Meet & Greet: Glow's Shop

Gloria has a passion for discarded treasures of the past. Intrigued by the history and forgotten memories, she is thrilled by the opportunity to recycle those old trinkets and give them a new life.

Upcycled Antique Equine Pocket Watch Statement Necklace

I asked Gloria a few questions and here is what she had to share with us today:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I have spent my life on a wonderfully winding road... Now, I find my self in Sunny South Florida, surrounded by the sun and the breeze of the sea. I often dream of the kind of winter Miami does not know... but the color and cry of the Peacocks here help that cool-air-longing fade... I am warm here... and happy.

I have always loved the old or otherwise discarded treasures that linger here... still with us. The mysterious history they harbor allures me. I rejoice in random acts of recycling, using those forgotten memories... giving time worn trinkets and cast offs a new shine.

My pieces are soulful and salvage. Many are one of a kind... I make vintage revival Assemblage jewelry... I am proud of the fact that my pieces are eco friendly and I welcome you to come in and find your shine... .

Bella's Betrothal Salvaged Heirloom lace bib necklace

What is your favorite thing about creating?
My favorite thing about creating is that things have a way of becoming what they are meant to be as they are created... All the planning in the world never seems to change that... When some one is touched by a piece I make to make it there own... I know that! That is a blessing I feel.

Upcycled vintage bullet large circle earrings

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
I never really decided to work with upcycling and repurposing vintage or otherwise cast off things... I just did it... Starting some 30 years ago, from the head band I made of tiny pinecones collected at the park with my boyfriend, to the necklace made of cast off washers t(hat would have been trashed) at a fan factory I worked in while on Kibbutz in Israel, to the jeans I would paint and write poetry on much to my parents chagrin. That was it... at about 15 years old, I was off and running... My pieces were kept to myself and my close inner circle until Etsy came along.

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
My favorite thing about running my etsy shop is that it gives me the ultimate freedom that I, as an artist, require... I am able to think in peace and create as I feel things... That is PURE JOY!

Upcycled vintage sterling silver turquoise beaded butterfly bracelet

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
I am inspired by my life long fascination with the mystery of old things and my not so secret longing for a bohemian life... Their rustic and sometimes dark romance make my creative process thankfully endless...

How do you keep your creative space inspiring?
I find that a huge table full of treasures keeps me quite inspired... Others might call it a mess(and they do!) but to me it is a vision of beauty that allows me to constantly find new combinations and see the ideas that are there... quietly waiting for me.

Links
Etsy Shop
Twitter
Facebook

Thanks Gloria for sharing with us today!

See you in couple of weeks,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet: Christine Wilson

Christine has spent many years creating and experimenting with many art forms. When she was introduced to beading she found her true passion. She creates all the time and is rarely found without a new project. Challenging herself to try new techniques inspires her to create pieces that are unique conversation starters.

Izze Bottle Cap Bead Embroidered Cuff 

I asked Christine a few questions and here is what she had to share:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I worked for many years as a financial analyst for EDS in Indiana and North Carolina before moving to Oregon and working for Sequent Computer Systems. I "retired" when my daughter was born and began pursing my love of creating whenever I had a spare moment. I began making jewelry after a friend's bracelet caught my eye and she offered to teach me how to make it. An obsession was soon born. I ultilize purchased materials from other artists such as pin back buttons, hand painted bottle caps, and art stones. However, my true passion lies with bottle caps. I'm completely enamored how this little piece of metal manages to convey its advertising message, while also packing a signficant artistic punch. I'm working towards a couple one of a kind pieces that use 100% recycled materials.

Scale Maille Bottle Cap Earrings 

What is your favorite thing about creating?
When I'm creating, the cares of the world just melt away. When I quit my career, the biggest gap I found was the lack of focus. With finance you hone in on a problem/task and it drives your day. Mom's the world over understand that the day is filled with multiple tasks and interruptions and it's a rare day when you can trully loose yourself in a project. Creating fills that gap and leaves me, not with a boring paper trail, but a wonderful piece of wearable art at the end.

