Upcycling Guitar Strings Into Jewelry

Guitar strings are made up of mixed metals — central high-carbon steel wire cores with other metals coiled around them. This means they cannot be recycled normally and would end up in landfills if not for the work of artists who repurpose them into jewelry. Whether it’s a simple bracelet or an intricate piece of jewelry with metal from a flute, these artists are turning old metal guitar strings into cool accessories and works of art.

A guitar string necklace is a great way to show your love of music and your support for musicians in need. ReStrung in New Orleans, Louisiana, makes unique pieces of jewelry from old guitar strings donated by famous local musicians. They then use a portion of their profits to help fund the New Orleans Musicians Clinic, a health care service for uninsured musicians.

One woman’s trash is another person’s treasure, as they say, and this is certainly true when it comes to old guitar strings. Guitar string jewelry is a popular upcycling trend, and it’s easy to see why. The metal is beautiful and evocative, and the history of each string makes it a unique accessory that’s sure to be the center of attention when worn.

For a DIY project, you can make your own guitar string jewelry using crimp beads and hook or eye clasps to attach your charms. Start by wrapping a piece of wire around the ends of your guitar string, securing with a crimp bead and hammering to flatten. Then braid the ends of your string and connect them with a jump ring and the clasps. You can also hammer the finished bracelet to flatten some of the high points and give it more texture.

If you’re looking for a more personal memento to wear or gift to a musician, check out Johan Rust’s line of engraved guitar string rings. Each ring is individually crafted from a combination of steel electric guitar strings and brass acoustic ones. The resulting ring is both classy and earthy, and it can be personalized with your initials or the name of a song or artist.