The concept of "Upcycling"

One of my favorite things to do in my jewelry design is to use things that need new life. Many people use the word "recycling" or "upcycling" to describe this method of taking something that is used and repurposing it into something new. I love this concept. It is good for the environment and allows for creative expression through everyday items. Here are some examples of things I have used in pieces I consider "upcycled".

1.) Old bottle caps and pop tabs.
I really enjoy taking old bottle caps and turning them into interesting jewelry pieces as well as magnets and coasters.  I myself use resin and confetti or other "found objects" to do this.  I have seen other artists simply use paper print out and glue.  The sky is really the limit. 
I have also seen other artists, such as Cindy's Creative Crochet, using pop tabs to create new and fun
accessories.

2.) Vintage costume jewelry bits and pieces.
This is hands down my very favorite kind of thing to upcycle.  I love to buy and use old vintage costume jewelry pieces in my newer designs.  For example, this sim
ple bracelet  was made by taking this old vintage milk glass neck
lace,

and adding in czech glass beads and findings in my normal stock.  Lovely, simple and upcycled.  I've done LOTS of pieces like this and
they are some of my best sellers.

3.) Sea shells, watch parts and other "found objects" available.  Anything you can find in your everyday surroundings is considered a "found object".  I've seen LOTS of creative ideas with this concept.  I myself have used pressed flowers, watch parts, microwave parts, computer mother boards, confetti, catalogue and magainze cut outs, cigar bands and so much more to create unique and unusual jewelry pieces, magnets and coasters.  There is really no limit to what a person can do with found objects.  A friend of mine in an art class once used a large clam shell she had.  She actually punch some holes in it and placed rivets in the holes!  It was an amazing piece and a stunning idea. 

So, whatever you choose to recycle or "upcycle", be it old clothing, vintage pictures, pop cans, bottles... have fun with it!  Everything has the potential for creative rebirth in the right hands!

Fun with party favors

So, in addition to wire wrapping and beading, I also use resin work in my jewelry designs.  I started using resin as a means to make some "steampunk" pendants for a custom set I was commissioned to do about 3 1/2 years back.  Once I saw how simple it was to use Easy Cast resin (this is a trademarked brand by the way), I decided to explore the options of this medium.  I bought some different sized and shaped molds to use.  I began searching and experimenting with the different kinds of things one could put inside of resin.  I have used everything from confetti (which is super fun) to dried flowers, watch parts to magazine and newspaper cut outs.  I even scanned some of my original artwork and photographs into the computer and printed them up for encasing in resin!


Now some of you may be asking "Cindy, what does this have to do with party favors?  Glad you asked! 
Recently I threw my boyfriend a birthday party.  He decided he wanted to do some kind of party favors for the guests as well as a prize for a game we would all be playing.  But, neither of us had much money to go and purchase anything... and we didn't know what to buy anyways.  Then the light bulb in his head went off.  He remembered that I make things with resin.  He asked if I could take some of the pictures we had of him and turn them into magnets and coasters.  Brilliant idea! 
I tell you all, it was the most fun with resin I have ever had.  I wish I had thought to take pictures of them before we gave them to our guests.  The recipients of the magnets and coasters thought they were brilliant as well.  I just love the idea!  And what fabulous gift idea for the holidays.  They are absolutely customizable.  I'll show you some samples of coasters I've made from various materials.

Alarm clock parts, confetti, cut outs from an old model catalogue, cigar bands and even pieces of old play bills made excellent coaster fodder.

So, get our there and explore the wide world of resin!  Make magnets, jewelry components, coasters... the sky if the limit!



Featured Studio piece 3-25-10

I would like to feature not a single piece today, but a whole lot of them. I am of course talking about one of the fabulous grab bags I offer in my studio!

Today's grab bag feature is my "Steampunk" grab bag. I make these lovely pendants/charms out o Easy Cast resin and encase many different types of things. In this grab bag I use gears, cogs, and any other watch parts I can get my hands on. On occassion some scrap wire or other machinery makes it in as well. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and no two are alike. This grab bag gives you 4 pieces for $25.

Featured Studio piece 3-24-10

Today I would like to feature one of my resin based pieces. This lovely bracelet is a steampunk inspired piece using multiple cast resin pieces. I use Easy Cast resin and various molds and am willing to encase pretty much anything that will stand still. In this case, I used gears, cogs and other miscellaneous watch parts. I then drilled holes into the them and used my wire skills to link them together. This fun bracelet is a chunky, steamy bauble that any gear head is sure to enjoy! $25