Trashion Team Spotlight- Evy of Thirdhand Designs!

Shop name: third-hand designs

Shop address: www.thirdhanddesigns.etsy.com

Other sites: www.myspace.com/thirdhanddesigns



Trashion materials: I use second-hand clothing and other fabrics to create my designs. Thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets & swap meets are all my favorite haunts.

What do you transform them into? Fun, unique & stylish clothing & bags!



How do you do it? With lots of coffee! No, but yes, I guess that does help! My process starts with the hunt for unloved items with lots of potential. For example, a skirt with a tiny hole, but is in amazing shape otherwise. I lift it up, run my hands through it, hold it in front of me to study it a bit, flip it inside-out, then usually I've got an idea of what I will do with it. Most of my designs require complete deconstruction of the seams, and then, I sew sew sew. With the trusted help of Lucy (my dress form) & a few friends, I adjust to make sure my measurements & dimensions are logical, then voila... the garment has entered its third life!

Do you remember the first thing you made using the
trashion concept? I do!

What was it? I used to take old t-shirts of my dad's & turn them into pillows. Unrelated to my sewing, I also used to take old bottles & melt candle wax down the sides to make flower vases for my mom.

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon? Currently I am working on a couple of aprons for my cousin. She works in a cafe & they allow her to choose whatever style apron she would like to wear, so she gave me free rein! In the near future, I am looking to make more dresses. I love the iconic ideal of the dress! So feminine yet so versatile.

Why should people buy handmade and from trashion? Because we LOVE the earth! It is apparent that we all need to pay a little more attention to the environment and how our actions affect it, and Trashion is a wonderful way to do that. Waste is bad, but we as a society still consume at amazing rates, producing massive amounts of waste; shopping Trashion is one way to satisfy that desire to consume as well as help the environment. We are a group of like-minded creators that produce unique, handmade, eco-friendly items with lots of love... what more could you ask for from a seller!

Anything else you'd like to add? Yes! To all my potential customers, please don't be discouraged to buy clothing on the internet. I am more than willing to help anyone with sizing questions, just send me a message/convo. And no... you don't even need to own a measuring tape, just know your current size! Keep buying handmade!!!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful reconstructed clothing/bags with us Evy!

Palchemy Trashion Style

Etsy Trashion has a Palchemy Challenge going on!


Above is the first listed item created by ElenaMary for the Trashion Palchemy Challenge! She used the leather scraps sent to her by Beadsinatwist to create an incredible series of

Domestic Settings leather collages.

What is Trashion Palchemy?

It's a fun project uniting Eco-friendly crafters from Etsy. It’s way for us upcyclers to challenge ourselves. Pam of NatureMadeScents organized a swap of materials, between members of the Trashion Team.

Left is the package FairyTaleFibers recieved from Bloomsburygroup, below and to the right is the contents!



Each of us received an exciting package full of things that could be called “Trash”. We know they are treasure! So we are using our skills to remake those items into something new and fantastic!! Each item is then listed in the team members Etsy shop.

Below is the beautiful Kanzashi flower that fairytalefibers made from the contents of the package above!


Are you salivating for more? Search Etsy for “Trashion Palchemy”
We will be listing our creations all through July!

Trashion Team Spotlight- Interview with Tammy of Junck!

Shop name: junck

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

Other sites: http://www.flickr.com/photos/junck1/





Trashion materials: credit/gift cards, box card, pillowcases... anything I can find really!

What do you transform them into?
I transform the credit cards into jewelry (rings, bracelets, earrings) and hairbands or headbands. I make business cards from old box card (cereal boxes etc.) and I make skirts, shirts and dresses from pillowcases (old and new) my current favourite is a skirt I made from my old Star Wars pillowcase!!

How do you do it?
For the jewelry, each item has a process that is a slightly different. For a necklace, I cut up the cards into smaller pieces (I call these my "card beads"), sand the edges and drill holes into each piece. I often add other beads to these card beads by stringing them onto headpins which I then attach to the card bead.


Shop name: junck

The box card business cards are pretty self explanatory - but I am a graphic designer by day, so I am compelled to cut each card from the most interesting section of the box!

Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
I grew up in a trashion house!! I first thing I can remember making is a doll. I made her from one of my uncles old hankies... she didn't have a face but she did have a scrap piece of rabbit fur for hair!

