For Eco friendly accessories Urban Lace makes masks, bracelets and necklaces from recycled bicycle inner tubes. Sounds crude, but these sweet and delicate accessories are just the opposite. An absolute must for any night out.
-Wear magazine
O what do old bike parts and Jewelry have to do with each other? Well for the purpose of this story, just about everything as a matter of fact.
These little beauties are hand crafted by designers Barbi Touron and Aaron Shear, and are re-born from discarded inner tubes of bicycles. Because thousands, (if not hundreds of thousands we think) of inner tubes, are thrown into landfill each year in the US alone, Barbi and Aaron have dedicated themselves to reducing the amount of this slow to decompose material, by turning it into chic, wearable, art. – Eco Friendly Fashion
Turning discarded bicycle inner tubes into wearable works of art is the impetus behind the unique and original designs from Urban Lace Jewelry.
Artfully combining a modern edge with a delicate design, each handcrafted, custom-made bracelet, necklace, earring or mask is a study in contrasts. Durable and beautiful, all of the products are coated in an organic plant-based formula that creates a lasting luster, and allows each piece to retain its soft texture and smooth appearance. And, with no piece costing more than $50 ($49.99 to be exact), they are an economical way to accessorize! – White Apricot
This handcrafted recycled bicycle inner tube mask brings mystery to a new level. Donning this mask brings out the unlimited possibilities of the coming night. – LovingEco
Interview with Flawless magazine
This week we get an exclusive insight into the inspiration that goes behind eco friendly designer jewelry Urban Lace Jewelry. Urban Lace creates unique one-of-a-kind high fashion jewelry and is the brainchild of the wonderfully talented and creative Barbi Touron in collaboration with Aaron Shear.
As a fiber artist and designer who specialize in using recycled materials, I am always looking for new and easily accessible materials to use. Living in a city likePortland, which is full of cyclists, we are never short on blown out bike tubes. I had gathered quite the pile in no time back in the day I was quite the amateur cyclist and blowing tubes was a specialty of mine.
While living inCaliforniaI had a housemate who used them as bungees on the back of her bike, in the house and for just about everything. After remembering this, this box of broken rubber tubes began to have purpose. I found bicycle inner tubes to be soft, durable, stretchy and easy to shape, making it the perfect material for an artist who loves the unconventional.
My first project incorporating recycled bicycle tubes was in 2006. I was creating a 6 foot chandelier with 3 tiers containing a hundred or more strips of reused inner tubes; each strip was unique and hand cut to resemble Evernia prunastri or Oak Moss, a type of lichen found in thePacific Northwest. This kind of lichen tends to be my muse in just about every kind of art I do. I love the connectivity of it, each part of it is perfectly imperfect, the way its veins stretch out with such quiet beauty and how no two are alike. When I am creating a piece for a customer I try to get as close to this as possible. Each piece is free form, making them unique and organic. This makes our jewelry stand out; each piece is its own piece of art.
I was sitting in my downstairs garage studio with my dear friend LeFeu when she looked at the chandelier and said “I want to wear it”. So I decided why not. I took her wrist and laid one of the pieces over it. It looked beautiful, almost like a tattoo. So I started developing the same technique I used for the sculpture to make bracelets. Since then I have been refining and developing this technique.
After that I started my line of jewelry with bracelets but continued to expand to chokers, earrings and masks. At first I made pieces for friends and family and it suddenly seemed that I may be on to something. I started selling at fairs and had a shop on Etsy. In 2009 I met Aaron Shear, we collaborated well together and when I decided that I wanted to expand my business he was the perfect fit. We coined the name Urban Lace and started expanding our web presence. In September 2011 we launched the Urban Lace website. We started selling at boutiques inPortlandand now sell all over the world. We have been busy developing new designs and we are committed to making our company grow.- Flawless magazine
"These unique and eye-catching bracelets by Urban Lace Jewelry are perfect for the bad-girl within. Made from recycled bicycle inner tubes and accented with jewel-toned gems, these statement pieces are more pretty than punk. Choose from a variety of styles to match your eco-chick’s closet."-
Mary Mazzoni ,Earth911
"I love how Urban Lace Jewelry has taken something that would usually be tossed into the trash and gives it new life as something fantastic. The jewelry would look great paired with a cocktail dress this holiday season or dressed down with your jeans and tee. Either way, you will have a piece of jewelry that will have a high impact on everyone you meet and a low-impact on the environment!" - Jennie Lyon, Sweet Greens
"This jewelry is absolutely stunning and eco-friendly, too ~ each piece is made from recycled bicycle inner tubes... How cool is that?"- Catherine Critton, Couture Carrie
“Making jewelry out of recycled bicycle tire tubes needs a wonderfully ornate imagination. This may kick off a new fashion among fashionable girls all over the world.” -MoniCa Singh, I’m Fashionistas
“Joining the growing army of amazing eco-designers hailing from Portland, OR - Urban Lace specializes in making unique eco-friendly designer jewelry. Their one of a kind pieces are created from recycled bicycle inner tubes collected from local bike shops. Just in time for Halloween, Urban Lace has elegant and mysterious masks that would be the perfect complement to your batgirl costume. Be sure to snatch one up before they are all gone.” –Vegan Chic
“Mysterious masks are always one of the most fun parts of Halloween, and we’re digging these Eco-friendly ones from Urban Lace Made from recycled bicycle inner tubes, these beauties are both chic and sensible.” Chrissy Callahan – She Knows
“We love Urban Lace Jewelry for so many reasons. Not only is the jewelry delicate, distinct and perfect for a cocktail party, but it also takes eco-friendly accessories to a whole new level.” -Jenny Inglee, Take Part
“You won’t find Urban Lace at fashion week. Yet.
