Pages

3/28/2008

Trashion Team Spotlight Interview- Pink Graffiti!

Shop name: Pink Graffiti

Shop address: http://lesleyanne.etsy.com

In a nutshell: Pink Graffiti is a shop that carries one of a kind handmade jewelry, clothing and accessories, most of which are made from recycled materials!


Tell us a bit about yourself : I am a full-time Interior Designer in Manhattan, designing commercial offices and fashion showrooms. I graduated from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan before moving to the big city (Detroit isn't really technically a big city :) ), with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, and a minor in Fiber Design. Working with fibers is really my passion, thus Pink Graffiti was born! I spend my spare time making jewelry and clothing from fabric in my studio, specializing in taking recycled clothing and embellishing it with floral patterns. I am also a knitter, but I choose to knit for gifts rather than for my shop. I started a knitting circle in the city with some of my friends, we get together once a week to knit and drink tea and chat.

Trashion materials:
Recycled sweaters and cardigans, any old clothing that can be used for fabric, bottle caps, used games, like toys, and puzzles


I transform them into: Embellished clothing, accessories and funky jewelry.

How do you do it? My main technique is applique by machine sewing. I love my Janome sewing machine. It was a gift to myself when I finally moved into my own apartment. I do some hand-embroidery and embellishments, like adding beads. As for the jewelry from toys and puzzles, it only requires a hole-punch, my Dremel tool, and some silver findings! I have some tutorials on my blog showing my techniques. http://pink-graffiti.blogspot.com
Or you can go specifically to this entry



What inspired you to do this and why are you involved in trashion?
I was really inspired by a lot of what I saw in local shops, all of the embellishments to a normal cardigan. I thought, I can do that. I have so much fabric and embroidery floss, it was very easy to get started. The thrift stores in Michigan are just amazing, and I was able to stock up on gently used cardigans and sweaters. I am involved with Trashion because I think there are so many materials out there just begging to be beautified. I want to be a part of it, I want to help this world recycle something old and make it into something someone will treasure.

Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept? Yes, I still remember the first cardigan I made.
What was it? A recycled white cardigan, with appliqued blossom petals. It was one of the first things I sold in my Etsy shop! I did so much sketching and prototypes before selling. It was the beginning of a great vision.

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon? I am always working on sweater projects. Another cardigan is in the making right now, something similar to the purple sweater in my tutorial. I am also making more leg warmers from recycled sweater sleeves!
And I'm always making jewelry out of toys, bottle caps and puzzles. For the future, I am sketching and collecting materials, experimenting with different techniques. Keep an eye on my shop for new products!!



Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?
I will always recommend buying handmade simply because you are going to have something so unique and one of a kind. I myself don't particularly like the mainstream jewelry and fashion all the time, and I always find something completely amazing when I buy handmade, either from Etsy or from local craft shows. Buying from Trashion is especially amazing, simply because you know you are buying something that has been recycled!


More you'd like to share:
I love what Etsy Trashion is doing. It is seriously an honor to be a part of this team.

Thanks for talking to us about how you began Pink Graffiti Lesley! We look forward to checking out more of your awesome designs!

3/16/2008

Seeking Treasure? We are too!

The EcoEtsy Treasure hunt is in full swing! Come seek treasure and discover the incredible Etsy shops that make up one of our favorite street teams with us!
To learn more visit the post on the EcoEtsy Treasure Hunt!

3/15/2008

Welcome to new Etsy Members!



Please join me in a big “hey y’all” to our newest members who joined the trashion team last month (I know its late but my blogger account has been a mess so bear with me). It’s always exciting to see how fellow trashionistas envision their world and this group doesn’t disappoint.

We begin with Remarket, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5430714 whose primary offering is reusable produce bags. I love the photography in this shop and the idea is a great one. No more oranges rolling around at the bottom of your bag and crushing those tender tomatoes!

Fisheye, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5049853 has a soft spot for me with their use of ecofriendly design in accessories and bags. The reuse of vintage textiles brings an old fashioned feel to many of her items.There are many practical totes perfect for traipsing about with your art supplies.

