Creativity Challenge: Vintage Cutter Textiles

In September, Upcyclers were getting creative with our team's monthly creativity challenge! Our judge Patrice from ITSYOURCOUNTRY selected the upcycled medium: vintage cutter textiles...and we had some amazing entries!

See ALL of the upcycled entries on our special Pinterest board and see who won below!!! Patrice gives us a beauitful explanation of her medium selection and a detailed account of the winning entries!

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"The medium I selected for the September Teamupcyclers creativity challenge is vintage cutter textiles.

My love for textiles and preserving even the smallest pieces of worn tattered holey vintage hankies, table linens, dresser scarves patchwork quilts, etc. that would get thrown out, tossed aside or used as moving blankets, is why I selected this medium for the September creativity challenge. I find I cannot even part with or throw out the smallest of damaged cutter pieces. They need to find a place in a creation for the future to enjoy. I love working with this medium and challenged the team to see what fun and creative ideas they could come up with.

The medium of vintage cutter textiles, which means vintage linens which includes embroidered dresser scarves, hankies, vintage tablecloths, napkins, quilts, doilies, feedsacks, vintage sheets, orphan quilt blocks and the like.

Definition of "Cutter"; Cutter meaning that the item is no longer useable for its original intended purpose, as it has holes, tears, spots, stains and is damaged in some way, but still has areas that are useable and can be "cut up" and reused in a new way.

There are so many vintage textiles out there, that have been used so lovingly over time for their intended use and eventually they get stains or holes and the fabric may start to get weak and tear, but still so much of the beautiful handiwork of embroidery, cutwork, patchwork, quilting, lace, crochet edging and fabric itself is still a piece of the past that still can be cherished and saved into the future and recycled, upcycled and created into something new and wonderful.

I absolutely loved looking at each and every entry and so much time, talent and thought has gone into each and every one. Thank you everyone, for using these beautiful pieces of the past to give them new life. A piece of the past will live on!

The winner is SwooshbyScrollwork’s Layer Cake Skirt

I selected this skirt because of the multiple selections of vintage cutter textiles to create this fun flirty slip skirt, using vintage table linen lace, pillowcase edging and curtain edging

Well thought out creation and .beautifully put together.

Runner Up is RekindledPleasures’s Crossbody Pillowcase Purse

I selected this purse because of the unique utilization of a vintage pillowcase into a sweet feminine purse and is all created from a pillowcase; the inside lining to the charming embroidered flowers and hand crocheted edging on the outside from a vintage pillowcase. So shabby and sweet!"

Great job everyone : )

ITS YOUR COUNTRY

~Patrice

Solutions for Your Resolutions: Getting Organized!

Getting organized is a common resolution for the New Year and we've got some fantastic upcycled solutions to fill the bill! There are tons of handmade, vintage and upcycled containers and furnishings on Etsy and from our team of Upcyclers. Here are a few of the favorites I found~

Try storing letters or keepsakes in something romantic like this train case!

Vintage Train Case from It's Your Country

Dual purpose is always a great goal when choosing storage solutions~ whether it's form and function or it functions two ways like this ottoman with a cubby under the seat.

Upcycled Ottoman from ReKindle Home

This upcycled china cabinet from rule forty-two VA is an artisan piece refinished in sand, teal, sage and turqoise boasting beautiful form and function!

From large to small, storing needs can be filled with beautifully detailed, handmade goods like these baskets and containers
:

Small Fabric Basket from RoseMauve

Upcycled Felted Wool Container from Thirtyone13

Upcycled Blue Jean Bowl from Sunflower By Design

Coffee Sack Basket from Brin and Nohl

I found these upcycled storage solutions on Etsy with the search tags: teamupcyclers, storage.
But you can find thousands more just by searching: upcycled, storage.

Remember to keep your resolutions fun and exciting and enjoy the satisfaction of at least trying to keep your goals!

Happy New Year!
;) Cat

Sustainable Sundays: upcycled buttons

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 each week.

This week's theme is old vintage buttons. Check out these four amazing shops that save and upcycle buttons...

Sunflower Button Statement Necklace by The Smile Emporium

Debbie from Australia has a lovely shop on Etsy, and even has an entire jewelry section devoted to upcycling buttons.

How about some buttons on your walls?

Modern Baby Nursery Art by Ollie and Rose.

This 8x10 wall frame made from upcycled material and buttons, would look great on anyone's wall! Check out more of this shop's awesome button art!

