Verdant Means Green- But This Verdant is Violet!

Gena's Little One's middle name is Violet!

Meet and Greet the 'Verdant Violet' a.k.a. Gena, former neuroscientist turned toy designer and shop proprietor on Etsy. Her adorable baby girl was the inspiration for her eco-epiphany (no, that's not a word) that led to her new career. The Verdant Violet is Gena's way "to engage as many people as possible in an effective, positive, and enjoyable mission to protect the planet." And she hopes  readers of her new blog, Verdant Violet, will "find it to be a place for daily inspiration, hope, mirth, and a greater appreciation of our incredible world." After reading it, I can attest that she has definitely mastered the mirth and I found it to be full of inspiration and very interesting!

One of her latest posts talks about the "crinkle" of packaging which is relevant in regards to the appeal of her toys for little ones, (to understand more you'll have to read her article!) Gena's blocks are handcrafted of upcycled materials that create a stimulating tactile and sensory experience for children. Colorful and  whimsical, her blocks and cloth books will teach and entertain little ones with its bright contrasting patterns, varying textures and engaging crinkle sound.

Gena recently joined our Etsy team, Upcyclers, and already has created a "Treasury" of artisans that Love 2 Upcycle. Treasuries are known and used in the Etsy community to promote and share fellow artisans' work in a gallery presentation. And true to her name, it is richly "Verdant" or more commonly, GREEN! You can see it in her latest blog over on her blogspot, and after you have a good read around her blog, check out her shop on Etsy, Verdant Violet, Eco-Friendly Baby Toys.

Meet and Greet: Nettie's Niche

The first thing that amazed me about the Upcycling movement is the ingenuity and creativity that some Upcyclers pour into their passion! I use the saying, "Necessity is the Mother of Invention..." a lot, because to me it is necessary to upcycle for the health and well-being of our planet. So whether it is for that or economically driven, we are fortunate to have a community of artisans that not only create but are willing to share these ideas and efforts through blogs, DIY's and articles. Of course, that is the purpose of this blog, Love 2 Upcycle, as well.

One of the ongoing features we will have is a Meet and Greet for our Team of Upcyclers on Etsy! Our forum has a place for 'Getting to Know You', and it is incredibly interesting to read all the diverse backgrounds and stories our members have to tell. So I will be working my way through each one to share them with you!

Meet Nettie! You can find her "Niche" on Etsy...where she sells deconstructed vintage jewelry that she has reconstructed into modern pieces, clutches designed from discontinued fabric samples, and her encaustic paintings in which she reuses a variety of discarded materials. Her style indicates a deep respect for the history of style and reflects a chic victorian and romantic flair. Nettie's necklaces have rich details and complicated levels of texture and color. A veritable feast for the eyes! A rescued lone earring becomes a ring or reloved as an embellishment on one of her clutches.

The organic nature of her paintings create an earthy quality featuring a warm and natural color palette. Her materials once again reflect her knowledge of the history of art and design, using techniques that date back to the 5th century B.C. There is a certain mood that her paintings evoke, one of peace and tranquility that pleases the soul.

Nettie's Niche has an eclectic assortment of items that still maintains a cohesive design and style. Her diverse shop has a little something for us all...

I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas...

'Love 2 UpCyCLe!' by collagical

Give the gift of green this holiday...a curation of upcycled creations by the artisans of Upcyclers, an Etsy team whose members Love 2 Upcycle!Care 2 Join Us? http://www.etsy.com/teams/6610/upcyclers

Bear / Beaver Baby Mobile. 3... lepetitreve $119.99	Upcycled Wool Squirrel, Nutk... dentdelion $25.00	Upcycled Floppy Disc with Te... clonehardware $18.00	Great Horned Owl Mobile (yel... redumbrellades... $30.00
Pink and Green Woollen Cape ... upitee $85.00	Pink Filagree Fabric Flower ... StagnantGypsy $5.00	Vintage UPCYCLED earrings EarthSenseJewe... $6.00	OOAK Vintage up cycled Silve... netteblo $30.00
Citrine November Birthstone ... BreatheCouture $22.00	Rose Blossom Crochet Neckla... WrensandRoses $30.00	whimsical flower headband vi... MelisasMission $9.97	Mini Tote, Yellow Dot Ruffle merahmuda $18.00
Pink and Earthy Green Upcycl... pumpkingirl $8.50	Ground Black Pepper and Tour... satrngrl $35.00	Vintage Button Earrings eazymode $7.00	The Perfect Bib Necklace byABPryor $35.00

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