LostandFoundObjects2 is a purveyor of jewelry and mixed media art all made with recycled materials. Unusual and thoughtfully rendered, I love her scissor head stuffed doll and her shop has really funky earrings too. Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5179039

Then we have Evermore.This seller http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5505047 brings a great tattoo inspired eye to her original cards,paintings and even to painted shoes. She also has button rings in pop art colors.Very groovy.

YayasCaps takes her unique designs and afixes to or paints them on bottle caps to make really distinctive accessories like earrings and necklaces. She also makes recycled paper beads. You’d never know this was trash. Visit her shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5557204.


Thanks for checking out these new shops and lets all give these folks a welcome. Be on the lookout for our next group of trashionistas.Peace and beignets,Kerry

3/14/2008

Trashion Team Spotlight- Eladesign!

Shop address : www.eladesign.etsy.com




Trashion materials:

I use mostly fabrics that are left over from other designers in the retail
industry. Those fabrics have never been worn or used, but would
normally be thrown since they are too small or not suiting another
pattern needed.

I transform them into:
In my work I try to design Eco-Fashion. Using these recycled cloth
pieces means creating mostly one-of-a-kind items, that can not be mass
produced. I make everything from clothes to bags, accessories
and art.


How do you do it?

In any way possible, and changing all the time

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

Now days we are all starting to understand the importance of eco-friendly consuming and mass producing can be far from that. I love and respect our planet, and want to create with that in mind!




What was the first thing you made using a trashion concept?

Painting on unwanted photographs. That project was awesome!


What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
continuing working on my clothes, creating a yoga line.
I believe the clothes we wear should expand our borders rather then
restrict them, and therefore I use mostly stretchy and soft fabrics.
I'm looking for the shapes, dividing the surface into its possible
ingredients.
I focus on complimenting the body and creating an interesting dialogue
with the garment. Each design I make is filled with love and
inspiration, and I wish it to be worn with the same intentions



Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?

Since there is so much talent, so many lovely products that are one of
a kind, so many special artists to encourage, and only one planet that
needs to be taken care of!


Thank you telling us about your inspirations Ela! We're excited about your new yoga line!

3/08/2008

Trashion Team Spotlight- Interview with Kristen from Cakehouse!

Shop Address: www.cakehouse.etsy.com


Tell us a bit about yourself:
I live in brooklyn with my husband, 3-yr old son, and two cats. I just started Cakehouse this fall, when my son entered preschool and my tenure as a full-time stay at home mama came to an end. Besides craft and art, I love cooking, shopping at the farmer's market, listening to music, dancing, refashioning vintage clothes, and the New York Mets.

Trashion materials:

Secondhand/vintage sheets, pillowcases, and bedspreads are my main materials. I also felt secondhand wool sweaters.

I transform them into:

Napkins and coasters, which I screenprint with my drawings using water-based ink.

How do you do it?

First, I wash all of my thrift-store finds in unscented natural detergent and dry them out on the clothesline in my backyard (weather permitting....). The napkins are two layers of fabric, sewn up like a little pillowcase. I screenprint the motif on the bottom left-hand corner of the napkin. For the coasters, I follow the same pillowcase-like format, then put in a felted-wool insert for padding. Because the fabrics I use for the coasters are usually textured, I screenprint the motif on white fabric and attach it as an applique.

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

I studied textile design at F.I.T. before my son was born, and was at a bit of a loss as to what I wanted to do when I graduated. Thankfully I was able to stay home with my son for his first three years, so I had some time to think about it. I figured out was that I wanted to make products for the home, and I needed to work for myself. Then it dawned on me that I should incorporate my life-long love of secondhand and vintage goods into my business plan. I love the history and uniqueness of the stuff you can find in thrift stores. I'm at my happiest digging through piles of used goods at some crazy secondhand store, or spotting some old piece of furniture with potential on the curb. I hate to see things that still have some life in them be tossed away.


Once I found out about the trashion team, I was so excited to join and check out what other people were creating from other people's cast-offs.....

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

Unfortunately, I don't remember......I grew up with two champion crafters and recyclers, my mom and my aunt. There was always an old shirt or pair of pants being chopped up and made into quilt squares, or a dress for one of my dolls.....

