10 Ways to Repurpose Clip-On Earrings!

How much do I LOVE vintage earrings? 
(a lot.)


I've posted a couple of projects before which involved clip-on earrings and I have so many more pairs in my jewelry box that thought it would be fun to see how many projects I could come up with for them! I only photographed ten of them, but the possibilities are just endless with these little gems.  

Grab your pliers(for twisting the backs off) and your super-glue and let's get started!


#1 Add one to a simple necklace to totally change the look of it! I have it on a double strand "pearl" necklace, but it would be cute as a pendant dangling from a simple gold chain, too.


#2 Glue one to the top of a ribbon-wrapped pen! When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with flower pens. (It's what princesses use, you know.) I love the idea of making a little bit more grown-up version. It takes all of 2 minutes with a hot glue gun, and a bouquet of these would be nice by the kitchen phone!



#3 Love these baubly bobby pins! Glue a small circle of felt to the back of the earring, then glue it to another felt circle with the bobby sandwiched in between.




#4 Add kitsch to a dresser by glueing an array of lonely unmatched earrings to the knobs.



#5 Elegance meets functionality on a kitchen message board! (Tutorial here) Earring clips become note holders and others are glued to the top of push pins to keep recipes (or dream men) handy.



#6 Earrings are gorgeous decorations on a vase or candleholder!

#7  For people (like me) who wear their favorite shoes almost every day, a set of earrings clipped onto the front or back can add some fun variation!

#8 I loved this one. I have so many dollar store bangles that I never wear! Glued together with a bit of sparkle on top they are much more interesting and wearable.

#9 A great use for frames with the glass missing. A little hot glue and a few snips of ribbon "stems" and you have a quirky little work of art!


#10 Last but not least: probably the best reason to collect vintage clip-ons...to wear them!!
 Don't be afraid of throwing a little vintage in your look once in a while! You might be surprised how much you like it! :o)

So there are a few ideas! I bet you guys can think of tons more. Earrings as fridge magnets? On the face of a clock? I've also seen people make gorgeous wedding bouquets from vintage pins and earrings. Vintage earrings are getting pretty popular, so if you want to get your hands on them check your local thrift and antique shops, they usually have some!

Happy crafting!

Love, (and God bless you!)
Disney





Comments

  1. I {heart} Nap TimeAugust 29, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    You are SO cute!!! I loved this post! My grandma gave me several pairs, and now I know just what to do with them! Thanks hun! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. ♥L`Appartement♥August 29, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    You have great ideas...especially nice are the Bobby Pins and the shoes.Unfortunately I have no old ear clips.But perhaps I find some on the next flea market.Many Greetings and that you for the inspiration♥EVELYN♥

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 29, 2011 at 11:48 PM

    Disney you are so fun! These are all such fabulous and fun ideas!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Justine and FernandoAugust 30, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    Lord. You are brilliant. As usual!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ElisabethAugust 30, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Brilliant ideas!
    And I absolutely NEED a Mr Darcy picture postcard on my board, could you tell me where you got yours?
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. CREATIVE KHADIJAAugust 30, 2011 at 2:00 AM

    many cute ideas..you dearest!!! awesome post :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Nelli JoyAugust 30, 2011 at 2:06 AM

    Oh what a lovely post! Such great ideas! I love how you've taken such care with the photographs. Really creative :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. kms handmadeAugust 30, 2011 at 2:13 AM

    #9 Reminds me of a giant bouquet my grandmother made when I was a little girl. (I think it was her...) They had been saving earrings, brooches, and other costume jewelry for years to make it. I will have to see if she still has it.... Thanks for the post! Now I'm thinking of fond memories of my mother and grandmother! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. CandiceAugust 30, 2011 at 4:00 AM

    How creative!! I want to try some of these, Disney!

    ReplyDelete
  10. KendraAugust 30, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    So much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  11. NancyAugust 30, 2011 at 5:00 AM

    Wonderful ideas! I really, really loe the bobbies!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownAugust 30, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    What great ideas! I have my grandmothers clip on earrings I just never knew what to do with them until now (besides wear them) Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beth @ The Goad AbodeAugust 30, 2011 at 5:50 AM

    I'm loving these ideas! My grandma had a ton of clip-ons when I was growing up and I loved to play with them, so this just brings back memories. There's a cute secondhand store in town & I will have to check out their stash :)
    I love all your ideas-- the doorknobs are my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  14. AlyssaAugust 30, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    cute ideas! =)
    my favorite place to pick up vintage earrings - goodwill/salvation army. they are less than $1 usually and so much selection!

