7 Ways to Upcycle Vintage Clip-on Earrings

October 8, 2012

This post was inspired my 6yr. old daughter,

who loves jewelry. I am not kidding. I think her first word was necklace. No joke. She pronounced it “neck-yes”. 😉

My little girlfriend has always loved to play dress up and has always wanted to play with the “real” stuff.

Whenever I take her thrifting with me she gravitates towards the vintage jewelry.

She and her non-pierced ears discovered the joy of the vintage clip-on earring at the young age of 4. Ever since then she’s been obsessed. She wears them (at home) and puts them on her dolls and stuffed animals. Teddy bears have never looked so chic.

Her love has inspired my own little love affair.

But I don’t have teddy bears to dress up, and I’m not using them the way my grandma did.

7 ways to upcycle vintage clip-on earrings

1. Embellished Clothespins

I added some sparkle to this photo display in my family room.

They are literally just clipped on to the bottom of each clothespin so they can be changed easily.

As for the rest of my collection, I see some fun pinterest-inspired projects in my near future.

2. Book Jewelry

Source: countryliving.com via Carmel (@ Our Fifth House) on Pinterest

Wouldn’t those make a super special gift for a book lover in your life?

3. Vintage Magnets

Source: countryliving.com via Carmel (@ Our Fifth House) on Pinterest

Those are magnets I wouldn’t mind having all over my fridge.

4. Shoe Clips

Source: makeanddogirl.com via Carmel (@ Our Fifth House) on Pinterest

Source: blog.modcloth.com via Carmel (@ Our Fifth House) on Pinterest

Gorgeous right?!

5. Easy One-of-a-kind Art

Source: traditionalhome.com via Carmel (@ Our Fifth House) on Pinterest

6. Not your typical Wreath

Source: midwestliving.com via Carmel (@ Our Fifth House) on Pinterest

This is the kind of wreath that could live in your home year round. It would be gorgeous hanging on an armoire filled with linens in a hallway or master bath.

7. Jewelry Tree

Source: bluevelvetvintage.com via Carmel (@ Our Fifth House) on Interest

On a mantle or a holiday tablescape, a couple of these trees would be stunning!

So next time you’re out thrifting be sure to check out the jewelry. There are so many ways to upcycle those beautiful vintage gems.

Have you started collecting anything? Has your collection been inspired by your son or daughter? It’s amazing how much my kids inspire me. I think I learn more from them than they do from me.

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Very cute ideas, I keep old jewelry for these types of idea, thnx!

So so cute. My grandma had amazing clip on earrings. I should go through all of that. Cute post and graphics my friend.

These are some seriously fun ideas! Love the clip on on the shoe! And congrats on your Joss and Main collection. I love it!!

ove all these ideas but i definitely love yours the best with the clothespins and need to do that!

I used a BUNCH of vintage clip-on earrings in my brooch bouquet for my wedding! I mainly just liked that you could get 2 for the price of one brooch…or often less. 🙂 Here it is:
http://annebronkema.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/brooch-bouquet-tutorial/

Those are such cute ideas! Especially the tree! They really classy up the clothespins too!

I love this fun roundup of ideas!! So pretty, unique, creative. Your little one is onto something!! Thanks for all the ideas. I feel like I NEED a dressing room now, so I can put a bunch of vintage clips in a frame on my vanity table!!

Really cute ideas Carmel! I have to agree with Cassie though, my favorite is your ideas with the clothespins!! The look beautiful on your photo display!

When I got married 41+ years ago, my DMIL had made a beautiful Christmas tree picture out of her, her Mother's, and some found clip-on earrings and brooches. The background was a rich burgundy velvet fabric stretched over a piece of wood, and the piece was framed in an appropriately ornate gold frame. I had hoped to have that piece when we broke up her estate, but it did not happen. My DMIL had really worked to get the overall shape and branches using the green and dark green jewelry, and then placed pieces that ended up looking like glass ornaments on the branches. A piece of art that hung in their living room year round. It was truly a "Norma Jean special". Linda S. in NE

We gave away a lot of my mother's clip on earrings. I need to check out the second hand goodies. Too bad others have discovered this great chance to repurpose old treasures! Great post!

I like the idea of making vintage magnets and then using them unexpected places…like a magnetic board next to the bed for little notes.

Oh that sounds amazing!

So cool! Thanks for sharing!

At a local craft mall I recently saw a lampshade that was covered with vintage brooches and earrings. Kinda cute and quirky. Love your samples-I think the magnets are my favorites.

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Very nice, love simplicity, the shiny is great. Wonderful jewelry idea. Seems like they'd be fairly inexpensive to make, think two teenage grand daughters would love these. Next time I'm in craft store I'll be looking out for the supplies. Great post
. Glad you had a good break, you deserve it. Sometimes other things like your family, friends deserve to come first before your blog.
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