Altered Jewelry - New Life for Paper Quilling

Last year I did an article about paper filigree jewelry for Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine. In addition to making several new pieces, I raided my jewelry box and drawers for things that could be repurposed.

Five stars if you can guess the origin of this shiny silver pendant...


Perhaps you remember when every Nine West handbag came with a keychain. I'd taken this one off a new bag and put it away for a rainy day... but wait a second... wouldn't that nice, silvery finish make a great surface for some rolled coils?


I'd just finished making a project with silver gilded paper and had some extra shapes that weren't needed. It was such a satisfying feeling to make a whole new design from leftover bits and pieces.

I've always liked this pair of hammered metal earrings, but thought they might look nice with an added bit of filigree. I used green, gold gilded ivory, and gold trim papers.



In the 1920s, apparently it was a popular style to wear a little shadowbox frame that contained a photograph. This one held a picture of my grandmother.


I tried googling for more information about the fad... how it got started and how long it lasted, but came up empty-handed. If anyone knows, please send me a message.

I was crazy about my grandmother and love having this picture of her as a young woman, but wearing it as a pin wasn't something I could see myself doing... in fact, I find it hard to imagine a woman back in the day with her own image on her lapel. And it would be a pretty strange gift to give to one's boyfriend since he certainly wouldn't wear it... so hmmm, the whole concept is a puzzle.

Anyway... since the little frame is unique and quite pretty, I decided to add a tiny quilled flower; it's about an inch tall. Perhaps now the pin is more wearable, especially by someone who enjoys dressing in vintage style.