Trash Talk Thursday: Tree of the Week

TREE OF THE WEEK

Last Sunday while walking to our local coffee place my friend told me that a tree we were approaching was her ‘tree of the week’. Did I have one she asked? I do not, I replied. (I am not a tree hugger type myself. My idea of being in nature is the walk from my vehicle to my front door.)

This, I have been told, is fairly common among upcyclers.
I think we come to this because
1- We are all thrift store, tag sale and vintage junkies.
2- We love the hunt.
3- We are very creative and like to challenge ourselves.
4- Oh yes, it’s good for the environment, blah blah, blah.

In order to upcycle you must be able to think outside the box and see the beauty in, well, garbage. Mucho creativity! A quick search on Etsy came up with many wonderful examples. Here are some of my favorites...

Enlightened Thinking

An Blath Paipeir

True Rebel Clothing

Amazing, right?

So next time you see that bulk trash pickup pile on the side of the road pull over and have a peek. You just never know what treasure awaits! You have your hand sanitizer already!

Happy Hunting!

Images © Enlightened Thinking, An Blath Paipeir & True Rebel Clothing

Text © Delight Worthyn

What's Up Wednesday

This week three of our team members have shows on Sunday, May 1st in Kansas, California and Wisconsin.  If you're in the area, get out and shop for handmade work from local artisans just in time for Mother's Day, graduations, weddings or Father's Day.  Not in the area?  Please share this post on Twitter and Facebook for your friends who might be.

Stop by and shop with Mandy of  iamthemandy at Art in the Park on Sunday, May 1st from 10:00am - 5:00pm.  It takes place in South Park (11th & Massachusetts) in Lawrence, KS. 
The 50th Anniversary Art in the Park is sponsored by the Lawrence Art Guild.  It features over 150 local, regional and national artists. Fine art and fine crafts abound in a lively atmosphere of music, vendors, and childrens activities.  Admission is free. For more information, visit the Facebook page:   http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193087550708156 

Mandy is an artist, designer and crafter.  From buttons and old newspapers to cheap t-shirts and fabric scraps, iamthemandy’s style is reflected in both what she wears and designs. Although some may see fabric scraps and old magazines as trash, her philosophy remains: reuse. repurpose. reinvent.

Stop by and shop with Robin Stelling of CreativeBeadz at the Saratoga Rotary Art Show on Sunday, May 1st from 9:00am to 5:00pm.  The show will be held at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA.

The 54th Annual Art Show and Wine Tasting will feature a wide variety of fine art: paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, photography, glassworks, woodworks and mixed media. Craftsmen from around the country showcase their works at what is recognized as "the largest one day juried fine Art Show in the West"!  
For more information, visit their website:  www.saratogarotary.org/artshow/index.shtml



Robin creates eco-friendly jewelry for the modern nomad from vintage global textiles, beading and gemstones.  Learn more about her and her work at www.robinstelling.com

Lastly, you can stop by and shop with Rachael of Rachael Brooke Designs at Absolutely Art's "Girls Day Out" event on Sunday, May 1st from 10:00am - 5:00pm.  Absolutely Art is located at 2322 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI.

Rachael will have a trunk show of her latest vintage tea tin earrings, button brooches and more for sale on Sunday.  She will also be leading a "make & take" jewelry project throughout the day.  You can make a recycled copper wire and button necklace or zipper pull for $10.  Proceeds from the "make & take" will be donated to the Canopy Center in Madison.  The Canopy Center provides many services to parents in crisis in an effort to prevent or stop child abuse.  They provide services through three programs to 4,000 people annually.  There will be food, drinks and chair massages during the event, too.

Marketing Monday: Driving Traffic to Shops

zieak

I read this post over the weekend about
6 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Gallery.
I just dropped off some work on consignment yesterday,
and I thought it was very relevant for that, too.
After all, I do want my work to sell!
The shop is a pop up shop - opening for only 2 months.
Any extra marketing the artists can do will really help the owners
toward their goal of making the shop a longer term retail venture.


remaker

While I do not have a mailing list (I really should),
I'll be dropping off some of the shop's postcards at other local businesses.
I'll be tweeting, posting on Facebook, and blogging.
The shop is having an opening event in a couple of weeks, so I'll be there. But don't expect to see me in any videos :)


alexkeller

Dragon's Spark is an urban boutique offering original designs
by local artisans, recycled materials, fair labor fashions from
around the world, and vintage jewelry and apparel.
Find them at 4280 North Oracle Road, Suite 130, Tucson, AZ.