Recycled and Re-purposed Jewelry Spices Things Up

I'm having such fun discovering new types of jewelry to amuse myself. Right now, I'm all agog about recycling and re-purposing jewelry.

Last month, I snagged some donated and unwanted jewelry at the Gardiner Library. Not much to look at, but I thought I might have some use for it. When I got home, I rummaged through some other discarded jewelry given to me over the years, and I saw some possibilities for combinations.

So... into the bath they all went. You'd be amazed how dirty old jewelry can be! Once spiffed up, I took it all apart and began the process of reconstituting things.  Sweet!

Love this one. Cat's eyes, a beautiful large shell, some silver borders and a lot of dangles. I can hardly wait to see who wants to walk away with it.

And then there's one with dark polished wood combined with some paper beads I made earlier this fall.

Still on the theme (and using some of the same beads), I ended up with a wood pendant combined with more paper beads.

I can't wait to see what old jewelry I'll come across next. Let me know if you have any jewelry you don't want anymore. Who knows how it will turn out?

Making Charitable Donations of Knitted Work

Elting Library Silent Auction

We all knit for ourselves, naturally. After all, who else really appreciates all the time and thought that goes into something we make?  And who else will take the time to care for it properly?  Well, maybe you know SOMEONE who fits this description, but YOU certainly do.

But there's someone else who may really really want something special that you make, and that's an organization holding a raffle or auction to raise funds for a really good cause.  Now, you can make something special -- and put it in the hands of someone special.

Over the years, I have donated items to several local organizations, so I thought you might want to take a look to get an idea.



The best way to showcase an item is to donate it to a silent auction. That way, people who like what you make can bid against each other and raise the most money for the organization. 



Unison Learning Center Live Auction

It is also a good way to get your name out there because everyone who bids will see your card, and you can include a card with the item they take home.



Unison Learning Center Live Auction

Occasionally, something you donate will be chosen for the live auction (you know, the one with an actual auctioneer). That's when the fun really begins as you get to watch people bid and see the joy on the face of the person who wins. Of course, it can be embarrassing if nobody bids. That's not going to happen to YOU, though.

Here are few children's sweaters I've donated to be sold at a fund-raising fair. Soooo fun to make. And rewarding, too.