From under-valued to desirable

Avid upcycler and Waitakere-based graphic designer Ronja Schipper has “up-bi-cycled” tyre inner tubes into unique pieces of jewellery, including tyre feather necklaces, bracelets, cuffs, earrings, key chains and handbag accessories. Schipper washes and dries the inner tubes, then polishes them before using certain areas for different pieces, depending on curve and detail. “By re-using under-valued materials for creating my desirable and beautiful design pieces, I’m aiming to highlight the relationship with our at-risk environment, due to our chronic under-valuation of and disconnection with our limited resources,” she says. Her range is available at