How to Upcycle Worn-out Jewelry

I've been saving up old jewelry for many years and this is one example of how I turn them into art pieces. This piece is called "Paisley Galaxy".

[@carolc1961]

That was very interesting to watch, I've never seen anything like that before. It's stunning!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for the great comment!

[@debraphillips8921]

Absolutely beautiful. Lol I always used to play with the jewelry and make designs with the pieces but I never thought about doing this one. How beautiful. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent...❤

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thank you for your wonderful comment and encouragement!!❤

[@medicineheartds9631]

Talk about art in motion. I watched with total fascination. I very much enjoyed the video. Thank you for sharing your creativity.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thank you very much for commenting!!

[@teresa3927]

How beautiful!! You are ver talented .👏👏👏

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks so much for your compliment and for watching my video!

[@donnadevries-hestand1659]

I love the background, that by itself is awesome! Paisley was an excellent choice for the miles of chains. I have a bunch of jewelry, but not anything that would make that masterpiece.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks so much for your gracious comments Donna!

[@dotbuenacasa1428]

I love the paisley! Great work.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks Dot!

[@salmahmohamed6048]

That looks very intricate! The first thought I had when I saw all those metal ex-jewellery was : STEAMPUNK! Those colours and the different patterns lend very well to a steampunk themed artwork.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for the great observation!

[@terriepehrson3103]

I was wondering What I could do with all my saved junk jewelry!! This is A Masterpiece!! Love it!! Thanx!!👍😃🙏

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks and have fun creating!!

[@alisacole9059]

A place to find lots of costume jewelry for a project like this is a purchase of this stuff in bulk used of course online.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks, I do try to stop off at 2nd hand stores whenever I’m travelling.

[@MagentaDreams70]

Love it! Thank you for sharing. 💚

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for loving it and commenting!

[@carmenjoshi8007]

Beautiful, and a wonderful creative mind.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks so much for watching and for your encouraging comment!

[@melaniemacdonaldcgm7146]

You are brilliant and this is absolutely gorgeous!

[@dorothealeblancart]

What an encouraging comment! Thank you!

[@thenavylady4630]

Your brush in your coffee made me laugh!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Never again!!! lol

[@captgray2000]

Great piece. Love your son's music, too!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@kayr6422]

The chains make the paisleys look like feathers! Very nice! And a lovely idea!

[@dorothealeblancart]

0h, I didn’t see that but I do now! Thanks so much!

[@lydialangfordjoiner765]

Beautiful! You are very talented with a great “eye” for details. Thank you for sharing-

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@bari2883]

Very pretty and great use of unwanted costume jewellery.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your comment!

[@justjaney7]

Wow love what you created ! Looks amazing, such a great idea for old jewellery 👌 x

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@lilialiraochoa6277]

I just loved how you clean as you go along!!! Wow! Impressive………and it was so darn funny how you stuck your paint brush into the coffeeeeee!!!! Hahahahah has happened to me also :):):)

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your response! Brush in coffee - funny but so disappointing!

[@angelinalozada189]

What a Work of Art! Thank You from Puerto Rico.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks so much for your great comment!

[@lizziewebber6631]

Wow you're my hero. Thanksfor sharing ❤

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for watching and for you comment! 😊❤️ (I would be a disappointing hero)

[@tammythacker608]

Beautiful artworks! I got some bunches of jewelry so looking forward to creating something with those. Looks like I may need to get a big table to working on it. Thanks for showing.

[@dorothealeblancart]

It’s probably a good idea to start with a smaller piece or two to become comfortable with the method. Unless you’re already used to making large pieces. Also, if I glue things down that aren’t pretty, I just paint gesso over them and add my own color.

[@joansmith6259]

Beautiful! Love that background you created!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@alicecowan3499]

Very cool and creative!!!❤❤❤

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your kind comment!

[@melanieduffy8846]

Absolutely stunning work.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thank you!

[@MariasMiscellany]

Gorgeous piece! Definitely a thumbs up! And an inspiration for what I might do with some of my old jewelry that I just can't part with😁

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks! And playing with jewelry is an awesome way to get creative!

[@funheartl1567]

Wow! So creative!👏

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!! Love your name!

