Fonderie 47
Fonderie 47 makes cufflinks from weapons; jewelry made from Africa’s decommissioned rifles. Based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where…
PeaceBOMB
The founders of PeaceBOMB, developed techniques for using Unexploded Ordinances (UXO’s) to create bracelets and other fair trade accessories, available to international customers though ARTICLE22. Over 200 million tons of bombs are hidden in playgrounds, farmland and rice paddies across Laos, posing a significant threat to countless families. One out of three bombs dropped by the mid 1970’s failed to explode, leaving rural Laotians at risk. Between 1964 and 1973, one B52 bomb load fell on the country every eight minutes, twenty-four hours a day, for nine years. PeaceBOMB melt these symbols of destruction down, transforming them into tangible signs of peace, in the form of beautiful, fair trade jewelry.
The story began with a single creative Laotian, who was inspired to melt the bomb scraps down, and into spoons, teaching his neighbors to do the same. Building on the spoon maker’s inspiration, peaceBOMB developed techniques for using UXO’s to create bracelets and other fair trade accessories. Artisan’s hand carve wooden molds, while aluminum from the bombs is melted down in earthen kilns and poured into the molds. The jewelry is hand filed and stamped with powerful message such as Seek Peace, to create a connection between artisan and owner. Artisans are paid four times local market rate for their work, while funding community projects and providing micro loans for local family businesses. One bracelet generates a donation that covers the cost of clearing three-square meters of land from these dangerous UXO’s.
Website: http://article22.com
