A copper roof. A bracelet - and being GREEN!

Recycled. Green. Sustainable. Enviro-conscious. Restorative. Repurposed.

Each word points to being more responsible with what is given to us on this earth. And THAT...is very important to me.

I love this "ask Lisa" that came from Sheila. She didn't just ask me why I claim to use recycled materials (I'll save that for another day!) she asked me my favorite GREEN project.  Easy answer.

I have this amazing friend who can do just about anything. I kid you not. Brittany, from Pretty Handy Girl. I met Brittany last summer in Utah, and I liked her immediately. Adorable. Spunky. Funny. Don't tell her, but I kind of have a bit of a girl crush going on. I mean seriously...she wears a tool belt and knows how to build stuff. In my book that is totally amazing! Oh, and she's been in Women's Day magazine, yup, she really IS all that!

Brittany blogs about being handy. She writes easy to follow tutorials about doing your own home improvement, home repair, decor and crafts. Did I mention she can do anything?

Well last summer Brittany blogged about installing a copper roof on her side entrance. I'm reading along and I see this photo.

After my "oooooh shiny" moment. I think to myself. There's going to be leftover scrap. I email Brittany and a few weeks later a tiny box of roof scraps is sitting on my bench.

Think. Think. Think.

Oh, and you have to see her roof...it's gorgeous!

But let's get back to me and my thinking...this is my blog right?

I start cutting and texturing and forming and suddenly her roof leftovers become my most favorite bracelet ever. 

And then I couldn't stop myself...*poof* there were earrings!

I love the fact that something beautiful came from something leftover. I care deeply about the environment. I have been mandated to take care of the earth...and too often I fail, miserably. But if I can somehow, in someway take the time to reuse and not waste I feel I can make an impact in my corner of the world. Tiny. Minuscule. Small. But it's something, right?

Copper in and of itself is a beautiful metal, but it will change, or patina, over time. I love the way copper takes on a new appearance, but sometimes I have a vision for what I WANT it to look like RIGHT NOW. This time, I want that blackened, earthy, rustic look. 

When the bracelet was first complete it looked like this, bright and shiny like a new penny! Pretty, but a bit too shiny for me.

It was time for liver of sulphur. Need more details? I have a tutorial here on what it is, and how to use it. Just think rotten eggs. Yup. Lovely. As you can see in the picture, the bottom half of the bracelet is COMPLETELY black. 

Once the piece was totally coated then the work set in - carefully rubbing off the black until it is the perfect mix. "Aged" and gorgeous.

I am grateful to Brittany for inspiring me to create this awesome piece. And to Sheila for letting me gush about my favorite GREEN design!

Do you have an "ask Lisa" question, or just an incredible idea of recycling? Click here to send me an email - if I choose your question, you will receive a $25 gift card to use on my website! Yay YOU!

So what do you think? Do you love it as much as me? Funny, now I find myself driving by constructions sites scanning the ground for something that I just might turn into jewelry! Who knew?

xooxoxo,

lisa