Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts

March 1, 2013

Upcycled Creativity Challenge: CORK

For the first two months of the year we hosted our monthly Upcycled Creativity Challenge. I organized this challenge last spring because we felt it would promote creativity and inspiration within our team.   Not only it is fun, but it's a nice way to see our talented shops take one medium, like corks, and turn it into so many different items.

After helping others host the challenge last year, this is the first challenge I have been able to judge. The monthly judge selects the medium and the winners.  I had several other judges tell me how hard it was to pick two winners and I always thought to myself, oh it can't be that hard. Ha! When you pick your favorite medium CORK and see so many great ideas entered, it does become difficult to select two winners. We had wine cork jewelry, cork hair bows, wine cork boats, and toy cork snakes to name a few of the cool entries!!!

As hard as it was...

First Place


Upcycled Wine Cork Necklace by JaneKoopman

JaneKoopman creates earth inspired jewelry and cards on Etsy. I love her entry into this month's challenge. Beautiful and realistic for every day wear.  I really loved this piece.

Second Place


Cork Tree Recycled Journal by PrairiePeasant

Prairie Peasant sells ecofriendly journals, cards, and envelopes on Etsy.  I love how cleverly Laura used thrifted cork placemats to create the cover! And the tree is just the perfect touch! 
See, I told you it was hard to pick! ;)


And she didn't win anything, but I have to give a shout out to Sweet Someday!
I like how Sarah shared her success and failure in her cork blog post. Her idea to adjust the color of her wine corks was really cool!


You can see ALL the amazing cork entries on our challenge's Pinterest board!



March's challenge is starting soon! Team members can look for Endure Designs medium selection on our discussion board.


Thanks, Bee



January 9, 2013

Solutions for Your Resolutions: Starting A Journal

If one of your resolutions this year is to start a journal, we have some upcycled inspiration for you! Here's a few handmade journals I found on Etsy~


Upcycled Ephemera Journal by Once Upon a Firefly




Upcycled Mini Journal by Eco Imbiber



Mary Poppins Rebound Journal by Prairie Peasant



Upcycled Handbound Journal by Callies Craft Cottage


Mixed Media Journal by Gone Rustic


Beer Box Journal by RePaper


Upcycled Styx Journal by Coleraine Creations


Wine Box Cover Journal by ReBound Books


Upcycled Indigo Fabric Journal by Feed Your Soul Threads


At the end of the year we seem to always look back and think about all the things we wish we'd written down, and then we make that resolution:

I'm going to start a journal!

But often we let go of the resolve and before you know it another year has passed. Take the first step by finding a journal you relate to~ something that you feel drawn to. Then find a good pen and write any word you want to keep the first page from being blank. After that, don't wait for a "perfect" time to sit and write. Jot a sentence, a word or thought. A quick quote or anecdote you might have heard.

These written words will someday spark your memories of these little moments. They may also provide some insight into your life for your loved ones in the future.

Make 2013 your best year yet!
;) Cat

May 6, 2012

Sustainable Sundays: Summer Travel Plans


Each Sunday we search and highlight upcycled creations made from over 2,000 sustainable shops on our Upcyclers Etsy Team!!! Shops that are actively upcycling and participating in our community are available for selections.

So everyone I know is talking about summer plans right now.  Where are the kids going to camp? Who's going to see Grandma this summer?  Friends and family are discussing exotic vacations and weekend getaways. 

Since planning and preparing for your vacation is the part of the fun. I thought I would seek out some upcycled items on Etsy that will aid us during our summer plans!  All handmade, all upcycled and all ready to help us enjoy our travels!






Don't forget to write about it...



You can enjoy more handmade, upcycled creations by searching our team tag: teamupcyclers on Etsy!


Enjoy your Sunday!

Bee
The Wooden Bee
www.thewoodenbee.etsy.com

January 29, 2012

Sustainable Sundays: Pir8t

Each Sunday we select one item to feature from over 1,700 sustainable shops on our Upcyclers Etsy Team! Any Upcyclers shop on Etsy that is actively selling, promoting and participating on our team is available for selection.

This week's upcycled selection is...



Unique art is found throughout this wonderful Upcyclers shop! This particular piece really caught my eye. The featured necklace has a recycled bottle cap pendant with a silver peace symbol suspended in the resin above an earthy colored background.  The necklace is on a 16" black leather cord with silver findings and a magnetic clasp to complete it's quality design.
Pir8t, aka Randi, is a high school art teacher in Long Beach, Californa, who loves to create recycled and upcycled pieces in her "spare" time. Check out her shop for more amazing creations, including a Recycled Rialto Bottle Cap Ball Game!

Shop Stats:
Opened on Nov. 27th, 2007
93 for sale
328 sales
Feedback: 278, 100% positive

It is always hard to pick one upcycled item from all our active shops each week! Here are this week's runners up:

Upcycled Wool Sweater holder for lip balm or USB by Andreanne12

Upcycled Scrapbook Album with Journal Tags by EcoChiqueboutique

Upcycled Vintage Button & Feather Earrings by RedwingedBlackBirds

You can find more sustainable creations on Etsy by using our official team search tag: teamupcyclers when shopping.

Happy Upcycling!
~Bee
The Wooden Bee
inspired to recycle wood
www.thewoodenbee.etsy.com