[@Siennaflower]

Not you putting your paintbrush in your coffee!! 🤣🤣🤣 Love the piece! ❤❤❤

[@dorothealeblancart]

Lol!!

[@ellentownsend4106]

One time while playing Yahtzee with the kids I dropped the dice into my coffee... So silly. I love your work and creativity.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Hmm… dice in coffee … to drink it or not to drink it, would have been a hard decision.

[@loved1lost333]

Love the title. Brilliant!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@michelleceleski8479]

You are my new artist hero!!!! Oops I mean Heroine!!!!!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Oh wow - I’m honoured!!

[@cathleenhaines3084]

Love this piece

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@honeyharmon6571]

Nice Great idea for old and new pieces of jewelry.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@helenrenaud3460]

Aww my! This is just beauriful! I love it the background is awesome!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@loved1lost333]

Very unique, creative and beautiful!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thank you, I appreciate your compliment…

[@paulaneary7877]

Love this piece!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks so much for your comment!

[@shomemo37]

Beautiful!!!

[@MakeItSo1111]

Love it! ❤

[@linlad541]

Love your art style!!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@TheDailyDigestion]

Wow!! That is very beautiful!!!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your great comment!

[@laurasamaniego5274]

Beautiful! Verry talented

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@donna7926]

Lovely!!!You are so creative!🥀🦘🥀🦘🥀🦘🥀🦘🥀🦘🥀🦘🥀

[@dorothealeblancart]

❤️❤️❤️

[@sofiacopado5579]

STUNNING 😍

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thank you so much!

[@texasgigi3684]

Wow! Great job!

[@arlenehildred7504]

Fascinating!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your comment!!

[@KMF3]

Lol I laughed when you talked about putting your paintbrush and your coffee. That is hilarious

[@dorothealeblancart]

It was a first for me and I hope I don’t do it again!

[@KMF3]

@@dorothealeblancart it just sounds like something I would probably do too

[@GoFarFarAway.]

Love this unique design!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your comment!!

[@GoFarFarAway.]

@@dorothealeblancart I make trees from chains but this is so stunning!!!!

[@dorothealeblancart]

@@GoFarFarAway. I’d love to see your trees! Are you on Instagram or FB?

[@cer145]

That is amazing!!!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks, I really appreciate your comment!

[@mariagarcia-po6kl]

Holly Cow. That is so beautiful. My dear, you have so amazing talent far in your future. This was an awesome video. God Bless you. Maria. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@dorothealeblancart]

Oh how kind of you to say so! I receive it. Blessings to you too!

[@dianewarde6074]

This is really awesome! ❤❤❤😊

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!!

[@lindaallen3716]

I love everything paisley 😊

[@dorothealeblancart]

Sorry, I missed this comment. Thanks for making it!

[@kittyhawkinsaddart1356]

That is gorgeous

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!!

[@Awoodnymphify]

love love love this

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks so much for living this piece, and for commenting!!

[@enough1494]

Fantastic!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!!

[@johnniemontgomery6682]

Beautiful

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks, I appreciate your comment!

[@Kdubs13]

Ya got skills lady... super cool idea

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks so much!!

[@lyndapadgett1575]

it's gorgeous

[@dorothealeblancart]

Sorry I missed your comment, thanks for the compliment!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody!

[@JanineHyslop]

awesome piece

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@s.714]

New subscriber here👋Glad I had stumbled onto your channel! Wow😱. Very nice. Gorgeous actually.✌️

[@dorothealeblancart]

Oh yay! I’m glad you watched my video … and I really appreciate you leaving such a glowing comment!

[@baheejahwaheem4329]

Very interesting and beautiful never thought of doing something like this I have a lot of jewelry of my mom and mine this would be a great way displaying it rather just laying there and not wearing it. Again very beautiful and inexpensive.

[@dorothealeblancart]

I know, a lot of old jewelry just sits in a box and gets old.

[@sandragregory1357]

she goes so fast it's hard to keep up

[@dorothealeblancart]

@@sandragregory1357 I’m happy to hear your feedback… sorry about speeding things up so much but I thought people would not want to watch it all. I I am thinking about making several short videos on a single project. I’d love to hear feedback on my one hour video (about a sea glass project with shell necklaces) where I show more. But I think it’s sooo boring.

