If you have jewelry that’s lost its luster or heirlooms that are not in style, the Renaissance Gallery in Northport will help give old pieces a new shine at their jewelry repurposing class Tuesday, Jan. 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Attendees can bring broken jewelry, heirloom and vintage pieces, as well as items they simply do not wear, and turn them into wearable accessories.
Senior art major and Renaissance intern Turner Woods had the idea to host the jewelry class because she, a self-proclaimed “jewelry hoarder,” had so much old, unwearable jewelry and wanted Renaissance Gallery owner Lori Layden’s help to make more wearable pieces from the old pieces.
“I don’t like to throw things away. I want to reuse things,” Woods said. “I’m a big recycler, so we’re just trying to help people get an idea of how to make jewelry from all their old stuff that they would usually just throw away.”
Layden brings creativity and personal touches to jewelry by creating her own pieces and putting existing pieces to unconventional uses, like turning cuff links into earrings and Victorian shoe buckles into bracelets.
Layden, who makes most of the jewelry in the Renaissance Gallery, began repurposing materials after making her own jewelry. Layden’s mother collected old jewelry, which eventually inspired Layden’s own interest in using old materials.
“[People] have something that doesn’t fit, or they have part of a mother-in-law’s necklace that they don’t like enough to wear, so I help them make it something that they can wear,” Layden said.
In the repurposing class, Layden will teach basic skills, such as putting together jewelry using toggles and closures and making participants’ jewelry useful again.
The cost of the class is $20, which will provide attendees with wire, closures and other materials. Layden will also have other components, such as stones and vintage pieces, available for participants to purchase.
Repurposing materials is a trend that extends from decor to art to fashion. Particularly in the wake of natural disasters, people are finding ways to reuse wood and materials from damage in order to remember these events in a positive way that focuses on the aspect of rejuvenation.
Similarly, repurposing vintage and heirloom pieces in fashion and jewelry gives the pieces a more personal flair.
“A lot of people in Tuscaloosa like to have one-of-a-kind things,” Layden said. “They like to have something that nobody else has, so every single piece of jewelry is made by hand, and it’s not going to be duplicated, especially if it’s something vintage.”
According to Layden, fashion goes in twenty-year cycles, so if it’s been in the closet long enough, your mother’s or grandmother’s old jewelry might be on trend and ready to be repurposed to fit your style.
“[Repurposing] is a very trendy thing right now,” Layden said. “People love old things.”
For Woods, repurposing materials is a way to save money and avoid wasting materials.
“We kind of just throw things in the dumpster that are awesome materials,” Wood said. “Finding good things that people don’t use is like a treasure hunt. The best things can be found in the trash can, and [repurposing] is a good way to stop throwing away so much stuff.”
To reserve tickets to the class, call 205-752-4422. For more information about future events and classes, visit www.renaissanceartgallery.com.
