Saturday, June 9, 2012

Fun with Watch Parts, Keys, and Rhinestones

It's been quite a while since I posted about any of my jewelry creations even though I'm putting something together just about every day.  I'm always trying to keep well stocked for my next show and just when I think I have enough, I find myself getting lost in one more creation.  I give myself five more minutes, then realize an hour has gone by.  I need a buzzer!  I don't always get around to taking pictures of everything, but I wanted to share a sample of some of the pieces I worked on this week.....

Clip on earrings and old house keys are always a fun combination.   Unlike a skeleton key, the surface is large enough to get a good glue bond between the earring and key.  Roughing up the key with some sandpaper before gluing also helps.  For the key hole in the center, I glued a watch face to the back and raided my sewing supplies for the hook on top.  I clipped a dangling rhinestone earring right in the bottom screw hole and secured it with a little E6000.

Embellished keys with vintage clip on earrings, a typewriter key, and little rhinestones.
Notice the "Made in America" marking on the skeleton key?

The one in the middle is decorated with an old clip on earring and the other two have pearl and rhinestone links from a once loved necklace.

Watch face earrings made from some of the bits and pieces I bought last weekend.

The watch faces I bought last weekend had to be cleaned up before I could use them.  I used soap and water to clean the fronts and fine #0000 steel wool to remove the grime from the backs.  Sometimes the fronts need a little extra cleaning, just be sure not to rub too hard with the steel wool because part of the  graphics can disappear.

It's not important that the watch faces match exactly, but I like each pair to be the same shape and size.

Now I have to decide which pair to keep for myself.

Come on over and join the party at:
My 1929 Charmer for Sunday's Best
Under the Table and Dreaming for Sunday Showcase Party
Keeping It Simple for Motivate Me Monday
Boogie Board Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Tuesday

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Posted by Labels: earrings, flea market finds, necklaces, repurposed, repurposed jewelry, rhinestones, skeleton keys, tutorial, vintage keys, watch parts

44 comments:

  1. Glenda/MidSouthJune 9, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    You have been busy - like the results.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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  2. Carol, The Answer Is ChocolateJune 9, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    Seriously AWESOME. I couldn't possibly pick a favorite because they're all amazing. As always :)

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  3. Diane WritesJune 9, 2012 at 8:14 AM

    If I were in your shoes, I would keep them all LOL I love each piece Betsy. But as always your key necklaces never fail to mesmerize me. Have a great day Betsy!

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  4. Mary Palumbo CollingsJune 9, 2012 at 8:55 AM

    Those pieces look great, love them. Have a good weekend.
    Ciao,
    Mary

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  5. outjunkingJune 9, 2012 at 9:14 AM

    Betsy,
    That key hole one is my favorite. Time always seems to be on the other side of the door for me just out of reach and that depicts that perfectly. But they are all wonderful as always.

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  6. PeggyJune 9, 2012 at 9:34 AM

    Your talents amaze me. You have such a great eye for things. I love how the earrings turned out. Getting carried away with the time was well worth it!

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  7. crosstownJune 9, 2012 at 12:40 PM

    Your jewellery is fantastic. Thanks for sharing the lovely photos.

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  8. Sherry@Back2VintageJune 9, 2012 at 1:55 PM

    Your talent amazes me. You visualize the beauty in such diverse items. I also love the keyhole necklace...clever use of the "eye" from your sewing box.

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  9. Charm Bracelet DivaJune 9, 2012 at 2:22 PM

    I never would have thought to use the little black "hook" from my sewing box, great idea! And the watch faces are fabulous. I am using some now, too, in my jewelry but they're not REAL watch faces, they're fabricated ones made to look old. Yours are way better! Beautiful stuff.

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  10. must love junkJune 9, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    Betsy, I really love all your jewels! You're very talented :)
    Susan

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  11. Rosemary@villabarnesJune 9, 2012 at 4:37 PM

    Your designs are so stunning, Betsy.

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  12. Petite Michelle LouiseJune 9, 2012 at 6:03 PM

    love...love...LOVE!!

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  13. Roxanne ReinhartJune 9, 2012 at 6:09 PM

    Betsy. I LOVE your creations and am always happy when you share with us. Love them!!

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  14. Linda@Coastal CharmJune 9, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    Betsy,
    You do some beautiful pieces...love the earrings.

    Blessings,
    linda

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  15. Marsha @ Tattered ChickJune 9, 2012 at 7:20 PM

    You've been busy!!! Wonderful pieces, Betsy!!

    xoxo

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  16. MaureenJune 9, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    Wow, so beautiful! You have such a wonderful talent.

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  17. KathyJune 9, 2012 at 8:24 PM

    Oh Betsy, this is beautiful work! The necklace with the blue earring is really stunning.

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  18. Lynn StevensJune 9, 2012 at 8:42 PM

    Gorgeous creations. Great find with those watch faces. Its such a pain to take watches apart!
    hugs Lynn

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  19. ~ LauraJune 9, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    I love your jewelry creations so much!! The lock and watch face necklace is _adorable_!!!! I always enjoy seeing your creations, your creativity is amazing!!! :)

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  20. Maria IrelandJune 10, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    Wow your jewelry is amazing. I love all your fantastic creations. Wonderful work.
    Hugs Maria

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  21. Into VintageJune 10, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    You must have a delicate touch to drill those tiny holes in the watch faces. Your pieces are always beautiful -- hoping to get down your way this summer and perhaps see some of your creations in person at one of your shows!

