etsy trashion blog: 12/2007

12/19/2007

Trashion team spotlight - Interview : SILVER Mountain Originals

Shop name: SILVER Mountain Originals
Shop address: http://www.tamdoll.etsy.com/
In a nutshell: You never know what I’m going to come up with.

Tell us a bit about yourself:
I learned to use a sewing machine while in college and began making dolls to give away as presents, which eventually turned into some pattern and art doll sales - but lately my work has turned to exploring fabric in new and different ways. Now I’m working on some fabric jewelry – it’s still brewing in my head, and I have some itchy [failed experiments!] things I’ve made with wool – but I’m working on it!

Trashion materials: fabric, wool sweaters, found objects, foam cushion leftovers

I transform them into: totes, handbags, art dolls, fabric jewelry

How do you do it?
Brainstorming ideas while I’m at work and then [staying away from the computer] when I get home -- focusing on cutting and sewing when I find the time.

What inspired you to do this and why are you involved in trashion?
I’ve always been concerned about the environment – why waste and purchase more things when there are lots of great materials at hand? And I get a lot of pleasure from making something out of nothing – it’s like making a delicious meal out of leftovers. There’s surprise involved, too, that something beautiful, functional and creative can come from a cast-off.

Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
What was it?
I remember when I was little, cutting up one of my out-grown tops to hand-sew a Cabbage Patch Doll shirt (I can still see the horrible plaid rainbow fabric with metallic threads woven in it)... But I think my first commercial effort was in the 90’s when I made clocks out of trashed computer components and sold those in a small boutique. They were a big hit as gifts for men, but eventually it became a little boring just drilling holes and putting those together so I moved back to fabric creations.

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
I still have some wool sweaters that I’ve boiled and are cut up for some new bags and totes – but really I want to develop some of the fabric jewelry ideas that have been brewing in my mind for a while. I also have a bucket of found objects that have been calling for me to collage and create with – I’ll dive into those one of these days this winter.

Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?
Buying handmade puts a face behind the creation, a person instead of a machine. When you buy something for yourself, or as a gift, that is handmade, and especially from trashion, you are guaranteed to have something that’s unique, has been made with heart and great thought.

More you'd like to share:
I’d love people to stop by my blog and chat up some of my works-in-progress & creations with me. I love to be inspired and challenged to share new ideas with like-minded crafters and the internet is a great place to do that. Visit me at http://www.tamdoll.blogspot.com/. Of course, spending too much time online does take away a lot of the time I could spend creating so I’ve got to watch that.…

12/12/2007

Trashion team spotlight - Interview: FlyBall Bags

Shop name: FlyBall Bags
Shop address: www.flyballbags.etsy.com

In a nutshell:
Handbags and accessories made from a mix of new, recycled and vintage fabrics

Tell us a bit about yourself :
I’m an actor in theatre and film and decided about 5 years ago to start sewing. Since then I’ve sold thousands of my designs through my website, artisans shows, wholesaling and now, etsy.

Trashion materials:
I use all fabric in my work. I love vintage linens, barkcloth and drapery. I also use bedsheets for appliqué or linings.. I use men’s tie a lot for straps and other interesting ways, I use vintage buttons too all over. I use West Indian clothing for sparkle here and there, and vintage dresses… those are my favorites anyways.. but it doesn’t stop there!

I transform them into:
One of a Kind Handbags and accessories including journals, coin purses, reversible headbands, mini clutches, ornaments, pins, etc.

How do you do it?
Well, I get inspired by the fabrics I use and I love to mix and match them all for a really cool design in the end

What inspired you to do this and why are you involved in trashion?
I just love older things… in my house, antiques, etc. I love the history of an older item. I love to scavenge for fabrics… I love the hunt! So, it made sense to bring that into my business. Trashion seemed like the next obvious step

Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
I used to make bags out of old jeans.

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
I’ve been preparing for a huge artisan show in Toronto called the One of a Kind Show ( www.oneofakindshow.com). I also trying to post on etsy as much as possible too.. as sales are picking up there.

Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?
Handmade is where it’s at. I’ve taken the pledge to buy only handmade this year. Trashion is just that much better because it’s reusing materials that may never have been used again. I think you’ve got to feel good about that!

12/11/2007

Greetings! Trashion has all your holiday stationary covered!

If you're sending a card, wrapping a gift or tagging a package, the etsy trashion team has got all you need. Check out these lovely items, to make your holidays eco-fabulous. They are made with recycled or found papers and items.

http://samann1121.etsy.com/ has tons of options. Check out her shop for gift cards and more, but here are some great wintery gift tags:

http://heylady.etsy.com/ offers some cheeky holiday cards made out of vintage pinups:

http://tomatedepingles.etsy.com/ repurposed buttons and cardstock into some bright and cheery tags:

http://monkeydogstudio.etsy.com/ offers one of a kind cards focusing on peace. The message inside is: "Peace to you wherever you are."

http://kae1crafts.etsy.com/ has this pretty card to fill your heart this holiday:

http://rikrak.etsy.com/ says gift wrap doesn't have to be a waste. Take her reusable gift wrap, for example. Made of vintage fabric, you can use it again and again:

http://bakasartysta.etsy.com/ has your envelope needs covered. Here is one of several sets offered:

To find more greeting cards, stationary, gift tags, search the tag "trashion" on http://etsy.com

12/06/2007

trashion gift ideas

Buy Handmade this holiday season!

The Handmade Consortium launched an initiative today to encourage consumers to buy handmade gifts this year. They are promoting this Buy Handmade Pledge:

I pledge to BUY HANDMADE this holiday season, and request that others do the same for me.

