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!

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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!