Ecouterre » Jewelry

NYC Architect Makes Jewelry From Discarded Rubber Bands, Paper Clips

Bridgette Meinhold — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:18 +0000

Who needs to keep their cubicle stocked with analog paraphernalia now that we’ve all moved to paperless offices? Well, if you’re Margarita Mileva, obsolete office supplies make the perfect components for vibrant jewelry, such as twisty necklaces made from multicolored rubber bands, chokers pieced together from wire binding, and pendants fashioned from circular paper clips.

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Gun Reclamation Project Upcycles Gun Parts Into Pacifist Eco-Jewelry

Jasmin Malik Chua — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:00:45 +0000

The Gun Reclamation Project takes its philosophy of beating swords into plowshares seriously. The collection of baubles by B-Side Jewelry pillages firearms for parts (triggers, firing pins, recoil lugs) and recasts them as symbols of nonviolence. Launching tonight at a fundraising event for the New York City Gun Buy-Back Program, the collection of rehabilitated accessories will do more than reduce the number of guns on the streets: a portion of proceeds will go towards efforts to make Gotham a safer place to live in.

+ Gun Reclamation Proejct

+ B-Side Jewelry

[Via Daily Candy]

Modern Diamonds: Reclaimed Wood Gems by Something’s Hiding in Here

Rebecca Paul — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:00:14 +0000

Philadelphia-based design duo Something’s Hiding in Here uses reclaimed wood and other eco-friendly materials to make funky accessories that are fun to wear and reasonably priced. These chunky hand-shaped wood gems are just the right combination of edgy and homegrown, not to mention we love wearing anything that features the subtle and organic patterns wood grain naturally provides.

+ Wood Gems $60-$65

+ Something’s Hiding in Here

Inspired by Nature, Dandi Maestre’s Jewelry Embraces Its Wild Beauty

Jasmin Malik Chua — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:00:09 +0000

If there’s one thing that designer Dandi Maestre knows, it’s that you can’t tame nature, so why bother? The former graphic designer plunders Gaia’s backyard for treasures-in-the-rough and crafts them into oversized sartorial statements: shed antlers become an avant-garde necklace, reclaimed driftwood transforms into a chunky cuff, and dyed exotic nuts are carved into psychedelic rings.

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Upcycled Flatware Jewelry by McFlashpants Really Shines

Yuka Yoneda — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:00:03 +0000

One of the secrets to making upcycled accessories really shine is to infuse them with special little quirks that make people smile. Designer Jen McGlashan does just that with McFlashpants, a line of jewelry made from vintage cutlery. From the fork-a-riffic Not So Stabby choker to necklaces topped with wee sprouts, you won’t find anything like McFlashpants at your local big-box shop. Just keep an eye on your place settings if you ever invite McGlashan over for dinner…

+ McFlashpants

13 Eco-Jewelry Gifts for Your Valentine’s Day Sweetheart

Yuka Yoneda — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:00:02 +0000

GIVEAWAY: Tara St. James Zipper Necklace and Cuff Set (Worth $70!)

Yuka Yoneda — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:00:46 +0000

It was love at first sight for us when we laid our eyes on designer and friend Tara St. James’ “fasten-ating” accessories upcycled from broken zippers, and we’re thrilled to be able to give away two of our favorite pieces to one lucky Ecouterre reader! St. James has put together a special set that includes her elegant single zipper necklace and rocker-chic zipper cuff, both made from excess zippers that have been saved from the dumpster. If you can imagine these two gorgeous pieces glinting on your arm and around your neck, enter our contest today for a chance to make your eco-fashion daydream into a reality!

TO ENTER THIS FABULOUS GIVEAWAY

1. SIGN UP FOR THE ECOUTERRE NEWSLETTER (This is important because we’ll be announcing our winner there.)

2. LEAVE A COMMENT below telling us how you’ve taken something that might be considered trash (maybe an old T-shirt, an earring that’s lost its partner, or a scarf that you found at a thrift shop) and turned it into a treasured part of your wardrobe>. We’ll pick the response we like the best, so be as detailed and creative as possible!

We’ll pick our favorite comment and announce the winner in our newsletter on Wednesday, February 3. The deadline to enter is 12 midnight E.T. on Tuesday, February 2, so ENTER NOW for a chance to add this stunning set to your green accessory collection!

+ Tara St. James

Artist Dismembers Barbie, Turns Body Parts Into Disturbing Jewelry

Yuka Yoneda — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:00:51 +0000

Blow-up dolls aren’t the only faux folk getting hacked to bits, both literally and metaphorically. Artist Margaux Lange mines pre-owned Barbie dolls for body parts that she turns into sardonic—and more than a little creepy—statement jewelry. From brooches made from multiple, multiethnic Barbie limbs (a celebration of diversity?) to heart-shaped necklaces showcasing some of Barbie’s naughtier portions, upcycled jewelry doesn’t get any more fun than this.

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Upcycled Laptop-Key Bling Computer Geeks Will Take a Shine To

Bridgette Meinhold — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:00:16 +0000

You wear your heart on your sleeve, and you just happen to love your Mac, so why not express yourself with these blingtastic rings and necklaces made from upcycled laptop computer keys? Crafted by metalsmith Lauren Anabela Beaudoin, founder of Creative Dexterity, this line of upcycled jewelry is sure to win the heart of any self-professed Mac addict.

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Knit Wit: Liana Kabel Recycles Vintage Knitting Needles into Eye-Popping Jewelry

Jasmin Malik Chua — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:00:40 +0000

Australian designer Liana Kabel’s career trajectory should have come as a surprise to no one. The product of a jeweler father and a Tupperware Lady mother, Kabel quickly found herself drawn to wearable plastic with a retro edge, including baubles fashioned from vintage knitting needles. A faux tortoiseshell needle becomes a one-of-a-kind ring, while a quiver of broken points is strung on hand-colored stainless steel to create a tribal-inspired necklace. An orphan 9mm? Kabel artfully curls it, size marker and all, to form a quirky bangle.

+ Liana Kabel