Upcycled Green Reversible Headband by Lynn Minney Designs 

This reversible recycled denim headband has a detachable hair clip!  Since the button flower has both a pin & hair clip you can also wear it on your jacket, sweater, headband, purse or in your hair! We love the functional of this upcycled piece.  Lynn likes to use vintage buttons in most of her creations, check out her shop for more unique accessories.

Antique White Zipper Bracelet by FabTabulous 

This adjustable bracelet was made from vintage buttons and a soft vintage zipper.  Cindy from FabTabulous uses an assortment of upcycled buttons in her eco-friendly Etsy shop! 

Enjoy your Sunday (especially if you're a mother this week) and be sure to make it a sustainable Sunday!

Thanks,

Bee

The Wooden Bee

inspired to recycle

www.thewoodenbee.com

Upcycled Crafting: part 4 of 5

Did you know that March 2012 is National Craft Month? YES! Because I've been telling you every Thursday all month long.

Team Upcyclers has been celebrating the wonderful world of crafting by bringing you an entire month of Upcycled Craft Supplies! Each Thursday we've highlighted our Etsy shops that provide UPCYCLED crafting supplies.

The best part, each featured shop is providing our readers with... exclusive SALES and coupons!!!

Here are this week's THREE upcycled handmade crafters and their awesome coupons!

Beth Martin, owner of Beach Glass Shop, spends her summer months walking the beaches of Lake Erie looking for beach glass, porcelain and other shoreline findings! These upcycled pieces become fabulous beach glass jewelry, lamps, trays and anything else her imagination conjures up. She loves inspiring creativity in customers by offering Seaside Supplies in her Etsy shop as well.

Like this icy white Sea Glass with top drilled hole! 

And how unique are these Fillable Glass Bottle Vials!? I can already see sand, stones, or a message inside, making an adorable pendant!

I love these simple Lake Erie stones!

Beach Glass Shop SALE:

Enter coupon code FAVFRIENDS at checkout for 20% off your supply order! Plus, FREE shipping inside the United States!  This exclusive offer is good for this month only!  Follow Beth on her blog, and see what she is creating in her beach cave!

Next up...

"My hope is that leftovers and discarded items available through my Etsy shop can find a new purpose!"

~Sandy, Altered Inspirations

This is such a neat shop with so many different supplies! I love Sandy's tag line

Altered Art Mixed Media Supplies Vintage Whatnot

That fits this upcycled shop perfectly!

Check out Sandy's Repurposed Collage Kits for a little crafting inspiration!

And how cool are these Vintage Crayons!?

I could definitely use some of this eco-friendly natural Jute Twine for my next gift tag project!

Altered Inspirations SALE:

Enter coupon code MARCH2012 at checkout for 10% off your supply order! This exclusive offer is good for this month only! Follow Altered Inspirations on Facebook!

Last but not least...

Melissa from Mello Stuff is truly committed to upcycling! Her unique shop is full of repurposed creations. Melissa is offering us a coupon on any of her Detash Supplies! 

Mello Stuff SALE:

First check out all of her detash beads, and then contact Melissa for $3.00 off a set of your choice! This exclusive offer is good for this month only! Hurry though, supplies won't last!

We hope you enjoy these unique upcycled crafters and their special sales! Check out ALL our team's craft SALES in honor of National Craft Month HERE!

Happy Upcycled Crafting!

Bee
The Wooden Bee
www.thewoodenbee.com

Sustainable Sunday: Spring

Each Sunday we highlight upcycled creations made from over 1,900 sustainable shops on our Upcyclers Etsy Team! This Sunday we decided to feature a few sustainable items that are just perfect for Spring!  Check out these upcycled spring creations and welcome in Spring in the northern hemisphere on March 20th!

Spring Bunny Appliques made from old vintage quilts!

Unique Fabric Cutter Quilt Appliques / Vintage Prim Shabby Embellishments 

by ITSYOURCOUNTRY

Spring Affair Upcycled Fabric bouquet by Katie Byrd

Made from vintage and recycled fabrics!

Easter Vintage Pillowcase Dress Childrens Size 5
by koopdesigns

 

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

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! ~Mark Twain

Happy Spring Upcycling!

~Bee

The Wooden Bee
inspired to recycle wood

www.thewoodenbee.com

Countdown to Christmas Giveaway Extraganza~ Final Day!!

This is it! Our 5th Giveaway starts now and will end at Midnight on Christmas Eve~ also ending our Countdown to Christmas! And this time I'm sponsoring the giveaway from my shop~ Collagical!

I thought since many of you have probably been shopping 'til you drop, this backpack charm would be perfect!

