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Enamel on copper…something different

recycled glass bracelet

Today it was time to play with some new enamel colours that I had ordered. I was keen to try the purple tones, as it’s kind of difficult to get recycled glass in purple. I thought it would make a nice contrast to almost any of the recycled glass beads that I have here at the moment.

In the end I went with Bombay Sapphire Gin beads. They really pop against the purple. And I love the shape of this bracelet, really interesting. I started off with just a single strand, but after I tried it on I just felt like it needed a bit more, so I added another strand to the bracelet, and I’m glad that I did!

recycled glass bracelet

recycled glass bracelet

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When a vase is no longer a vase….

remake, remade, reuse

…the other day my friend Jenny gave me a vase that was no longer able to function as a vase. She thought I might like the glass to make beads with. She thought right!

I actually couldn’t wait to break this vase and start melting beads. I was curious to see how the colour would hold up under the flame. Most of the time glass stays true to its original colour, but sometimes weird things can happen!

I made a bunch of small round beads, just to see how they would turn out. And I was so happy when I opened the kiln and found lots of lovely little yellow beads in there! Such a pretty colour.

Do you have a vase or another glass object at home that is no longer functional? Maybe it has a crack or a chip, or is completely broken? Sometimes these items have sentimental value, and they are hard to throw in the bin. If you would like to have these items remade into a wearable piece of art…please feel free to get in touch. I love making special things for people.

remake, remade, reuse

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Green recycled glass bracelet

Green recycled glass bracelet

I love how the light sparkles through this bracelet! I have made the beads from a mixture of wine and beer bottles. I have decorated the beads with smashed up glass, giving it a real mix of colours. The clear beads in between definitely add to the sparkle.

I like that this bracelet is perfect for everyday wear, and could also be worn for special occasions. I’m looking forward to making more bracelets like this. And in case you are wondering, they are surprisingly comfortable to wear!

Green recycled glass bracelet

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Sparkly champagne bottle bracelet

recycled glass bracelet

The subtle contrast in the beads, alternating from etched to shiny makes this bracelet really interesting…that, and it was also made from a champagne bottle!

Just letting you know that I’m happy to take custom orders for pieces. Last year I had a customer, who had celebrated a special birthday with a magnum of Moet champagne, request several pieces of jewellery to share with her daughters as a memento from the special day! I recently got an email from one of those daughters who said “the most amazing keepsake”.

Don’t throw the bottles in the bin! If you would like to discuss a custom order, please feel free to email me Jules.frahm@gmail.com

recycled glass bracelet

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A year of recycled glass jewellery

recycled glass bracelet

So, I’ve been asked a few questions about this year of recycled glass jewellery, and I thought I would answer the questions below.  I’m now 10% of the way through the project, and I have to say – so far so good!

Q. What is the year of recycled glass jewellery?

A. The year of recycled glass jewellery is really about giving me a focus for the year. I love making recycled glass jewellery, but I find that I only work in two extreme kinds of ways – either full on production or full on exhibitions. This year I wanted to MAKE time to explore the recycled glass idea further. Take production and exhibitions out of the mix, and just be creative every day with recycled glass!

Q. So, you are making something every day?

A. The creative process for making beads and jewellery is a bit longer than that. The process for making beads is a day, so I can’t actually make the jewellery until the following day. So there might be days when I make the beads for a couple of pieces, and the next day I’ll make two pieces of jewellery. And in between all of that I am planning, drawing, thinking, contemplating and experimenting!

Q. What are you hoping to achieve by doing this?

A. I am hoping to commit to making new work, to trying new ideas for beads, trying new types of glass, trying new types of jewellery. I get fairly creative when it comes to exhibitions, but sometimes I leave new ideas to the last minute and never really try them because I’ve run out of time! I wanted to take the stress of preparing for exhibitions away, and just be more creative this year.

Q. Is it working?

A. Well, I’m over 10% of the way through, and I have to say I am having lots of ideas about new work, and also making lots of new work! I’m really enjoying it all: the making, the photographing and the sharing of the work on social media.

Q. Do you think you’ll last the whole year?

A. Last year I drew a picture of a pair of earrings every day for an entire year, and that was so difficult. I feel like this year’s challenge is a bit easier than that to be honest, so fingers crossed, I am going to last the whole year.

Anyway, that’s just a bit about the project that I am working on. If you have any questions, please let me know!

Here is today’s photograph of a bracelet that I made from a Stone’s Green Ginger Wine bottle. I love the shape of these beads, and the colour rates very highly for me too! Simply elegant.

recycled glass bracelet