Surprise Brooch! I Bet You Thought You’d Seen the Last of Me

BY DORI GRAY PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

PHOTO CREDIT: MASTERCLASS

Surprise, Brooch! I Bet You Thought You Had Seen the Last of Me

Introduced in the Bronze Age, early brooches started as a more functional accessory and were used to pin clothing items together, according to Art UK. Over time, brooches evolved to become fashion statements, political messages, and even symbols of mourning. After Prince Albert’s death, Queen Victoria notably donned brooches made of his hair, as recorded by the New-York Historical Society. Now, the brooch is a genderneutral accessory, back in the fashion limelight thanks to vintage lovers and in-vogue celebrities. At the time of writing, the least expensive brooch on Tiffany & Co.’s website is $300. Well, who needs Tiffany & Co. when a custom brooch can be made at home?

To the side, arrange beads and charms in the desired formation.

To add dimension, string beads onto short head pins. Using the jewelry pliers, curve the top of the head pins into a small, closed loop.

If using small safety pins, string beads onto the safety pins, keeping in mind that the pins will hang upside down. Close the pins and seal the clasps with heavy duty craft glue. Let dry.

Use jewelry pliers to carefully open the spring of a quilters safety pin. Slide beads, charms, and/or short hair pins onto the side of the quilters safety pin with the clasp.

If using small safety pins, string them onto the same side of the quilters safety pin, using the small spring coils as loops.

Use jewelry pliers to carefully re-form the quilters safety pin’s spring coil.

If the coil cannot be redone, simply glue together the two beads closest to the curve of the quilters safety pin. Then, use jewelry pliers to create a new, coil-less edge.

Pin your new DIY brooch in a place for the world to see. Location suggestions include backpacks, denim jackets, lapels, and wedding dresses.