Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

October 9, 2013

Wednesday's Welcome!

It's been a long time since we've brought you daily posts on our blog~ a huge thanks to Bee from The Wooden Bee and Tricia from Upcycled Stuff for keeping us going even as intermittent as we've been! Without them, we may have fallen to the wayside like so many other blogs. I have had one tough year, and I don't know what I would have done without them and the other team leaders on Etsy I have come to love and count on. They, too, have had their own tough and busy times and have managed to still keep us posted with contest results, articles, discussion threads, tweets, Facebook posts, treasuries and our weekly Linky Parties. They have taught me the meaning of the word TEAM.

That said, I hope with our upcoming third anniversary on November 8th, we can start a new wave of consistent activity in our upcycling movement with new and exciting things to put us back on track. We are looking for more contributors to our blog, social networks and Etsy discussion threads, as well as developing new features and, ultimately, a new website with more to offer everyone. So with that said~ here is the first!

Wednesday's Welcome!

Each week we will feature three new Upcyclers~ either from our team on Etsy, our Twitter followers or our fans on Facebook. Whichever venue we find each week's featured upcycling artists, writers or companies, we promise to bring you something awesome and interesting every Wednesday. All we ask is that you welcome them by checking out their shops, pages, websites, blogs, etc. Whether you tweet, share, tumble, stumble, pin, comment or purchase~ show your Love 2 Upcycle by supporting your fellow Upcyclers!

But don't think we are going to neglect our dedicated and long time Upcyclers, we've got plans for you, too! We will sponsor new contests and giveaways, revamp our Blogs 2 Love and share more DIY ideas, tutorials, and links to the most innovative sites we can find so we can inspire you to keep upcycling and living a sustainable lifestyle. Our world is rapidly changing it's attitude toward what we do and it's up to us to show everyone it's not a trend~ it's a necessity. We all must face the need to adapt to the demand for accountability for how we use the resources of our world and to be responsible inhabitants of not just this planet, but the universe. The beauty of the internet and social networking is the opportunity it affords us to reach out globally to spread the word with an impact.

But we need your help. No one can do it alone, we have to do it together.

Our thanks again to all of you and~ Welcome to this week's new Upcyclers...

The first is a new member of Upcyclers on Etsy. Why this one? You are going to love how they describe upcycling. I could not have said it better myself...

Studio ABCD



A graduate from National Institute of Fashion Technology in Bangalore, India, and a student of architecture, Raahul Khadaliya has immersed himself in a sustainable lifestyle that is emulated in his innovative, yet traditionally based products. Using a handmade, eco-friendly method of block printing firmly routed in his culture, he creates brightly colorful and artistic gift wrap from discarded newspaper, as well as other products. Yet, even more beautiful is how he describes why and what he does:

"It is high time now to link things we have used, to the things we will use, and this link between the two holds a promise to a sustainable possibility for future. We know the grave possible problems in times to come, and its ironic that we don’t do much to help the situation. The solution is as simple as rethinking the complete design process incorporating ideologies like cradle to cradle design into both minor and major systems of creation. The need of the hour is to justify the energy, raw materials, human resources and other natural energy that are used in creation of a product and question ourselves each time we discard any thing we use.

To expect a third party to save the environment is passé, when everyone of us can help the cause by re-using things of daily requirements…" ~Visit his shop and profile to read more of his philosophies. He also illustrates his idealogy and method in an amazing infograph on his website.


B - Reloved





Our next Welcome is to another new member on Etsy~

"If the only thing that can not be recycled is wasted time, I thought I might as well put my time and any God given talent I have into making things beautiful by using the power of Recycle. Mission: To bring a creative approach to recycling."

We, in all honesty, prefer to call Christa Behen's approach to the art of recycling~ upcycling, but we also know that many still are more familiar with the term recycling. No matter, it's beautiful!




