From Pin to Pendant
Peggy's clutch purse idea on episode 8 of metalchik reminded me of these pin converters that I had seen:
They're available from Fire Mountain Gems (look in findings under bails, pin converters). If you would rather wear your vintage pin as a pendant slip the tube of the converter over the pin stem, run a chain through the bail or bead a matching necklace, and you're done.
Or you can make your own pin converter by wrapping a little wire around a mandrel a little bigger than the pin stem. Make one larger loop in the center.
vintage jewelry, pin converter, fire mountain gems
I make my own with a little bit of tubing and bent wire soldered on. Easy to make, and then you can customize them to the proper length of your pin.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninadesigns/1332439938/
Those are awesome findings. I wish they were available in gold-filled, though -- I have wished that for years. :)
You might check on getting some plated. Or make your own with gold filled wire. Coil around the pin, make a bigger loop for the bail, and finish with more coils around the pin. If you know how to solder, you could make some the way Nina (above) does.