Earring Back Charm Bracelet ~ A Decorative Found Art Example

I’m working on several projects at once right now. I’m trying to clean up around the house in preparation of my new studio completion this fall.  I did finish a found object charm bracelet last night.   For this particular bracelet I used one repeating element, the back of earrings.

Although I don’t think it looks like it, this bracelet is a great example of reuse, recycled, re-purpose and reclaimed art.  Not only are the earring backs a found recycled item, most of the other elements in the bracelet were either leftovers or discarded.  Except for the toggle clasp, with swarovski crystals, the headpins and the jumprings, the other elements were acquired or purchased at garage and estate sales.  All of the beads were leftovers from someone else projects.  The silver metal chain came to me in small lengths.  I don’t know what it’s purpose was in a prior life.

In this closeup you can see some of the earring backs I used.  They aren’t all the same color or shape, but they look similar enough to work well in the bracelet.  I did clean and sterilize them before using them in my bracelet.

Of course I have to take at least one art shot of my new creation. You can see the tarnish on the silver beads.  They are actually 20 or 30 years old.  I found them at a sale still in their original package.

I have a few years of accumulation to go through.    I’m glad I have the storage right now.  It gives me time to think about my recycled materials to come up with some truly unique and original objects.  I just have to figure out what to do with them once I’m finished….sale them, give them away, or donate them.