Thread: Where do you find large brooches/pin or other centerpieces for costumes?

Do you know sources for large, sparkly brooches or other dangly jewelry-like pieces that Eman Zaki uses, such as:

From ::: Eman Zaki - Fashoin and Costume Designer ::: (the double circles at the center of the bra):


From cairocouture.com:


Also cairocouture.com:


More at cairocouture.com:


p.s. Shaunte - if you don't want these photos from your site up here, let me know and I'll remove them asap. You do such a nice job showing details of the costumes!

I found some nice round ones at a second hand store. I even bargained down the price more as the pin was broken. Of course, I don't care since I'm going to put them on costumes ..g.:

If you see any really big brooches with the holiday jewelry at department stores this season, I would love to know about them. For one costume I'd want as many as five of the same style.

Last year, I found some really nice ones at Beall's outlet!

I have found them at consignment and thrift stores. I have also gotten giant gaudy necklace pendants because those are usually pretty cheap and you can buy multiples.

I agree with above and I've also found decent ones at Target/Walmart.

I have gotten all mine at estate sales, yard sales, or thrift/goodwill stores.

Estate sales - for me - have been a goldmine. Most estate sales will put all the inexpensive jewelry in a big bag and sell the whole bag. I have come out with some amazing pieces.

I love vintage pieces, definitely. My mom finds the best stuff at estate sales in ND!

But I want 4-5 that are the same for a costume. Do you have online sources? National department stores - Azhia mentioned Target & Walmart - if you've seen them this season at JCP, Sears, Kohls, etc., I would love to know.

Craft shops that include findings for jewellerymaking often have brooch bases and frames that are actually quite nice - and you can get them in bulk. They're not as ultra-glamorous as they could be but you could certainly work with them.

I have seen some amazing large buttons at fabric stores (or even vintage ones are fabulous). Also, some large crystal earrings can also work if you want it to hang.

At the nile group festival this november there was one seller of rhinestonejewellery at the hotel. The table was so sparkly it hurt my eyes to look at it. I got their businesscard but didn't buy anything. I see they are in Belarus but unless you are too suspicious you could always ask what they have and price, maybe?

"Oriental Bazaar"
No website on the card.
e mail is: jana_j65 ( at ) yahoo ( dot) com.

I realise you might not want to deal with a seller with this little information, but I'm putting it out here anyway.
I have phone nr and address too.

I'm guessing that's the kind of source I'm looking for. So many of the pieces on the Eman Zaki costumes are much, much bigger than what I see in retail stores here. Even eBay hasn't produced much when I've searched. I may send a message, using the info from your card. I'll let you know.

I'll work on finding sites, like this, Rhinestones Unlimited, that sell pieces that are at least 2 inches diameter.

Originally Posted by gisela

At the nile group festival this november there was one seller of rhinestonejewellery at the hotel. The table was so sparkly it hurt my eyes to look at it. I got their businesscard but didn't buy anything. I see they are in Belarus but unless you are too suspicious you could always ask what they have and price, maybe?

"Oriental Bazaar"
No website on the card.
e mail is: jana_j65 ( at ) yahoo ( dot) com.

I realise you might not want to deal with a seller with this little information, but I'm putting it out here anyway.
I have phone nr and address too.

I recently got some beautiful brooches at Express and Forever 21, both reasonably priced. You can also try second-hand stores or vintage jewelry shops.

Our local Kroger grocery has one twirly rack sitting on the perfume display case with some of the prettiest earrings and necklaces I've seen! They're cheap enough that you could take them apart and use on costumes. I guess what I'm trying to say is that sometimes you'll find bits and pieces in unlikely places. You just have to keep an eye out.

Rhinestone Jewelry & Accessories: Rhinestone Jewelry Corporation - Rhinestone Tiaras, Necklaces, Bracelets, Barrettes and Everything in Rhinestones Wholesale has a bit of everything. You have to buy in bulk so if you would need more than one, this is probably the place.

They had a bunch at Khol's last Friday. They were $6 each. I almost bought a few. Try online. They have great deals!

