Upcycling Expert - Annie Temmink

Annie Temmink

Annie completed her BA in sculpture and math from Davidson College in North Carolina, and received a Thomas J Watson Foundation Fellowship to travel independently for twelve months studying fashion and textiles.  From Indonesia to Japan, India to Uganda and Tanzania, she worked with village women, dove through sprawling second-hand markets and explored fashion in the world’s biggest cities and smallest towns.  The scope of her studies took her from preparing plants for organic dyes to exploring the factories that produce clothing for brand name stores.

Much of Annie’s inspiration comes from common or unwanted materials whose wide availability sparked her interest in recycling materials six years ago. Now she transforms repurposed clothing into sculpture for solo exhibitions and larger installations. Her work catches attention including that of trend forecasting companies in New York and private collectors on the east coast. Annie looks forward to blogging about her experiences and showing you how to create fabulous projects (clothing, jewelry and beyond) with materials from Goodwill.

Annie currently designs and makes clothing and accessories (and dances like-a-fool) in Charlottesville, Virginia. To learn more and to see Annie's projects visit: www.artemmink.com

Jewelry Inspiration

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Apr 9, 2014 10:57:00 AM

annie prom necklace main 2.fwProm is coming so why not make some fun jewelry to go with your fabulous dress. Goodwill is a great place to start shopping for prom because you may find the perfect dress at an incredible price, but even if they don’t have the dress you want, you are sure to find great jewelry making pieces. Die cut toys are a great source for jewelry inspiration. I found this honeybee kit and used the pieces to make abstract jewelry.

To make something similar you will need:

prom necklace-Wooden model kit from Goodwill

-Acrylic paint (which you might also find at Goodwill)

-Craft protectant

-Epoxy

-Drill will small drill bit

-Cotton cording, or chain

-Metal rings, jump rings, or wire (optional, but helpful)

-Small saw, utility knife, or other cutting tool

-Sandpaper

-Painter’s tape

prom necklace

prom necklaceFirst pop out all of the pieces from their wooden sheets.  Next drill small holes that you’ll use to hang your pendant.  Paint your pieces with a coat of white paint and let dry.  Next paint your shapes with bright acrylic colors or try using metallic spray paint for a flashier look.  You can use painter’s tape to color block sections or make more elaborate designs. Once dry, coat with a layer of craft protectant, or sealant to make your jewelry more durable. If you want to glue several pieces together, use epoxy for a strong hold. You may also want to cut or alter some of your pieces (which you can do with a small saw or utility knife and then sand smooth.) 

 

Once you’ve finished your pendant, here’s a simple knot you can use to finish off a piece of cording to hang it from.

prom necklace

You can tie a similar knot on the other end and then use a decorative metal clasp to close or use a length of chain to attach the two loops.  

Show off your new jewelry and have a unique and wonderful prom!

prom necklace

Topics: Prom, upcycle, Upcycling, Annie Temmink, jewelry making