Sassafras Creations Jewelry - a review and giveaway!

 

Reduce, reuse and recycle - great words we should all try to live by.

And apparently, the mantra can apply quite beautifully to old knitting needles!

Sassafras Creations is a company that caught my eye for it's very unique reuse of used aluminum knitting needles and crochet hooks.

I have my stash from my younger knitting and crocheting years (My two Boye Needles Master sets were my prize possessions. I had to save up lots of allowance $ for those!). These aluminum needles came in many shades of really nice jewel tones. Guess I wasn't the only one who thought they were pretty!

Nancy Thompson, the ingenious designer and jewelry maker behind her Sassafras Creations etsy shop, has created a very unique line of jewelry taking full advantage of these pretty jewel-toned needles.

She cuts them into small rings, tubes, or other clever shapes and adds sterling silver to create cool bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and even watches. My favorite is the bracelet she sent me, shown here.

I love it for it's simple beauty and charm! Small rings cut from knitting needles of varying sizes are linked together to form this bracelet. A longer piece is used with a ring cut from a bulky needle to create the toggle clasp closure. So clever!

The edges of the cut pieces are carefully polished and the sterling silver rings joining them are a nice, heavy gauge so this is not a bracelet that would snag on my knits (so thoughtful!) or catch on something and come apart (such a pet peeve!). She definitely pays attention to the details and produces high quality jewelry!

This is a nice everday bracelet for me, as it's not too dressy, but definitely has a pretty style to it. I'm not a fan of wearing too many colors at once (you can tell from my knitting designs, eh?), but this bracelet is perfect because the jewel tones are all such pretty, sophisticated shades that they work together. Plus the color is only on the outsides of the rings, so the rest of the bracelet is a goes-with-everything silver tone. It's my jangly, fun bracelet that I like to wear with my leather wrap bracelet and silver bangle, completing that layered jewelry look that is so very now.

 

The earrings Nancy sent for me to review (see photo up top) are very pretty as well! Just enough needle "beads" dangling from each earring to give them movement and let the jeweled tone parts catch the light. This is a nice pair of earrings for any age.

So, yes - I definitely recommend that you check out Nancy's complete Sassafras Creations line. Lots of fun stuff and the prices are quite reasonable.

These are ideal gifts for your knitting friends or yourself!

I couldn't resist sharing photos of a few other items from her line that show you her creativity (the Christmas tree earrings are strung on needle tips!) and the range of jewel tones (see the cuff bracelets below!)!

So be sure to check out the rest of Nancy's Etsy shop at www.sassafrascreations.etsy.com and you'll be inspired to send her your old needles! Tell her SweaterBabe.com sent you!

** AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY DETAILS! **

One lucky winner will be chosen randomly from all entrants to receive the Sassafras Creations earrings (the dangly ones shown at the bottom of this post)!

To enter this giveaway, please do one or BOTH of the following by 9pm PST, December 22, 2012:

1) Use Pinterest to pin this blog post and in the "describe this pin" area, enter #SweaterBabe.com (required, or I won't be able to find your entry!). Click this to pin the Sassafras jewelry photo.

* PLEASE be sure you are on my email list, so that when I announce the winners, you can claim your prize if you entered through Pinterest (as I can't contact you directly).

(If you don't know what Pinterest it, then skip to 2!)

2) Enter a comment on this blog post telling us what you think of this jewelry line.

After December 22nd, I'll pick a random entry to win.

Good luck to all!

*** WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT 1/2/12 ***
And the randomly chosen winner from all the entrants is. . . Rebecca Boardman, who posted her comment on 12/1/12. Congrats! I've emailed you so you can send me your address.

Comments

[Jo]

Awesome

[Lisa Mills]

I think these are fantastic and so clever!

[Robin D]

Great use to recycle old needles

[Linda Rumsey]

I love this range! Quirky and fun, but stylish too!

[Deb Chaffin]

This is amazing! I want to make some! Love it!

[Barbara Beliveau]

You've reminded me about why I like these pieces so much: I may have to buy something if I don't win!

[Wynne]

Cute!!!

[Mpcapotosto@sympatico.ca]

A clever idea. They are fun v

[Christine Vawter]

Super cute and creative!

[Nona Hutchins]

I love the jewelry & the fact it is recycled but don't know if I can give my needles I saved for as a teen! So pretty. I will be definitely checking out the website. Thank you for sharing.

[Jill Cork]

So very exciting to see this creativity...thanks for sharing!

[carol]

I love them!

