Jewelry made from recycled material?

[OneGrassRoot]

I have a very specific shape I would like to make a jewelry line based upon, to use recycled goods. As low cost an item as possible, and to perhaps use an organization such as ARC to manufacture the items...an organization who teaches and employs special-needs persons.

For the life of me, I can't think of a readily available recycled material that would be easy to carve or stamp out this particular shape in order to make earrings, pendants, charms, etc.

Recycled aluminum may work if the edges could be softened; or maybe it could just be the outline of a shape, not a solid piece? I'd love to make something out of discarded CDs, but it sounds like that would be very labor intensive and thus not feasible on a large scale.

Let's say I simply wanted to make a line of heart-shaped jewelry made of recycled material, done on a large scale.

Any suggestions? I've researched companies currently selling jewelry from recycled materials but they are at such a high price point ($30 and above) that I can't begin to think in that direction.

Thanks in advance. :)

[lisa58]

1. I was in this shop in Austin in March and they had soooooo...

...many pieces made with recycled things (fruit skins like dried oranges) gum wrappers. I can't remember there were so many. I'll email my girlfriend who lives there and pick her brain and see what she remembers. I'll also ask her the name of the shop - maybe they have a website that may inspire you.

[OneGrassRoot]

2. Thanks so much, Lisa58. Much appreciated!

:hi:

[lisa58]

3. Okay - here it is...

...It's Called Tesoros Trading Company and they sell crafts from all over the world. some of the recycled material used were magazines, soda cans, seeds....

here is the link to the website:

http://www.tesoros.com/homepage.html

hope this helps.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. Thanks again, Lisa58. That's wonderful! :) n/t