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  22. Terri DaughertyJune 10, 2012 at 10:26 AM

    What...just pick one to keep? Oh my, what a difficult thing to do! All of the pieces are so beautiful and you are soooo creative. Loved viewing them today.

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  23. Ivy and ElephantsJune 10, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    Oh these are awesome! I might have to try my hand at these. We'd love to have you link them with us, too.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  24. Tammy at Tammy Loves DishesJune 10, 2012 at 6:09 PM

    I love seeing your creations. The watch-face earrings are so very cool. I especially like the pairs that have the little birds. The key necklaces are all nice, too. My favorite is the keyhole, but they are each wonderful.

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  25. Laurel@chippingwithcharmJune 10, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    Wonderful...I love those earrings...how will you decide?? :). Laurel

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  26. Peggy MecklingJune 11, 2012 at 8:10 AM

    Your work is inspiring. I make jewelry also, and I have a friend who wants to give me a bunch of vintage pieces to work with. I can't wait to get started taking them apart and putting them back together in new ways. I'm your newest follower.

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  27. Coco loves vintageJune 11, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    As always, fabulous jewels x

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  28. AmyJune 11, 2012 at 4:32 PM

    So nice. I really like the key hole.

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  29. itsstilllife.comJune 11, 2012 at 4:47 PM

    Absolutely love your jewelry you made. Such creativity.

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  30. Lynn-TeacupstitchesJune 12, 2012 at 7:28 AM

    WoW!! What a creative lady you are Betsy!!
    They are all so unique and adorable that I do not think I could pick a favorite but if I had to it would be something with those darling watch faces! Time for fun :-)
    Happy day to you!
    Lynn

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  31. EtcetorizeJune 12, 2012 at 8:08 AM

    So pretty! I love the keys with the earrings attached. I recently inherited a load of costume jewellery and this gives me some fun ideas of what to do with it all.
    If you're ever looking for another place to share your creative projects, check out Etcetorize. I'd really love to see you there~

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  32. Donna@Conghaile CottageJune 12, 2012 at 8:59 AM

    "Oh My Goodness" TWO of my favorite thingies here. "KEYS & CLOCKS"...AHHH, you have made them SO PRETTY. Love Them!!!!!!!
    Thank you so much for sharing. I will be bookmarking and exploring your Etsy store!
    Have a fun week,
    Donna

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  33. EllenaElizabethJune 12, 2012 at 4:40 PM

    I love all of your work. Well done. Those old watch faces are so lovely even just by themselves in the glass bowl.

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  34. Cathy @ My 1929 CharmerJune 12, 2012 at 6:56 PM

    You've been one busy little bee! I love the keys with the earrings attached. So very pretty, and love your work. Thanks for sharing your creative inspiration with Sunday's Best!

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  35. Linda @ Itsy Bits And PiecesJune 12, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    You always make the most wonderful pieces, Betsy...and I really appreciate your hints, too!

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  36. Brayton Homestead InteriorsJune 12, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    your jewelry is gorgeous- love it all!
    your new follower...

    Karen

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  37. LorettaJune 13, 2012 at 9:47 AM

    Hey Betsy, are these some of the little trinkets I saw the last time? Well, if they are you did a good job with them. How did you come up with this? Oh, do I have to eat my words? Hahahaha! James

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  38. Barbara JeanJune 13, 2012 at 9:56 AM

    LOVE that middle piece in top picture...with watch face behind.
    and how clever to use a hook from a hook and eye to hang it with.

    So sweet of you to give us some hints on doing things too. =)
    (maybe some day I will actually make something instead of selling the parts)

    blessings
    barb
    PS love the little watch ones at bottoms too.

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  39. BohemianJune 13, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    Your Creations are always so Beautiful and Inspirational use of Upcycled small Salvaged Treasures! I recently purchased some Watch Faces and cannot wait to transform them into something I can wear and enjoy or give as gifts to my Friends. I would be in a quandry as to which to keep for myself with those that you have Created though... Love them ALL and would be tempted to want to keep them ALL!!! *LOL* Good Luck with that decision!!!!!!! *Smiles*

    Blessings from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  40. SaraccinoJune 17, 2012 at 3:42 AM

    They are all just beautiful! Love all the playful ideas! (I also just love to play with strange parts and materials :))

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  41. Ivy and ElephantsJune 20, 2012 at 1:49 PM

    Your gorgeous jewelry is a feature this week at Ivy and Elephants. Come on by and grab yourself a featured button!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  42. Cindy F. AdkinsJune 20, 2012 at 6:48 PM

    Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!
    Hugs, Cindy

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  43. RhissannaJune 21, 2012 at 9:12 AM

    I found you through Ivy and Elephants linky party. The pendant with the keyhole is just a magical object! So pretty and creative.

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  44. Hands to Work, Hearts to GodJuly 13, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    Love those earrings! So UNIQUE! Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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Thank you so much for visiting My Salvaged Treasures. Your comments inspire me, so please don't leave without saying hello:-)

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