Handmade Military Pip Brooch Creatures It hangs from a necklace

It hangs from a necklace of vintage and reused beads with gorgeous heart charms that we found on our travels

with articulated arms and legs

It must have been a wonderful clock or pocket watch when it was in its heyday

This striking pendant is strung on a necklace of chunky terracotta and patterned lava beads

cut-steel buckle

Handmade Military Pip Brooch Creatures It hangs from a necklaceWe find old military pips fascinating with their rich colours, intricate goldwork, mottos and designs. It seems a great shame that they so often languish by the boxful gathering dust. Unusable? Not to us. We love to reinvent them and we have combined this example with a smaller pip which we have added into a gold effect oval dropper. The brooch is backed with brilliant blue shiny leather and we have edged both pips with colourful green and red beads.