OriginalBliss, an Etsy artist and jewelry maker, proves that even with the current global financial meltdown, in one part of the world at least, a dollar can become more valuable as $15 earrings!
These earrings were made from an artfully cut up dollar note. The scraps of money were then protected with archival grade laminate before being layered as earring dangles.
Shannan, the Californian-based artisan behind OriginalBliss was inspired when she spotted "a stray dollar bill sitting on my kitchen counter where I was making earrings one night while watching the Presidential debates. It struck me that that dollar bill may be more valuable to me as earrings than as an actual dollar!"
Pictured here are her US dollar and Iraqi dollar earrings.
Shannan also loves recycling magazine pages for her artwork as well as her eclectic range of earrings, some of which are shown here.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Upcycled Money Jewelry
- Businesses can explore the potential of upcycling currency to create unique pieces of jewelry, reducing waste and providing an innovative profitable avenue for artisans.
- Sustainable Accessories
- There is an opportunity to create sustainable accessories by recycling waste materials, like money and magazines, which could appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
- Artistic Currency Crafting
- Artists and creatives can discover value in discarded materials, like currency, to create one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry that can reflect unique cultural elements and provide a new source of income.
Where This Applies
- Jewelry Making
- Jewelry making can explore the trendy upcycling of currency as a unique form of self-expression and innovative and sustainable revenue stream.
- Sustainable Fashion
- Sustainable fashion can consider using recycled materials like paper currency to craft accessories that are eco-friendly and provide a more ethical fashion option.
- Crafts and Handmade Goods
- Artisans who specialize in crafts and handmade goods can use upcycled materials to create unique and eco-friendly products that differentiate from competitors and appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers.
