Make-over magic

Create Mary Jane Baxter's stunning jewellery from everyday items in your stash

Designer chic needn't cost the earth, as these beautiful jewellery pieces prove – despite their catwalk look, they have all been created from bits and pieces one might find in their jewellery stash or kitchen drawer! For example, humble shoelaces have been fashioned into pretty flowers to form a vintage-inspired necklace, while acrylic stones sewn onto felt echo the paste jewellery that was so popular during the 1950s, mimicking the real thing.

Download the templates by clicking here.

Shoelace Necklace

1. To create a 12- petalled flower, take a shoelace and cut off the taped ends leaving just a tiny bit intact to stop them fraying. Thread a needle with a double length of thread for strength and have it ready, making sure you knot the end.
2. Working from one end of the lace, make a loop of about 7cm and squeeze it flat, so the loop has two sides of 3.5cm each. Secure the loop with a couple of small stitches just next to the taped point.
3. Repeat to create a second loop folded flat on top of the first. Each time you secure a loop, stitch through all the previous loops so they're all linked together. Don't pull the thread too tight, you want the petals linked together gently. It helps to keep the petals flat on the table as you work. Repeat until you have made 12 petals.
4. Secure your final stitch and cut off any spare lace, putting a dab of clear glue on the raw edge to prevent it from fraying. Let this dry then pull the petals round to form a circle. Stitch together where the two sides meet, then sew a small button or sequin to the centre.
5. Create more flowers in the same way – we've used eight flowers in total. Join together where the petals touch by stitching through them using no knot on the thread. Tie off the ends of the thread and cut close to the flower. Sew a length of ribbon (or half a shoelace) to the middle of the two outside flowers on the reverse side so you can tie on the necklace.

Paste Necklace

1. Make up individual small clusters of stones and sequins and then sew them onto craft felt, going twice through each hole. Stick another layer of felt to the back and when dry, cut around the edges of your shapes, taking care not to snip through any threads.
2. Use these shapes individually, or group lots together and stick onto more felt to form larger clusters. Create a collar shape as a base, or download the template provided at http://www.makejewellery magazine.co.uk and sew ribbons to each end.