Crafty projects

Tutorial: 1940s Make Do and Mend Brooch

Tutorial: 1940s Make Do and Mend Brooch

As wartime shortages affected the supply of metals and other traditional materials for jewellery, designers turned to other materials including plastic, wood and textiles. Women made their own ‘make do and mend’ brooches using plastic thread and buttons. These colourful brooches are becoming increasingly sought-after and pricey, so I decided to make my own.

DIY Love letters Dangle Brooch

DIY Love letters Dangle Brooch

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.