Last week I went to a blogger event in Barcelona about gold "upcycling."
Katja Jesek runs Adoro mi Oro ("I love my gold" in Spanish), where, in addition to making some beautiful jewelry, she hosts fashion's version of tupperware parties... people bring bits of old gold that they don't want (broken chains, single earrings, gifts from your auntie that aren't your style), melts it down, and works with you to design a special piece you'll really love and wear. As you are providing the gold, all you pay is the labour, which makes it not only an opportunity to reuse and recycle, but also fairly recession-proof.
At the event, Katja told us more about gold upcycling, demonstrated the process of melting down the gold, and looked stunning in an immaculate vintage 1970s designer dress by Pedro Rodriguez. The rest of us milled around the gorgeous antique shop where the event was held, taking photos, eating melon and parmesan on sticks, and sipping cava.
Anyone interested can find Katja at her website or her Etsy shop. (the Etsy shop, due to its international nature, is not upcycling and therefore prices include the cost of gold)
molten gold
P.S. This is in no way a sponsored post. I'm a big fan of local designs, and having worked in jewelry shops before, find these pieces to be gorgeous and high quality.
P.P.S. I've now written a couple of articles for a Barcelona tourism guide, and I'd be delighted if any of you wanted to check them out. I'll probably be a bit of a nuisance about this, as my boss seems to think I'm some kind of stat booster in addition to writer and well, it makes me look good. Thanks ladies and gents : D
36 comments:
Wow, lucky you, you've found an amazingly cool flatmate! (photos of your flat?? :p) Such a great idea too. I'll be checking out your piece, and wishing I was living in Barcelona too.. xx
Your flatmate sounds amazing! I love the idea of upcycling gold and making new-old jewelry. It's always exciting to have the opportunity to live with creative people. :]
Gold upcycling parties...what a great idea! I've sent my old gold off to Overstock.com's gold recycling program, but how much better to see it actually made into something new! Your flatmate sounds like a lovely person and quite talented as well:)
Super cool! If only I lived in Barcelona, oh and had some extra gold lying around.
@Rachel: thanks so much for the comment on my other post! mwah!
@Michelle: I know, hehe. I don't tend to have a lot of spare gold myself, strangely enough. : D
haha of course I'll drop by, hope you boost the stats! :D
Katja must be an awesome flatmate! She looks so chic and nice, what a wonderful opportunity to see all the creation process, that gold and purple ring is amazing!
Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries
Cool-o-cool! I will check out her Etsy shortly and ofcourse your tourism articles!
Looks to me someone is having a great time! Enjoy!
Hi Emily,
Heather introduced me to your blog and now I'm hooked! I just returned from Barcelona last month and I have nothing but praises for the city. I wish I came across your blog earlier (especially after realizing that you write about tourism in Barcelona!).
Oh and lucky you for having such an amazing flatmate! I love being around people in the creative industry and witnessing the making of their lovely creations right before your eyes. :)
oh wow you really lucked out in the roommate department. Such a clever idea for a business.
awesome! that's so exciting. i'd definitely like to check them out :)
"I invited myself."
haha :D
This is a FAB idea, as I have a few gold pieces I would like to turn into something more appealing (i.e. gifts from aunts).
And hey...nice articles on Barcelona. I like how it says "Emily Your Guide." I reckon you make a great guide!
Sounds amazing! You're so lucky. :)
this concept is so much cooler than all those companies advertising "selling your gold for cash." it's smart to hang onto it that's for sure. by the looks of it you're having a lovely time in Barcelona.
woow seems like the perfect roomate, you really are a lucky girl these days ;)
xoxo
Catita
Oooh that is so exciting and such an amazing idea! Good choice of flatmate ;)
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
Such gorgeous jewelry and such a good idea of recycling old gold! Wishing her the best of luck for the future, sounds like you got really luck with your flatmate
xxx
I love that she's making good use of old jewelry that would just go to waste AND letting you make something you'll actually wear yourself, so awesome! Looks like an awesome time in that awesome antique store. Lucky you to have found such a cool flatmate!
Amazing,you lucked out with the flatmate!
what a lovely flat mate you emily, her work is amazing. how wonderful to upcycle something you may feel guilty getting rid of. love this concept
Sounds like you really lucked out finding a flatmate! I love the comparison to tupperware parties, haha! Also the name of her shop is adorable! :)
Two nice applications about an important concept: Recycling.
Gold by une hand and books for the other at Sant Antoni 2nd hand book market. Very nice jewels.
This is amazing! I want to be there :)
@Xavi: thanks! I'm all about recycling at the moment, through choice or necessity! : )
I'm so glad you commented on my blog...I'm excited to read more of yours! This custom gold jewelry idea is AWESOME...what a fun way to upcycle. I'd love to create something for myself that way!
<3 Cambria
jupefashion.blogspot.com
this is so cool! i must say i've never heard of it but i love the pictures :) what a fun get together! xo
http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/
Incredible!!! Such a gorgeous shop, melon and parm, and jewelry made before your eyes?! Be still my heart!! Did you scoop up any new pieces? Her project is amazing!
Definitely will check out your Barcelona guides! My parents are visiting Spain for a month in November, I'll happily pass it along! <3
love the last ring :D amazing
xx
www.sickbytrend.com
It's so great seeing all these different people pursuing more sustainable fashion! This is such a unique idea, too.
And I check out your Barcelona article about the book market - love the photo and love how your personality shows through!
YAY for cool and talented house mates!!
Virginie ♥
this looks like so much fun! i love the idea of taking something old and unwanted and turning it into something new and amazing.
Wow, I really love this concept (and the photo of the molten gold). Re-purposing and upcycling is great for the continuity of old, unused things. Give 'em new life!
How energizing it must be having a housemate teeming with such creativity! How is your writing coming along? :)
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love yours!! I just got back from a year in China and it was so amazing. I am so glad I can follow your blog and continue my travels vicariously through you!
Oh my!!! I love that idea!! I wonder if anyone locally to me does that sort of thing. It's pretty fabulous.
Her pieces look gorgeous and up-cycling the gold is such a good idea!
Laura
whitewinters.blogspot.com
I love the idea of this, and will be visiting the website!
Cakes
http://www.cakesandshakes.wordpress.com
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