New ways to shine

Discarded bits and bobs from the jewellery box or back of the drawer are put to use again as decorative touches around the home

a n assortment of unwanted or unused trinkets can be given a new lease of life as decorative features. Old bracelets, beads and baubles are strung around jam jars used as candle holders. These are then suspended using thin strips of wire wound round the rim and extended to form a handle. Metal champagne bottle tops also make shiny adornments hanging from the jars, and corks strung together with paperclips create a natural cascade. Plain bottles are transformed into ornaments when a faded handwritten letter is torn and stuck onto the glass. A piece of string or twine can then be looped around the neck to display a broken rusty pocket watch or shimmering key.