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
I just started making rings and hairbands with the card beads and I'm loving them! I want to try making some boxes from the cards as well... On the horizon? I need to get more items in my Etsy shop!



Why should people buy handmade and from trashion?
When you buy something handmade, you really feel you have made a contribution. You can clearly see how your purchase affects the maker - its nice to be thanked by the creator of the item! You feel more connected to the whole process... its a good feeling!

When you purchase from a Trashion member, you've not only supported an independent artist, you are helping the environment! MORE ART/LESS WASTE!

Anything else you'd like to add?
There are so many incredible shops within the Trashion Team! It is SO inspiring to see such creativity!! Thank you for the interview!

Thank you for sharing your innovative work with us Tammy!

Trashion Team Spotlight- Interview with Millie Hilgert of Miss Courageous!

Shop name: MissCourageous

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

Other sites: http://misscourageous.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/misscourageous/
http://misscourageous.blogspot.com



Trashion materials:
old vinyl records, bottle caps, game pieces, cork, cassette tapes, mint tins, jar lids, reclaimed wallpaper & textile samples, etc...

What do you transform them into?
"pop" jewelry & accessories (necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, belt buckles, key chains)

How do you do it?
the vinyl is carefully handcut into fun shapes for pendants and earrings. The game tiles are adorned with found images, paper, or reclaimed wallpaper samples and turned into reversible bracelets and pendants or scrabble tile earrings that swivel while you wear them. Bottle caps have images set into them and are filled with resin, they become pendants, rings and rey chains. The jar lids and altoid tins become belt buckles protected with resin.


Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
I've been turning "garbage" into something else as long as I can remember. I would look at something that my mom was throwing out and try to think of what I could transorm it into. I was also the recipient of hand-me-downs from the next door neighbor and I would transform the t-shirts to make them "mine".

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
I'm currently working on new belt buckle designs using record vinyl and cassette tapes. I've been coating puzzle pieces and cork slices in resin. I've got some old bicicyle parts coming and I'll be doing some new shapes for the record vinyl necklaces soon. I'm also planning some things with other discarded design samles, laminate chips and other fun stuff. I've always got about 6 products going at once.


Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?
Because you can't find anything mass produced that has as much heart or character in it as something that was handmade. We need to support independent artists and reduce what's entering the landfills. Trashion lets you accomplish both those things at once and get something that is totally unique and utterly cool.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I'm so glad that trashion is catching on, we all need to find ways to be more environmentally friendly and this is also a way to be fashionable and creative. Younger people seem to be especially receptive to it, they love the fact that everything I make used to be something else. I do encounter a few people who are appalled by the recycled record vinyl, but then I assure them that I do not use rare or valuable records and they are okay with it. I even used scratched and warped records.



Thank you for sharing your creative and diverse work with us Millie!

Trashion Team Member Shops

Wow Check out all our awesome and creative team members!

