Featured Destroying Antiques

This might end up being a controversial thread, so apologies.

What are your thoughts on re-purposing *cough* destroying *cough* antiques? Such as, binding handmade journals with antique book covers, shabby chic-ifying old furniture, cutting out the pictures from old books/magazines, and so on?

The reason I ask is that whenever I come across old worn coins for a quarter or two each, I buy them up. I've been stockpiling them with the sole intent of repurposing them into buttons and jewelry. I always check online to make sure they're not rare dates, but considering how many coins were minted and how mine are never worth more than $1 catalog value, I don't think it's sacrilege to repurpose them (Especially since I come across Victorian-era coin jewelry frequently).

Your thoughts? Any scandalous destruction you enjoy indulging in? Any time you were outraged or horrified by another person's wanton destruction?

 

have fun making your coin jewelry......i have no problem with that !

May the Lord bless you & keep you safe !!

 

This is actually a big issue, a hot topic, in the world of sports memorabilia. For most collectors, the difference between "Sacrilege!" and "Meh, go right ahead" depends on the rarity, age, condition, and historical significance of the item being shredded, diced up, fed into a woodchipper, or otherwise repurposed to make a hundred or a hundred thousand cheap collectibles out of one original item. What turns our stomachs is the obscene cliche voiced by some (too many) that "I own it so I have the right to do anything I want to it."

 

We'd be awash in Imperial Roman coins now if people hadn't been repurposing them right along. Sheer age alone does not make a thing valuable or of historical interest, especially if it was something made in multiples. Let your creativity give them new life.

 

If they fall into the worthless POS category then why should anybody complain? (Although now a days - some people ain't happy unless they are complaining about something )

 

Hi,
I hate the idea of turning sterling forks into bracelets. I used to hate turning silverplate forks into wind chimes. Since no one wants to use silverplate any more except for me. I hope to Goodness that no one turns my "White House" sterling silver into gizmos. Just thinking of what famous or infamous persons have used my set still excites me. I wonder if I should donate back to the White House Fund?
greg

 

Not everything old has aesthetic or monetary value.

Debora

 

i don't.......... i have humorous value though........

 

I'm very torn on this topic. On one hand I like to see antiques be used but I've seen so many rare/valuable items mutilated just because people were bored that it makes my stomach turn.

 

And sentimental, I'm sure.

Debora

 

I am about 90% in the "stuff is stuff" crowd.

 

I made two of those vintage jewelry Christmas tree pictures.

I remember on the old Ebay (jewelry) boards for several members this was considered sacrilege. In fairness I just used broken pieces, singletons, etc.

I had quite a bit of fun making them.

 

Remember when making bridal bouquets from old brooches was all the rage? Had the eBay joolies in an uproar.

I was all "woohoo, time to sell all my giant flower pins!"

 

I personally don’t mind. I have rings made from old spoons and to me, at least I can enjoy the decorative element. Id rather see it repurposed vs melted into bullion. Makes me wonder how many beautiful crafted items went the way of the blob because no one could see past the precious metal value.

 

I make those Christmas pictures too, also from the singles and broken pieces. As a joolie I've found the ones made from bits I know were whole and recoiled in horror. Last year I used busted pieces and some unset plastic cabs to make a Star of David piece as a Chanukkah gift. Old pieces past their useful life ought to be remade into something else, and some things whose only value is that they're old... same thing.

 

Just do your research beforehand. Also asking some pros first may be warranted too.

 

For stuff that has little to no value, no problem ... create away. I have seen some pretty creative stuff.

 

I think it’s everyone’s right to do whatever they wish with their stuff.
I remember learning that’s it’s “illegal” to deface or repurpose currency unless the final outcome is worth the same or more than the face value. I guess if you were to make a belt buckle out of a silver dollar it’d better be worth more than a buck when you’re done.

 

For me, the coins I use are all made out of non-precious metals, and they've all been replaced by the euro. they're cent coins, so I imagine that even if I were to punch a hole through one and hang it from a necklace, it would still be worth more than face value.

 

I see no problem in repurposing damaged or singletons pieces!
What makes me cringe is tearing apart old books complete to sell illustrations one by one to make more money... no problem with an already incomplete book.
Worst for me is melting for scrap value any antique piece, or not antique but very well made