From a flat wheel to a business idea. This is Italy that knows how to reinvent itself.
Whoever has inspiration and creativity can give birth to gods Jewelry even with simple materials or even from waste. As in the case of the Florentine artisan Esther Muzzi. She makes jewelry such as necklaces, rings and more elaborate objects such as bags from the inner tubes of bicycles.
Creativity, intuition and a great desire to grow. These are the hallmarks of Esther
The young artisan has always had a creative soul. As a child she enjoyed making necklaces with remote control or computer buttons. So in high school he decided to enroll at the Art Institute, where he immerses himself in all forms of creativity. From drawing to painting to goldsmith art.
After graduation, however, he puts aside his dream as a jewelry designer. In 2010 the crisis also hit the jewelry sector. So Ester works in large-scale distribution in shops in the province of Florence.
Then, here's the intuition. In 2014 he was on vacation in Rio Torto, a seaside resort in the municipality of Follonica. And, thanks to the heat and the saltiness, returning from the beach he punctures a wheel on his bicycle. By replacing it, you immediately notice the quality of the rubber and decides it will be there "New" matter for her jewels.
Ciclo d'Ombra is born: the line of jewels created with bicycle inner tubes
Ester started making small products with bicycle inner tubes. Noting that the idea liked it and could work, he created the line Shadow cycle.
“Ciclo” because it is made with bicycle inner tubes. "Shaded" because the color is black.
The Florentine artisan alone follows the entire production chain. From design to sale. The suppliers are workshops and bicycle repairers.
Before working the inner tubes, Ester washes them by hand to remove the bad smell and make them softer. Then, with scissors and a needle, cut and weave the leather according to the project.
A ring requires short, thin cuts. A bag, as well as a greater quantity of elements, requires longer threads.
The jewels come close to modern aesthetic standards
Ester's jewels can be found in the shop where the artisan works, in others in the center of Florence and in the Municipality of Gaiole nel Chianti. Location where the “Eroica” event has been held since 1997, which gathers cyclists from all over Tuscany. The event covers the entire territory of Siena, with routes ranging from 46 to 135 km.
According to a study by Confartigianato, the Region is in fact fifth nationally among those who love cycling the most and fourth in the production sector.