A hearty welcome also to a new fan on Facebook~ Redeemed, a Museum/Art Gallery in Sharon Pennsylvania, held it's Grand Opening on September 28th! This shop looks amazing, I wish I could take a trip north just to see all the wonderful upcycled treasures it holds! Stop by if you are in the area, or give them a 'Like' and a Welcome on Facebook!



We hope you've enjoyed meeting these three new Upcyclers! I can't wait to Welcome more of you next week!

;) Cat

August 6, 2013

Guest Post~ Jane Koopman

Recently, my husband and I visited the Royal Ontario Museum, commonly known as the ROM, in Toronto, Ontario. The ROM is an amazing place, full of natural specimens and cultural artifacts. You'd need a few weeks to fully explore the entire collection.

Because we only had a day, my husband and I decided to focus our attention on the museum's third floor, which features artifacts from many world cultures from prehistory to the 20th Century. As we strolled through the African baskets, eastern Buddhas, Egyptian cat mummies, Grecian pottery and Rococo furniture, I felt inspired and affirmed as an artist. Maybe that's obvious: a trite reaction. But there were two things in particular that I realized in a refreshing and uplifting way.
Greek Pottery from the ROMGreek pottery from the ROM's collection (photo from the ROM).
The first thing that struck me like a two-by-four was the fact that art, adornment and beauty have been a necessary part of culture from the beginning of time. As an artist/artisan, I sometimes wonder, "What's the point? Nobody really needs the stuff I create." These misgivings were clearly challenged by what I saw at the ROM. Through many ages of history, artists and craftspeople were highly esteemed in all cultures, and their work touched every aspect of life: birth, work, celebration and death. Artistic items like beads and jewelry were sometimes used as currency. Jewelry and decorative, artistic detail in clothing have been part of every world culture as soon as people could work metal and weave fabric. In other words, art has always been integral to life. In fact, without art, the ROM would have very few cultural artifacts, and we would know very little about the people who came before us.

The second affirmation I experienced during my visit to the ROM was that upcycling and repurposing are age old practices. People have always used the everyday objects around them to create art, clothing and jewelry. I saw jewelry made from the garbage and trifles of ages past: bone, seed pods, animal teeth, stones, scraps of leather and wood, tiny pieces of shell. Feathers, fur and hair were incorporated into art, masks and even weapons. I think it's only since industrialization that people have had the "luxury" to waste. We can learn a lot from the multitudes who lived before industrialization about finding practical and beautiful uses for scraps and shards. I've always thought of my efforts in upcycling as being mindful of the present and future, but now I see they're also deeply connected to the past.

ROM South Asian Gallery
The ROM's beautiful South Asian Gallery, with a stunning tapestry in the background (photo from the ROM).

February 14, 2013

Thrifty Thursday~ Upcycled Home Decor

NY City Love Photo by Pixamatic

 Happy Valentine's Day!
We hope all of you have a wonderful Valentine's Day! 
Love is in the air and Spring is on the way!


I'll bet many of you are idly daydreaming of Springtime! Aside from being the season of love, it's also when we freshen up the home and get rid of the winter doldrums!

And it's a great time to go thrift store shopping for some "new" accessories for the home. The next time you walk by something you think is useless, think about these Etsy items from our team we are featuring today. It's always amazing what some of our Upcyclers can do with typical thrift shop finds~ Cast off's and junk are turned into unique and clever works of art, home decor and housewares!

Check out these eco-friendly, fun and functional finds for this Spring...


Paper Flower Collage Vase Trio by LaraLeib


1937 Mexico Map Coasters by All Mapped Out


The Corkdelier by kimbradley1


Upcycled Pedestal Stand from Garden Whimsies by Mary


Mason Jar Wall Sconces by Amy's Reclaimed


2 Quarts of Light by Flat Earth Rebirth



Upcycled Barbecue Grill by Tinkan Designs


Vintage Silverware Hooks by Love Letters Upcycled


Upcycled Jewelry Organizer by NorScott


Upcycled Vintage Children's Shelf by Once Upon a Firefly


Upcycled Magnet Board by LeMaisonBelle


Alphabet Block Terrarium by Roots in Rust


I know I may have made you even more impatient for Spring but I just couldn't help sharing these finds!

