TrashTalk vol.3

We're wrapping up the Trash Talk series for 2009 with an interview I did with Karen Lee of EcoKaren. She has a great shop which features eco-friendly gifts and accessories made from -you guessed it- recycled and repurposed materials!
Here's her take on the Trashion way of life...

TrashTalk vol.1

Starting off my TrashTalk series is an interview with perfumer and budding trashion artist Diana Rajchel of Magickal Realism.

Primarily a designer of perfumed potions, Diana is currently working to expand her line of 'trashion' offerings to include decoupaged bottles and diffusers, as well as one-of-a-kind gift/shipping boxes- all recycled and repurposed, of course!

Here's what I was curious about...

*Did you grow up with a green family, or is recycling and reusing something you taught yourself to do?

Not exactly. I grew up with a pseudo-green family. We would go spend time in nature, and my mother would repurpose some things out of frugality. We did grow our own food some years, and other years we didn't. Since there was no recycling and no mass transit where I grew up (Crown Point, Indiana) it was all a bit haphazard. We were certainly concerned about air pollution but we just had no options except to keep driving and keep polluting.

*Where do you find the materials that you plan on turning into trashion art?

Just from the things I bring in my home every day. Product boxes (like cereal, mac and cheese) get repurposed and reinforced for shipping. Bottles, like worcestershire or wine, get decoupaged. My flagship trashion is incense paper I make by converting my junk mail into something pretty-smelling. Even among my perfumery goods I'm trying to make it so every single bottle and box sees at least one reuse before it leaves my studio.

*How did you or do you come up with your ideas?

I think that's one of the  great unanswerable questions in the arts. My process is "hmm, I have this object. What can I do with it?" I let that cook for awhile. Sometimes I literally dream the solution.

*Why is it important for you to continue on this artistic path with trashion art?

The world's resources are drying up rather rapidly, and as a perfume designer I have to contend with extinction and related disasters on a daily basis, too. While papering boxes with old stuff won't solve the world's problems, it will slow them down, and trashion causes us to look at and rethink the everyday objects around us and gets us to pause, reconsider, and recreate instead of going out and just buying something brand new that puts further strain on the world.

*How do you feel the community has taken to your art?

When it comes to the trashion fragrances themselves, I think some people don't quite get them - a lot of "perfume snobs" are so conditioned to the scent and behavior of synthetics that they don't see that I'm not just doing all my perfumes up with the chemicals I use in trashion. I think the other things I create - the vials and bottles and especially the incense paper - are easier to understand because you can physically see what the objects used to be before they were repurposed.

*What draws you to a particular found object?

Its presence in my studio, mostly. How much space it takes up, whether it's washable, and in the case of bottles glass color can really catch my attention. I love blue and red glass.

*Do you know right off how you will use your found materials, or does the inspiration come later?

Sometimes I know right away. In the case of perfume vials, they can hold liquid. So that's all they're going to do before and after I work with them. In other cases, an object may sit for awhile while I puzzle at it - especially stacks of old magazines. I've started exploring shredding them and making paper, but the reward of that type of work is very small and frustrating so I may leave that to other dedicated paper makers.

*How long have you been making trashion art and when and why did you start?

I got started a few weeks after I joined Etsy. I was around when someone brought up starting a trashion team, and I was looking for new arts to explore to make my perfumery different from the others already dotting the landscape. It's become somewhat more of a passion for me since, as I've found new and creative ways to repurpose the items that pass through my hands. I've certainly started doing more with trashion in my home decor, hopefully I'll get a few things up to show on my own blog soon!

*What new projects are you working on? Is there an idea you have that you'd like to develop on in the future?

I am preparing a line of decoupaged diffusers using items that are from my daily flotsam (sewing notions, magazine pages, etc.) I'm also arranging for "trashion packs" that have a variety of samplers to go out. I may also soon have my answer to requests for scratch'n'sniff (I'm being mysterious on purpose) but it's a fairly time consuming project so that day is a ways off yet!

Thanks Diana, it's been nice talkin' trash with you!

To find out more about Diana and Magickal Realism visit:
magickalrealism.com
dianarajchel.com

Interview with Karen from ecogeneration

Shop name: ecogeneration

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

Other sites: http://ecogeneration.blogspot.com
I’m also on facebook and twitter.

What draws you to using trashion materials?
Being eco-friendly and trying to reduce waste and reuse materials I already have are part of my motto – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. I think we have way too much resource that we don’t use. I think it’s our responsibility to use them up before buying new.



What trashion materials do you use?
Leftover yarn from when I was learning to knit and crochet 30 years ago. I stopped when I had kids and then, I picked it up again recently. So I have a stash of yarn that I didn’t throw out. I also have fabric remnants collected after making curtains, cushions, pillow covers, and album covers. I recently learned how to felt wool. I had a small, outdated ski sweater that I felted and I love the result. I made so many items from just one little wool sweater.



Do you remember the first thing you made using the trashion concept?
Kitchen scrubbies with acrylic yarn. They are so much better than the commercial ones I used to buy. They last longer and clean better. Albeit, they are made with acrylic but I had so many skeins leftover from when I was learning and I couldn’t throw them away. So I used it to make scrubbies. Initially, I gave them to friends and family and they suggested that I sell them. That’s how I started on Etsy.



What are your current projects and what is on the horizon?
My head is always working on concepts and designs. That’s my problem; I love to make so many different things. I don’t know how to consolidate my shop into one. I love to sew, crochet, knit, paint, you name it, I love to make anything. So these days, I’m preoccupied with streamlining my ideas. I feel like I have ADD sometimes but my current project is to find just a few to work on. It’s the hardest part about being a crafter/artist…focusing.




Anything else you'd like to add?
I love Etsy. That sounds like a cliché but really, it’s true. I sometimes just scroll and see what others are making, buying, selling, and doing on Etsy. I can spend hours on the site. It’s terrible for my time management but I can really digress on Etsy for hours. And I have to really control myself from buying everything I see. There are so many talented artists on Etsy. I’ve noticed the number of eco-friendly artists who reuse and upcycle materials has been increasing. I think that’s awesome. And I feel so lucky to be part of a such talented community.

Unique Summer Giveaway!

Pamela of beadsinatwist.etsy.com is going to create a custom handbag for one lucky entrant in her Summer Bag Giveaway!
She will personally work with the winner to create a handbag in the colors that they prefer using
reclaimed leather and upholstery fabrics. The main design of the bag is similar to the handbag below, but you get to choose whether you want to have it decorated with flowers or buckles!!

Summer Bag Giveaway Rules
Here is what the winner receives
A custom handbag valued between $100- $200
Enter by posting your name in response to this http://www.uniquehandbags.net/summer_giveaway.html
All other comments are optional. Thats it! I will notify the winner on October 15th.

Announcing Earth Tones in the Storque!

Etsy's blog the Storque just premiered a new featured column: Earth Tones. It's focused on being eco-conscious.

Trashion and EcoEtsy teams collaborated on a series of Earth Day celebration articles. The first one Why We're Green coordinated by EcoKate is up already for your reading enjoyment!

Trashion team members highlighted in this article include Kae1Crafts and rikrak. Both life long upcyclers.

It's a wonderful read and a great start to a very special feature!

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!

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".