http://19Moons.etsy.com
http://alkemystic88.etsy.com
http://AlohaBlues.etsy.com
http://AnatomicalHeart.etsy.com
http://annabronwyn.etsy.com/
http://anniessweatshop.etsy.com/
http://aPassionForFashion.etsy.com
http://arnym.etsy.com/
http://artaltered.etsy.com
http://artandartifacts.etsy.com/
http://Art4KidsBooks.etsy.com
http://Artimentary.etsy.com
http://Artsy.etsy.com
http://ASecondChance.etsy.com
http://aughraslair.etsy.com/
http://avenuehandmade.etsy.com
http://ayechihuahua.etsy.com/
http://bakasartysta.etsy.com/
http://BarkerBell.etsy.com
http://bayousalvage.etsy.com
http://beadsinatwist.etsy.com
http://Beckymae.etsy.com
http://blackberrymaverick.etsy.com
http://blackrose1151.etsy.com/
http://blingaling.etsy.com/
http://bonnabag.etsy.com
http://boringsidney.etsy.com/
http://bornlippy.etsy.com/
http://bottledupdesigns.etsy.com/
http://buenostyle.etsy.com/
http://burningrubber.etsy.com/
http://buttercupbloom.etsy.com/
http://cakehouse.etsy.com
http://CandyCalamity.etsy.com
http://canarycollective.etsy.com/
http://cassowaryjewelry.etsy.com
http://CharmdImSur.etsy.com
http://CherylsArtBox.etsy.com
http://cimorenegal.etsy.com/
http://ClaudiasCreations.etsy.com
http://CoffeePotPeople.etsy.com
http://cookoorikoo.etsy.com
http://craftwerker.etsy.com
http://cremetangerine.etsy.com
http://davaeva.etsy.com
http://dhanks.etsy.com
http://discards.etsy.com/
http://dismantled.etsy.com/
http://dkoss2.etsy.com/
http://donnapool.etsy.com/
http://easystreetvintage.etsy.com/
http://EcoBangle.etsy.com
http://ekra.etsy.com/
http://eladesign.etsy.com
http://elenamary.etsy.com
http://ellerue.etsy.com/
http://enthral.etsy.com/
http://ErinRuth.etsy.com
http://evermore.etsy.com
http://eyepopart.etsy.com/
http://ezee.etsy.com/
http://fairytalefibers.etsy.com/
http://fantazya.etsy.com/
http://fashiongreentbags.etsy.com
http://FeltedwithFlourish.etsy.com
http://fisheye.etsy.com
http://fiveforty.etsy.com/
http://flyballbags.etsy.com
http://foundling.etsy.com/
http://foundthings.etsy.com/
http://free2fly.etsy.com/
http://frillz.etsy.com/
http://frommuddywater.etsy.com/
http://fromthevine.etsy.com
http://funkydevaz.etsy.com
http://funkyluke.etsy.com/
http://garbageofedenDesign.etsy.com/
http://gayeabandon.etsy.com
http://glueandglitter.etsy.com
http://goto.etsy.com
http://groovyvinyl.etsy.com/
http://HomeMadeOriginals.etsy.com
http://haptotrope.etsy.com/
http://heartfeltbaby.etsy.com
http://helloknitty.etsy.com/
http://hillbillyartist.etsy.com/
http://HiloVerde.etsy.com
http://hobocampcrafts.etsy.com
http://homeECOnomics.etsy.com
http://iheartfink.etsy.com
http://iWunder.etsy.com
http://jen1kanobi.etsy.com/
http://jkziel.etsy.com/
http://johntunger.etsy.com/
http://joules.etsy.com/
http://junck.etsy.com
http://junkmailgems.etsy.com/
http://JunktoJewels.etsy.com
http://JunkyardGypsy.etsy.com
http://kae1crafts.etsy.com/
http://kae1supplies.etsy.com
http://KarenFabiano.etsy.com
http://karmaskreations.etsy.com/
http://KeysAndMemories.etsy.com
http://kraftymomma.etsy.com/
http://lesleyanne.etsy.com
http://LilliputianDesigns.etsy.com
http://LiLMonsters.etsy.com
http://LindaErzinger.etsy.com
http://littleorangekitchen.etsy.com
http://littleputbooks.etsy.com/
http://lobsterlu.etsy.com/
http://losthollow.etsy.com
http://loganshop.etsy.com/
http://loranscruggs.etsy.com
http://lorimarsha.etsy.com/
http://LostAndFoundObjects2.etsy.com
http://lousupcycles.etsy.com
http://lovepeaceanddye.etsy.com/
hrrp://luvlugs.etsy.com
http://madebymama.etsy.com
http://magickalrealism.etsy.com
http://makisquarepatch.etsy.com/
http://malinb.etsy.com
http://markaplan.etsy.com
http://maram.etsy.com
http://MarthaHaskins.etsy.com
http://metamorph.etsy.com
http://miggipyn.etsy.com/
http://misscourageous.etsy.com
http://monicayocom.etsy.com
http://monkeydogstudio.etsy.com/
http://mountainvintage.etsy.com
http://moxrogers.etsy.com
http://mucke.etsy.com
http://naturemadescents.etsy.com/
http://nectorgirl.etsy.com
http://nolasalvage.etsy.com
http://NormalIsBoring.etsy.com
http://obsessivedesigns.etsy.com/
http://pauliina.etsy.com/
http://peggradyart.etsy.com/
http://perpetualplum.etsy.com
http://picklekreations.etsy.com/
http://PineBlossoms.etsy.com
http://plasticbagbelts.etsy.com
http://PopsieDaisy.etsy.com
http://prixprix.etsy.com
http://purekatherine.etsy.com/
http://recycledyoyos.etsy.com/
http://recyclemoore.etsy.com
http://RedeemedByDSign.etsy.com
http://reduxdesigns.etsy.com/
http://remarket.etsy.com
http://reneedesigns.etsy.com/
http://RePlayGround.etsy.com
http://repurposing.etsy.com
http://retrothreads.etsy.com/
http://rikrak.etsy.com/
http://rockerchic.etsy.com/
http://rosamond.etsy.com
http://rosewebs.etsy.com/
http://rox.etsy.com/
http://rubyreusable.etsy.com
http://runzwithscissors.etsy.com/
http://samann1121.etsy.com/
http://samsshop.etsy.com
http://sarahwinklerart.etsy.com
http://sassafrascreations.etsy.com
http://sclibertine.etsy.com
http://seconduse.etsy.com
http://SecretLentil.etsy.com
http://shandke.etsy.com/
http://siragwatkins.etsy.com
http://sjroemer.etsy.com
http://skinwalker.etsy.com
http://sojourncuriosities.etsy.com/
http://sosuzi.etsy.com/
http://spaceoddities.etsy.com/
http://spiceyart.etsy.com
http://STARASHAN.etsy.com
http://starsdreamsandjewels.etsy.com/
http://stevenshaverdesigns.etsy.com/
http://strawberryanarchy.etsy.com/
http://studiofresca.etsy.com
http://suchprettythings.etsy.com/
http://sweetpepita.etsy.com
http://SweetWolf.etsy.com/
http://sweetyprize.etsy.com/
http://TaDahpdx.etsy.com
http://tamron.etsy.com/
http://ThatCraftStore.etsy.com
http://theAlteredBlackSheep.etsy.com
http://thebunnycage.etsy.com
http://TheCrayonBin.etsy.com
http://theeclecticpickle.etsy.com/
http://thefiligreegarden.etsy.com
http://thefunctionalartist.etsy.com/
http://themoonismymother.etsy.com/
http://TimelessTrinkets.etsy.com
http://touchofglass.etsy.com/
http://traceybelt.etsy.com/
http://trashandvomit.etsy.com/
http://trashionmode.etsy.com/
http://TrashyChic.etsy.com
http://Tresijas.etsy.com
http://TrilliumArtisans.etsy.com
http://twistedwear.etsy.com
http://TwistThis22501.etsy.com
http://urbanwoodswalker.etsy.com
http://useitagain.etsy.com
http://wearwolf.etsy.com
http://weaveddreams.etsy.com
http://westernartglass.etsy.com
http://wildwood.etsy.com/
http://woolywooly.etsy.com
http://yayascaps.etsy.com
http://yearofthegoat.etsy.com
http://yieldtowhim.etsy.com/
http://yipestoo.etsy.com/
http://zJayne.etsy.com

