second hand stores, but they generally know when they have a good old piece.

I like to make hat pins. I use the larger beads for these. Believe it our not, the city women buy these as a form of self defence. I wear them on a nice sweater or on the lapel of a jacket. Not very many people wear hats any more. I have sold them anywhere from $5 to $10.

I also make sun catchers. I call them window jewels. I do these on the heavy type fishing line. I like to put a lamp crystal on the bottom, but some times a use an outrageous earring. I never make 2 the same. Some that I sold went over to the U.K. These I sell for $9.

Wire and bead angels, are another project I have made but not yet tryed to sell . I was going to do them with birthday crystals. I have only given these as gifts so far. These angels can stand or hang. They also make great napkin rings.

I want to make eyeglass strings too, a project yet to do!! I love working with beads. But I have found that its a tough market. I think the dollar stores make it that way some times. I'm sure if I think long enough I will remember more bead work I have done.

For the only one earring, I have done collage broaches, I have put them in a 3D framed florals. (Mini frames, very cute and pretty good seller)The single earrings I use in these are usually of a figure, like a bug or bird, a slipper, broken pendants and broaches work well on this too. I don't throw any piece away.

Isn't it the greatest feeling when you get a real find!!! There is nothing like it. I buy for my sister and my Mom, they both collect broaches, I keep the odd piece for myself.



Just wondering if I'm the only one doing this???