bracelets | Bread and Cake

I think that most of us want to feel good about what we wear. Generally, we want to feel as if the materials were responsibly harvested and that our lovely possession was made by people happy in their work who are well compensated. I was recently saved from buying something that, deep down, I would have felt bad about owning. It was an antique ring that happened to have a piece of (alleged) ivory in it. Well, when I went back to consider it, the store had gone out of business. It’s probably best.

But, I digress.

The use of recycled materials is one really good way to feel good about your jewelry. Kathleen Plate of Smart Glass Jewelry has certainly made a name for herself using beautiful recycled glass to make smart designs indeed.

Coke Gift Necklace

Glass Bangles

Recycled Double Strand Charm Bracelet

So, don’t make my mistake — get this stuff instead!

The first jewelry that I was able to make was made of string. I would spend endless hours trying to keep the string braided while I also managed to tie it around my wrist. It usually didn’t work. It would unravel as I fumbled to tie it with one hand. To this day, I have a weird allegiance to the world of fiber jewelry. Fortunately, it is a world filled with much better jewelry than I ever managed to make during Saturday morning cartoons.

There is some beautiful stuff out there these days. But, as with everything, there are a few who break the mold and make something unbelievable. Maria João Ribeiro has managed to do this and then some with her inventive, playful line. Her lovely work is available in her Etsy store, Kjoo.