Recycling has not only become a trend, but a means of survival for antique malls. During the economic downturn, the volume of collectors was also down, so antique dealers found creative uses for old items in order to attract interior designers and decorators from the home décor market. Primitives have been especially popular for interior decorating. At the Spring Antique Mall a carousel figure of Pinocchio, circa 1914, was recently purchased for a hat rack. There’s no end to what these creative people can do with antique bric-a-brac; they can make an occasional table out of anything.
Among the antique bric-a-brac or ‘smalls’ as we antique dealers refer to them, are ‘spooners’ and relish vases being purchased for the vanity to hold toothbrushes or makeup pencils. My favorite recycled item is the hair receiver. Although its original purpose is repugnant to me, I absolutely love using them for potpourri around the house. My favorite one holds cotton balls on my vanity. Sugar bowls and tea pots without lids, have become colorful pencil holders, flower vases, and containers for kitchen utensils. Even the lids to sugar bowls or cookie jars can be recycled if the bottom portion gets broken. I personally have a problem throwing something into a landfill that’s not biodegradable. These orphan lids are being reinvented as paperweights to weigh down napkins on a picnic table, or prevent a debris field under a ceiling fan. For whatever reason, put a lid on it.
Vintage jewelry has become especially popular with new artisans who make unique one-of-a-kind jewelry. As much as I hate to think of them cannibalizing beautiful, vintage jewelry, it is theirs to do with as they please once they’ve purchased it. Keep in mind that the value of the reinvented jewelry will not appreciate as quickly has the vintage piece would have. My preference is to recycle broken jewelry, and if at all possible, try to repair it to its original state. But if too many beads are missing from a necklace, the remnants can be made into bracelets and earrings. And leave it to women to find new places to wear jewelry… purse charms and jean charms from vintage jewelry components. Even jewelry for pets can be reinvented from broken jewelry.
Photo caption: Clockwise from left...gold-filled charm bracelet consisting of antique lockets; brass bangle w/cartouche displaying a crest from a broken earring; gold-filled charm bracelet w/whimsical charms from earrings & pendants; pink & fuschia art glass beads refashioned into a matching necklace, bracelet, and earrings; and a locket with a cartoche from an antique cufflink mounted on it.
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