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11/28/2007

Trashion team spotlight - Interview: creme-tangerine

Shop name: creme-tangerine
Shop address: http://www.cremetangerine.etsy.com/
In a nutshell: Upcycled vintage clothing made new again, handknit
accessories, and t-shirts for local bands.

Tell us a bit about yourself :
I'm 24 years old, newly married to the drummer of my band, Teenage Symphony
(www.teenagesymphony.myspace.com), and live in Dallas, Texas. My band
is moving to Portland early next year. I like sewing, knitting,
reading, and singing. After recently being laid off from my job at a
call center, I started carrying t-shirts for local bands in my etsy
shop so that hopefully I don't have to get another day job.

Trashion materials: Vintage clothes.

I transform them into: New clothes.

How do you do it?
I love going to the thrift store and finding
something beautiful- a fabric, a neckline detail- that's not being
worn because of something else. Maybe no one wants to wear
floor-length yellow eyelet, but it makes a cute knee-length dress.
Perhaps the ugly elastic waist needs a sash. I also reclaim t-shirts
that look pretty new and use fabric scraps to spell out local band
names.

What inspired you to do this and why are you involved in trashion?
I am a born packrat- I recently made something using fabric that was
reclaimed exclusively before 1998. I have a long-standing thrift store
habit as well. It makes me happy to turn something that's a little off
into something pretty.

Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
What was it?

The first time I realized that's what I was doing was
with an embroidered Mexican dress. The embroidery was so pretty, but
the fit was awful. I used the neckline embroidery and some eyelet to
make a top for myself, and ended up carrying the design in my etsy
store. And then I turned the rest of the dress into a skirt.

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
I'm working really hard on the band shirts- I've got a few bands that have ordered
some that I'm working on, like Sydney Confirm
(www.myspace.com.sydneyconfirm) and Laura Palmer
(www.myspace.com/laurapalmermusic). I love to do custom orders and
have some in the works, and there's a pile of clothes to reconstruct
in the sewing/music room. I'd like to get a more sturdy machine and
re-fit all those gorgeous 50s and 60s-era heavy coats that are size
nine thousand at the thrift store, but that may not be until next
year.

Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?
Buying handmade is allowing someone to keep doing what they love. Do you want to do
what you love? Of course you do. Will you love it if someone else is
wearing the same shirt or carrying the same purse? Probably not.
Buying trashion pretty well guarantees that it's one of a kind, as
well as being sustainable- no factory chugged along polluting the
environment to make it- and if it did the first time, at least it
didn't the second time.

11/27/2007

Etsy Trashion decks your halls!


The Etsy Trashion team has your holiday decor covered. Member shops have great options for trimming your tree, cozying up your home, and decking your halls. Check out some of these options, our holiday decor shopping guide!

Check out http://eyepopart.etsy.com/ for these festive mandalas and mirrors made out of vinyl records!

For something to hang by the chimney with care, http://samann1121.etsy.com/ has you covered! She's made stockings trimmed with all sorts of reclaimed fabrics, whether patchwork or stripes. Here is one in those classic holiday colors, at right.

It's easy to find some themed stockings, too, such as in http://themoonismymother.etsy.com/. Her selection of holiday stockings, such as the one on the left, bring together unique textiles, too!

If your holidays are more silver and gold, http://pouch.etsy.com/ has some stocking options that reusing luxe metallic fabric for a more brocade look, above.



These holiday balls are perfect to dangle from your mantle, doorway or window, or as tree ornaments. http://shandke.etsy.com/ reused canvas clothes to make them.
To find even more wonderful options for decorating for the holidays, be sure to head over to etsy.com and search the tags "trashion" and "holidays".




11/21/2007

Save the World Sunday Sale - shops now making announcements!

Here is the scoop as it unfolds on Save the World Sunday, the Etsy Trashion street team sale of participating shops, Sunday Nov. 25 and Dec. 2.


Members are busy announcing what the sale in their shops will look like!


For a sneak peek, check out this thread:

11/20/2007

Trashion team spotlight - Interview: Saint Lexi

Shop name: Saint Lexi
Shop address: http://www.saintlexi.etsy.com/
In a nutshell: old turned awesome with my sewing machine


Tell us a bit about yourself :

My name is Alexis, I am a newlywed who
just got back from our wedding in Spain. I sew like a crazy person,
turning all my fabulous fabric finds into fine accessories. I have sewn
since I was little, deciding dressing weird and making my own style
was way better than looking as poor as I was. My first adventure with a
needle and thread included cutting up the old sheets that had been
banished to the dust rag pile. I saved them, though, and made my
first quilt ever!

Trashion materials:

old clothes, discarded hardware and car parts,
found objects, unwanted and outdated jewelry

I transform them into:

awesome bags, wallets, jewelry and whatnot

How do you do it?

I work a lot of trasion into my purses, from the
fabric they are forged in, to the details holding the handles on. Hell,
even my thread is from a thrown our stash I found ages ago and haven't
worked my way through yet.

What inspired you to do this and why are you involved in trashion?

I have always thought it best to make something from nothing. I was poor
when I was growing up, so I couldn't afford that awesome bag. So I
stormed the attic and found the bag of to-goodwill-clothes that
had been lost and forgotten. And I made my first bag out of pants my
mom would never fit in again. My thrifty ways never left me, and likely
never will. My eye never sees what is in front of me, but what I can
tear it down into and build out of those bare bones. I wanted to join
the community to be able to share the glow of reusing, and be part of
the growing number of people who see more in the world around them.
Those are the kind of people I want to know.


Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
yes

What was it?

