1 Fusion, July 2007 - Rio Grande

SUMMER 2007Radical Jewelry MakeoverCan a few people with a good ideachange the world? Some people saythat, in fact, that’s the only thingthat can. It was a few good peoplewith a good idea that created thefirst Radical Jewelry Makeover, anevent that culminated this winter inRichmond, Virginia.e idea is to replace conventionalmining with the “alternativemining” of collecting contributedwork from the dresser drawers andjewelry boxes of average citizens.Every single earring, abandonedwedding ring, and out-of-fashionlapel pin that can be recycledtranslates to a few less tons of orewrenched from the earth.In the end, more than 60 peoplecontributed old jewelry. Studentsfrom Virginia CommonwealthUniversity and Millersville University(where Ms. Miller teaches)then reworked the jewelry to createover 200 new objects. ese weredisplayed by Quirk Gallery, with70% of the proceeds from salesgoing to support the work of EthicalMetalsmiths.In the last decade, we have allbecome aware of environmentalissues around rainforest hardwoods,coffee beans, and tuna. In all thosecases, everyday citizens are makingan important difference. By makingus aware of the ethical issues boundup in the metals we use, these committedvolunteers are helping usall become better caretakers of ourplanet.FOR MORE INFORMATION…www.NoDirtyGold.orgwww.EarthworksAction.orgwww.BetterMines.orgwww.GreatBasinMinewatch.orge PMC Guild is funded by memberships, Mitsubishi Materials, and thecompanies whose banners you see here. eir support allows us to expand ouractivities while keeping membership costs low. Please thank them for theirsupport and mention that you saw them in “Fusion.”PAGE 10