Hila Rawet Karni’s jewelry items look so luxurious, you’d never guess they’re made of paper.
As an accessory that often falls victim to changing fads and trends and which is usually made of precious stones and metals, jewelry is potentially one of the more energy intensive (and polluting) of accessories. But it doesn’t have to be. Jewelry can be made out of anything ranging from used bullets to upcycled fabric scraps. It can even be made out of as unexpected a material as paper, as Israeli industrial designer Hila Rawet Karni demonstrates. In her unique approach to the paper-folding art of origami, beautiful paper necklaces, earrings, brooches and headbands are made.
Called Kipul (which means “fold” in Hebrew), Karni’s collection is made using mostly Tyvek paper and gold plated chains. Paper sheets are folded into fans or circles, and assembled into different configurations.
Though different colored papers are used, it is actually the folds of the paper which create the most visual interest. The creases and folds of the paper form their own elegant pattern.
Karni’s Kipul pieces feel both soft and hard, edgy and feminine at the same time.
They could perhaps be a little greener if made out of recycled paper colored with soy-based inks, but in the meantime Karni’s jewelry is still eco-friendlier than the goods in your average jewelry store.
Read more about eco-friendly jewelry:
Yael Uriely Shows Us That Good Things Come in Upcycled Shapes, Colors and Sizes
Adi Zaffran Weisler Makes Upcycled Bullet Jewelry, Not War
Ecco Ukka Weaves Love, Magic and Recycled Materials into Fabric Jewelry
Author: Karen Chernick
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
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