But we wanted to introduce high-fashion, eco-friendly Urban Lace to you anyway, because it’s cool.” –Pablo Avion, FashionWeek.LA
“What a great idea – I love seeing the things that people come up with when they re-purpose what would otherwise be trash/recycling. The jewelry/accessories coming from Urban Lace have to be some of the more creative items I’ve seen created out of an old bike tube.” - Culture Cycles
“When everyone has switched into the mode of going green, it seems like there’s an alternate color to sport with the same earth-saving benefits, and that’s black recycled bicycle inner tube transformations from Urban Lace Jewelry.
Head designer Barbi Touron and partner Aaron Shear teamed up to created these salvaged pieces to put use to the tons of inner tubes thrown into landfills each year, while taking advantage of their unique flexibility and durability. Urban Lace Jewelry not only recycles resources but supports various charities as well, making this the most do-good glam accessory to elegantly please your eco conscience.” -Regan Canie, Trend Hunter
“I take pleasure in introducing Urban Lace Jewelry to you. Their slogan, we create elegant design with planet in mind is accurate as well as poetic. Urban Lace Jewelry is made from recycled bicycle inner tubes collected from local bike shops. This means next to no transportation pollution and no new parts pollution are produced when creating these cool earrings, bracelets, necklaces and masks.
My favorite item of the collection is the bracelet with the mask a mere second after. I love the way the bracelet rests on my skin. It weighs nothing, looks edgy and as seen in the picture, the stenciled accessory sits flatly against your wrist. This flat stance keeps your wrist looking long and doesn't make your hand look chubby. I mention this because most large bracelets will protrude from your wrist and make the hand and wrist area look big. Another sweet treat, there is no rubber smell attached to it, in case you were wondering.”
-Vanessa Valiente, V-Style
“Despite their delicate appearance, Urban Lace's filigreed cuffs, necklaces, earrings, and masks (yes, masks) are cut from a material we don't usually associate with finery: bicycle tires. Handcrafted from defunct inner tubes, each piece juxtaposes street style with feminine chic while taking the pressure off our overburdened landfills. Plus, what could make a better gift for the girl who kicks everyone's tuckus in a bike race—while wearing a skirt, no less?”- Yuka Yoneda, Ecouterre
“With its line of elegant-yet-rugged jewelry, a Portland-based company is giving new meaning to the term ‘cycle chic.’ Urban Lace (previously known as Inner Beauty) has a full line of filigreed cuffs, necklaces, earrings, and masks (yes, masks), all made from recycled bicycle inner tubes from. The company, which was founded by designer Barbi Touron, who started cutting up inner tubes in her garage to make jewelry back in 2006, now produces highly durable jewelry that not only looks chic, but also diverts old bike tubes from the landfill. Click through to see Urban Lace’s full line of rubber creations!” - Mark Boyer, Inhabitat
“How do you toughen up fall’s decidedly sweet, ladylike looks? With a delicate-yet-bold filigreed cuff from Portland-based Urban Lace, that’s how. The eco friendly jewelry line adds a little oomph to your style that’s as unexpected as the material it’s made from – recycled bicycle inner tubes gathered from local bike shops.”- Rowena Ritchie, Ecosalon
“The jewelry itself is reminiscent of lace, but it also feels more organic, as if made by the same godly hand that created the wings of butterflies or the veins running through a delicate flower. Ms. Touron is mostly inspired by “organic patterns found in nature. Mostly, I’m drawn to creating things that have a great deal of repetition. I find the creative process to be quite meditative. Through this process of repetition , I can create texture, depth and balance.” To achieve this effect, Ms. Touron says each piece is cut free form. Seemingly fragile, these items are far from it, being made from bicycle rubber that is durable. These pieces are perfect for the girl on the go!” - Micheal Cavazos, My City Designers