Trash to Treasure 2015

Trash to Treasure Beading Contest - 2015 Winners

GRAND PRIZE goes to Jill Evans for 'Bikes to Bracelets'
"I used to race mountain bikes and have always been fascinated with the old chains... hated throwing them away... repurposing them into wearable art was my solution. It is fun to take old nasty, greasy chains and transition them into something pretty and fun, incorporating 2 of my passions: cycling, and creating! The bracelet composition: silk and leather with repurposed bicycle chain links (I get old chains from a local bike shop, take them apart, soak them in degreaser, wash the degreaser off with boiling water and dishwasher soap; then put them back together for use in jewelry). The black rings the inside rings of the links which have been sprayed with wood stove paint. The heavy silver links, long silver beads with the flower imprint, and hook closure are from an ethnic necklace my mother gave me many years ago, but have never worn. New items used are the glass beads, crimp covers, and the 3 stainless flower beads on the silk, as well as the base hardware items such as small silver rings, and soft flex stainless/nylon cord." ~ Jill

Visit Jill's Facebook page: Jillery Montana

Trash to Cash
Congratulations to Cyndia Reddish for 'Material Girl'
"The ultimate shopping divas created completely out of expired credit cards, featuring worldly shining holographic faces, holographic necklace and flying dove earrings. Hair texture cut from credit card beach grass scenes, shirts with tropical resort graphics, skirts of contrasting desert terrain. Dangling from their hands are the almighty credit cards, a must for any mall-worthy gal." ~ Cyndia

Visit Cyndia's website: Black Water Siren Studio

Scrap Metal
Congratulations to Dawn Singleton-Olson for 'Seven's Healing Hardware Bracelet'
"This year is the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and I was so privileged to volunteer with Best Friends Animal Society, and later adopt my buddy, Seven. He was found with severe injuries including seven multiple fractures, which is how he got his name. Best Friends took him to an orthopedic veterinarian, who repaired his back leg using exterior fixation pins. I kept all that hardware when the pins were removed, and your contest inspired me to use some of it in a bracelet! The fixation pin clamps made perfect links for the bracelet, and I joined them with stainless steel cerclage wire (used in orthopedic surgery) and used some of the nuts from the clamp bolts as beads on the wire. The charms on the bracelet are attached with dog tag jump rings, and include a St. Francis tag (the rescue center was set up on the grounds of St. Francis Animal Sanctuary in MS), a fixation clamp, an ID tag (Seven wore the number BF1276 as the 1,276th animal rescued), one of the orthopedic bolts that tighten the pins, and Seven's first Omaha dog license! The bracelet comes together with a piece of dog chain and a clasp from an old leash. Along with my photo of the bracelet, I'm including a "collage" photo with ALL the orthopedic hardware that was on poor Seven's leg with a photo of him I took in Mississippi that shows the fixation pins on his back leg. Poor guy--I can't believe he wore all that metal! I'm happy to say he is one happy, healthy dog who fully recovered from his injuries AND heartworm! The components of this bracelet are so special to me, and I really appreciate the opportunity to enter your contest!" ~ Dawn

Compost Happens!
Congratulations to Karan Parker for 'Going to Seed'
"Going to Seed is a bead embroidered pendant and necklace made of seed pods (locust pods, mesquite pods, and gum balls). The seed pods are accented with seed bead flowers and a twisted rope. The pendant also features sustainable fish leather." ~ Karan

Is That My Old Windshield?
Congratulations to Allison Cooling for 'Miss Sparkles Potion Necklace'
"My Miss Sparkles Potion Necklace was inspired by the high-end jewelry found in Parisian boutiques. However, it is totally recycled! I always struggle what to do with empty perfume bottles - they are too beautiful to throw away! Why not make jewelry from them?! After cleaning and drying out the bottle, I mixed a Miss Dior bottom with a Versace top, filling the bottle with 50's-era vintage glitter (from my grandmas basement, thanks grandma!) and tying with a lace ribbon scrap. I decorated with rhinestone trim and added a Swarovski crystal. Using vintage chandelier crystals (found at a flea market) and pearls from a broken necklace (thanks again, grandma!) I created a very Parisian-chic chain to hang the pendant from. Finish off with Swarovski teardrop dangles and I think this is totally worthy of any French boutique!" ~ Allison

Visit Allison's website: Quiet Lion Creations

No Earlybirds!
Congratulations to Toni Brundage for 'Waist, Not Want Not'
"If we don't waste what we have, we'll still have it in the future and will not lack (want) it. This necklace was made from an old leather belt purchased from a local flea market.  I used part of the belt as a neck strap for the necklace. By cutting small pieces of the belt, I was able to use them as connectors. The belt buckle is used as a pendant. I also cut a portion of the belt into triangles for added flair on the pair of earrings. This necklace is also highlighted with African sandcast beads and bronze trade beads, carved bone, marigold resin beads, turquoise chips and swirl wood beads."  ~ Toni

Visit Toni's Etsy shop: Creations by Toni

I ain't no dang hippie, I just wanted to enter this contest!
Congratulations to Debora Williams for 'Pavone Earrings'
"Vintage floral tin, solid copper sheet, glass beads, Abalone shell and stones" ~ Debora

Check out Debora's Etsy shop: www.etsy.com/shop/tribalis