This week’s featured item comes from MR’s former managing editor, Alex Féthière, an avid sculptor and designer.
Alex Féthière hit on the idea of making heavy copper bracelets to promote his sculptural work while working at MR magazine. His collection of “manillas,” heavy bronze or copper bracelets used as currency in pre-colonial West Africa, had already inspired him to revisit the precursor of bling. Copper bracelets marketed for arthritis therapy also interested him, since it seemed his joint pains lessened when he wore one—but they were cheap and flimsy, with all the charm of medical ID bracelets.
These ideas converged in his Long Island, New York metal studio to create a series of forged bracelets. Unlike manillas, which are cast from molten metal, these pieces are heated, beaten and bent, then machined and/or welded with decorative elements. Anything from typewriter gears to electrodes to printing press parts has been fused into the copper, which is then ground and polished with a series of tools to produce the desired rough or smooth finish.
All materials are recycled or reclaimed. Alex is currently experimenting with brass and bronze bracelets, and investigating methods of patinating copper to give it colors including blue, violet and pink. Casting is also an option in the search for a method to produce jewelry faster and more affordably. Interest in his work is escalating, in part because of a recent BoingBoing mention.
Pieces cost from $125-250, depending on the work and materials (including metal ornaments and magnets) involved, and take from 4-10 hours to complete. Bespoke bracelets from measurements are also available. Once finished, they may be polished and sealed or allowed to tarnish. All existing works are for sale.
Alex is available for commissioned work in jewelry (as well as sculpture, lighting and furniture) and currently updates his work to a Flickr page, though www.alexfethiere.com will be online as soon as he can get out of the studio.
Contact: afethiere@gmail.com.
Each week, MR’s editors will comment on a product we’ve seen in the market. It could be an emerging trend, a novel take on a classic or something that just caught our eyes.
Previous Items of the Week:
PF Flyers classic baseball shoes
The New Eisenhower Jacket by Carlos Campos
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