Metalwork Wire Wrapped Stone Necklace

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
Actually, it wasn't a conscience decision it was more of a pull from the materials themselves. When I moved to Michigan, I missed the Oregon microbreweries we had come to love. I was delighted to learn Michigan has a thriving microbrewery business and as I enjoyed my first Oberon, I looked at the cap and couldn't imagine throwing the little beauty away. A class with Mary Hettsmansperger sealed my fate when she used a bottle cap as the foundation in one of her pieces. I've been creating with them every since and looking for more and more ways to repurpose, reuse and salvage materials in my pieces. I still create with other materials but my bottle cap jewelry pieces are my love and my best sellers.

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
Like many others, my favorite thing is the people I've met and the connections I made. I met a lovely women from Belgium name Sigrid. She has a daughter a few years older than mine and we've shared many experiences. Early in our friendship she sent me a box of champage crowns, the most generous gifting of bottle caps I've ever received. I cherish these and have been slowly creating pieces with them. I've also been astounded by the artwork created on our team and in the larger community. It's inspiring and humbling. I've met so many wonderful people all of whom are willing to exchange information, art, bottle caps and stories.

Monkey Quilted and Beaded Embroidery Cuff 

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
I honestly don't know. Something just grabs me, like that Oberon cap, and I can't let it go (sometimes to the detriment of housework and dinner). Even at it's most frustrating, creating is the thing I'm always pulled to every day. I actually have to work at stopping so the rest of the work gets down. I'm not someone that marvels at a beautiful sunset and immediately sits down to create an awesome interpretation. I usually start from a material, problem, or technique I want to master and work hard to make it fit my design. It can be frustrating because I don't always have the end thought out but the trial and error led to my best work. It's how my bottle cap cabochons were created. I wanted to use them like all the other cabs in my artwork and I wanted them protected at the same time. Most of my customer's don't realize they are bottle caps at first.

New Belgium Reversible Bottle Cap Pendant

How do you keep your creative space inspiring?
As I sat down to write this piece and had to shove stuff out of my way to get to the computer, I realise my space is not the most inspiring. Literally every surface is covered. I've always worked that way, but even I have to clear things off occassionally. It's easiest to work when you clear things away after every project, unfortunately I'm just not that focused. Fortunately, I'm inspired by the problem/process and not my surroundings. I'm not one that see's a beautiful sunset and immediately sits down to create an awesome interpretation. I usually start from a material and work to make it fit my design. It's how my bottle cap cabochons were created. I wanted to use them like all the other cabs in my artwork and I wanted them protected at the same time.

Links:
www.christinesbeadworks.com
www.christinesbeadworks.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/christinesbeadworks
www.christinesbeadworks.blogspot.com
www.flickr.com/photos/christinesbeadworks

Thanks Christine for sharing with us today!

See you in a couple weeks,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet: Crandalian

Crandall is a teen who loves creating jewelry and bows. Her lovely collection is full of color and a little bit of whimsy.

Pop Soda Can Tab Bracelet Black Cord

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I just moved from Montgomery, Alabama to a small town in called Eufaula. I've been crafting for years, but started on Etsy 2 years ago making friendship bracelets. Since then, my business has really grown and I've added a lot more variety to my shop! I am always looking for more things to make and share with you guys on Etsy.

purple mum post earrings

What is your favorite thing about creating?
That I can express the creative side of myself and enjoy it at the same time!

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
I never woke up one day and decided to start upcycling, it just sort of happened! If I find something around the house that can be used to make something that sells, I go for it! I'm also really inspired by the world around me. Now if I see a piece of jewelry in a store I think, "I can make that."

Beaded Triple Floating Wire crimp necklace

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
I like being able to list all of my items online and having a little virtual store that I can show to friends and family. It was also nice getting a little income from something I've always done anyway- craft!

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
I guess you could say I'm inspired by my emotions. I feel I produce my best work when I'm in a just in a good mood! If you told me to go to my craft space right now I wouldn't be able to think of something on the spot. I have to really be in the mood to make something :)

juicy watermelon hair pin set pink and green

How do you keep your creative space inspiring?
I keep all of my materials out where I can see them on a little bookshelf. Every day when I see them I always get new ideas on new things I could make. Never sit down and think of things you could make, just let it come naturally! Get out all your materials out where you can see them all together and something will come to you!

Links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Crandalls-Jewelry/116815285009386
Etsy Shop: Crandalian.etsy.com

Thanks Crandall for sharing with us today!