This charm jangle is all about the BLING! Shop til you drop with your upcycled Visa charm and bring Fifi along too, don't worry she's tagged with love...the shoes, the bag, a Cosmo and some nice big shiny 'rocks' and you've got the look! Clip this jumbo lobster clasp to your favorite designer bag or a fab hobo- anywhere you want...every charm is on its own individual small lobster clasp so you can rearrange the charms any way you like, and there's room for more of your faves!

I guess I should also tell you a little about me, too!  Although I was born in the big Apple and started out living up north, Florida is my heart and home...my three daughters are "GRITS" (girls raised in the South!) and since I was sweet sixteen in '76, so am I! Now I have three granddaughters, also GRITS, and 4 little grandsons, who I guess you could call GRITS, too, just change it to guys, right?

I have always believed in upcycling, recycling, repurposing and I hate throwing anything away. Maybe it has something to do with being born in the Year of the Rat~ "pack"-rat that I am! But I love my studio full of whimsical vintage and recycled materials of every media and material imaginable! In there, I can let my creativity flow and the ideas take form. Many of the items in my shop are upcycled or preloved vintage treasures waiting to be reloved.

 

I started our Etsy team of Upcyclers to establish a virtual community of like-minded artists and vendors who Love 2 Upcycle, and have been blown away by how many have joined and share their ideas and passion for the movement with us! And a movement it is, not a trend~ and a necessity if we are to conserve the precious raw materials and resources on our planet.

So there you have it, I've tooted my horn enough, now let's get on to entering the Giveaway!

First, be sure you are a follower of this blog, Love 2 Upcycle~ not a follower? Just look to the left and click. Voila! You are a follower. But you haven't entered yet.

Now, you can choose 4 of the following ways to enter, up to 4 times!
1. Check out Collagical, favorite my shop and add me to your circle.  Then tell us here in a comment about your Favorite item in Collagical! 
2. Become a follower of my blog~ Collagical!
3. Become a fan of Collagical on Facebook!
4. Tweet or share this Giveaway!
5. Pin one your favorite items from Collagical to Pinterest!
 
Remember, only 4 entries count, and each one must be left in a separate comment! If you don't have an email listed on your bio, leave it here in one of your comments. Deadline to enter is Midnight, December 24th, Christmas Eve!

Winner will be randomly drawn using Random.org's generator.
Good Luck and Merry Christmas!
Would you like to Sponsor a Giveaway on Love 2 Upcycle? You don't have to be a member of Upcyclers to be a sponsor, all Etsy sellers of upcycled or eco-friendly products are welcome! But of course, we'd love for you to join the team!

Weekly Giveaway: Yellow Trailer!

No, we are not giving away a Yellow Trailer, lol! That's the whimsical and intriguing name of the Etsy shop that's sponsoring this week's giveaway! But before we reveal our fantastic item~ Let's announce last week's winner: {sound of drum roll and fanfare here}

#79~ MILA Our thanks to Random.org for choosing for us, so we don't have to!
We don't have your email, Mila~ so please contact Beth by sending a convo to her
Beach Glass Shop as soon as possible to claim your prize and provide our very kind and generous sponsor with your shipping address. Our thanks to all of you who entered~ and there were MANY of you!

And now we will show you this week's giveaway: You can win your choice of any keyboard letter handcrafted into a necklace from Yellow Trailer!

I know, AWESOME, right?? I love typewriter jewelry and was so excited when Mary offered one to our readers! Her profile is such a hoot that I realized I couldn't describe her any better than she already has, so here, in her words is "Something about Mary":

"Yellow Trailer is the result of being downsized from my employer of 20 years. I'm too young to retire, too old to hire, had both knees replaced and I'm still discovering the artist hidden in my bones. I work with silver, old typewriters, glass, copper, fabric, shovels, pvc pipe, big hammers and dirt. I make items from recycling everyday utensils and tools. The yellowtrailer hauls all my 'stuff' to markets and fairs.
I also discovered my talent for finding and selling, vintage... anything, which I also do at markets, in an antique booth at a local mall and on eBay. 
That's how I eke out a living and for the first time I actually enjoy my work. I also enjoy fishing all the Great Lakes of Michigan with my husband of 40 years.We've been best friends, forever. And of course I can't forget the cats Amos & Andy who so generously allow me to cater to their every whim, clean their poop box and live in their house. :)
All the artistic jewelry - bracelets, garden art and windchimes are made exclusively by me. I'm not looking to get rich, just an unemployed Grandma enjoying life and getting by."

