We encounter a host of objects and materials every single day, each both useful and forgettable. But some designers see extraordinary beauty in the commonplace items that clutter our lives. From bicycle inner tubes to nuts and bolts, find out how our designers elevate the trappings of our most mundane moments to gorgeous mementos that are meant to last.

Jewelry designer Alice Menter turns humble hardware into stunning jewelry. “I like the transformation from something ordinary and industrial to something glamorous and beautiful.” She adds gold and silver plating to make each piece more precious. “I particularly like the effect I get when combining multiple elements,” Alice says, “And the shine of the faceted edges when gold and silver plated.” The resulting pieces are unexpectedly elegant and easy to wear – who thought nuts and bolts could be so beautiful?

An accident led designer Emma Ware to start turning old rubber into intriguing jewelry: “I discovered the potential of bicycle inner tubes after my friend had a puncture,” Emma says. “In its original state the rubber really isn't very appealing, but it is completely transformed after I’ve finished with it.” The results are interesting, flexible and full of movement. “It’s the process of making itself that is the origin of the designs, the repeating of an action to an end I’m not sure of.”

Blind Spot designer János Varga finds inspiration everywhere he turns. János uses his jewelry design skills to honor bits of the everyday. “When you are in the creative function, the whole world around you becomes potential inspiration.” He explains that he loves to use coins in his work because they often feature symbols of their country of origin, giving each a sense of history. “I like the consumed feel of coins,” János adds. “You can feel that they have already traveled a lot.”

“The things I get inspired by surround us every single day and we don't even notice them,” says jewelry designer Martine Viergever. “Sometimes we already even wear them… like a rubber band unconsciously slipped around your wrist.” Martine says she likes the “modesty” of these objects and wants to maintain their shapes in her jewelry. “I like to bring an ode to the hidden aesthetic quality of hair bands, pencils, pen caps, rubber bands or whatever is ‘wall flowering’ our desk tops and kitchen drawers.”