See you in a couple of weeks.
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet: AwesleyDesigns

Amanda is a busy mother who loves to be creative. Her Etsy shop is filled with one of a kind charm bracelets with charms she has found at yard sales, estate sales, and shops along the road. They are lots of fun and very unique.

Purple Haze Charm Bracelet

I asked Amanda a few questions about herself and her Etsy shop, here is what she had to say:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I'm a stay at home mother of three so that has been my job for the last few years. I have traveled the U.S. and have been lucky enough to experience everything that this country has to offer. I'm a bit crazy and loud. Music is a major part of my life and as a wife to a bass player, it's never quiet here.... ever! I would choose to read a book over watching t.v. and my favorite movies were made over 40 years before I was born. Now that my kids are no longer babies, I have been creating things out of found objects and am a book reviewer. I also know how to make about 100 different types of cupcake.

Coffee Flower Necklace

What is your favorite thing about creating?
I love creating things that other people would look at and never expect. While standing in front of a pile of objects that many people would think of as junk or trash, I see it as a challenge to turn it into something beautiful. Creating something new gives me a rush and I hope to be doing this til the day I die.

Industrial Charm Necklace

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
I work with recycled objects for a couple of reasons. First being a little while ago, I didn't have the money to go out and buy new craft supplies so I made due with what I had laying around. Another reason is because my family is full of artists and seriously creative individuals. Christmas time means we make each other gifts instead of buying them. Every year gets bigger and better. We have to spend little money and yet make Christmas memories. That's where this has exploded for me and I have applied it to everyday life.

Pink and Green Bracelet

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
I love the Etsy community. In the last few years I have seen so much growth and the people are truly amazing. This is like a group of long lost friends that always welcome you into their house. I never get tired of posting my items, talking to people, and visiting the treasuries. I have nothing but love for my fellow etsians, for without them, none of this would work.

Industrial Steampunk Charm Bracelet

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
Inspiration hits me in the strangest times and it's never the same. A David Bowie song might trigger me to see a pop can as a rocket ship necklace or my youngest might say something that reminds me of a fairytale and that will be my next bracelet. I never see something in the same light twice so don't be surprised if a vinyl record becomes a headband, it's just what it told me to do with it.

How do you keep your creative space inspiring?
My "space" is a mess! I have pictures, music, and bits of things I've found and thought were interesting. It's constantly moving and changing. The only thing that doesn't change is the coffee maker.

Links:
(facbook fan page) www.facebook.com/awesleydesigns
(Personal facebook page) www.facebook.com/amanda.wesley
(Twitter) twitter.com/awesleydesigns
(Etsy) www.etsy.com/shop/awesleydesigns
(goodreads) www.goodreads.com/user/show/5317599-amanda

Thanks Amanda for sharing with us today!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet: RadicalRecycks

Tracie discovered her love for recycling and upcycling as a girl scout leader. Taking plastic bags and turning them into plastic fabric she creates bags, wallets, and bibs.  She also create jewelry from plastic bottles, and is coming up with new ideas all the time.

Blue and Green Trashy Clutch

I asked Tracie a few questions and here is what she had to share:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
My name is tracie Lampe and I live in Pinckney Michigan with my family. I just went part time and will be working from home after 15 years at my job this will give me more time to develop my own business. I make useful items from trash! Purses, jewelry, wallets, etc. I also wrote a craft book on how to fuse plastic, techniques & 25 projects called " upcycled accessories"

Dunkin Donut Upcycled Gift Card necklace

What is your favorite thing about creating?
My favorite thing about creating is when I dream up an idea and when I finally sit down to make it & it turns out just as I dreamed!

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
Why I upcycle... Here's the story I am a girl scout leader & I had to take an enchriment class which happen to be called "leave no trace" it was about recycling and reducing our carbon foot print. At this point in my life I didn't recycle I didn't think as one person I could make a difference so when the instructor said " if you could do one thing what a difference it could make" so I decided that I would do one thing and that was to recycle. The first week I recycled I went from 3 overflowing trash cand to less than one well I was hooked. Now this is when my extreme nature took over and recycling wasnt good enough I needed to make thing from trash!

Upcycled Accessories 25 projects using Repurposed Plastic

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
My favorite thing about running my etsy shop is when someone buys something it makes me excited that someone loves something I made!

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
My inspiration is keeping the trash out of the landfill and making a difference.

