Junk Drawer Jewelry was inspired by sister and a fateful yard sale two years ago. My sister is a jewelry designer and has accumulated an uncountable amount of beads in her lifetime. While preparing for our family yard sale, my sister asked if I wanted some of her old beads for any of my library craft projects. I happily accepted and put them into my blue plastic bowls at work.
Over the years I have added random bits of plastic, glass and metal beads and charms into the mix. My teens go gaga every time I bring out these bead and charm bowls, thrilling themselves with the discovery of random cute bits for their jewelry projects. I'm really impressed with what my teens have put together, everything from oh-so-cute food charm bracelets, and skull bead chokers, to random beaded masterpieces. If you are looking for a sure fire hit program, Junk Drawer Jewelry is the way to go.
To set up your own Junk Drawer Jewelry program you will need:
- A couple plastic large and shallow bowls for all the beads and charms
- Jewelry findings (earring hooks, clasps, jump rings, metal chain, etc.)
- Jewelry making tools (needle nose, flat nose, long nose pliers, side cutters for soft metal wire)
- Black stretchy rubber bead string (for easy bracelets)
- Lots of random beads and charms
The best place to find cool beads is to ask family and friends if they have any beads they are no longer using. Most kids go through a beading phase, and there are likely many grown adults willing to part with them. If you need to develop a bead/ charm collection from scratch, I highly recommend Michael's Craft Stores (they're always having clearance sales on cool beads and charms) and Oriental Trading Company (OTC) (they have so many cute things).
Once you start accumulating an awesome mix of jewelry bits and bobs, all you have to do is put the bowls of Junk Drawer Jewelry and jewelry making tools out and your teens will come running. If you are unfamiliar with jewelry making techniques look on Howcast.com for some great tutorials, or just provide black rubber beading string (available at Michael's and OTC) for quick and easy bracelets.
One last thing! Teens really love novelty charms in shapes of food (cupcakes, burgers, fruits), animals, anime characters (available on ebay) , skulls, hearts and everyday items. Make sure you have plenty to go around and encourage your teens to treasure hunt fairly and cooperatively.
Have an idea you would like to share on 4YA? I'd love to hear from you! Email me (Andrea) at 4yastaff@gmail.com
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