I love the novelty 'dangler' brooch styles of the 1940s and 50s - you often see them in Bakelite, celluloid and other old plastics, and in any and all kitschy themes you can think of. I decided to go with love letters as it seemed appropriate for February, but as far as I'm concerned hearts and love letters are year-round motifs.
To make my brooch I used:
White shrink plastic (I used Shrinkles, purchased on eBay)
Black and red Sharpies
Bow brooch finding (I got mine at Hammersmith Vintage Fair, but you can find similar on Etsy)
Plastic heart charms (Etsy)
3x2mm flat metal chain (eBay)
5mm jump rings (eBay)
Hole punch and pliers
To make the shrink plastic love letters I cut rectangles from shrink plastic sized about 1 1/4" x 2", shaping them so the sides were slightly curved to give them an air of movement. Then I added detail with Sharpies to make them look like postcards and envelopes (add a design to both sides, so that it doesn't matter if they flip when wearing). I punched holes in one corner using a regular office hole punch.
Once shrunk, the love letter charms measure about 1" x 1/2", and the punched holes are just the right size.
To assemble the brooch I cut three lengths of the chain, one 1 3/4" long and two 1 1/2" long, then attached the heart charms and love letters with jump rings. I then attached the three chains to the brooch finding with a single jump ring.
Cardigan by Emmy Designs from Revival Retro Boutique
Beret from Accessorize
Lipstick: Basilisk by Mermaid Salon