[@ruthpotter3163]

I like your work that’s really cool stuff how much try some of that is beautiful

[@dorothealeblancart]

It’s fun working with jewelry.

[@ruthpotter3163]

I love the name that’s really pretty I like your work is beautiful

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@debrahardy8689]

I've put my brush into my coffee before, I'm a decorative, canvas, and faux finish painter.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Isn’t it just so disappointing!!

[@user-tt9cw3op6i]

❤ велеколепно, лайк, комментарий и подписка 🙏👍🏻

[@dorothealeblancart]

😊❤️ thank you! 🙏

[@tonkysue207]

Enjoyed this,thank you.💙uk

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thank you!

[@dorothealeblancart]

😊❤️

[@nancypatricio9972]

I have an idea... what if you use a ketchup dispenser instead of the brush? That way you can use drops of liquid and the jewelry is not going to move.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks. Great idea that I use occasionally.

[@pattyragland9989]

Very creative

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks! ❤

[@wg8517]

Very cool

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks!

[@aspirationisheartsdesire9960]

So cool

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks so much for commenting!

[@charitodagupion7398]

Beautiful, keep safe and may God bless you always, i do DIY and recycling, friend from Philippines

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thank you and God bless you too!

[@stephaniefowler7435]

This is beautiful. I see that you use gesso. I want try my hand at this. Other videos use hot glue gun. Is Gesso better to use?

[@szk1959]

This is fascinating! I would have to do a smaller scale, as I don’t have that much jewelry

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your comment; have fun creating!

[@dorothealeblancart]

By the way, I make a lot of small pieces, they’re 5 x7 inches in size.

[@cherinienke30]

What type of glue/varnish do you use creating these incredibly cool pieces?

[@dorothealeblancart]

E6000 for sticking down big heavy pieces. Then thinned white glue, pouring medium, or acrylic varnish (sometimes thinned down) depending on the delicacy of the items I’m placing.

[@niideadequeponerya]

Wow!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for commenting!

[@alisacole9059]

What do you do with these paisley designs when you are done? Wall art?

[@dorothealeblancart]

Yes, wall art. 😊

[@sharonlibrarian3643]

Gorgeousness! 😘

[@dorothealeblancart]

Sorry, missed this comment - Thanks so much!!

[@philhockham7279]

Impressive video, would love to try it. One question if I may. 1. What is the 'Varnish' you use.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Hmmm … if I remember correctly, I used thinned Liquitex pouring medium for the final varnish, or (haha) sometimes I use a regular Liquitex acrylic varnish (satin, or glossy, whatever I have more of when I’m finished a piece of work). I was hoping I mentioned it in the video? Anyway, I usually put on several layers of varnish, and if I don’t like the sheen, I’ll change it. (Nothing’s ever really finished until it’s out of my house, lol!)

[@ruthmiller5588]

This is amazing! What kind of glue did you use?

[@dorothealeblancart]

E6000 for sticking down big heavy pieces. Then thinned white glue, pouring medium, or acrylic varnish (sometimes thinned down) depending on the delicacy of the items I’m placing.

[@chrisbgifford7387]

The error in the backboard turned out to be a good thing. The new cuts made it so much more interesting. It turned our amazing. would a turkey baster help with the varnishing the open areas?

[@dorothealeblancart]

Great thinking … not sure I would have enough control with it though.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your comments and compliments!!

[@ruthpotter3163]

Watch what you’re doing I think I’m gonna like it

[@dorothealeblancart]

Give it a try, it’s fun!

[@alycherry6459]

So all you used was watered down varnish for glue? or glued first and then varnished?

[@dorothealeblancart]

For the very fine chains I used watered down varnish because I didn’t want them to move while I was applying the glue. For the bigger heavier pieces I used E600. And at the very end I either gave it two more coats of varnish or an overall coat of pouring medium. (I’m not sure right now, but either would work.)

