Repurpose your jewelry and save

Austin is a very eco-conscious city and what better way to protect the environment than to recycle? Repurposing your old or broken jewelry can be a great way to reuse existing materials and gemstones to create new styles that you’ll want to wear right now.

One way to recreate designs that are in stores right now is to combine older elements like lace or crystal with newer trends like ribbon or feathers. The necklace pictured is a new piece that is on display at the Austin boutique Blue Elephant located in the North Lamar Central Market shopping center.

Another idea is to use old beads and findings from a single piece and rearrange them on a new chain to give the piece a fresh look. The best thing about reusing old elements is all that money you’ll be saving!

If you are not sure of your ability to design something new, don’t fret, you have options. There are lots of local Austin jewelers that love to take on custom work. If you’re not sure what your options are, you can contact Austin based companies like Creative Chick Designs to find out what your options are. With a free consultation, you’ve got nothing to lose. Some companies will even offer to buy the materials that are unused from your new designs.

Whatever you decide to do with your pieces, you can’t lose by repurposing pieces that are just collecting dust in the bottom of your jewelry box!

Spring Has Sprung - Time to Accessorize!

It’s getting warm in Austin and that means it time to break out the warm weather clothes and accessories that have been hidden away for the winter! Although it’s great to have some tried and true pieces that you return to season after season (after all, who doesn’t love flip flops?!), there’s nothing wrong with trying some new trends and adding to your collection!

Austin is definitely not lacking when it comes to places to shop - and locally owned places to boot! When heading out to shop, keep your eyes peeled for some new trends like headbands with large bows on them as well as some everlasting ones like multi-layered necklaces. One place to make sure you hit up on your warm weather shopping spree is the local shop, Strut. With four locations, there’s likely to be one close to you. Strut is known for it’s unbelievably reasonable prices and it’s chic, up to the minute fashion styles. From handbags to stilettos, you can find it here!

Another local gem that is not only locally owned, but exclusively carries pieces from local designers is Parts and Labour. Located on South Congress, it has been voted one of Austin’s best stores in 2009 by shopacrosstexas.com. If you’d like to let me know about other cool Austin shops that carry unique accessories, please let me know!