    ReplyDelete
  15. caraAugust 30, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    I love all of these ideas, especially using jewelry to spice up other jewelry and on the bottom of that message board. So clever!

    ReplyDelete
  16. RachelAugust 30, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    Thanks for these ideas. I have a couple of pairs that just kill my ears. Now I know what to do with them.

    ReplyDelete
  17. MaxlyAugust 30, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    Disney--I love your blog--I have been a follower for a couple of years--so glad you are back.

    As I am craft challenged, could you do a tutorial on how to wrap the pens? What kind of ribbon, what kind of pen? I think this would be GREAT for a charity I do Christmas/holiday crafts for (i knit). And give me a good reason to visit all my thrift stores!

    Thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  18. GailAugust 30, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Loved this post! What kind of glue did you use with the pearl necklace and wrist bangels?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Christie // lemon squeezy homeAugust 30, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    You are so cute! These are all great ideas--I especially love the bangle one! You are great!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Michelle L.August 30, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Fab roundup - so many great ideas!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. HattieAugust 30, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    I always pass these over at thrift stores because I could never think of anything to do with them. I love the pen and necklace ideas! Thanks so much for the inspiration :-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. KateAugust 30, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    What a fun post! I've been looking for some clip ons to do #7 but I didn't even think about the other ideas! Love it! Pinning this post right now!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Connie GirlAugust 30, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Those are so cute! I showed this post to my friend and she loved the bulletin board. She came up with an idea to glue a magnet to the back then you could put them on the fridge. Wouldn't that be cute to hold your kiddo's art pieces?
    I have to see if I have any of my grandmothers earrings!
    Thanks for the cool ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  24. JessicaAugust 30, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    great ideas! too cute!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Katie @ My Darling DaysAugust 30, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Fantastic projects! These are such awesome ideas, so simple... yet I probably would have never thought of them in a million years!

    ReplyDelete
  26. JennyAugust 30, 2011 at 12:17 PM

    great ideas! thanks for sharing those. I always look at clip-on earrings when I'm at the thrift store but am never quite sure what I would do with them.

    ReplyDelete
  27. HilaryAugust 30, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    My grandma has made Christmas tree pictures with old earings and costume jewelry, but I like these ideas better. Hmm, think I'll be getting out my pens and floral tape.

    ReplyDelete
  28. lizzAugust 30, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    thank you! i've been needing some inspiration like this. i can't stop buying clip-on earrings and i just don't know what to do with them!

    ReplyDelete
  29. NikellAugust 30, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    Such wonderful ideas!! I'm so inspired by this. Thank you for sharing ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    I LOVED THIS POST! Such cute little ideas and everything just looked so fun and lovely! Thanx for sharing!

    Natalie
    www.projectdowhatyoulove.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [31 Aug 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

    ReplyDelete
  32. JoyAugust 30, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    SO cute!!! As always. :-) Such great ideas! I think it's time I made peace with glue guns. I have such a terror of them! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  33. fashion feverAugust 31, 2011 at 4:12 AM

    Oh I fell in love with that vintage earrings!!

    I enjoy reading your blog ;)
    xx
    www.followfashiontree.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. The Everything ListAugust 31, 2011 at 6:02 AM

    i have also seen them used as place card holders. great for a small wedding or fancy dinner party.

    http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. SamanthaAugust 31, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Hello lovely, I've just popped you on my versatile blogger award list, I think you're fab but I only found you last week! http://handmadebymrsh.blogspot.com/2011/08/versatile-blogger-award.html

    p.s. while you're accepting your award I'm going earring hunting! Great ideas, thanks x

    ReplyDelete
  36. AlisonAugust 31, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    I love what you do with vintage earrings! I've got to keep my eyes out for them.

    ReplyDelete
  37. UnknownAugust 31, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Fantastic suggestions! I typically use them as shoe clips, but it's nice to have so many new options :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. MicheleAugust 31, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    This is the cutest post!!!!
    I can't wait to use practically ALL of these ideas!

