Not all belt buckles are created equal.
Belt buckles may not be the first thing that comes to mind when creating an inventory of craft supplies, but these little things can be repurposed into many usable items. A wholesale lot of belt buckles can be used to create many special, wearable things. Before passing by belt buckles for sale, think about all the items that can be crafted from them.
Necklace
A lovely vintage belt buckle can be transformed into a stylish piece of jewelry. Remove the cross bar that the belt would have gone over and add beads, chain or charms, depending on the buckle. Make a chain by stringing beads in coordinating colors and attach to the edges of the buckle. Depending on how the buckle attached to the belt originally, there may still be loops to attach the necklace. Beads can be changed again and again to create a new necklace as desired.
Photo Frames
Vintage wood or shell belt buckles can make incredible little picture frames for the dresser or magnets for the refrigerator. Remove the buckle's center pole with a Dremel tool, then outline the buckle on card stock and cut the piece out. Attach the photo to the card stock, leaving space around the picture for glue. Attach the picture and card stock to the back side of the buckle and place under heavy books to keep flat while drying. Allow to dry thoroughly, and add magnetic strips to the back for hanging.
Purse Strap
Measure and cut fabric to make the straps. You will need four pieces in total, two for the top side of the strap and two for the bottom side. Fold the raw edges of each piece inward and iron to stay in place. Pair them with the right sides facing out, and sew them together on the long sides. Fold over the ends of one strap 1/2 inch and sew. Cut small slits in the center of the strap at 3 inches, 4 inches and 5 inches from one end. Use an eyelet setter to fasten eyelets into each of the slits for belt loops. Pick up the other strap and fold both ends 1/2 inch and sew to the underside. Cut a slit in the center of the strap 1 inch from the end. Use an eyelet setter to attach an eyelet in the slit. Insert the post of the buckle through the eyelet, and bend the end around the keeper. Sew the strap around the keeper to keep the belt buckle in place. Make a loop that will hold the tail of the strap and hand sew it to the strap under the buckle on the seam that attaches the strap to the buckle.
Ribbon Belt
What better to do with a belt buckle than to make a belt? Make a ribbon belt that is entirely no-sew by using fabric glue and ribbon. Cut a wide ribbon the length of the finished belt plus 3 inches. Cut thinner ribbon to accent the wide ribbon. Use fabric glue to attach the accent ribbon to the wide ribbon. Then, fold one end in about 1/2 inch and use the fabric glue to attach it to the wrong side of the belt. Repeat on the other end, but attach the center post of the buckle in the fold before securing.
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