[@MakeItSo1111]

This one has inspired me; What kind of glue did you use? Could I use E6000 or E7000 glue? I want to glue to a velvet fabric backdrop! Thank you!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks! I’ve never used E7000, but if I was wanting to attach jewelry to a fabric like velvet, I might first stiffen the velvet with iron-on interfacing or even something stiffer … and then sew the jewelry onto the fabric. Glue can make an ugly mess on fabric, that’s why I often paint over my jewelry. Hope that helps.

[@dorothealeblancart]

But experimentation is the name of the game! You might want to read the previous comment, where I give more gluing suggestions.

[@KMF3]

I don't know how much the varnish costs but a cheaper alternative to what you're doing would be either Mod Podge or regular Elmer's Glue type of glue. It would achieve the same thing. I have tried it and it is super strong. And there's no need to paint it on you can just spoon it on

[@dorothealeblancart]

I actually do use thinned down white glue on occasion but I find that it’s a little stringy until when made thinner, gets too watery. Acrylic varnish thinned out has a great consistency especially on very fine chains.

[@KMF3]

@@dorothealeblancart try the Mod Podge then because I haven't found that to be the case with Mod Podge

[@dorothealeblancart]

@@KMF3 thanks for the suggestion. I thought it was just for paper type projects. Do you know if mod podge dries clear?

[@KMF3]

@@dorothealeblancart yes I've done it on several projects and it appears to dry completely clear. I have not tried it with glass on glass I don't know if it would leave a hazy residue. So when I do glass on glass I use epoxy resin

[@MsRexsmurphy]

Amazing 💕🫶🏼👍🏼

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thank you 😊!

[@dld4202]

Wow, so much talent in this family. Your art is stunning and I LOVED your son's music. I was wondering where you got, if you had to pay for it, etc., then saw your comment. Anyway, nice work to you both!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks so much for the great encouragement!!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Oh, and my husband is super talented too. He’s an artist and worked on the Tiffany Lamp project with me making the lighting.

[@DD-ku1dz]

That must be so fun to all be artists. Jealous!

[@dorothealeblancart]

@@DD-ku1dz well, artists tend to like being by themselves. So when we work on one piece it’s usually at separate times (lol)

[@holdthelovealways]

I just found you and I've watched like 3 videos🤩😍 Q...what kind of board are you using? How do you hang it? Thank you.

[@dorothealeblancart]

This piece is on a wood panel that I made myself. 1/4 inch plywood.

[@dorothealeblancart]

I put professional metal hanging wire and metal hooks on the back.

[@holdthelovealways]

@@dorothealeblancart thanks. I didn't know if it was that Mdf board??? Or plywood. Would it matter? Those big ones you made would be super heavy?!? Do you use a regular acrylic paint to seal before painting? Like house paint? It would cost alot to prime with gesso. Newbie. I'm trying to get the details so I could create. You have inspired me to do Something with old broken jewelry. I kept them because they are sentimental. This would be a great way to keep and still love them. Thank you for answering me. Appreciate it From a newbie😉🙂

[@dorothealeblancart]

@@holdthelovealways right! MDF is too heavy a material. The depth of the large panel was made with 2x2 (approx) pine wood. The small boards were made with masonite.

[@dorothealeblancart]

@@holdthelovealways thanks for your great comments and questions! You’re right, I do not use MDF, it’s too absorbent and too heavy. The big ones are heavy, but if I’m hanging them I make sure there’s a board anchored to the wall first. I do use gesso because it’s a great substance to paint on. It sticks to everything and everything sticks to it. Primer paint might work as well but gesso has better coverage and is whiter.

[@creativegirl9710]

That was really cool! I have thought about that--using all those odds and ends cheap jewelry I've seen at Goodwill for some type of art and there you are! My husband would kill me if I started "hoarding" old jewelry, lol! Only us artists would get what your doing. Love the background you came up with. Have you got an ideas on what to do with a box full of unused hosiery? I can't throw them out and wonder what I might do with them artistically. I have done some mixed media art. I'm a retired graphic designer so not much more on the computer, which is nice.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your comment! Lol! We need to be creative in keeping our husbands happy too. And Hmm… hosiery… first thought was weaving them into a plant hanger … soaking them with glue for a textured background… soaking them in wet cement and making some kind of lawn ornament that you can paint … 😆

[@creativegirl9710]

@@dorothealeblancart Lol, OMG, those are great ideas. You have my brain spinning now. There is a lawn ornament I really liked but expensive. I think I can make it by hand now with wire framing, some kind of stuffing (hosiery?), paper mache, spackle, bondo, etc, Then texture, paint to look like bronze. Thank you!

