3xR week 38: Reclaimed Brooch

As this project moves forward I continue to return to the Remnant pieces.

Remnant Collection

Bits of scrap left over from the making of the Eyelet Lace collection transformed into new works that hold an echo of the process that came before them. The shadows of the Eyelet pieces are always evident to me, but this week I wanted to make a more literal Remnant piece. The "Reclaimed Brooch" was made to hold the Eyelet Lace pendant that contributed to its composition.

Reclaimed Brooch

The Eyelet pendant can be removed and worn separately, leaving a negative space that acts as further reminder of its contributions.

Reclaimed Brooch Worn

Worn together with the chain of the pendant hanging in swags the brooch transforms into something more regal and complete.

Reclaimed Brooch Back

For a look at what the other participants of the 3xR (reduce, recycle, reuse) weekly challenge are creating head over to the 3xR 2014 Flickr group. 

Thanks for reading!

3xR week 37: Remnant Statement Necklace

It's no secret I'm fond of the Remnant pieces that have developed from this project. This week I decided to push them further by creating a big and bold statement piece. This necklace sits high and actually looks quite delicate despite the geometric forms and oxidized contrast.

I began by pulling scrap from the eyelet lace collection and piercings from setting cabochons as usual. I wanted to add some open geometric links as well, so I gathered all the little bits of scrap wire I could find.

Next, I divided up the scrap, created the geometric links, and played around with the layout until I was happy.

After that there was a lot of filing, sanding and soldering. Sadly, I didn't have enough scrap wire for all of the connecting jump rings, so I resorted to using recycled sterling wire.  Not bad, but not scrap.

A final polish, patina, and wax and the piece was complete.

I think it might be time for a Remnant brooch next week...

Thanks for reading!

3xR Week 36: Botanical Stacking Rings

This week my 3xR (reduce, recycle, reuse) piece(s) came together as I was organizing a cabinet and came across a box full of rings from the Ring A Day (RAD) challenge. So many of my rings were quickly thrown together and not really fit for sale. Since there is photographic evidence of each piece in multiple locations I decided it was time to let some of these pieces find new life.

Then I hit the scrap bin and pulled out a little of this and a little of that.

I melted the smaller pieces into balls and soldered them down to larger pieces.

After they were shaped, hammered, and stamped I added them to the reworked the RAD bands resulting in a really fun set of botanical stacking rings. Since I wasn't really sizing the bands as I made them I ended up with four different sets.

Fortunately, the sizes are close enough that they could potentially be worn together, and when they are it's like a garden on your finger!

You can check out what the other 3xR artists are making over at the 3xR 2014 Flicker group or get your hands on some of these eco-friendly stacking rings over at my Etsy Shop.

Thanks for reading!

3xR 35: Tangled

This week I returned to ocean debris. I cut a small length of the handfuls of fishing line I collected during a short walk on a Kauai beach, and gathered a thick sheet of old copper and few bits of copper tubing from my scrap bin.

Copper Sea Turtle Brooch

All sea turtles in US waters are on the endangered species list and entanglement in marine debris is one of the major threats to their populations. More than 50,000 yards of fishing line were collected during the 2013-2014 Ocean Conservancy clean up effort in the US.

Back of Seat Turtle Brooch

The fishing line on this piece can be pulled and tangled in different ways, but it will not come loose. A small reminder of the struggle these gorgeous animals face.

For more information on Sea Turtles and conservation efforts visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. For information on coastal cleanups visit the Ocean Conservancy.

Thanks for reading.