On Saturday, Le Milieu hosted its first workshop in the new space: making jewelry out of upcycled bike parts. The workshop was hosted by Sheena Swirlz, and showcased a lot of creativity and originality. For those of you who were unable to attend, we’ve put together some ideas for you to try at home using your own spare bike parts, all of which are quick and easy, but also look great.

Sheena keeps a blog called Radical Montréal, which you can read here. You can also pick up a copy of her zine (which contains over 25 bike upcycling projects) at Le Milieu.

And now, to business. 

Ideas For Upcycling Your Bike:

Materials (Depends on Project):

• Bike inner tubes
• Tires
• Gears
• Glue/Hot Glue
• Strong Scissors
• Tape
• Twine
• A heavy hand-sewing needle (for sewing inner tubes)
• Earring hooks

You can take the parts from your own bike, the bike of someone you know (but be sure to ask first), bike shops and bike co-ops.

All parts should be de-greased before attempting to craft with them.

Projects: 

Inner Tube Bracelet 

There are two examples above. In one, strips of tube are woven together to create the basket-weave pattern, and the ends are sewn.

In the other, the inner tube piece has been cut to size and then intricately cut to create the leaf motif.

Inner Tube Feather Earrings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the examples, a strip of tube has been cut to resemble a feather, and then assembled into an earring. Other parts of the bike can be used, too; use whatever you can!

Inner Tube Mason Jar Cozy

This will be especially useful for us, since we serve everything in mason jars. The inner tube has been cut to the right length, with button holes cut in it to allow you to fasten it around the jar. You can also cut the tube to the correct length, decorate it, and sew the ends together using a sturdy needle.

Hopefully we’ll see you at our next workshop: Upcycled Fabric Brooches, taking place on Thursday, November 1st at 7:00 p.m.

Happy crafting!