A free workshop where the public can bring their broken or unworn jewellery along to and learn how to refashion and recycle it is taking place this weekend.
Belfast woman Lynda Thompson-Spack launched Jewel Parties last year which was initially to run fun parties teaching kids to make simple pieces of beaded jewellery.
It has evolved into a health and wellbeing enterprise, running workshops for charities, community groups and corporates.
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The event take place from 11am to 4pm on Saturday April 29, but people don’t have to stay for the whole workshop.
The workshop will be located at and is running in conjunction with The Wardrobe on the Newtownards Road.
Lynda said: "Those attending will be asked to send in photos of their broken or no longer worn beaded jewellery (something that’s been sitting in the bottom of a jewellery box for a few years) so that I can envisage a new life for it in advance of the workshop. At the start of the workshop I will discuss the possibilities with each participant, find out what their style is and make suggestions on how we can transform what they’ve brought along.
Everyone will learn how to lay out the new design and will be taught the skills required to repurpose and recycle their beads to create something brand new. They’ll mainly be using the beads and components from their own jewellery but will be able to add new components from Jewel Parties’ stock if, for instance, a clasp has broken or they require ear wires.
"Each participant will leave with at least one finished piece of jewellery but we’ll aim for two or three. Especially if there are a lot of beads and they would like to use only a few in each piece. They can take home the leftover beads and with the knowledge they’ve gained, [to] make even more. The session will be free of charge and will be run as part of The Wardrobe’s sustainability programme of events."
Lynda also has her own jewellery brand called Fred Loves Ginger and sells a collection under this name via Art Loves at The Merchant.
She added: "I’ve been thinking of running sessions like this for some time as so many people tell me they have broken or unworn pieces in their jewellery box and don’t know what to do with them. I feel it’s such a shame that people don’t have the skills or confidence and so just buy more and more, with the old pieces eventually ending up in landfill.
"I’m very conscious of mass-produced fashion and the environmental damage it causes and anything I can do, no matter how small, can only be a good thing. I’d like to run regular sessions like this one from my studio in East Belfast on a regular basis, and this collaboration with The Wardrobe will help test the waters to see if the the demand is there.
"I’m also developing relationships with the healthcare sector to provide wellbeing workshops for mental health, and for those with physical issues such as brain injuries. Beading is great for hand-eye coordination and improving motor skills and general all-round confidence. In addition to this, I run beading parties for kids’ birthdays, hen parties and girls’ nights in."
To find out more about the event, CLICK HERE.
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