Bumble Bee Tee Shirt Bracelet

How do you keep your creative space inspiring?
Oh my creative space well I work in chaos most of the time I just want to get out what is in my head but every now and again the chaos gets my creative juices all juiced out and that's when my very good friend comes to my house and helps me reorganize which then inspires me to create again!

Links:
www.RadicalRecycks.com
www.Facebook.com/RadicalRecycks
www.RadicalRecycks.etsy.com

Thanks Tracie for sharing with us today!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet : ZafteLV

"Zafte" is Latvian slang word meaning synonymous to the words “juicy,” “fruitful” and “potent” - a delightful substance created through skilful work combining spring blossoms, summer rain and warm sun...

Inara and Ingrida have been working together since 2008 and are passionate about recycling, as you can see in the items they create.

Blue / pale yellow dress 

I asked them a few questions and here is what they had to share:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
We are two Latvian designers: Inara Gauja - professional and experienced theatre stage and costume designer, sometimes doing also nice interiors, and Ingrida Zabere - one of the best Latvian graphic designers, gained the master degree in fashion design last year. We are bygone art colledge schoolmates and met by accident in year 2008. We decided to embark a common business establishing a new design company Zafte ltd. and to focus our main attention to the new design project RECYCLED.LV. The fashion design is a new experience for both of as.

denim shirt with cowl neck

What is your favorite thing about creating?
We are in our 40-ies and have been creative all our lifes. Creating new unprecedented ideas does inspire our spirits, especially, if the brilliant things can be made out of all but nothing. We find it boring to follow some mainstreem or to repeat or copy something or somebody. We make our lifes interesting and find our joy and spirits in doing something different.

jumpsuitdress

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
The world around us nowadays is filled up with all different commercial articles made for short life and to be useless after that. We find it interesting for us and usefull in terms of ecology to prolong the ready-made but useless things' life using them for recreating into original and inspiring one-of-a-kind designs. We are eager to inspire people how actual and interesting looks can be created out of obsolete stuff and to put this approach instead of one-season commercial fashion shopping. We feel responsibility for ecology and sustainability, so we use ours and call others for CREATIVITY. Speaking of materials - upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials are interesting themselves and very inspiring as they have their own story like people their biographies.

Apron Janis

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
Etsy gives us a positive feedback together with some commercial success to support our recycled business. I like to find here many intersting creative persons and their bright ideas to keep our upcycler's spirits high. But we have not been very active on Etsy so far as a lot of our time is occupied with other projects and family.

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
The most inspiring in whole the producing process is forming the idea of old stuff's new looks. So the creative process itself is the source of inspiration and excitement - a challenge to change some thing's identity. Some detail or nuance of the old thing can bring straight to the creative idea.

Cinnamon duster and dustpan

How do you keep your creative space inspiring?
Ingrida finds her vigour in education and perfection of her personality. Inara thinks the designer's ability to create can be compared to tuning the musician's instrument - it should be ready when it's needed. The positve impressions and enough of free time are also needed. (The free time is currently a problem for Inara as she has a baby.)

Find ZafteLV at:
ZafteLV.etsy.com
Zafte.lv
recycled.lv

Thanks Inara & Ingrida for sharing with us today!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet: NancyHarrington

Nancy loves scouring antique shops, shows, and estate sales, looking for unique silverware that she fashions into pendants, rings, and cuffs. Nancy also does commission work, so if you have a couple pieces from a cherished set you can have them made into something special.

Summer Beauty Antique Art Nouveau Butterfly

I asked Nancy a few questions about herself and her shop and here is what she had to share:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I create one of a kind pieces of jewelry from antique sterling silver and silverplate silverware. I also have started making pieces using antique jewelry. This is a new venture for me and I'm pretty excited about it. My shop is called Woods Edge Jewelry Studio because my little place here is nestled right up against a great woods.

Savage Beauty Antique Sterling Silver Spoon

What is your favorite thing about creating?
I love creating, it allows my brain freedom to roam into new areas and explore. It's very rewarding to me to finally be able to figure out what a piece would best be used as after it sitting for a while under consideration.

Silver Breath of Autumns Being Antique

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
I fell in love with antique silverware a few years ago. The amazing craftsmanship that went into creating old pieces still to this day floors me. The patterns are whimsical and beautiful. I love making commission pieces for a customer. Often someone will approach me with a piece of their grandmother's silver. They want to be able to have it close to them, not tucked away in a drawer somewhere. Turning these pieces into treasured jewelry is such a pleasure for me.