[ReneeInez]

If it were not for the stiff cords on those pretty Boye needles, I would still be using them myself. Love the colors. Love them even more in jewelry!

[lori]

Quirky and fun, but stylish too! plus it recycled! love!

happycrafter207 on ravelry

[MaryEllen]

Such fun jewelry! I'm heading to her shop now!

[Susan Barnes]

What a wonderful idea. I love this use of old needles. Would love the earrings--and I don't wear dangly ones!!

[P. Wanner]

Have been wearing her awesome watch for almost a year now - everyone LOVES it! Wonderful & green idea, from a clever lady.

[Diana Baber]

What a great idea!

[Karen Hager]

I love it when someone thinks about recycling and reusing things from the past to make something beautiful for the present. I too have many old needles from my beginner days. I'm definitely going to check out her jewelry too.

[Laura]

Putting These on my Christmas wish list!

[Phyllis Abell]

What a creative idea. All I want for Christmas is Sassafras.

[Margo Lynn]

These are so cool! I have seen bracelets made from curved needles, but these are much more sophisticated and could work for non-fiberists too.

[Helen Lord]

How clever! I'm always amazed at the wonderful things people create. These are quite unique and very appropriate for all needle-loving folk. Even folks who don't knit and crochet would love them. Makes me think, too, of those similarly colored aluminum tumblers we used to see...

[Suze B]

Love the Christmas tree earrings. I've done the silver-smithing course at my local Uni, and the use of the needle tips as a base is brilliant!

[Renee Lepley]

Absolutely stunning. What a wonderful crafter.

[Roxie Day]

How wonderful of you to showcase Nancy's creativity. These are just perfect for all our devoted needle brains.

[Flo L]

LOVE this jewelry line! Recycling and beauty in one. Would love to win.

[Della Bee]

This is really cool looking jewelry. What a fun idea!

[calissa]

very beautiful jewlery. i would be happy to have a pair of these earings to wear while i knit.

[Birgitta Virtanen]

Fun and different, I love them!

[KimKnitsDaily]

Fun and simple! And embracing knitting AND recycling! LOVE!

[Stephanie Haynes]

Love the jewelry

[Cindy Krautheim]

I love the simplicity of her designs. Just what someone who minimizes likes. and recyled, too. Fantastic

[Carol Beatty]

I just love these. I often find old needles in second hand stores that are to bent to use and this would be a great way to recycle them. I work with preschoolers and they would have fun seeing those earrings in my ears as they love shiny jingly things!

[Trina]

So cute and cleaver! I love creations that reuse old items.

[Pam Chamberlain]

These are beautiful!

[Joyce Dostman]

I love how simple the designs are.....who would know they were knitting needles.

[Lisa Leavitt]

So clever and unique!

[Carole Weaver]

So creative and cute! What a great idea to recycle old needles.

[Pamela]

Beautiful! I love the Christmas Tree earings - and I would wear them year round!

[Judy]

I love it when someone finds a unique way to repurpose everyday items. This jewelry is perfect for both knitters ans non-knitters! Great idea :-)

[Aimee Kaufman]

What a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These would make wonderful presents for anyone on your list.

[Rosemary Anderson]

These are some of the most creative use of recycling that I've run across. Just excellent!

[Kay Larsson]

Very clever! I love it when someone has such a great imagination to create wearable art!

[Tammy]

These are THE perfect gift for all fiber crafters!!! I have so many of those exact needles in my collection. If I ever give them up, sentimental reasons: They were my Mom's from many, many years ago, this would be a great way to have them reused. Thanks for sharing.

[Sierra]

I love Nancy's jewelry! She just keeps coming up with new and creative designs! Thank you for the opportunity to own a piece.

[Catherine Lemanski]

Love the idea of reusing old hooks and making something quite beautiful out of them. What a clever idea.

[Marilyn]

I can't get enough of knitting, these earrings and the whole line would be great gifts for knitters! Thanks

[Cynthia Wilkinson]

Very creative! What a neat conversation piece...would love to.hqve some of these!

[Jackie Watson]

How genuis is this?!

[Kelly]

I love these. Trying to think of all my knitting friends or friends cool enough to love them as much as I do. Definitely gifting these for Christmas! Thanks.

[Vickie]

Lovely designs!

[Robin Ludwig]

What a cool idea to reuse things that I already love! I love wearing things to express my love of knitting. The earrings and a bracelet would be super because jewelry is my other love. Putting the two together is awesome. I will definately check out her other stuff.