Flea markets are a great source. They are not as inexpensive as they once were, but there are still many vendors who specialize in vintage jewelry, and you can find some good prices.

mjtrim has some rhinestone buckles, buttons, and appliques that could maybe be adapted or combined in cool ways

Crystal Buttons & Rhinestone Buttons

Hundreds of Belt Buckles. Western Belt Buckles & More at M&J

Appliques: Embroidered & Sequin Appliques for Less

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I'll check Kohl's tomorrow and maybe some other dept. stores. The suggested sites have some good options, too. I'm going to send my tax # for wholesale orders to a couple of them. I'm getting ready to make a black with silver costume and want to use the same motif in the center of the bra, maybe where the straps meet the bra, and a few places on the belt.

They have some great stuff, don't they? This would be perfect, if it were larger (it's only 28 mm):

Originally Posted by Lauren_

mjtrim has some rhinestone buckles, buttons, and appliques that could maybe be adapted or combined in cool ways

Crystal Buttons & Rhinestone Buttons

Hundreds of Belt Buckles. Western Belt Buckles & More at M&J

Appliques: Embroidered & Sequin Appliques for Less

DUDE!! I have the answer.

Go to e-bay. Search on 'drag queen'

From the categories on the left, choose 'fashion jewelry'

I am NOT kidding. It's a smorgasbord of giant sparkly rhinestone-studded formations.
I'm sure some of these pieces are available in multiples.

Aren't these something else? (they look dangerous!) Deluxe Crystal AB Rhinestone Earrings Drag Queen Glam - eBay (item 400016751925 end time Dec-15-08 23:08:16 PST)

One of my dance friends has used a "drag queen" set of earrings that she bought on eBay to fancy up a bra, so you're definitely right that it's a great resource.

Look at THESE!! Wow, this is FUN!
DRAG QUEEN HOT SEXY MINI STAGE SHOW DRESS GOWN - eBay (item 110325985660 end time Dec-16-08 05:48:21 PST)

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Aren't these something else? (they look dangerous!) Deluxe Crystal AB Rhinestone Earrings Drag Queen Glam - eBay (item 400016751925 end time Dec-15-08 23:08:16 PST)

One of my dance friends has used a "drag queen" set of earrings that she bought on eBay to fancy up a bra, so you're definitely right that it's a great resource.

wow, they look like medieval weapons!

Some of the rings are bigger than my head!

Hello!

Check out this ebay seller, Mega Made Inc:
eBay Store - Belt Buckle: Earrings, Necklace, Chandelier

Seller has several beautiful crystal brooches at least 2" in width. Like this one:

Thanks! Some of those brooches may be exactly what I need.

Originally Posted by scn1188

Check out this ebay seller, Mega Made Inc:
eBay Store - Belt Buckle: Earrings, Necklace, Chandelier[/IMG]

you can also check small ethnic stores. small indian or pakistani owned jewelry/clothing stores are a great source for low cost sparklies.

I saw some multistrand necklaces (about $25) and matching bracelets (about $15) at Target the other day that had big, gorgeous, very Eman-Zaki-ish centerpieces. I thought of this thread right away, thinking they would be perfect for costuming... Except for the price, and if you wait for a sale, I guess you risk the chance of there being enough left. They do come with multiple strands of beads that would make great costume swags.

Ooooh. Must check the necklaces. There are FOUR Targets within 10 miles of where I live - and I admit to checking Targets beyond that distance for clearance-jewelry-great-for-a-costume. (The fringe for my Candy costume came from Target!)

Originally Posted by khalima

I saw some multistrand necklaces (about $25) and matching bracelets (about $15) at Target the other day that had big, gorgeous, very Eman-Zaki-ish centerpieces. I thought of this thread right away, thinking they would be perfect for costuming... Except for the price, and if you wait for a sale, I guess you risk the chance of there being enough left. They do come with multiple strands of beads that would make great costume swags.

Originally Posted by ravenadesigns

I have gotten all mine at estate sales, yard sales, or thrift/goodwill stores.

Oh yeah, estate sales are a good place to find all kinds of stuff, especially when it is a wealthy, well-traveled Jewish family - that's the jackpot for a bellydancer ;-)

Goodwill and thrift stores tend to be so-so around here - it depends a lot on where one lives and shops, I believe. Often, professional flea market dealers have fabulous rhinestone brooches, but not always at bargain prices.