Choices

 Over and above the fact that i aim to manufacture my jewellery in a sustainable way, i also want to portray and promote environmental sustainability, and simple ways in which it can be achieved. Sometimes i cant help but feel my efforts (in my jewellery practice) are so insignificant and that the negative effects of the jewellery industry are minuscule compared to some of the massive industries that are really destroying (e.g. deforestation due to animal farming and paper manufacture and the plastic manufacturing corporations). By chatting to people i am reminded that every small step counts(as cliche as that may sound), its how anything starts.

What if these guys where separating their rubbish for recycling? 

How angry does this make you? Frightening! 

With the huge hype around recycling, everyone knows we should all be doing it but how many people really are? In our home we make some simple conscious choices that help. Separating rubbish is the perfect start, a little more effort in the beginning until it becomes second nature. Glass, paper and plastics, tin, then organic waste to the worm farm - the rubbish we put out on the street to be collected by the municipality and transported to landfill sites is a very minimal, if everyone was doing this simple task? How can i make narrative jewellery to depict this. Pieces that the wearer or viewer can engage with in a mindful manner.

Chapter 2 - Waste Not, Want Not.

Sprungli Collar, Verena Sieber-fuchs, 2000. Sprungli chocolate wrappers, Inox crocheted.

1. 2. *Waste Not, Want Not - looks into how jewellery can be made from materials that would usually be thrown away. Generally re- shaping or re-inventing things from materials that would usually be discarded without second thought.  The concept stems from a time during The Second World War when times were tough and innovative ways to re-use old materials became essential.eg. coats made from old blankets. The generation to follow grew up understanding 'waste not, want not'. Then came a time of affluence, and this concept was thrown out the window. Manufactured goods were favored over home-made /hand-made as they were seen as part of a more impoverished lifestyle. This has contributed  to where we currently find ourselves, the supermarket and fast-food culture, the age of plastic.Mountains of rubbish. 

1. People are becoming increasingly aware of the 'unsustainability' of this. Although sustainable  jewellery is in no going to save the world, it can only help by spreading awareness. 

1. I find, most jewellery made with this concept in mind, to be either generally quiet ugly or impractical/unwearable. This crocheted chocolate wrapper neck piece is a great example as it is both beautiful and wearable, which is an important requirement for me to fulfill through my jewellery if i am to work with this concept. I have some ideas and would like to make 1 or 2 pieces.

A post a chapter - 1 Old for New

I have read through most of Julia Manheims' book Sustainable Jewellery.  This research will fall into my first factor- The Trade- manufacturing process and materials used(other than metals, which will fall into 2. raw materials). Manheim talks about the different aspects of what makes jewellery sustainable.

 I have summarized her basic sub catagories which are explained in detail in each chapter, although some of  which have little relevance to my intention. Its still seems important that i look into what other people see as sustainable jewellery. I will look deeper into the relevant ones, and find other examples outside of the book to back it up further.

1. Old for New - Recycling existing jewellery, altering it, wearing it differently, melting it down and re working it,cutting it up, adding to it or covering it up. This chapter considers ways in which the jewellery can be reinvented even by simply changing the sentiment or idea behind it.

Siblings,necklace, Lin Cheung,2003. Silver,gold.