Don't you just love it? I've been up to that area and can imagine how amazing her life must be, except of course I don't envy the winter, lol! Here's a little peek at her shop:

I love the upcycled Solar Powered Mason Jar lights, recharged by the sun and easily carried anywhere, they can create enchanted lighting in your garden or be used for practical purposes. Mary said they came in handy recently during a power outage!

You can order custom typewriter key jewelry and other creations from Yellow Trailer as well, so if you don't see quite what you want, just ask Mary and the two of you might just be able to conjure something up especially made for you! She will even create jewelry from your own pieces of heirloom or cherished silverware.

So now to enter~

First you must be a follower of Love 2 Upcycle to enter~ not a follower? Just look to the right and click on the 'Follow' button! But don't leave a comment for doing that!

Then you can submit up to 4 entries, each must be entered HERE in a separate comment for each entry. 
If you don't have an email listed in your profile, please leave it in one of your comments!

1. Browse, Like and Favorite YellowTrailer on Etsy!

2. Tweet or Like your favorite item in Mary's shop and tell us here which item it was.

3.  Become a fan of Upcyclers on Facebook and leave a comment with a link to Yellow Trailer on our wall!

4. 'Tweet' or 'Like' this Giveaway using our Like or Tweet button or Share a link to our Giveaway on your Facebook fan page. 

***One more option: You can pin one item from Yellow Trailer on Pinterest with the description "Yellow Trailer on Etsy"! But remember you still can only enter 4 times!

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 31st at Midnight.

The WINNER will be randomly drawn and announced with the next Giveaway!

Good Luck!
 

Would you like to Sponsor a Giveaway on Love 2 Upcycle? You don't have to be a member of Upcyclers to be a sponsor, all Etsy sellers of upcycled or eco-friendly products are welcome! But of course, we'd love for you to join the team!

Weekly Giveaway: FabTabulous!

Loss of my satellite internet due to summer storms has become a frustrating daily occurence for me and I must once again apologize for the delay of this post and thank you for your continued patience. xo~ Cat

Congrats to Briana~ She won the whimsical set of greeting cards from triSERIFtops by Jessie Katz! Our thanks to all who entered and to Jessie for sponsoring last week's giveaway!

This week we are paying homage to the humble PULL TAB~ and one artist that turns them into something FabTabulous! Keeping these tabs out of the landfills has become a mission for many~ even charitable organizations collect them, but Upcyclers are driven to create something beautiful from post consumer waste and that's exactly what Cindy Jurries does! Here's what she had to say about her artful craft~

"FabTabulous is a line of beautiful, handmade jewelry and accessories fashioned from the pull tabs of recycled aluminum soda cans. Whenever I can, I love incorporating vintage, discarded, and out of style jewelry and buttons into my jewelry to create something fresh and up-to-date. Because of this, many of my accessories are one-of-a-kind.  Not only lightweight and very comfortable to wear, each piece is sure to be a conversation starter because of its "green-ness".  I love that earth friendly products can also be beautiful and fun!   I now purchase all of my soda tabs from the Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City.  If you would like to help their cause, you can donate your used soda tabs to a RMH near you!" 

Cindy is a mom to three great children, two rescue dogs, a stray parrot, and a rat who looks like Stuart Little. She also has a husband, who at times, she says, "qualifies as a fourth child." But she also credits her husband for being fortunate enough to stay at home and do what she loves to do, which is creating jewelry. They have been a military family for 21 years--her husband is a pilot and now flies the Stealth Bomber. Cindy used to be a dental hygienist, but she has since traded in her dental tools for jewelry tools.

Our giveaway this week is for a pull tab creation from FabTabulous that Cindy calls the "Scottie"~ a darling bracelet that reminds Cindy of a Scottish tartan or maybe even the adorable little dog! It's made from the pull tabs of recycled aluminum cans, fashioned with black satin ribbon and hand-wired black, deep red, clear, and silver metal beads. The bracelet is lightweight and extremely comfortable to wear.

Cindy creates a variety of styles and products for her FabTabulous Etsy shop~ aside from bracelets~ including pendants, earrings, keychains and napkin rings. There are even some she has designed on the masculine side. 

  

Can't wait to enter??? DON'T!!! ENTER NOW~

First you must be a follower of Love 2 Upcycle to enter~ not a follower? Just look to the right and click on the 'Follow' button!

Then you can submit up to 4 entries, each must be entered HERE in a separate comment for each entry.

1. Browse, Like and Favorite FabTabulous on Etsy and favorite an item then tell us here which one!

2. Become a FabTabulous follower on Twitter! 

3.  Like Cindy's page: FabTabulous on Facebook!

4. 'Tweet' or 'Like' this Giveaway using our Like or Tweet button or Share a link to our Giveaway on your Facebook fan page.

