Frame Pressing

 

Temperature Heat Pressing 

Figure 1- Mbeje A. 2020. Geometric Butterfly. Copper and HDPE (coca-cola)

In this experimentation, I was using the temperature heat of the kiln to compress down the melted plastic with the Geometric Butterfly as a force.

Figure 2 - Mbeje A. 2020. Geometric Butterfly. Copper and HDPE (coca-cola)

When I was using the frame copper, it changes colours from being polished to tarnish, especially as a result of exposure to moisture from temperature heat of the kiln. Some parts of the Geometric Butterfly weren't balanced on top of the plastic when I was experimenting this exercise, as seen in figure 2 the left-hand side has more bubbles and right-side has less plastic due to unbalance melted surface.

Figure 3 - Mbeje A. 2020. Geometric Rat. Copper and HDPE (coca-cola)

My second attempt was achieved by my hands. I had to compress down the surface to create balance on the melted plastic with a flat steel plate then placed the Geometric Rate frame on top of plastic as seen in figure 3.

Abstract Art Pendant

 

 Figure 1 - Mbeje A. 2020 Abstract Art Pendant. HDPE, Silver, Copper and Brass

My jewellery pendant was inspired by the painting of William LaChance called "Beach Buzz". I like creating jewellery that has smooth geometric shapes and different contrast of colours like the Abstract Art Pendant seen in figure 1. This pendant was made with sterling silver, brass, copper, and melted plastic coca-cola cap.

Artistic statement of Plastic Waste Jewellery

 

Figure 1 - Mbeje A. 2020 Abstract Art Pendant. HDPE, Silver, Copper and Brass

 As a jewellery artist, I like to make jewellery that has geometric shapes and contrast like James de Givenchy’s ceramics jewellery, but not using ceramics to incorporate my work. I'm recycling cola-cola plastic caps to capture the beauty of melting plastic waste into wearable jewellery as seen in figure 1.

Social Market Pop Ups

Sibusiso Mlangeni, founder of Nutcase ACTS

Nutcase is a series of artwork, which is complemented by engineers, designers, and craftsmen. I met Sibusiso last weekend in Johannesburg at the neighborhood market in Braamfontein when I was invited to attend the market pop up show. Sibusiso art-jewellery focus on non-precious disposed materials, such as nuts, zipper-lock teeth and electronic component, which are recycled into contemporary jewellery.

neckpiece

bangle

crown

sunglass

necklace

Mixed Materials

Figure 1 - Beppe. 2009. slowly brooch. brass, lime wood, color, 8 x 6 x 4 cm / 30 g  

Mixed Materials are two or more forms of elements that are physically combined together to create or form a material that can be made as a precious or non-precious material.

The French were the leading makers of manipulating non-precious pearl imitation during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Many of the art-jewellery in Virtual Gallery of Contemporary Jewellery are using precious and non-precious materials to motivate the creation of contemporary jewellery to be more like traditional values of mixed materials as seen in Kesslers’ jewellery brooches in figure 1.

I want to present my art-jewellery like Kessler, she is using feelings and thoughts for expressing her life by combining old and new contemporary materials to describe her art-jewellery work. If I could use this method for my art-jewellery, which will have mix material jewellery that has 80% of plastic, it will help the society to understand my feelings and thoughts about recycling plastic materials as a way of creating awareness.

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Value of jewellery

Figure 1 - Rings. Resin and Gold flakes

Today, high precious jewellery pieces are not made to be worn like everyday wear jewellery, according to the Virtual Gallery of Contemporary Jewellery states that "since the true nature of latter is more clearly revealed than has usually been the case before, it could be argued that the role of the precious as an enhancer of value is greater than ever", but the economic recession which has affected the impacts of luxury lifestyle and investment. Non-materials jewellery has become the new trend of value of jewellery in the 21st century as seen in figure 1.