    I just bought 2 pairs of clip ons to give to my sister (i just cant stand them on my ears for more than a few moments) but i may have to hold on to them now.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Steph Lambe and Evan McDonaldAugust 31, 2011 at 9:51 PM

    I was thinking you should start a "challenge" for this and post the results...

    ReplyDelete
  40. Blue Shore HouseSeptember 1, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Very cute ideas! Thank you for sharing!

    Jenna

    ReplyDelete
  41. LindsSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    I'm in LOVE with clip on earings! And glueing them on as a bling RING is my fav :) Love your glam lady.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Maria @ GLDSeptember 2, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Lovely post! My mom has a lot of clip-on earrings and I asked her pretty please not to through them out because I thought that I could do something with them. So far I only came up with shoe clips and brooches. Your ideas are great!
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Erick and MeganSeptember 2, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Darling ideas! Mom mom used all her clip on finds to make a whole sparkly Christmas tree in a black velvet frame. It is beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I Love CraftySeptember 3, 2011 at 5:05 AM

    Your a genius!

    ReplyDelete
  45. RebeccaSeptember 3, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Stop saying and showing things involving Fitzwilliam Darcy! You're making us all swoon! JK, do it every time you get the chance. I love the ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  46. DivaMomCarolSeptember 3, 2011 at 11:59 PM

    So FRESH! - Love everyone idea! Thanks for the "Inspo" ~ CAROL in CHINA

    ReplyDelete
  47. AshleeSeptember 4, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    LOVE LOVE LOVE these ideas! you are such an inspiration to me, so much that I have just created my own blog!

    http://shabbypink-ashlee.blogspot.com/

    come visit me, and if you have time leave a comment with some tips!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Mrs.GSeptember 5, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Hello! I'm one of your newest followers - although I've been reading your blog for a while! You are incredible and have so much talent!
    I love your posts - keep 'em coming!
    xoxo Mrs. G
    http://beneaththebeams.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  49. DHardtSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    Thank you for this idea! I inherited a bunch from my great grandmother that I didn't know what to do with! Now I'm going to make some of the flower bunches to hang around my house!

    ReplyDelete
  50. DeannaSeptember 6, 2011 at 2:21 AM

    SO clever!
    oxoxox

    ReplyDelete
  51. HaileySeptember 6, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    How did you know?? I inherited a pair of earrings from my great grandmother and was recently mourning the fact that I cannot wear them without wanting to cry from the pain they cause. You're a genius!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Elle and LouSeptember 10, 2011 at 2:24 AM

    Who would have known they could be so useful and beautiful. Fabulous ideas- thanks

    ReplyDelete
  53. NikiSeptember 14, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    I collect vintage clip-ons and love, loved this post!
    I generally wear mine in my hair; here's an example post about them.
    Niki

    http://thenikiverse.blogspot.com/2011/09/jewelry-roundup-2.html

    ReplyDelete
  54. InMyOwnStyleSeptember 30, 2011 at 6:42 AM

    Hi Disney-

    I love what your did with the drawer pulls and linked it on My DIY page on my blog. I ADORE vintage clip on earrings and have collected quite a lot as I used to make jewelry from them. I no longer make or sell the jewelry, but use them where ever I can. I like clipping them on to my gift tags - although it is hard to part with them. :)

    ReplyDelete
  55. Tracey LynneOctober 17, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Totally just shared this on the BLOG!
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  56. carlaNovember 23, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    My favorite way to use them is as lapel pins. I bought a rhinestone/pearl clip earring at the antique mall that had a brooch fastener affixed to its back. Looks really nice on the collar of my black velvet jacket.

    ReplyDelete
  57. UnknownJuly 1, 2013 at 6:36 PM

    I linked to this post on my blog
    http://nativeamericanjewelrytips.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/repurposing-vintage-native-american-clip-earrings-a-pendant-waiting-to-happen/

    ReplyDelete
  58. Karla SingerFebruary 5, 2015 at 6:32 PM

    Thanks for this post! There are some really cool ideas here. I'll defintely be trying this out!

    ReplyDelete
  59. UnknownApril 8, 2015 at 10:05 AM

    Very cool. Since I was a wimp and did get my ears pierced until late twenties I have several clip earrings. Now to go have fun with them! Oh, I was number 18 on Buzzfeed!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for leaving a comment! I just love finding them! Comments on older posts are moderated, so if your comment doesn't show up right away, it will soon! :o)