[@dorothealeblancart]

@@creativegirl9710 EXCELLENT!!!

[@creativegirl9710]

@@dorothealeblancart 👍

[@madeleineprince7276]

What happens to the piece after you are done creating it, and where do you source all of the jewelry you recycle?

[@dorothealeblancart]

I have a gallery in a small town that shows my work, and not much of my upcycling sells, so I have a hall and room downstairs that is full of my stuff. And a lot of it is upstairs too. I made 3 videos called “Art in our Home” if you’re interested in seeing it. … And about where I get the old jewelry, I’ve been collecting from second hand stores for 16 years, my friends give me their old stuff, and even sometimes get old jewelry from their friends. The early stuff I experimented with was my own jewelry. Thanks for asking!

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for making a comment anyone 😊❤️

[@KMF3]

Did you make a kind of grout with paint? You didn't say anything about that part of it

[@dorothealeblancart]

The thicker the glue is, the more it fills in the spaces. On some of my projects, I’ll make layers of glue to get a thicker coating BUT I always make sure that each layer is completely dry before I add another one.

[@KMF3]

@@dorothealeblancart okay so that's glue that is in between each one of those smaller boards? Is it like a colored glue I'm a little bit confused

[@odettedoiron6483]

Beautiful work! Can you share what is your glue/varnish, how to mix?

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for your comment ❤ … if I remember correctly, I used thinned Liquitex pouring medium for the final varnish. Sometimes I use a regular Liquitex acrylic varnish (satin, or glossy, whatever I have more of when I’m finished a piece of work). I was hoping I mentioned it in the video? Anyway, I usually put on several layers of varnish, and if I don’t like the sheen, I’ll change it.

[@dorothealeblancart]

About thinning: I add water until it’s thin enough to not push the fine jewelry around. For big and heavy pieces I’ll use E6000.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Experimentation is the name of my game.

[@hummerklein4902]

Just charming And yes I’m ☺️🙃

[@dorothealeblancart]

Sorry I missed your comment! Thanks for making it 😊🥰

[@kavitaahluwalia3007]

Wow

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for commenting

[@michaelsnider2484]

How did you glue the pieces down?! Is it just glue on top?

[@dorothealeblancart]

It’s glue under, over, and around. I used E6000, thinned down varnish, and thinned down white glue depending on the need.

[@michaelsnider2484]

Thank you, Ms LeBlanc. The results are lovely! I have subscribed🙂!

[@dorothealeblancart]

@@michaelsnider2484 thank you!!

[@KMF3]

I don't understand the use of the boards? You didn't say anything about that. Was it just to add interest to the piece? I like the effect

[@dorothealeblancart]

Yes, exactly. I didn’t want a boring flat background so I added the small boards and then painted until it was interesting. And THEN added the jewelry. 😊

[@KMF3]

@@dorothealeblancart great idea I would have never thought of that

[@toecutterp]

You should make prints

[@dorothealeblancart]

Yes I should … thanks 😊

[@bfg1558]

So, just to clarify, the watered down varnish is the "glue" that you keep mentioning? You didn't actually use glue underneath the jewelry - you just drowned it in the varnish? This is stunning. Thanks for sharing.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Yes, the large and heavier pieces are stuck down with E6000. The unruly pieces are soaked with thin glue a few times. (Leave LOTS of drying time in between glue applications.)

[@dorothealeblancart]

And thanks for the compliment!

[@lillybellep8956]

quite pretty and hours of work.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks for appreciating my effort!

[@wowyummyyy]

👍 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏🥰🥰🥰 🥰

[@dorothealeblancart]

😊❤️

[@keithalsmyton4131]

So unique I love it. My only suggestion would be get different music. 😁 I almost quit watching because of it. Just trying to help.

[@dorothealeblancart]

Thanks. Yes, it’s repeating a lot. I guess I have to discover a good source of music. Any suggestions?