Trashion Team Spotlight- Interview with Maija of DavaEva Designs!

Shop name: DavaEva Designs

Shop address: www.davaeva.etsy.com

Other sites: www.creativitydoesntdodishes.blogspot.com


Trashion materials:
I love plastic bags! Yes the kind everyone takes for granted and usually disposes of improperly. A plastic bag has so many possibilities! And yarn...lots and lots of yarn. I am a self-professed yarnaholic!

What do you transform them into? I turn plastic bags and yarn into beautiful, thick, and eco-friendly rugs. Rugs liven up any place they are put not to mention they keep your tosies warm too!

How do you do it? humm..well it is kind of a lengthy process really. I need to cut the bags into useable strips then tie them together and wind them up...this is kind of like spinning yarn I think..in theory. Then I choose the yarns I want to use. Then I crochet my ideas. I can make a rug in a day easily but the spinning can take up to 2 days as the method is slow.


Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
well let me think...aside from the paste and noodle numbers you do as a kid...I would have to say the first thing I made was a tailored suit coat for myself from an old one of my Dad's suits. I sure thought I was a hottie in it too...all '80's punk. Yeah so not hot!

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon? to use up all the yarn I have BEFORE buying any more! I try to set realistic goals like to make 3 rugs a week. I do some sewing here and there too.

Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion?
People should buy handmade simply for the love poured into one thing that has been made well. Handmade doesn't mean made at home for cheap! It means I took the time to create something that I would like to share with the world and hopefully someone, somewhere wants to buy it, or even trade for it!

Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us Maija!