Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Found objects

I think there were not many people in the Euro countries not collecting the coins of the other countries when the Euro was introduced. Some coins are considered to be rare and even now I have to hold back to not collect all Luxembourg coins. Of course I also collect coins from other parts of the world, either because they are leftovers from a vacation or because they are pretty. And I found a way how to not just hide them away in a drawer, but to make jewelry out of them.
I was not aware that they are "found objects", though. I don't think we have that term in German and if we do, I don't know it.


Like all good internet users do nowadays, I went to Wikipedia for help once again.
"A found object, in an artistic sense, indicates the use of an object which has not been designed for an artistic purpose, but which exists for another purpose already. Found objects may exist either as utilitarian, manufactured items, or things (including, at times, dead bodies) which occur in nature. In both cases the objects are discovered by the artist or musician to be capable of being employed in an artistic way, and are designated as "found" to distinguish them from purposely created items used in the art forms."
Ah.

Now I was curious what other people designed with, so I went ahead to find some found objects in the team shops ;-)

Sea or beach glass is found on the beach and can come in lots of different colors with kelly green, brown and clear being the most common ones.
These earrings by RioRita show how beautiful sea glass can look in a clever design. I could really imagine some Roman lady wearing these!


Keys are often used in jewelry or sewing, for toggle clasps for example. It's nice that they can be used even after losing their keyholes.
This piece by BEB Designs however uses a keyhole. Is that a cool necklace or what?


Anything goes if you know how to use it. Typewriter keys, a piece of a ruler, Scrabble tiles, a domino - you don't believe me? Look here!
The mixed media charm assemblage necklace by Jenni Leigh Creations has it all. Told ya.


Maybe this post gave you some ideas, maybe you are already going through your own drawers (although you are also welcome to go through mine if you can get them in some order!). Let us know what things you have "found" and what you do with them!

By Cat from Cat's Wire

The SATeam blog features artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

5 comments:

mcstoneworks said...

What beautiful creations made out of "found objects".

Anonymous said...

Cat, I love your posts. Great theme and very cool jewelry. Thx.

Happileerving said...

Great post Cat. I am a collector of Found Objests and love seeing what other people do with them.

Anonymous said...

Good post - beautiful pieces crafted from really cool found objects.

Danagonia said...

I loved this article!