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
My current motifs are foxes, cats, and llamas (or alpacas, if you'd prefer). I've just develpoed a new line of monograms, which I kicked off with a Valentine's Day design. Coming up, I want to expand past just napkins and coasters to include placemats, pillow covers, tea towels, and ipod/iphone cozies.

Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?
When you buy handmade, you're helping someone keep a small business afloat, and you're getting a product made with a whole lot more care and thought than anything you could buy in Target. You're really getting a labor of love. Believe me, no one would chose to run a small independent business unless they loved it..... :)
And when you buy from trashion, you get the added bonus of getting something even more unique, and of taking part in the most stylish kind of recycling.

Thanks for letting us in on the backstory of Cakehouse Kristen! We look forward to seeing more of your exciting screenprints!

3/07/2008

Let's Hunt Green with EcoEtsy!

[get_convo_image.php2.jpg]

This St. Patrick's Day, join in the fun with the EcoEtsy Street Team by going on a

GREEN treasure hunt for GREEN prizes!

On Sunday, March 16 th the hunt begins at 12:00pm EST and ends at 12:00am EST (or earlier if all the prizes have been found). If the prizes are all found before 12:00am, it will be posted on this thread that the hunt is over.

HOW TO PLAY:

    v At the bottom of this announcement there will be a list of the participating EcoEtsy Team shops. Each has chosen an item in their shop to be the "green treasure" and that item will have the EcoEtsy logo posted as the last image. This is also the listing that is up for grabs if you win! So pay close attention to what you are clicking on and make a note if you like what you see when you request your prize.

    v Visit as many shops as you would like until you find 10 "green treasures". When you find a treasure, write down the name of the shop in which you found it, and also the name of the item.

    v Once you have your list of requested details (shop names and the item names) immediately send in it a convo to limabeanhome. Also include which one of these 10 prizes (or items listed) you would like to win. Please include a first and second choice in case your first choice is already take.

    v If you have all 10 items correct and you are the first one to request that prize, you are a winner! You will receive a convo from limabeanhome with your winning number. This may take awhile, as limabeanhome cannot sit at her computer for 12 hours strait. Once you receive a convo back from limabeanhome, go to the shop of the item you won and act as though you are buying the item, but don't actually pay for it. In the notes to seller section at the purchasing screen, enter your winning number. The seller will verify the number and send you your chosen prize!

    v If someone else has already won the prize you want, limabeanhome will notify you of this, and you may resubmit your answers to try to win another prize.

Rules and conditions:

You must be a member of Etsy to participate in the treasure hunt. Buyers and sellers are welcome; most of us are both right? EcoEtsy members are NOT allowed to participate. Each person can only win one prize. The number of prizes available depends on the number of shops listed.

Extra Bonus Prize

Just when you thought that wasn't enough. Their will also be one BONUS PRIZE in the treasure hunt. This prize will have the EcoEtsy logo AND a clover posted in the images. The first person to find this listing will get to choose two prizes! One prize will be of your choosing and the bonus prize will be the listing where the clover is hidden.

We hope you'll come and join in the Eco-savvy fun! If you have any questions or concerns about the hunt, please contact limabeanhome or projectfelt.

To learn more about the EcoEtsy team visit their blog: http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com

Below is the list of shops that need hunting to find the prize

Enthral.etsy.com

Mandybbags.etsy.com

Dinnertimechimes.etsy.com

Penguinlove.etsy.com

Lolaness.etsy.com

Glitterstar.etsy.com

Blondechicken.etsy.com

Cuppeecake.etsy.com

Sandandskycreations.etsy.com

Limabeanhome.etsy.com

Jpharris.etsy.com

Joonbeam.etsy.com

Brandywine.etsy.com

Inseinecreations.etsy.com

Shutterkate.etsy.com

Anniessweatshop.etsy.com

Pouch.etsy.com

Malinb.etsy.com

Projectfelt.etsy.com

Molecularmuse.etsy.com

Wynzia.etsy.com

Kae1crafts.etsy.com

Jillsoriginals.etsy.com

Heartofnature.etsy.com

Reiter8.etsy.com

Recycledideas.etsy.com

Barkerbell.etsy.com

Silverofthevalley.etsy.com

Happy Hunting!