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Home / Holiday

Bucket list: I make a vintage costume jewelry Christmas tree — get my tips!

Pam Kueber - December 4, 2017, Updated: November 28, 2022

costume jewelry christmas tree

I’ve been collecting broken vintage costume jewelry for several years — with the goal to make a lifetime-achievement crafty: A costume jewelry Christmas tree. This weekend I gathered all my supplies, took over the dining room, and got down to gluing. This project was not easy — like making ornament wreaths, it’s another effort in juggling colors and shapes in three dimensions — made all the more stressful by the fact that it takes a lot more jewelry than you think. That said, I’m pretty darned happy with the result! 

Scene of the crime. Things to collect over time to make this project possible:

  • Broken costume jewelry.
  • Vintage picture frames.
  • Vintage velvet.
make jewelry christmas tree

Artsy fartsy.

Story and tips continue >>

Meanwhile, you might also enjoy our famous tutorial how to make a Christmas ornament wreath + video:

jewelry christmas tree

Voila! My weebit has a new mommy-heirloom!

My tips to make a costume jewelry Christmas tree:

  • Start by reading my DIY story from earlier this year (it includes the glue I used): Making art from broken costume jewelry.
  • Jewelry pliers or a set of very wide tweezers are important to have on hand. Note: Links to Amazon net me a wee commission if ya end up buying something.
  • Golly, you never knew how handy it would be to have so many old broken pearl necklaces in your stash. I find these at most every estate sale. Use the pearls — all sizes, all designs, all colors and sheens — to fill in the in-between spots.
  • I thought about it first and decided I preferred to not have a “straight” edge to the right- and left-hand sides of the tree. I think it’s more interesting that way. To start, I created my “outline”. Then, I filled in from there.
  • Think about your colorway: I wanted the tree to be primarily gold. But then, I realized that I did not have enough jewelry — big pieces — to fill in the tree. So I began to add light green, which I thought worked well because gold has some green in it.
  • As you go, keep scanning the tree clockwise, starting at the bottom left, to ensure you are creating focal points, combining colors, “breaking your edge”, and then “building up” in a way that keeps your eyes moving — in way that gives the piece visual dynamism.
  • Take it slow. I came back to my wreath probably 10 times over three days to keep working on it. I’ll bet that I worked at least 10 hours on it. My goal-mode when I do projects like this is to Enjoy The Process. So I take my time. It’s cheaper than therapy.
  • Next: I am going to paint up the frame a bit more, and probably add some bling to it, too. And, I will reorganize all the jewelry left into colors and decorative pieces so that I can assess what I need to look for in the coming year as I prowl estate sales. 
  • Throw out all my rules — and make your own!

More link love:

  • Costume jewelry Christmas trees from previous holiday uploaders.

CATEGORIES:
Holiday Homepage Popular 8 Jewelry Christmas trees

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Reader Interactions

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48 comments

Comments

  1. Maria says

    December 13, 2017 at 6:07 am

    That is gorgeous! You did an amazing job!

  2. Michelle says

    December 11, 2017 at 9:24 am

    WOW, this is so beautiful! What a cool idea!

  3. Ashley says

    December 11, 2017 at 8:14 am

    I love this! Absolutely gorgeous!

  4. judy h. says

    December 10, 2017 at 10:57 pm

    That’s so glamorous!

  5. C says

    December 10, 2017 at 9:45 pm

    It is gorgeous, Pam!

    Love it.

  6. Bonnie says

    December 10, 2017 at 3:39 pm

    This is one of the prettiest ones I’ve seen. Now I remember why I’ve been looking for broken and costume jewelry in flea markets for the past two years!

  7. Sharon says

    December 10, 2017 at 3:21 pm

    Luv It! Gorg! I have the jewelry, not so much the talent.

  8. Laura Ainsworth says

    December 10, 2017 at 1:55 pm

    This is just magnificent, Pam! Very artfully done. But remember, all, to WEAR — or let your wife/girlfriend wear — the intact (or even mostly-intact) vintage pieces you were lucky enough to find or inherit. I wear my grandmother’s and great-aunt’s costume jewelry with pride and am rewarded w/many compliments and started-conversations. (One season several years back, there was a short-lived fad of pinning big brooches on fabric handbags; I’m set if that comes back in style.) Anyway, thanks for sharing your wizardry — love this!

  9. Karen from Philly says

    December 10, 2017 at 12:01 pm

    Oh My Gosh, Pam…Your creativity is ASTOUNDING. I could study the pictures of your ornament wreaths and now this jewelry tree till I’m blue in the face and still have NO IDEA how you do this. I admire your abilities with shapes and color and am truly humbled by your spatial relationship skills! Beeeeuuuutiful results on your heirloom jewelry tree!

    • Pam Kueber says

      December 10, 2017 at 12:02 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

  10. Siobhan Greene says

    December 10, 2017 at 10:56 am

    I love the end results! Your Christmas tree is fab!
    I just told a friend I am hunting for THE piece of velvet to begin mine….for next year! I have gathered broken jewelry and the single earrings from my Granny and other special ladies in my family. I will share when complete! Yes, crafting is cheaper than therapy!

    • Pam Kueber says

      December 10, 2017 at 12:03 pm

      Thank you! Send me a photo next year after you finish yours!

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