How to Remake an Old Accessory into Something New and Fresh

This old belt was not only out of style and very dingy, but it had broken links and was missing some stones. Since it contained real turquoise and amber, it was definitely too good to be discarded.

Here’s what I came up with …



… and here’s how I did it.

1. I laid the broken belt on top of my desk and just looked at it as I walked by – for several days. After a while, I noticed that one of the diamond-shaped arrangements of amber cabochons was noticeably larger than the others and could be featured as a pendant. Moreover, used as a pendant, it would resemble a cross.

2. I removed the larger cabochon group and laid it and the rest of the belt on my bead board in the design of a necklace with a cross pendant.

3. Once I was happy with the shape of the design, I got out my stash of aqua and blue beads to replace the missing turquoise stones. [Fortunately, none of the amber stones were missing.]

As I tried various combinations, I noted that darker blue glass seed beads actually gave a new vibrancy to the piece.

Lesson: Don’t feel locked into a given color scheme or material combination.

4. Using Magic Glos Glue, I set the new beads into place and re-glued other loose stones.

5. Finally I repaired all of the broken links and the clasp; and then polished up the tarnished silver.

As the song goes, “Everything old is new again!”

Tags: recycled jewelry, how-to turn a belt into a necklace, how-to make a necklace, jewelry craft, craft idea, craft project, update your accessories, jewelry project