Jewelry making is an art and craft I usually admire in others. But, I'm curious and often like a challenge.
This is an old and half-broken Swatch I have been playing with the last couple of weekends. The plastic fasteners around the face have broken off the bottom and it has not been able to be a watch for a long time. But I love the design of the face: a strong sun in the center and variously colored planets at each five minute mark. Playing with ideas to recycle and upcycle it as a necklace, I had several ideas but testing them on materials showed just how many options are available and how limited my experience and skill level is.
There was a point when I almost gave up and researched buying a "vintage" replacement of my watch; however, I could not find that design online anywhere. Besides, the history of this watch could not be duplicated--a memory of first seeing and purchasing this Swatch about 1999 in a cool shop in a nearby college town with a friend who now lives further afield. Then, I also remember being befuddled with making books until I found some bindings I liked and could actually do.
So, I pressed onward, doing things I know how to do, with materials I know how to use. A piece of thick scrap leather, eyelets, Irish linen thread, some beads, dangles, a blank chain, and some leather cord. A bit of wire twisting and hammering. Some guess-ti-mate measurements. Some temporary openings.
And, I am very happy with the results.
Am I an expert jewelry maker now? No way. But I had fun. And I learned a lot. And I solved a problem. Doing so has given me confidence to try again. I especially like being able to bring old memories to life, to be rebirth them in another form.
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