Game Piece Jewelry #1

*Dominos - You can never go wrong with dominos, since they are easy to get and rather inexpensive. With dominos, you do not need to try to get vintage ones since the modern ones are generally of good quality. Dominos come in a variety of sizes depending on manufacturer, and there are even miniature travel size ones. All sizes are available on eBay or the internet, you just have to search around a bit. Gary M. Burlin & Co., a wholesaler, sells three of the smaller dominos in packages. Limited Edition sells mini dominos.

**The best source for game tiles is your closet of unused games, yard sales and flea markets -- this is how you get them on the cheap. Also, eBay. You can get great deals on vintage tiles if the games are missing pieces. I find vintage game tiles from the 60's & 70's are a nicer quality than the modern game tiles.

***Drilled Dominos - I usually drill my own dominos with an electric Dremel tool, and a lot of patience. The advantage to drilling your own is you can choose how many holes, where they are placed and the hole size. (Please note: drilling your own is a dirty, smelly job that can be dangerous). Pre-drilled dominos are very convenient and can be purchased on the Internet, they just take some searching for. (Try Articus Studio for pre-drilled dominos in three sizes.) I have even found pre-drilled dominos in kits in the bead department of a local chain store called A. C. Moore Arts & Crafts. They are made by a company called Nicole, and they offer three different packaged sets: A necklace set that has five pre-drilled dominos ( 1 large, 2 medium and 2 small). A Bracelet set that has seven pre-drilled dominos (all medium sized), and another bracelet set with nine pre-drilled small dominos. Each set is only $1.00, if you can believe that. The bracelet in the picture was made from the pre-drilled medium set from Nicole.

Domino pendants are the easiest way for a beginner to get started. You can get dominos inexpensively at the toy store and glue a bead to the top for a bail. It's a low investment to see if you like creating in this small art form. It is how I got started, and now I search for odd game tiles, and I invested in a Dremel to drill my own holes. For me the art form is addictive and oh, so enjoyable!

Images used on this domino bracelet: FT-073M-A, Mini Zivan, $2.25; FT-017M-A, $2.25 Mini Enchantress. (Bracelet created using medium size dominos, pendant is a regular size domino.)

Images used for this pendant: FT-311-J, Sultan, $4.50; FT-010-F, Kate, $3.50; FT-017-I, Enchantress, $4.25; FT-081-H, Althea, $4.00; FT-010-F, North Wind, $3.00. (Created with Rummikub game tiles.)