Pour Some Sugar On Me Antique Sugar Shovel Key Chain

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
I have made such good friends through my Etsy shop. I have wonderful customers. It's such fun to grab a warm cup of coffee and head to the computer and see what's happening on Etsy; my shop and the Etsy community as a whole. It's like a great big creative family.

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
I am inspired by the process of taking an old piece and making it current and beautiful. I love whimsy, figurals and florals.

Band of Blossoms Antique Silver Spoon Ring

How do you keep your creative space inspiring?
I always have lovely old pieces of silverware sitting in my studio. As I"m working on a piece, I will have the other to consider and will find myself getting excited to get my hands on it and work with it.

You can friend me on facebook at Woods Edge Jewelry Studio. And if you're ever in the Chicago/NW Indiana area in the Summer, head to Chesterton, IN and look for me at The European Market, May through October, Saturdays 8 to 2.

Thanks for sharing with us today Nancy!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet: ColorStoryDesigns

Design team Amy Gibson and Andrea Read create unique one of a kind artwork form repurposed and discarded magazines and paper products.  Stop by and see all their amazing work.

flower vase made from recycled magazines

I asked Amy and Andrea a few questions about themselves and their business. Here is what they had to say:


Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
My name is Amy and I co-own colorstory designs with Andrea Read. Currently, Andrea is taking some time off from the business. For my day job, I am an architect, and most every other moment of the day I am trying to think of the next cool thing to make from recycled magazines :) Colorstory designs was created out of a need to have a creative outlet outside of work. I make all sorts of colorful items from recycled magazines; picture frames, earrings, mirrors, wine charms, necklaces, shadowboxes, etc.

pixel mirror made from recycled magazines

What is your favorite thing about creating?
My favorite thing about creating is the process experimenting. My initial ideas usually come to me at weird times throughout the day, so there are sketches on scrap paper everywhere! I love using my hands to create something that is so colorful- I often say that the result is a "labor of love" and I always want my prodcuts to go to happy homes :)

a living tree on the left shadowbox

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
When first thinking of magazines, i loved that they are colorful on their own, and they are overly abundant. I actually get my magazines from my local library- so they are truly saved from being thrown out. I love that I'm helping clean up the environment- on magazine at a time!

colorful pendant necklace made from recycled magazines

What is your favorite thing about running your Etsy shop?
I love interacting with customers- and creating custom orders. Working with magazines allows there to be endless color combinations - so every customer can feel like they are truly getting a product made just for them. I love hearing back from customers who love their products- it makes all the hard work worth it!

burst of bright mini picture frame

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
I love that working with magazines allows me to create something new every time (because every sheet of magazine is totally different). I enjoy hearing that I've inspired someone to create something out of nothing- that what it's all about :)

ColorStoryDesign Links:
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/colorstorydesigns?ref=pr_shop_more
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/colorstory/105913713568

Thanks for sharing Amy and Andrea,

My daughter is off to college this month so I will be back with more artists to Meet & Greet on September 7.
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet: TheFanFavorite

For David, Fan Favorite is a labor of love. He takes comic books, novels, and music covers and gives them new life by turning them into wallets, bags, and purses. He also makes custom pieces. So if you have a sports team or wedding invitation you want saved in a unique way the check out The Fan Favorite.

Whale nature wallet

I asked David a few questions and here is what he had to share:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
Hello my name is David I also have a business partner (Jason). For the most part I sell upcycled accessories (wallets, purses, messenger bags etc). While I love to create for all topics I have had the most success within the comic field.

Avengers comic book wallet

What is your favorite thing about creating?
I love creating a new item from discarded items as well as the whole creative process.

Superman comic book messenger bag

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
I wanted to work from items that I love (comics, music etc) and still give credit to the original artists. I also love concept of reusing to build something new.

Horse purse unique handmade women's purse

What is your favorite thing about running your Etsy shop?
I love the freedom of the shop. I love that I have sold to people in countries that I would have never reached without Etsy. I also love the support and love that comes from the groups and blogs.

