Recycling Pre-Owned Beads for Custom Jewelry Making

Necklace found
in thrift store.

Example of great necklace found in thrift store shopping.

 In today's economy, money is definitely hard to come by. So, just a tip for those of you out there that want to make your own jewelry or make jewelry for a friend or relative but don't have a lot of cssh. A great way to make your budget stretch is by hitting the thrift stores or second hand shops to find used jewelry. There are some fantastic beads out there sitting on racks in the midst of throw aways.
                                                                                     

Recycling Beads and Pendants is a smart
way to custom make jewelry.

Once you find the ones that you want, it is relatively easy to get them apart. Usually, just a snip or two and they will fall loose. However, some of the older beads may have been either glued in place or separately tied into place. Sometimes it can prove to be tough to get them apart. Basically, if you really like the beads and you know you want to use them for a project, then there is usually a way to get them apart without ruining your find. Just keep in mind what material the bead is made from before using any solvents or other materials that may damage them. With a little effort, someone else's trash may be your treasure!