If you make your own beading jewelry to wear, to give as gifts, to sell, or all three, then you know how important it is to keep your costs low while still creating beautiful pieces you're proud of. Instead of lowering the quality of the beads or beading supplies you use, consider buying in bulk, combining your order with friends to save on shipping costs, or stock up so your order qualifies for free shipping.

Another way to lower your costs is to recycle vintage costume jewelry instead of buying new beads for jewelry making. Just about everybody has some old costume jewelry at the bottom of a drawer that you wouldn't be caught dead wearing today, but for sentimental reasons you just can't seem to part with. Why hide them away? Recycle your vintage costume jewelry and turn idle pieces into beautiful handmade, functional art you will love to wear. Garage sales and flea markets are also great places to find old jewelry that can be recycled inexpensively.

To get started, first disassemble the pieces to be recycled. Separate beads, links, clasps, charms and other components to be reused. You will need some additional basic supplies like needle nose pliers, bead cord, jump rings, headpins, etc. and if desired add a few new beads to supplement your vintage ones. Now that you have disassembled the vintage piece, what can you recycle it into that is useful and beautiful to use today? Below are some ideas; the possibilities are endless!

• Beaded keychain: merely string desired beads on a 2" headpin (or other stringing material), loop the open end with needle nose pliers (trim excess wire if necessary), and then attach to key chain ring with a jump ring or substitute an eyepin for the headpin and use a jump ring to attach a charm to the bottom loop.
• Multi-purpose Charms: Use jump rings to attach charms to lobster claw clasps - utilize recycled clasps where available. You can also use your choice of stringing material to create beaded dangles to use with or instead of charms to create fashion accessories for attaching to cell phone straps, charm bracelets, zipper pulls, purses and more.
• Ready to Bead Items: Many ready-to-bead items are available online or at your local bead store including fan pulls, lamp finials, channel charms, wine charm rings, bookmarks, pens, hatpins, stickpins and more.

Besides recycling old jewelry to save money on beading supplies, keep in mind that most online beading suppliers offer free shipping from time to time. So when it makes good sense and cents, stock up on beads of every material, type, size and shape— gemstone beads, crystal beads, murano glass beads— plus Italian charms, jewelry findings, and jewelry tool kits. That way you’ll always have what you need on hand when creativity strikes!