Trashion Team Spotlight- Interview with Jamie from TwistedWear!

Shop name:
TwistedWear

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

Other sites:
I have a personal blog and gallery at http://www.twistedtextiles.com




Trashion materials:
I love plastics of any kind! I collect anything that seems to gather
itself in bulk in my garage, including clothing that the kids have outgrown and choice items from the overflowing recycling bins. Really, anything is game--the stranger, the better! I'm still trying to find a use for those plastic shotgun shells...

What do you transform them into?
I really enjoy making jewelry out of plastic beverage bottles, but right
now I'm in a handbag groove (which I swore I would never get into!)
which requires lots of empty plastic petfood bags. I actually don't have
any pets at home right now, so I could use any bags that you lovely
readers would be able to send my way!



How do you do it?
I got started with the “plastic grocery bag fusing” craze and sort of evolved the process from there. Plastics are a fun challenge because
they are all different and sometimes react to heat in strange ways. I use fun coordinating fabric remnants to line the handbags, and have been trying various plastic embellishments.

Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
If so, what was it?
My mother got me started when I was very young...we used to make table
place-mats out of stuff we found and then laminate it! In high school I
would express my “rebellion” by using a plastic sidewalk-chalk bucket as
a purse, or by wearing home-made shoes. That really gave the popular
kids something to talk about, eh?




What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
The purses, of course...but soon I've GOT to finish that dress that I'm
making out of milkweed seeds quilted into plastic. I'd also love to
continue making “quilted paintings” but haven't been finding enough time
to sew. Perhaps I should just make them smaller so they don't take as
long! :D

I'm also trying to juggle my other business (painted murals and
faux-finishes) and will be designing and manufacturing stencil designs
for painting. Not as glamorous, but it still exercises my artistic talents.



Why should people buy handmade and from trashion?
Every day I become more insistent on using homemade and handmade items, including the food I eat! Our lives are so consumer centered. All the excess packaging out there, and all the wasted resources, the entire Earth becoming choked by our waste.
If I could be rid of my car, I would (Maybe one day!)---if we all just take one small step each day toward better habits, there will be progress. And the trashion concept is a great place to start!

Okay, I'll step down from my soap-box now...

Anything else you'd like to add?
I really think Handmade/Trashion will be more than just a trend or a
passing “fad”!! I'm glad that it has caught on so quickly, and I know
that it will continue to gain momentum!

Amazing work Jamie! Thank you for sharing with us!

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!

Trashion Team Spotlight- Interview with Lori from Fisheye!

Shop Address: www.fisheye.etsy.com

Tell us a bit about yourself : I have always seen unusual possibilities in discarded materials. Lately I've found the time and drive to create some of these visions.

Trashion materials: unwanted garments made from linen, cotton, or wool, found buttons, vintage household linens

I transform them into: lots of bags, purses and totes

How do you do it? Well, it involves a lot of space and a big mess, to spread out my possible materials and decide what to do next. Then I cut things up and sew them together. Sometimes I keep elements of the original garment, like pockets, pleats, etc. as part of the bag. It's interesting to recognize the heritage of these pieces.

What inspired you to do this and why are you involved in trashion? I guess the inspiration is seeing really useless garments made from beautiful fabrics. I find things in thrift shops and want to make something new, useful and relevant with this fabric.




What was the first thing you made using a trashion concept? The first thing I remember is taking a plastic mesh onion bag and sewing in a zipper, to use as a purse. This was in maybe 7th grade. Hey, I'm still making purses; have I progressed at all?

What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
Currently, I'm working through a big pile of linen fabric. It's so great for Spring and Summer bags.

Why should people buy handmade, and buy from trashion? It's a way to own unique, creative items, that have a history and a story, and have been touched by human hands and hearts.











How cute is the strap/zipper idea?!

Thanks for taking us behind the scenes of Fisheye Lori. : ) We look forward to more fabulous repurposed totes and purses!