Evolution of Design in Rubber Jewelry - Kathleen Nowak Tucci

There has been a lot of buzz recently about

jewelry created by Kathleen Nowak Tucci.

A prodigious designer, this artist

turns recycled rubber bicycle and motorcycle

inner tubes into vibrant, exciting pieces

 of statement jewelry.

Experimentation and innovation

are hallmarks of this artist's

much-praised repertoire of

rubber jewelry.

She has worked in various mediums over

the years, including ceramics and

acrylic paintings but it's her

uber-stylish line of recycled and

repurposed rubber jewelry

that has capture the imagination

of eco-friendly jewelry lovers.

 

  

It's the dynamic characteristics of

repurposed rubber that allow it to be

 twisted and sewn and looped in

endless and repetitive variations.

 

One can see that repetition forms the basis

of her work as she explains on her website,

I have always made my work in components . . . it may be long triangular pieces, that I call shreds, that eventually are assembled to create to become a necklace. Strips of inner tubes wait to be connected together along with other shapes . . . I like to have many parts pre-cut out ready for whatever combination strikes my fancy. I have always liked C and S curves juxtaposed against geometric shapes such as squares, circles and triangles.. . Working with the raw material of recycled rubber allows me to make dramatic pieces with very little weight.

Continuously evolving work is a

hallmark of her work.

This chain mail-esque neckpiece

is comprised of a multitude of

humble O-rings and aluminum jump rings.

Recently, she has been experimenting yet again.

She is expanding her line to include

handcrafted bronze-metal-clay elements.

 Incorporated into her work they fit

seamlessly and are just as natural and fluid

 as all of her work.

These hand-formed bronze metal clay kiln-fired discs

show a great deal of detail and contribute

a lot of visual interest.

What began as a single collection with a
single material is expanding to become
 a complete statement.

 Even as her namesake line

has gained a loyal following,

this artist continues to push the

 boundaries for her work.

Not willing to rest on her laurels,

she  continues to evolve

by creating work that is  

avante garde and easy to wear.

And eco-friendly.

You can see many more great photos

at her website.