{DIY} Refashioned Thrift Belt to Necklace

Refashioning a thrift store find doesn't have to be all that involved. It can be quite simple and the perfect diy if you're short on time and supplies. In fact, I think it's easier to start from thrift than starting a project on something brand new like sewing a dress or making a necklace.

Should I Refashion My Thrift Score?

However, you should ask yourself some questions before taking home that imperfectly perfect thrift store score:

What can this be? Before you leave the store, try to imagine your find 3 different ways. It's ok to get creative and really bold with your thinking. The more you think about it the more invested you will become in a finishing the project.

Can I afford it? Do a bit of research in store. Find out if there's going to be major costs associated with your diy project (trust me someone has something similar). You may reconsider your purchase if for example you end up having to buy a lot of 30 rhinestones when you only need one or pay more for a vintage button than you paid for the entire thrift find. 

What is the quality? No need to invest your time with crappy fabrics / materials that can't hold up to refashion or major damage like big holes or large stains. Small ones get a pass only because of DIY romper success.

If you decide it's worth it and you need to have it, move swiftly towards your diy otherwise you risk losing momentum. For that reason, I usually avoid thrift store projects. I still have a stash of projects that I can't bare to throw away even though they've been in hiding for several years. 

I always get the urge to bring home a battered designer bag or a really cool print on a otherwise hideous dress. I love the idea of recreating using found items but the reality of the situation is that it will likely wind up in some dark corner of stuff with no purpose. 

DIY Thrift Store Belt to Tribal Necklace

The Graceland thrift haul belt was an accidental project.

I was pressed for time. I didn't try on my belt in the store. I wishfully thought it would fit. Whelp. It doesn't. It fits Carrie the Mannequin and small children. 

Since that is the reality, I thought it would make a cool tribal necklace. It was too stiff to lay flat against my neck so I found my jewelry pliers amongst the slowly dwindling boxes and went to work. I removed some of the vertical connecting pieces. I then shifted some of the other metal pieces and beads around so that it fills in the black cord a bit. Voila! An easy peasy new to me statement necklace. 

Do you thrift shop to refashion / repurpose?

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