Share links to where we can find you on the web
My Website is www.thefanfavorites.com 
Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/TheFanFavorites?ref=ss_profile
Flickr page www.flickr.com/photos/thefanfavorites/
Facebook page www.facebook.com/#!/thefanfavorites

Thanks David for sharing today!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet: ReFinds

Amy loves to work with old and alternative materials and turning unexpected items into jewelry. She enjoys giving you new life to things that would otherwise be discarded.

Amy is inspired by nature and having her Etsy shop lets her support causes she care about. A percentage of the profit from her ReFinds shop is currently being donated to the World Wildlife Fund.

Capacitor Earrings 20 Geek chic in Black

Today Amy answered a few questions about herself and her business here is what she had to say

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I’m a freelance graphic designer, but my alter-ego loves to make jewelry, hit estate sales and dig through junk shops for cool vintage kit.

Mirrored Secret mini Matchbox Pendant 

What is your favorite thing about creating?
My favorite thing is that moment when I’m so immersed in whatever project I’m working on that I totally lose track of time because I’m having so much fun that no other thoughts enter my head. I guess it’s sort of like a form of mediation. When I’m making something and really loving it, all seems right with the world.

Resistor Tech Bracelet Striped  Brown

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
I love old stuff. Things used to be built to last (not cheap plastic). I especially love things you can hold in your hand and feel the quality of how it was made. It makes me feel good to help find new life for stuff that might be tossed out just because there’s a newer (but not necessary better) version available. I also get my love of hardwire and odd electronic bits from my dad and my grandfathers. They were playthings when I was a kid and now it just feels natural to work with them.

Gnornish Acorn Earrings Dainty Green Real Acorn

What is your favorite thing about running your Etsy shop?
I’m still new enough to Etsy that it’s the thrill of getting that email that says someone made a purchase. It’s still a little bit of a shock and a rush to think that someone else likes what I sell enough to buy it. I’ve also had a great time learning how to take better photos for my shop. The other sellers on Etsy are great too…so helpful and supportive of one another.

Hanging thermometer old and well worn

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
My inspiration comes from all over. Sometimes it’s from the materials or from nature, like with my acorn earrings. I went for a walk one day and spotted a huge collection of acorns under a big old tree and thought, “I wonder what I could do with those?” Sometimes it’s from seeing what other people are making and sometimes it’s totally out of the blue – an idea will just hit me usually when I’m cooking dinner or in the shower and not thinking about creative stuff at all.

Share links to where we can find you on the web
www.refinds.etsy.com
www.refindsVintage.etsy.com
www.facebook.com/refinds
re-finds.blogspot.com

Thanks for sharing Amy!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Meet & Greet: TreasuresAnew

Inspired by her Mom's love of antiques, she instilled in Serena a love of vintage dishes and glassware. Because of this love she saves broken china from being tossed away by creating one of a kind jewelry.

Serena also does special orders. If you have a pattern from a loved one you want preserved Serena can turn that pattern into beautiful jewelry.

Broken China Jewelry Pendant Adderley's China

I asked Serena a few questions and here is what she had to share:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I live in southern IN, 59 years old, retired, widowed, and sell broken china jewelry. My main interest other than my jewelry is Australian Sheperd Rescue which I have been involved in for about 12 years.

Broken china jewelry Pin Brooch Vintage JH 

What is your favorite thing about creating?
My favorite thing about creating my jewelry is preserving the past. I love the fact that a dish that is over 100 years old can be made into a keepsake that will last for generations. I do quite a bit of custom work making jewelry out of dishes that belonged to relatives who have passed on. I feel as though I'm remaking a memory for that person.

Broken China Jewelry Charm Bracelet

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
I decided to do this work because I loved antique dishes and hated the thought that once they were damaged or broken that they would be thrown away. They were too beautiful to just be thrown into the trash.

Free Shipping Broken china jewelry Necklace

What is your favorite thing about running your Etsy shop?
I love running my Etsy shop as I have met so many people who love what I do for some of the same reasons I do. It has been a great experience and a lot of fun.

Vintage recycled Alfred Meakin Selwyn Broken china Jewelry Pendant

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
I am inspired to make my jewelry by the beautiful patterns of the dish and to preserve as many of them as I can. I like to think about where the dish might have come from, was it someones wedding china and knowing that at some point and time that antique dish meant a lot to someone.

You can see Serena's work in her
Etsy Shop
Ebay Shop
Website

Thanks for sharing with us today Serena!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired