You see lately, apart from having no time to write blog posts, I've had no inspiration for them. Then a few days ago I was tidying my bedroom when I found a box containing a few of my old jewellery pieces from when I was starting to make jewellery. Then I found the inspiration for this post.
Designers are constantly striving to create new ideas, whether that may be fashion, phones or furniture, so I thought 'why not take a step back and look at things that have already had their day?'.
Here's a collection of some jewellery I used to wear, still do wear, and some I used to make before I started selling it.
Okay so these bows aren't exactly old, I bought them 2 weeks ago. They are however very inspiring, the bottom one even has a slightly Victorian look to it. Be sure to expect hair accessories like this coming to LoppyLoves very soon ;D
I bought this hair grip last august, the rose is actually a length of ribbon folded in a creative way. I would like to start making these as soon as I figure out how to fold the ribbon properly. I'll be sure to post a tutorial when I figure it out!
I bought this hairband specifically for my 18th. Apparently it's handmade, although I did buy it from Home Bargains so I'm not sure how true that is. It looks really simple to make; just wrap some ribbon around a tiara band and glue and embellished piece of felt to it :)
These hair bands have been favourites of mine for quite a while. To make these wouldn't be much more effort than the hairband above. Just glue some fabric to a plastic hairband and then use the same fabric and some lace to make a matching bow to glue on to the band :)
A friend gave me these when I was 15. I'm thinking of making something similar. I've never sold a stretchy elastic bracelet so this would be a LoppyLoves first!
This was the rosette I wore for my 18th. I've never made rosettes but I have worn fashionable ones in the past. Maybe it's time for them to make a come back ;D
This used to be one of my favourite necklaces; a friend gave it to me after I helped her through a difficult situation. I've never really used enamel charms before but I think using sweet-shaped charms with matching beads is actually really effective.
I bought these brooches a few years ago but I've never really found an outfit to wear them with. Brooches have been in fashion for a while now and they're so inexpensive and easy to make! All you do is glue a cabochon to a brooch back; even someone with no craft experience at all can do that!
I love this watch, my best friend gave it to me for Christmas. To make something similar just find a cheap analogue watch (you could pick up an old one for like 50p at a car boot sale), cut off the strap and thread some ribbons or fabric through the loops at each end.
I bought this from a Fairtrade buffet last year. I love the daisy beading. I will make a tutorial on this one day.
I love vintage-style jewellery and this piece is so unusual. It's half elasticated and half chain. A brilliant idea to create 'one size fits all' charm bracelets.
I bought this brooch last August. The woman who made it told me she'd collected these shells off the beach herself. A great idea for someone who doesn't have a lot of money but wants to make great jewellery ^^
Using chain in earrings is such a good idea, I've sold a few pairs with chain on but I've never though to add a focal charm and then a few theme-related charms dangling off the chains!
I want to make corset cuffs sooooo bad but they seems a little too complex with all the lace loops and all. Fortunately there is a simpler way to make them, but that will have to wait until I make a tutorial on it ;D
This necklace is simple yet effective. Just attaching the same double-ended charms to form a chain.
My aunt gave me this for Christmas when I was 13. How cheap are seed beads and buttons? Yet how much would you pay for this on the high street? Make it yourself!
*Buttons are in fashion and have been for some time.
*Buttons are in fashion and have been for some time.
I love the focal bead on this necklace.
Chokers, crosses and lace are set to be big in 2012. I was wearing it in 2008 ;)
I would love to make a lace choker. There is something so delicate yet so bold about lace and chain blended together.
My mom's friend made this for me when I was 7; and it's survived the test of time! (11 years so far!) It's made of safety pins, elastic and seed beads!
This is a designer bracelet that my grandparents gave me when I was 12. I've never really liked it but I've kept it for one awesome feature...
...the locket charm contains lipgloss! This is a great idea for those of you that make your own cosmetics.
I bought this in the Domican Republic when I was 15. I like the idea of making a friendship bracelet with a focal bead in the middle.
This is actually a McFLY necklace! I like the double acrylic pendant :)
This charm bracelet is a perfect example of using one bright colour with brass-coloured findings. Blue works great with brass and I often use the colours together.
And now on to my original pieces :') The point of this section is so you can see how my style has grown since I started.
One of my first bracelets. The beads don't match and the colour of the clasp isn't the same and the bracelet.
At the time this was my best piece :') I used one of nearly all of the charms I owned at the time. Oh how times change...
An early LoppyLoves 'love' themed bracelet. I no longer see the relevance of the Hello Kitty head :')
This is actually a design that I continue to make, although the red beads are now blue.
I sold a few pairs of these when I started selling jewellery. This triple bead style has actually continued in my pieces.
Ironically, I started making these again recently. I make them in many colours but this was the first colour scheme I used to make them in.
Possibly the only elastic bracelet I've ever made. I'm definately going to make more of these.
This isn't jewellery but a display for craft fairs. I haven't used it yet. The idea was stolen from a stall I saw at my last fair ;D
Hopefully this post has made up for my lack of posts and has made you realise that the past is a great source of inspiration :) Sorry for rambling on a bit!
Loppy x
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