The aforementioned quilt from the rag pile. I wanted to
impress my great grandmother who was always working on a quilt when I
was over. I realized the grandkids hadn't picked up on her craftiness
and it was an easy way to become her favorite. So I stared at the
quilt on my bed that she had made me, and I recreated the stitches one
by one, learning how to sew while edging my way into her heart. I made
the quilt out of stained sheets that I had always loved and hated to
see go. The ink spots and food marks ruining only a small percent of
the fabric. It was the first time I felt I was saving something from
doom (well besides my ewok doll when my brother would tie it on his train
tracks) and I loved it and never stopped. Now I find it impossible to
throw anything away. Hahaha.


What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?

More purses and better use of strange materials found in me and my dad's garage.

Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?

The world should never move on from appreciating what humans can do. The quality, the
style, the concept is always better when done by hand. And you know
where you money is going and what you are supporting when you make the
purchase. The world is full of unused things. Trashion revamps those
things and makes them into fashion-forward fantastic. It makes you cool
and ecofriendly in one fowl swoop!

Trashion Holiday Shopping guides!

To help you find all the wonderful trashion items that are perfect for the holidays or any days, we'll be posting some shopping guides here throughout the remainder of 2007!

If you are anxious to check out some of these great goodies now, besides searching the tag "trashion" on etsy.com, you can also check out these flickr groups:

Items great for babies, kids, teens or kids of all ages!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashionyouthgifts/

Items everyone will love!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashiongiftsforeveryone/

Items to make your holidays bright! Ornaments and other decor!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/trashionholidaydecor/

More about our team sale, Save the World Sundays!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/561624@N22/

Save the World Sunday!







A global group of crafters and artists is hoping to change the face of gift-giving this holiday season.
The message: Consumers have options beyond mass-produced items made from virgin materials.
This group, the Etsy Trashion street team, wants to show you the holidays can be eco-friendly and handmade.
Comprised of 100-plus crafters, artists and artisans, the Etsy Trashion street team have banded together on the web site for all things handmade, etsy.com, to show the diversity of products that can be made with recycled materials.
Everything from toys to ornaments to clothing to greeting cards can reuse unique ingredients, made by hand into something new.
To encourage customers to buy recycled, and to buy handmade, the Trashion street team is hosting Save the World Sunday, a major sale event and celebration of all things recycled & handmade.

· Participating shops are offering 20% off or free shipping on two special sales days, Sunday Nov. 25 and Sunday Dec. 2. For a list of participating shops, visit www.etsytrashion.com or www.etsytrashion.blogspot.com
· Special gift guides focusing on different holiday themes - winter wear, holiday decor, gifts for children of all ages - are up for view at www.etsytrashion.blogspot.com
· All shoppers can enter to win a gift bag filled with handmade items made with recycled materials, valued at $50. For more details, visit www.etsytrashion.blogspot.com


This holiday, think green. Buying items made from recycled materials that are made by hand are more than unique - they both clever ingredients, advocate sustainable design and support independent businesses.

For more information on Save the World Sundays and the Etsy Trashion Street Team, visit www.etsytrashion.com or http://www.etsytrashion.blogspot.com/

11/13/2007

Trashion team spotlight - Interview: Heartfeltbaby


Shop name: Heartfeltbaby
Shop address: www.heartfeltbaby.etsy.com

Tell us a bit about yourself :

My name is Anna Tumas. I was born and raised in Germany. I reside now in New Jersey with my husband of 23 years. I have two wonderful children; my son is a senior in College, my daughter a senior in High School.

Trashion materials:

The material for my baby creations are pure wool sweaters painstakingly acquired at yard sales and thrift stores. I add vintage lace, ribbon and buttons for embellishments


I transform them into: Mainly baby and children’s clothing, however, I also make scarves for adults, cell phone holders (with sweater pieces too small to make clothing) and Christmas stockings (with sweaters too thick to use any other way)

How do you do it?
The sweaters are boiled for maximal shrinkage, cut apart, reassembled and embellished with vintage trim and buttons. Each sweater is unique and completely done by hand with much love to detail. Quality is paramount.

What inspired you to do this and why are you involved in trashion?
I love the fact that I create something new from something discarded by others. We are such a wasteful society that it fills me with pleasure to do something to counterbalance this.

All the members of trashion create something new from something old, it is nice to belong to a like-minded group


Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
What was it?

I made a baby sweater for my sister-in-laws first baby. I gave it as a shower gift and everybody flipped out.

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
I started to make hats. I just want to do what I do best – create.

Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?
We mass-produce enough worthless stuff, using up all the earth’s resources. This is a step into the right direction.

11/06/2007

Trashion team spotlight - Interview: artistvo


Shop name: artistvo

Shop address: http://www.artistvo.etsy.com/

In a nutshell: up cycled recycled 100% one of a kind collage art baby clothes

Tell us a bit about yourself : I am a painter, illustrator, fiber artist, collage artist, performing artist, writer, art teacher. I have been working for the past twenty five years, bringing diverse groups of people together through the arts with my 100% interactive theatrical storytelling events, using beautiful handmade puppets, props, costumes and musical instruments.


Trashion materials: anything I can get my hands on that can be cut, torn, sewn, nailed or glued down

I transform them into: wearable art clothes

How do you do it? my hands, my eyes, my sewing machine and my imagination.

What inspired you to do this and why are you involved in trashion? I started doing it when my children were little, 19 years ago!……it was a way for me to create unique clothes for them on the cheap, and people always wondered where we got them.

Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept? yes
What was it? I made vest out of the crotch of a pair of pants.

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon? more baby clothes, stuffed toys and some surprises. Right now I’m making the coolest wallets, EVER!



Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion? Make a better world for all by just saying NO to the mall.

More you'd like to share: Imagination is the cornerstone for all human endeavors