Saturday, February 28, 2009

Holly Anne Mitchell Jewelry - Recycled Newspapers and Comic Strips

We want to be as eco-friendly as possible. If that means wearing jewelry made with pre-used items, we are all for it, as long as the design is interesting and the functionality of the item isn't compromised.

In a throw-away society, things like the daily newspapers, comic strips, stock reports, and losing lottery tickets all find their way rather easily into the trash can. But when Holly Anne Mitchell gets hold of these pieces of paper detritus, they become something not only worth keeping but actually worth wearing. To our way of thinking, that is eco-friendliness at its best.

While Holly Anne originally began her endeavor using newspaper comic strips because of the rich color patterns, her designs have evolved over the years to include sweetener packets, expired grocery coupons and losing lottery tickets. Makes us want to gather up our paper recyclables and ship it to her instead of taking it to the local recycling station so she may use it all to make more art-to-wear delights.

This pair of earrings is called Recycled Newspaper Political Cartoon





Holly Anne's technique calls for her to painstakingly handcraft each paper bead. She cuts the paper into strips, hand-forms each strip into uniform-sized beads, then stitches them together. She embellishes them with metallic beads or sparkly crystals to create multi-layered necklaces, bracelets, cuff links, brooches, and earrings. The textural, innovative results are wonderfully stylish and a really fun conversation starter.

These amusing pieces are called Comic Strip Earrings







This bracelet made with California losing lottery tickets is called Shattered Dreams. It's lush, has a strangely satisfying heft to it, and is embellished with brass beads. Brass seems to be an appropriate metal to use to signify a lost lottery fortune. Gold would be a powerful choice of embellishment if one actually were to win the lottery . . . . and wearing recycled paper jewelry to lessen one's eco-footprint would be appropriate in either case.







This pendant is called What's Black and White and Red All Over ? Amusing touches such as this are found throughout Holly Anne's website.





A bit of political philosophy emerges in a piece called The Martin Luther King Commemorative Necklace. This piece is made with Holly Anne's signature recycled newspaper beads in several different colors. As she puts it:

"The color of each bead (white, black, red, yellow, etc.) is representative of a race. The beads are juxtaposed in a pattern representative of Reverend King's dream."



We appreciate her nod to a cross-cultural design and expression of a noble sentiment.


Eco-friendly materials, intriguing designs, and dedication to uncompromising technique. We find these pieces inspiring.

What do you find inspiring about this work?

Leave us some comments, we'd love to hear from you.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Amy Pfaffman Jewelry - Recycled Jewelry Made with Found Objects

We have a strong attraction to jewelry made by those artists who create their work using found objects. Using recycled, reclaimed and natural materials in her jewelry designs, Amy Pfaffman seeks to create items of personal adornment that brings together her love for the beauty of functional objects, her passion for sustainability and her sense of design.

These earrings are called Colored Pencils with Onyx



Her use of actual pencils cut into uniform pieces gives us a strange sense of satisfaction. We like knowing that all those stubby, leftover pieces have found a new home and can still enjoy the light of day when worn by someone who cherishes their not-so-humble existence.


Here is a piece called Pocketwatch Necklace



Amy expresses her point of view rather well on her website when she says,

"I walk through the world looking for possibilities in everything I see. I can find inspiration in the most unlikely places. I love cutting materials into smaller pieces, somewhat disguising their origins and becoming gems of sorts. . . . . When these unlikely materials are worn as jewelry, they're reconsidered and seen in a new way."



Here's a photo of a necklace made with pebbles and stones called 3 Charms



Her range of materials includes items such as old Bingo numbers, vintage watch faces, vinyl records, brass locker tags, knitting needles, broken pottery, guitar picks, colored pencils and alot more. She also makes molds of things like coffee beans and alphabet pasta then has them cast in sterling silver.


This necklace made with recycled plastic is called Ducks in a Row



We especially like the fact that Amy is inspired by everything, everywhere. As she says, "I walk through the world looking for possibilities in everything I see." To us, this is the true definition of inspiration. Truly, inspiration is all around us, yet so many can't seem to see much of it. We also strive to see the possibilities in everything around us. . . whether for writing, or creating jewelry, or even decorating a home.

Do you believe that inspiration is everywhere?

Are you inspired by everyday objects, mundane locations, idle chatter?

Where do you find your inspiration?

Share your thoughts with us, we look forward to hearing from you.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Lulu Smith Jewelry- Vibrant Color and Elegance in Resin and Silver

We enjoy jewelry that is both fun and elegant at the same time. Fun and elegant is how we describe the hand-pigmented resin and sterling silver jewelry made by LuLu Smith.


This humorous piece is called Ripple Bracelet


Bold color combinations matched with simple designs makes for jewelry that could easily be worn during the day at work and for a special occasion.




This rather orderly pendant is called Big Space






Our love for colorful things is sparked by Lulu's use of vibrant color and bold shapes.




These delightlful earrings are called Coneflower






We also enjoy reading her blog......especially when she describes her workflow as taking a significant amount of time from idea to product......her words describe it best:


"several months…from pencil…to paper…to computer…to model…to caster…to mold…to silver….and then back to me for assembly… soldering… cleaning… pouring… grinding.. edging… clear coating."


Yes, we can certainly see the amount of work that goes into each piece.


This entertaining piece is called Junction Bracelet


Starting with simple shapes, many organic in style, the colors create the energy within each piece. Simple pieces become more layered and create more vibrant energy.



This wonderful piece is called Cubist Pendant


Colorful, fun, energetic . . . it's all hand-pigmented and hand-poured. The sterling silver outlines provide structure -- the resin provides intense color. A great combination.

What are your thoughts about energetic color?


Are you inspired by active, vibrant, energetic designs?


What are your thoughts?