By Lauren Moore
Based in Melbourne, Australia, Betty Jo Designs is the creation of Liz Jones. Taking other peoples bric-a-brac, Liz takes the material and turns it into jewellery, brooches and clocks.
Inspired by everything from charity shop figurines to tatty illustrated kid’s books as well as the sights and smells of nature, Liz uses vintage linoleum, laminate cut offs and pre loved buttons to create her pieces, including this cuckoo clock.
Liz has always been creative, but didn’t create the Betty Jo Designs signature style until 2005 after leaving teaching. Using her experiences of working in previous jewellery businesses, she was able to build her own.
Liz says: “I have always worked with recycled materials and am passionate about giving new life and purpose to other peoples discarded domestic items. I love working with linoleum as the elaborate designs found on vintage lino are stunning, and often dictate the style of the piece I’m making. It is also a reasonably unique material to work with. Oh, and the best thing is it is usually free and I’m saving it from going to land fill.”
For anybody inspired to produce their own recycled piece, Liz’s top tip is: “It’s worth having a good look around the crafty websites and blogs for inspiration – but be careful to come up with a unique spin and don’t just copy other designers.
“Visit local charity shops and have an open mind, as someone’s trash can be your treasure!”
Buy one of these unique clocks here or learn more about Betty Jo Designs here
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