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 10th at midnight.

The WINNER will be randomly drawn and announced with next week's Giveaway!

Good Luck!
 

Would you like to Sponsor a Giveaway on Love 2 Upcycle? You don't have to be a member of Upcyclers to be a sponsor, all Etsy sellers of upcycled or eco-friendly products are welcome! But of course, we'd love for you to join the team!

 

Weekly Giveaway: Good Memories Cafe!

Due to technical difficulties, this week's post was delayed until today. We apologize and thank you for your patience!

Congrats to Jacqueline, our 49th entry in last week's Giveaway from Boozy Baubles! We had lots of entries for her beautifully upcycled translucent earrings made from a vintage lavender plate and are so happy you participated, and another thanks to Cheri, too, for sponsoring the giveaway!

This week's giveaway is another example of the creative upcycling re-uses for vintage glass! Elizabeth from Vintage Glass Totems and Good Memories Cafe has created this mini totem for your garden out of a bud vase, vintage sea blue colored ashtray and an old glass percolator top! It would make a whimsical addition to your summer garden as you can see~

And here's another look~

Aside from her Vintage Garden Totem shop, Elizabeth also sells vintage and handmade "Good Memories" in her other Etsy shop. She's always wanted her own shop, a studio where she can share her "memories" and so she left the corporate world to find her creative niche!

You can also visit Elizabeth's blogspot~ "A place where 'stuff' becomes a good memory". Regular features like 'Wordless Wednesday' and 'Sunday Sayings' offer a glimpse into her creative inspirations and thoughts anyone can enjoy...

By perseverance the snail reached the ark.

                                                                                           by Charles H. Spurgeon

Ready to enter our Giveaway?

First you must be a follower of Love 2 Upcycle to enter~ not a follower? Just look to the right and click on the 'Follow' button!

Then you can submit up to 4 entries, each must be entered HERE in a separate comment.

1. Browse and Favorite Vintage Totem Shop or Good Memories Cafe and tell us here which shop item was your favorite.

2. Become a follower of her blog~ Good Memories Cafe or follow her on Twitter!

3.  Like Elizabeth's page: Good Memories Cafe on Facebook!

4. 'Tweet' or 'Like' this Giveaway using our Like or Tweet button or Share a link to our Giveaway on your Facebook fan page.

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, July 27th at midnight.

The WINNER will be randomly drawn and announced with our next giveaway~ Thursday, July 28th.

Good Luck!
 

Would you like to Sponsor a Giveaway on Love 2 Upcycle? You don't have to be a member of Upcyclers to be a sponsor, all Etsy sellers of upcycled or eco-friendly products are welcome! But of course, we'd love for you to join the team!

Meet & Greet: byABPryor

Ang loves creating treasures from found objects and things others commonly discard, and embellishes everything.

Ang sells upcycled Art, accessories, housewares, vintage and more.

Funky Toy Hess Truck Tire Swing Earrings

I asked her a few questions about herself and her shop and this is what she had to say:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I'm a wife and stay-at-home mom. I am a former fashion international merchandiser. I create ooak jewelry and houseware pieces from recycled vintage jewelry, found objects and junk. I also sell vintage items.

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
This was an evolving process. I originally started with beading. However, I became increasingly interested in trash to treasure creations. I can't justify throwing out an items because it is no longer used for its original purpose. I can create new pieces that have meaning and history. Every piece has a story... just like people.

One Mod Pop Plastic Record LP Holder

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
First of all Etsy is an amazing organization. It gives artists an easy interactive venue to share their creations. It is affordable and user friendly. I enjoy all of the means of communications between the sellers and buyers. Also, the opportunity to join in on the learning process. Etsy wants us to succeed. If we succeed then they do... I enjoy being apart of this amazing, giving community. My favorite part? I get to do it on MY time!

Bourbon Street Liquor Label Necklace Vintage REMIXED

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
I find inspiration in everyday living...fashion, nature, entertainment and relationships. I need to place more of my creations online... that's a confidence hurdle I'm trying to overcome. With the help of Upcyclers I will! ;)

Where we can find you on the web
www.tomboyaroundtown.blogspot.com - My junking adventures & upcycled creations
www.creativesoulfulsexy.blogspot.com - My life, times & musings
www.usableart.blogspot.com - My creations' store page
www.byABPryor.etsy.com - My Etsy Store
www.facebook.com/byABPryor - My Facebook Page

Thanks Ang!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired