Green Jewelry News

August, 2009
Vol. 2: No. 4

Green Jewelry News

Greetings!

In this issue you will find information about a summer of amazing "green" exhibitions, consumer spending on environmentally sound products, and eco-friendly packaging.

In September I will be in France and hope to exchange ideas about "green" jewelry. If you have any contacts, please let me know.

Thank you for doing your part to make the world a better place.

Christine Dhein
Green Jewelry Educator

Summer Exhibitions Go Green!
Reclaim, Renew, Reuse, Repurpose

Left: 21st Century Breastplate in repurposed circuit boards, brass and rubber by Christine Dhein. Right: Maharaja's 6th in repurposed LEGO by emiko oye

As an artist who has been making jewelry from recycled materials for over a decade, I am very aware of the growing interest from both the public and the art world in this type of art.

Ten years ago, there wasn't much interest in or understanding of jewelry made from recycled materials. This summer, I have been invited to participate in several exhibitions with the theme of reuse.

When my work is on exhibit, I include statements to communicate ideas and challenge beliefs about consumption with the hope of inspiring viewers to see the potential value in the discarded in a whole new way.

At the opening reception of re/Purposed (details below) two ladies were admiring my 21st Century Breastplate. When they found out I was the artist, they exclaimed in unison, "One man's trash is another man's treasure!" I knew my message had been heard loud and clear!

re/Purpose
to use or convert for use in another
format or product
The work of Christine Dhein and emiko oye is featuerd in re/Purpose, the opening exhibition at the new African American Art & Culture Complex's Sargent Johnson Gallery in San Francisco from July 23 - Oct 11, 2009. The opening reception was a huge success!

emiko oye and Christine Dhein in front of their work at the opening reception of re/Purpose

Reclaim, Reuse, Renew
Christine Dhein's work will be featured in Reclaim, Reuse, Renew, at the Atrium Gallery, Ball State University from August 25 - September 26, 2009.

Marketing Green Jewelry
New Consmer Values for 2009 and Beyond

At the end of 2008, Cindy Edelstein, Jewelry Marketing
Guru behind Jeweler's Resource Bureau posted a report on a webinar she attended by Pam Danzinger of Unity Marketing that covered some spending predictions for 2009 on her blog.

The general message was that post-recession consumers are a new breed. According to Edelstein's blog, "What that means is: what you did to capture customers last year (or frankly for the last decade) will NOT work next year ... or ever again."

Danzinger's report points to several contributing factors: the economic crisis along with changes in our demographics and cultural values. Baby Boomers are retiring from their prime spending years and Generation X is reaching it's full earning and spending potential. Our societal values are also shifting to align with ecological and humanitarian concerns.

The prediction for 2009 and beyond was that consumers will spend money but it will be in a different way than ever before. The report focused on consumers of high cost luxury goods and suggested that now, in order to be desireable, these items must be a good value AND eco friendly or benefit a charitable organization.

Many studies point to similar patterns in consumer spending in every sector. A Cone Consumer Environmental Survey conducted in January of 2009 that measured how the recession influenced consumer's attitudes toward environmentally responsible products. 34% said they are MORE likely to buy eco products than they were before the recession, 44% said they have had no change in shopping habits since the recession, and only 8% said they would be less likely.

As you make plans to market your jewelry in this new economy, make sure it offers a great value in every area: quality, craftsmanship, social and environmental. Making sound business choices, practicing transparency and educating your customers and potential customers about the value your jewelry offers are some of the best marketing tools available to you as you plan to grow your green jewelry business in 2010.

Above: Cindy Edelstein of Jeweler's Resource Bureau

Tips from our Readers
Jewelers Share Green Studio Practices

Green Shipping Materials

Moissanite, recycled 14k yellow gold, and recycled 14k white gold wedding ring by Tamara McFarland

"I'm a big advocate for green shipping materials. I never buy new bubble mailers for shipping my jewelry; I get a steady stream of gently used mailers through a partnership with a local radio station (apparently they receive tons of them from people mailing CDs to them). I save bubble wrap and paper wrapping from my incoming supplies orders and use them in my outgoing orders as well. I keep my packaging fairly simple, but for those who like to make it a little fancy, there are some great ideas here."

-Tamara McFarland
Humboldt County, CA

Thank you Tamara for your great suggestions!

Send me your green jewelry tips with a picture of your jewelry, and keep an eye out for them in an upcoming issue!

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and learn more about the Green Jewelry Movement. Check out this month's events, and send this newsletter to a friend to help spread the word about using recycled and ethically sourced jewelry materials along with eco-friendly studio practices.

Sincerely,

Christine Dhein

In This Issue

Summer Exhibitions Go Green!

Marketing Green Jewelry

Tips from Our Readers

Green Links