Next-Gen Green Giveaway: Israeli artist turns scraps into one-of-a-kind jewelry

Efrat Weiss

Eco-jeweler Efrat Weiss lives in Rehovot, a small city near Tel-Aviv, Israel. Her business name, efratim, can be understood as her plural name or as the Hebrew combination of the words Efrat and jewelry. I found her work on etsy.com and immediately loved how she used non-traditional, upcycled materials to create her works. I virtually sat down with her to discuss how, for the past four years, she turned scraps and found items into something beautiful: earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

The best part? One lucky Next-Gen Green reader will win a piece of jewelry! How you may ask? By commenting below or by going to Next-Gen Green’s Facebook using the secret phrase, “Thanks Next-Gen Green. I love Efrat’s upcycled jewelry!”

What is your creative process?

In my creative process, I turn every day reminders into treasures that you can enjoy anytime. A piece of a tea package becomes a wonderful pair of earrings. An ad that was in my mailbox wakes up as a delicate pendant on a chain. I love to play with new ideas and re-purposed elements, and the outcome is always surprising. After choosing and cutting the paper, I decorate it by adding my personal touch to it, and then seal and glaze it by hand. Most of my jewelry is one of a kind because as a buyer, too, I enjoy knowing that a certain item is waiting just for me, and there isn't another one like it anywhere.  

Black & White Necklace

What is your inspiration?

I just love everything that is mid-20th century (50s, 60s, and 70s): music, colors, graphic and interior design and fashion. My art is strongly influenced by it.

What type of recycled materials do you use?

My main material is, of course, paper. Some of the inlays of the jewelry are made of beautiful high-quality paper from my great paper collection, and some are made of paper that I find all around. It’s like little pieces of life: train tickets, an old calendar, newspaper, barcodes and all kinds of packages like tea, toothpaste, cereal and more are used. I also use glass beads, semi-precious stones, brass findings, Swarovski crystals, lace flowers, fabric ribbons and re-used materials, such as cinnamon grains, coffee beans, seashells and buttons.

Lilian Necklaces

Why is using recycled materials important?

Using recycled materials is important because we only have one planet. We must be responsible and treat it with respect. As consumers, we should consider who we give our money to. We have the opportunity to make a difference. It's in our hands. Today, we are not only buyers. We care about the story behind the product: fair trade, using re-purposed local materials, shopping handmade and more.  

Reversible Paper Earrings

What is the essence of your pieces?
The words "everyday treasures" sum up the essence of the efratim's spirit: to create cheerful, joyful pieces of jewelry you can enjoy anywhere anytime. It's affordable, handmade and user-friendly.  I believe we should enjoy life's little and sometimes forgotten reminders, because sometimes it's the small things that make a big difference.

Find Efrat’s work on Etsy and join her Facebook page. You also can e-mail her directly. Please support this great artist!


Giveaway rules: Must be 18 to enter. Not valid in Canada. Names will be printed and placed in a sealed box and picked at random/pure chance of winning. The giveaway ends on 12 a.m. Feb. 2, 2012. Any giveaway worth $600 must be reported to the IRS.