A DRIVE has been launched to rescue those tangled chains and unmatched earrings around Scotland in the hopes of giving them a glittering new future.
The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust (SGT) and Ethical Metalsmiths have teamed up with art colleges to bring the Radical Jewellery Makeover (RJM) to the UK for the first time.
It’s a fun and fast-paced initiative that helps reduce the environmental impact associated with the sourcing of the materials often used in commercial jewellery.
Between now until January 7 the RJM Scotland team is asking people to “mine” their jewellery boxes for unwanted items and either pop them in the post or leave them at a drop-off point.
Pieces will be transformed by jewellery and silversmithing students and tutors into fresh and beautiful designer items.
The pieces created will go on show for sale in Glasgow at the end of March 2022, with proceeds funding further efforts to connect people with ethically-sourced materials.
As a “thank you”, donors will receive a discount coupon to put towards something new.
Karen Westland, SGT’s Ethical Making Programme manager, said: “RJM is a great way to recover all the unworn, unloved, unfashionable and broken jewellery that is lurking at the bottom of boxes, bags and drawers and give it a fresh chance to glitter. At the same time we want to highlight the creativity of Scotland’s makers and designers, while raising awareness and inspiring action around climate change, fast fashion and sustainability.
“Much of a product’s social and environmental impact is down to the materials that are used.
“Choosing materials that are ethically and sustainably sourced is critical to reducing our impact on the environment.
“Combining responsible material sourcing with innovative design transforms how and why we make and creates a sustainable, stronger legacy of making for the future – a future of making that can help fight climate change and inequality.”
The idea of bringing RJM to Scotland came from SGT’s student ambassadors, who were keen to build on the outcomes of COP26.
They were inspired to participate in a circular economy initiative that would turn waste and unwanted materials into useful and desirable new pieces.
The students and staff taking part come from The Glasgow School of Art, City of Glasgow College, Edinburgh College of Art, Fife College, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and Glasgow Kelvin College.
Among them is Honor Dodd from Edinburgh College of Art. She said: “As someone who cares passionately about climate change and the human impact on our earth, I’m glad programmes like this are getting students involved in a hands-on manner in ways to reduce our impact on the earth and do what we can for future generations.”
Visit www.scottishgoldsmithstrust.org/radical-jewellery-makeover for all the details on how to donate.
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