Collaborative Work
Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) is a multi-facetted project that uses jewelry as a vehicle to explore the complex relationships we have with our jewelry and the way materials are sourced. Individuals from each host community are invited to “mine” unwanted jewelry from their collections and donate it to the project. Jewelers and students from universities and institutions in the area transform these old, broken, discarded items into new contemporary pieces while learning technical strategies for working with the material as well as about environmental and social issues of our field. An exhibition of finished jewelry takes place at a gallery in the hosting city where the public can purchase pieces and jewelry donors can cash in their donation points for a “new” piece. Proceeds benefit the non-profit organization Ethical Metalsmiths, which dedicates the funds to the continuation of RJM.
For more information go to www.radicaljewelrymakeover.org/