ENJOY YOUR LOVED ONES TODAY!
;) Cat

Editor's note: The "NY City Love Photo" is sold by Pixamatic on Etsy and owned by Lisa Futterman Photography, a member of the Etsy team~ POE, Photographers on Etsy. Please check out more of her work Pixamatic, Fine Art Photography

February 13, 2013

Upcycled Valentines!

Upcycled Valentines!


Necklace
etsy.com


Necklace
etsy.com


Necklace
etsy.com


Brooch
etsy.com
















Wool Heart and Scrabble letters ornament Valentine
etsy.com




P.S.  Did you know that once your item is "clipped" to Polyvore from Etsy~ it can be used by anyone in a collection, giving your item exposure in many more venues!

September 10, 2012

October's On the Way!

Hard to believe we are already a third of the way thru September and so close to October. I was in the store yesterday and heard a parent telling a child to get their Christmas list ready! Gee, what about Halloween??? But the good news is, Fall is also on the way...cool nights, changing leaves and yummy comfort foods. Here's a few inspiring treasuries to get you in the mood for the next season.

'October Nights.' by thewoodenbee

100% Team Upcyclers - a fall collection of upcycled finds from ecofriendly artists.www.facebook.com/teamupcyclers


Earrings black gold sil...
$14.00

Black Wooden Candlestic...
$20.00

Silk Chiffon Wrap Blous...
$35.00

Upcycled Recycled / Bic...
$24.00

Silver Bullet Necklace ...
$23.00

Magnets S/3 - Vintage A...
$12.95

3 Handmade cotton hairp...
$4.00

Unique Recycled Earring...
$14.00

Monster Khaos Star Chri...
$8.00

Movie Ticket Keychain K...
$8.00

Jim the Eco-Friendly Ti...
$10.00

Necklace Veuve Cliquot ...
$24.95

Zebra Quirky Upcycled B...
$25.00

Lariat Necklace 'Bl...
$42.00

White and Orange Paper ...
$20.00

Army Green T Shirt Skir...
$25.00

'Repurposed Autumn' by thewoodenbee

Unique Fall Finds from Team Upcyclers!love2upcycle.blogspot.com


Retro inspired Embroide...
$36.00

Along with my Lion frie...
$45.00

Dapper Fellow Seat Belt...
$15.00

Button Bobby Pin Set Mu...
$10.00

Resistor Earrings Upcyc...
$15.00

Copper /Gold / Bracelet...
$38.00

Geometric Triangle Neck...
$24.00

Easter Island Tiki Scar...
$22.00

ikat cushion cover uzbe...
$25.00

Day of the dead - Sugar...
$30.00

Vintage Pottery Leaf Di...
$20.00

wonderful driftwood lam...
$120.00

Upcycled Wine Bottle Ca...
$18.00

Marylin / Paper doll / ...
$5.00

Hand Crocheted Pumpkin ...
$12.00

Love Magnet - Scrabble ...
$4.00

'Living Fire of Autumn' by EugenieM



Agate Stained Glass Nig...
$27.99

Vintage Crochet Pattern...
$3.00

Leaves of Change Brooch
$25.00

Goddess of the Holy Gra...
$25.00

Antique Coffee Grinder ...
$54.00

AUTUMN LEAVES - 1 inch ...
$3.50

Dark Chocolate Peony Fi...
$25.00

Shadowbox Jewelry Wall ...
$15.00

Vintage Amber Glass Cup...
$20.00

Felted necklace - Aut...
$39.00

Orange Wine Corks - cor...
$8.00

Needle Felted Ginger Ki...
$200.00

Leather Cuff, Women'...
$18.00

Window view. Autumn Tre...
$39.00

Kitchen Decor Halloween...
$30.00

Pennsylvania License Pl...
$1.99

Enjoy your week!
;) Cat