Of course, absolutely mesmerized, I tried to buy the lovely, gracious woman’s costume jewelry Christmas tree, or the cross, right off the wall. She really seemed to consider my offer, possibly because she had never seen anyone go so crazy over something she’d made. In the end, though, she wouldn’t sell them. Fast forward 10 years, and of course I’ve been collecting lots of broken jewelry and have enough to do my own. Next year: I’m inviting a friend over for tree-making!
I was reminded of all this when several readers uploaded photos of their vintage costume jewelry Christmas trees in our weekend uploader — 375+ photos!!
Above: Naomi’s costume jewelry Christmas tree. She wrote:
“My fiance’s mother made this for him years ago… There are even lights on it!”
Above, a tree uploaded from a mystery reader, who said:
This is one of my most treasured pieces. It was made by a dear family friend using old costume jewelry from her aunt’s estate. Look closely and you will find old brooches, earrings, and charms that individually aren’t worth much but set together like this becomes an heirloom.
Indeed.
Above: Kristy H. says that her costume jewelry tree also has lights!
Above: And here they are!
Above: Carolyn’s gorgeous costume jewelry Christmas tree.
Above: Two from LuAnn, first shared on our Facebook page and used here with permission, who says:
Here are two that I just saw in a retirement home lobby that a woman that lives there made ! Stunning in person !
Above: Featured on our Facebook page and used with permission. Lucky Kristi said:
Found mine at a flea market for $1. It’s one of my favorite decorations!
Above: Featured on our Facebook page and used with permission.Teresa said:
I adore these. Anybody who knows me knows aqua is my color so I’m so happy to have found this at a yard sale.
Above: Shelley’s is a family heirloom. First shown on our Facebook page, used here with permission. She explains:
My grandmother used to make these and she’s no longer with us. So now I cherish mine even more.
Above: This one looks to be made entirely from old pins — our grandmothers would have called them “brooches”. Originally featured on our Facebook page and used here with permission, Taylor explains:
I made one out of vintage family jewelry my mom gave me!
Above: Added by a mystery reader in a follow-up uploader. She/he said:
I saw the story about these, and I love the one I found a few years ago, so I thought I’d add to the collection – a little out of focus…
Above: Featured to our Facebook page and used here with permission. Mary says:
My mother-in-law made one for us utilizing my husbands grandmothers old costume jewelry. I think it’s wonderful! I wish I had one from my grandmother jewelry as well!
Above: Dawn added this one to our Facebook page, now used here with permission. It’s also a family treasure, she says:
My Mom made this one. I will cherish it forever.
Above: Here’s one made of just rhinestones, spotted at an estate sale of a couple who ran estate sales (Take some time to think about that.)
Above, reader Nancy Long said:
Close-up of the jewelry picture. The jewelry picture has tiny Christmas lights I found this at an antique mall about 10 years ago. I see something new every year.
Look closely and you will see little white doves and snow flakes on the silver tree.
Kristy H. says
I love these and am excited to have mine featured above. I just asked my friend who gave it to me and she found it in the trash- I had totally forgotten that! Who could throw out such awesomeness? Also I love the embroidered tree above. Makes me want to do one too!
Naomi says
I love seeing all the other pretty trees!
Naomi
sosumi says
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this post! When I was a little girl, probably 7 or so (early 1970s), my mom and I made one of these! I didn’t realize other people did this!
My mom died almost 2 decades ago, but I still have my tree and the wonderful memories of attaching the bits of pretty jewels with her. Unfortunately, we put it on a foam tree form and over the years, the foam has cracked. It is lovingly packed in a cloud of tissue paper in a sturdy box until I get time to somehow stabilize it so I can display it in my own home.
Growing up, we always hung it up during the Christmas season in front of a mirror to intensify the sparkle. Thank you for reminding me of those lovely memories and my beautiful jewel tree!
Jeanne says
My grandma also had one hanging in her living room which was 100 miles west of Aneta. Tree making was probably a good diversion on those -25 degree winter nights.
Melinda says
I just love these! I’m going to think of something other than a Christmas theme, though because I’d like to display it year round.
Naomi says
I’m going to try my hand at decorating plain wooden crosses….I’ve been searching indoor flea markets for bags of costume jewelry!
Kathy in San Leandro says
How about a garden theme? Floral and leaf designs along the bottom edge, with butterflies and bees flitting above.
Cyndi says
Love! My husband’s grandmother made the one we display. It was packed away for years before I discovered it. We are mad for it’s flash and sparkle.
Janet in ME says
These are all lovely! I could never have one – I use all the old jewelry I can find to make jewelry for my dolls! As is the case of the little Christmas trees my elderly aunt made after retirement using old jewelry for ornaments from boxes of it her estate sale daughter gave her, I would probably find myself picking pieces off of it for my dolls!
linda h says
My Dad used to make these. He would buy some of the jewelry at garage sales. I always thought they were too kitschy for me and was glad he never gifted me with one. He has two in his living room year round.
Bette Jean says
They’re all beautiful, but I’m drawn to the monochromatic ones. Love the idea of crosses. I’m going to make one and display it year round. Hope to include it in next year’s uploader! Oy, I’ve just wished away 2017!
Naomi says
I’m going to try it with crosses too!
Carolyn says
I saw one (jewelry tree) in 2011 – wasn’t sure how to react. In some ways it was gaudy, yet…look at the workmanship, what significance were the pieces used, how old/new is this craft? Of course, no one knew anything about it until 5 yrs later on RetroRenovation! I think they (family) had a “bid box” for it because they couldn’t figure out how to price it. Unique dove with rhinestone “action lines” flying to the tree.
Now, the uploader – with 375! photos, should we consider spreading the wealth/cheer over a few days in 2017 with themes (outside, tree, cherished family, and however else (my computer froze about a third of the way thru Fri!)?