And they want you to visit their site and sign the pledge sheet to support handmade!

Here are a few gift ideas, all handmade, and all eco-conscious, to fill up your stockings!

fiber art wear necklace by foundthings

Necktie Remix -- Vintage Ties by SweetWolf

By now you must have noticed i’m a fan ;)
wrapping cloth by rikrak

Vintage Typewriter Key Ring by KeysAndMemories

recycled paper notebook by estasketch

I adore every single one of her cuffs!
Creme Brule 2 cuff by bayousalvage

Hope for the Flowers journal by jen1kanobi

handsleeve mitts by thimblescratch

these are widly popular! I’m so proud of artisans which such cool ideas that are a hit!
Recycled Sweater Felt Earrings by PaganoDesignWorks

this is officially my new “best idea of the day” item
Concrete Candle Holder by Whamodyne

12/04/2007

Ornaments a'plenty! All made from recycled materials!

The etsy trashion street team has lots of options for trimming your tree. Instead of buying the same styrofoam balls everyone buys from Wal-mart, why not have your tree decorated with items unique, handmade and eco-friendly?

Go for it with these options:

http://westernartglass.etsy.com/ made these out of beer bottles:

http://dismantled.etsy.com/ uses scrap fabric and denim for her fleur de lis ornaments:

http://donnapool.etsy.com/ creates these beautiful quilted ornaments which can double as toys:

http://eyepopart.etsy.com/ suggests her mandalas, made from cd dividers, would be great on a tree:

http://foundthings.etsy.com/ has a series of dolls for ornaments in her shop. They are made from found objects and scraps!

http://peggradyart.etsy.com/ has these colorful flowers, all made from recycled aluminum:

http://funkyluke.etsy.com/ made this star ornament out of salvaged beads and telephone wire:

http://sweetyprize.etsy.com/ created some egg-shaped ornaments out of scrap papers and unloved plastic eggs:

http://starsdreamsandjewels.etsy.com/ 's ornament started out as a jar lid but now it's a beautiful ornament:

and http://luvlugs.etsy.com/ is offering adorable mitten ornaments, made of recycled wool:

To check out all the items Etsy trashion members offer, head on over to http://etsy.com and search using the tag 'trashion'! Happy holidays!

12/03/2007

Trashion team spotlight - Interview: eclectica

Shop name: eclectica

Shop address:
brick n mortar: 12286 SW 131 Avenue, Miami, FL 33186, USA
online: http://eclecticamiami.etsy.com/

In a nutshell:
salvaged furniture & accessories for the savvy decorator on a budget

Tell us a bit about yourself :
I run a small store in Miami called Eclectica. Received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from Florida International University in Miami in 2001 and recently completed an Interior Decorating program, so this business has allowed me to combine my 2 favorite things: Art/Creativity & Thrift Shopping! Fortunately I’ve been able to dedicate myself to revamping all of these great secondhand treasures.

Basically the shop is chocked full of cool vintage and secondhand stuff that people might like for their homes. But please don’t confuse it with a thrift store! I revamp the furniture to make it new and hopefully better than it was to begin with. I also make other items in the store using almost exclusively vintage/recycled materials: collages, fabric wall art, throw pillows, mosaics and more. If you’re ever in Miami, come see me!

Trashion materials:
Anything that inspires me. Why do you think I named my company Eclectica?
Vintage fabric, actually most things vintage, mid-century style, animal print, kitsch, old encyclopedia, and the list goes on and on…

I transform them into:
Fun home décor items.

How do you do it?
The store is in a warehouse district and my studio is next door. I know, occasionally I have to pinch myself! In my studio I can usually work on everything except complicated upholstery, which I send to an upholsterer across the street. Yes, he’s across the street! Sometimes I even walk things over to him. Once in a while I’ll also need a carpenter to do some special cutting. But for the most part I paint, refinish, glue, grout, decoupage, cut, nail, screw, clamp, collage, punch, stamp, dye, staple, hang, assemble, redesign, & revamp!

What inspired you to do this and why are you involved in trashion?
I just see so much potential in things other people trash or donate. And it’s never been so much about recycling as much as about this object still having so much life in it. Or even just the satisfaction in using materials otherwise considered junk or outdated to create something totally new. I have a hard time throwing things away and an even harder time walking away from something when I can’t instantly figure out what I could possibly do with it. That’s the worst feeling, especially when an idea suddenly comes to me a few days too late.

Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
Absolutely. It’s one of those stories my family tells over and over, when discussing my being destined to become an artist.

What was it?
I was 5 years old and my grandparents were fixing something in the house and left a large metal tin full of nuts and bolts just lying around on the ground. Naturally, I sat next to it, grabbed the top of a cardboard box nearby and proceeded to assemble what I can only describe as a face with appendages, i.e. arms, hands, feet. And before I knew it my grandmother was helping me glue the creature down and had me write my name and the date on the piece. In high school my mom had it professionally framed for me and it still hangs in the living room at home. Needless to say, this marked the beginning of my life in art and love of all things a little quirky.

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
Recently I started 2 series…One consists of salvaged wood balusters/table legs turned into candlesticks. I know, this sounds a bit like typical shabby chic stuff, but my twist is topping them with souvenir shot glasses and other small vessels….Instant Kitsch! The second series consists of funky vintage dessert plates and saucers made into wall art.

Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?
Too many people discard things thinking that object has seen its last day. Wake up and smell the potential, people!

12/02/2007

Trashion Sale Today! And join us for chat!

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