Milk carton pull tab braclet (worn) -Heather Skowood
Jewelry making experiments with recycled materials continues to bring exciting new discoveries to my studio. I really enjoy making jewelry that challenges me as well as the wearer to reconsider traditional perceptions of what we think jewelry is or should be.
Since my exploration of exclusively using recycled materials in jewelry began earlier in the year I have been hoarding all sorts of interesting things from my recycling bin before putting it out for its weekly collection. One mound of objects that has been growing are the interesting little plastic pull tabs from our cartons of milk. I really love the shape of them and their flexibility. I’ve been living with this bracelet for a few weeks now not sure weather it needs any embellishment or not. I’m so intrigued as it is I’m not sure that it needs anything else. Though, I am considering adhering small fluff balls to each to transform it into something a bit more outrageous. Then again since my stock pile of pull tabs grows I could just make another one. What do you think?
Another interesting aspect about recycling and using recycled materials in art is that as you are drawn to collecting specific objects you really begin to see how many of the damn things we disregard. Then you think well this is just what I personally use and recycle on a weekly basis. What about all the things that are used, NOT recycled and end up in the landfill? It’s important to reflect on these thoughts at this point in time, the population is growing rapidly, the global economy as we know it is falling apart and we will have to look for better ways of taking care of ourselves and our environment. How will you participate in the future?
Give a shout!
heatherskowood
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
don’t mind at all if you promote using recycled materials in jewelry using this example! Please leave me your blog address so I can check you out too! Thanx!
Would you mind if I spread the word by putting this on my blog? It would be great! All credit goes to you!
Cheers Deanna!
A pierced design would be pretty cool, although the diameter of the tabs is only 2cm (3/4″) and the plastic is pretty soft. The design probably won’t turn out very nice especially if it is intricate, but laser cutting would work!
Hey Heather,
Love love love this simple bracelet! I also love pierced designs in metal and see huge potential on those discs for something like that. Wax saws, with their spiralling teeth, work well on many plastics. I wish my milk came with these tabs!
Thanks for sharing,
Deanna
Thanx so much Julia!
The pull tabs actually just link inside one another forming a chain. Indeed the challenge in making is always discovering/inventing new ways of making connections with materials and linkage systems. I’m often drawn to mechanisms and how things work together. I took a fabulous mechanisms workshop years ago with Chris Darway and I’m always studying the way German jewellers put things together. Always inspiring!
As for the durability of materials nothing really last forever. Pearls wear and scratch with time and even can become stained with perfume residues and oils from ones skin, Emeralds and Tanzanites are pretty delicate stones and engraving can be lost in white gold over time as well. I wouldn’t worry about finding a coating for your guitar wires and continue to give them care instructions. My Fluff Collection must be taken care of so it doesn’t get wet and no one has made any complaints. Especially since it can be replaced over time pretty easily.
Thanx for the feedback and discussions to far everyone!
I love the bracelet! Can I ask how you attached the milk tabs to one another?
I find one of the big challenges in making jewelry from recycled materials is finding a classy adhesive for unfamiliar materials. Experimenting with solder, wrapping, glue (as you commented above) etc is part of the fun, as is confronting some items’ lack of durability. My guitar string jewelry is susceptible to rust and I can’t figure out what kind of coating to use… right now I just tell folks to keep it dry
Thanx Kae I hope more and more people will join the movement in thinking outside the box more creatively!
I love your use of found objects. You are so right, we need to analize everything we acquire as to multiple uses before discarding it – our landfills are way, WAY too full and getting fuller as I write.
Congratulations on your interest, ability and willingness to think outside the box.
Kae
Rhinestones is an interesting choice. I wonder how well they would adhere to the slightly domed/faceted surface…THANX!
I can picture it embellished with some flat back rhinestones (If you can find some in the appropriate size). Interesting use off milk carton pull tabs!
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