[Denise Royal]

Very cool!

[Penny Chace]

Nice, love the colors!

[Sandra Bennetch]

What a great gift for knitters!

[Pam Lehmann]

Wow! what a great idea! Luv, luv, uv them!

[LuAnn Sparkman]

How adorable and a being a knitter they are a have to have item.

[jezz]

What fun pieces of jewelry! Love the bright bits of color.

[Karen]

These will go perfect with the Lace Top Down Cardigan I just bought!

[Amy Reinke]

What a great idea for jewelry. It's all really pretty.

[Joan Seely]

I love this jewelry!. Very clever!

[Sue Wilcox-Hall]

Great idea to use those old needles that we can't bear to throw out. Pretty and fun jewelry.
Sue

[Andrea Krew]

This jewelry is a fantastic combination of two of my favorite things--jewelry and knitting. I love that the jewelry uses recycled elements. Definitely going to check out the website.

[Carla]

I love her jewelry! I already have one of her necklaces and would love to have matching earrings. So clever!

[linette]

So clever and gorgeous!

[Deanna]

That is so creative & pretty.

[Doris Noblet]

Very clever idea! And pretty, too!

[Naomi]

Lovely and creative

[Lorene Frischknecht]

I really like the jewelry shown here, It's very different and unique! Just up my alley! Please enter me in the giveaway, please! :-)

[Rebecca Boardman]

Beautiful...awesome jewelry.
What a clever idea.

[Tammie Williams]

How clever is that? Awesome.

[Miriam Giles]

I love the beautiful jewelry. What a creative way to upcycle.

[Alicia Matheson]

What a pretty way to use old or pretty colored needles from garage sales etc!

[Amy Fraleigh]

Darling collection! Lucky winner, whomever she/he may be (I hope me)!

[Gerry Lofthus]

I came across this jewelry while visiting my son's family in Cary, North Carolina and bought several pair of earrings to give as gifts to my knitting friends. Alas, I never saved a pair for myself! I think they are so clever and colorful.

[Linda Pierce]

What a fun and unique way to use needles no longer wanted! I have a bunch here if she needs more! LOL I even have a huge one from the 70's when mom made me window pane vests!

[Janice S]

So COOL! I don't wear jewelry much but I would definitly wear these!

[LYNH]

WHAT A GREAT IDEA! I ALWAYS LOVED THE COLORS OF MY KNITTING AND CROCHET NEEDLES. I ALSO CHECKED OUT HER WEBSITE AND I WILL BE ORDERING SOME THINGS IN THE FUTURE.

[Sherry Anderson]

I love this! I actually have one of her necklaces and get compliments on it every time I wear it,

[Kenyetta]

Very creative and unique idea!

[Marie]

I've always been attracted to these. Hope I win!

[infcont]

Oh to have the talents of you both - create something for the rest of us to follow!!! Wish I thought of that and I wouldn't have gotten rid of my old stuff!!! Thank you for the info!

[Becky Richardson]

Cute!

[Donnell Sutherland]

Oh my goodness, these are terrific. Thanks!

[Janie Holley]

I've been lucky in being able to see her awesome pieces in person at Stitches South and acquired a bangle bracelet at our recent knitting guild annual auction. I love the Christmas tree earrings! I just MIGHT have to splurge on those for me!

[Joyce]

What a cool idea!

[O. Lundeen]

Totally tubular!

[Adrienne]

I love the idea and the beautiful creations! I'm off to see the rest of her collection.

[Marlene]

I love the colorsand the styles are wonderful. The cuff braclet is great.

[amber kane]

I saw these on her site a few days ago when just goofing off. If it was not for Christmas coming, I would have snatched me up some...will have to wait till after Christmas. Love them...

[Karen]

How creative and cute! I guess there is no limit for what one can come up with.

[Beth]

Stunningly beautiful - very unique, love them!!

[Stacey]

First saw these at Stitches West a year or so ago and loved them. So creative!!

[Lene Andersen]

Absolutely a 'must have' for every knitter. Greetings from Denmark.

[Kathleen]

I'm so adding these to my Christmas list.

[Gina L]

I'm constantly amazed at the creativity of some people. This jewelry is beautiful and clever, and green. Maybe a brilliant idea will occur to me one day.. One lives in hope.

[Carol M]

I have ordered some of these great creations in the past, and they are so well received by knitting friends!

[Fawn keen]

I love these. Just went on line to order bracelet and she is already sold out.

[Fran]

What a great idea! Cheap--err inexpensive and Fun!