Vintage Redux by Brenda Schweder (2008, Paperback)

Like most artists and craftspeople, I collect stuff to use in my work. Some of that "stuff" is vintage (read: old and/or out of style) jewelry.

I've taken apart several pieces, especially to use interesting clasps. Most of the time I go no further than that, so have plastic storage boxes full of this vintage jewelry. It's hard top figure out to do with some of the pieces, so they sit and age along with their shiny friends, waiting for inspiration.

Enter Vintage Redux: Remake Classic and Collectible Jewelry by Brenda Schweder. The goal of Vintage Redux: Remake Classic and Collectible Jewelry is to show reader how to take a drawer or box or bin full of forgotten jewelry and make something new and fun.

The author begins begins by defining vintage and what is collectible versus what is fair game for recycling. No sense taking apart a valuable piece of costume jewelry when there is plenty of sparklies out there with little monetary value but with a lot of potential for recycling into something wonderful. The book also contains a useful section on cleaning, repairing and storing jewelry that is useful.

Schweder has organized the projects into three categories: New Order Redux, Unexpected Redux and Heirloom Redux. New Order Redux includes projects where vintage is remade into modern pieces. Unexpected Redux shows the reader how to use vintage buckles, buttons and other pieces. Heirloom Redux adds a modern touch to your heirlooms without altering your treasure.

With more than 30 projects, those who like traditional and those who like totally over-the-top will both find inspiration here. Each project is presented in step-by-step instructions and photos.

In addition to the author's projects, this lovely book also contains a gallery of work by other artists.

There is a lot of inspiration between the covers of this book. Even though you probably won't make a project exactly like those shown in the book (face it---who is going to have the same "stuff"?) you will be inspired to dig out those forgotten pieces and make something, fun, original and fresh.