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Bicycle bling

MARQUETTE – It’s probably a bit much to try to make a necklace out of a bicycle tire, but the smaller bits and pieces from a used bike make much better bling.

Revolutions, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving the community through bicycling, held a recycled bike jewelry class for adults on Feb. 27 at its downtown Marquette location in the Masonic Square Mall.

Co-founder Lindsay Bean conducted the event, which followed previous Revolutions classes such as snow bike safety for adults and bike art for kids.

In the jewelry class, Revolutions had a table full of bicycle parts as well as beads so the participants could create their own unique pieces.

The class was fun, Bean noted, but it had a sustainable, recycling-focused component as well.

Just consider the variety of parts available for the jewelry makers.

“Lots of bike chains. This right here is a nut off a valve on an inner-tube,” said Bean, pointing to one particular part.

Another item was a spoke nipple, which she explained is what holds the spokes into a bike wheel.

A piece of jewelry resembling an owl and spoke earrings were two creations that came out of the class. Another one was a chain link bracelet made by Jody Bergeon of Escanaba.

“And I actually searched on Pinterest,” Bergeon said.

Bean guided the participants through the class, teaching them how to take chains apart, for instance.

“And we looked at different examples of stuff, and they spent a lot of time looking on Pinterest and online for other examples,” Bean said.

The atmosphere was creative yet relaxing, with conversation ranging from the activity to a recent fat bike event, the 906 Polar Roll.

“We’ve kind of just been sitting here, chatting about bikes and the Polar Roll and jewelry and all sorts of stuff,” Bean said.

Revolutions has upcoming bike repair classes planned for adults, which are free for Community Bike Shop members and $5 for non-members. They are set for 1 to 2 p.m. Saturdays at Revolutions, with classes scheduled on brakes this Saturday, chains on March 19 and shifting on March 26.

Revolutions also has free classes and workshops for kids ages 10 to 17. They are from 11 a.m. to noon on the same topics and days as the adult classes.

A free Kids Bike Tune-up Day is scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. April 10, also at Revolutions.

For more information on the organization, visit www.revolutions-marquette.org or call 906-235-0412.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250.

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