# Circuit Board Jewelry Ashley Heather Creates Minimalist Jewelry Using Old Computer Parts By Michael Hines | Published 2015-03-11 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ashley-heather References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2015/03/11/ashley-heather-reclaimed-circuit-board-metal-jewellery-design-indaba-2015/) & [ashleyheather.co.za](http://ashleyheather.co.za/) Ashley Heather is a South African jewelry designer who makes all of her pieces using [upcycled silver](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meta-hardware). The silver comes from circuit boards that have been thrown out. Heather works at a metal refinery plant where the precious metals from old computer parts are reclaimed. She uses the silver taken from circuit boards to create simple and [eco-friendly cuff links, bracelets, earrings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chroma-twist) and more. It's no secret that e-waste is a big problem. One way to cut down on this devastating waste is to upcycle old computer parts, which is just what Ashley Heather is doing. She joins a growing list of artists and crafters who are bringing new life to outdated tech, creating everything from [bangles to furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/through-chrome-reflections). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 61% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Upcycled Jewelry:** Creating jewelry using upcycled materials, like old computer parts, presents an opportunity for sustainable and unique designs. - **Eco-friendly Fashion:** Embracing sustainable fashion by repurposing e-waste into stylish accessories offers disruptive innovation in the fashion industry. - **Tech-inspired Crafts:** The trend of repurposing outdated tech into creative crafts opens doors for innovative and artistic products. ### Who This Affects Most - **Jewelry Manufacturing:** The jewelry industry can explore the use of upcycled materials as a way to create sustainable and environmentally-friendly products. - **Fashion:** Fashion brands can tap into eco-friendly fashion by incorporating repurposed e-waste materials into their collections, offering a unique selling point. - **Crafting and Art Supplies:** Craft and art supply companies can cater to the growing demand for repurposing outdated tech by providing materials and tools specifically designed for tech-inspired crafts. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled Metal Jewellery](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-metal-jewellery-reformation-x-clair-waight-keller-create-a-limited.md) - [Handcrafted Jewelry Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pretty-weird.md) - [Bread-Encrusted Gemstone Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rising-collection.md) - [Plant-Mined Metal Rings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/h2er.md) - [Paper-Made Dissolvable E-Waste](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pape.md) - [Paper-Made Circuit Boards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/singleuse-circuit-board.md) - [Recycled Gold Jewelry Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-gold-jewelry.md) - [Printed Circuit Sconces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/printed-circuit.md) - [Repurposed Vintage Apple Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/repurposed-vintage-apple-computers.md)