Monday's Makeover: What's New?

Our team has grown exponentially on Etsy~ and we're thrilled! We believe there is strength in numbers and spreading the word about upcycling is easier when more are sharing the news! So in appreciation, here are a few "makeovers" by some of our new members!

Adorable booties upcycled from a recycled dress by ReFabricates~

Plush Stegosaurus created with reclaimed fabrics, vintage trims & buttons, stuffed with upcycled plastic shopping bags by Leftz~ One-Eyed Eco Plush

This is the tops~ for the cake, that is! A vintage Bride & Groom dressed up by A Vintage Bride~

In honor of the biggest wedding of the year, here's a pillow created from a souvenir silk crepe hanky from another momentous occasion in Great Britain, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth fluffed and trimmed with pom-poms by HuntedandStuffed~

And how about a bouquet made of Kusudama Flowers to throw? These beauties are created from recycled literature by Parchment and Patches~

For more creations from our members you can check out our Galleries or our Treasured pages here on our blog~ Or visit us on Facebook for UPdates about our members' listings, promos and Upcyclers' news!

Love 2 DIY on the Weekend: Gardening~ Upcycled Style!

An Upcycled Herb Garden... Anywhere

This is my favorite time of the year!  If I could be in the garden all day, I would be.  I've added two flower gardens to my yard, decked out the patio and have quite the vegetable garden growing in the field behind the house.  There's not a lot of room left to do much more, but I found a way and thought I'd share it with readers.   Yep, that's it over there on the left side of the page.  I love how rustic it looks and that I can put it anywhere.


Head over to Upcycled Stuff  to see how to do this project yourself!







Be sure to check out Upcyclers member, Upcycled Stuff on Etsy, too, where she turns yesterday's trash into tomorrow's upcycled treasures; unique one of a kind jewelry, art and accessories that are all environmentally friendly! Upcycled Stuff will donate 10% of all shop sales to the Jane Goodall Institute for their continued work to conserve chimpanzees and their habitat.

Creative Customology Giveaway! It Rocks!!!

Let’s start the weekend with a BANG! And a giveaway! Much to Cat’s dismay I am a horrible time manager. These giveaways should be posted on Thursday because she wants all of you to be able to count on a certain time schedule here at Love2Upcycle!

Friday is DIY on the weekend day! Not giveaway day! Luckily right now Cat has a new grandson to ooh and ahh over so she probably is a little more forgiving.

I have a feeling I will not all of a sudden change my ways and always be on time with my posts but I am trying! Please be patient with me and don’t blame Cat :)

Recycled Champagne Satin Headband with Purple Moonstones

Creative Customology is a brand new shop but it’s owner, Lindsey, has been selling locally for over a year now. A customer of hers suggested she start selling online.  

“I love what Etsy stands for and I am glad to be a part of such a wonderful collection of artists.”

Lindsey really enjoys working with recycled and vintage materials. She finds it very enriching to take something that was thrown out and turn it into something new entirely.

“I take pride in my shop and I wouldn’t sell anything that I wouldn’t wear myself,” she said.

Lindsey loves that each piece she creates has a history. She is inspired to recreate accessories out of recycled fabrics, vintage buttons, or jewelry.

Teal Multi-Layer Flower Clip

When I asked about her favorite items she said,  “Lately I have taken a special interest in making ruffle or floral fabric necklaces. My necklaces have definitely become a fan favorite and a favorite of mine as well.”

Already having received a fashion merchandising degree, she is now working on a nutrition degree and has a 14 month old baby boy keeping her busy!

She said her and her husband, “…spend our free time changing diapers, playing in jungle gyms and reading baby books.”

Vintage Silk Scarf Headband in Ring

Jewelry is a very saturated market in handmade culture but Lindsey is confident in her line.

“I feel that although I am in a very crowded category my accessories have a different appeal.  I use all recycled materials and I strive to keep them very feminine and sophisticated.”

Ready to enter to win this gorgeous necklace? Read the rules below to enter multiple times! 

One lucky winner will receive this beautiful upcycled coral necklace!

Giveaway Rules!

1.  This giveaway is only open to followers of Love2Upcycle! (Not a follower? It’s easy! Click the follow button in the left sidebar!)

2.  Each comment only counts as one entry, so if you are entering multiple times you must comment separately.

3.  FIRST entry: Check out Creative Customology and post your favorite item in the comments below.

+1 Like CreativeCustomology's facebook page

+1 Post on YOUR Facebook about this giveaway - please post link in comments.

+1 Tweet about this giveaway - please post link in comments. 

Deadline to enter is Midnight, May 18th!

Winner will be announced May 19th - Good luck!

Meet & Greet: Toodlefetties

Teresa from Toodlefetties loves to hunt for vintage items!  She also creates an occasional handmade item and can't resist the urge to offer up items that have been repurposed. Her shop is filled with a variety of unique items and worth checking out.


Glass Insulators Aqua Blue Vintage

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

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I spend my days at home with my young daughter who attends a virtual charter school. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we will soon celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We live on a small acreage, where we garden, have a few critters and try to live a simpler, greener, but still connected lifestyle. I spend as much time at yard sales, thrift stores and flea markets as I can searching for treasures that I can use, repurpose and/or sell in my Etsy shop.

Cigarette Lighter Mid Century Vintage

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
I decided to work with upcycled/repurposed/vintage items because I enjoy vintage items and the history behind them. I like to repurpose items when I can and it gives me an outlet for my creative streak. The massive consumerism in society in this day and age bothers me and I want to reduce my contribution to that as much as I can.

Rare Recipes Budget Saver Cookbooks Vintage

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
My favorite thing about running my etsy shop is the people I have met, all of the fantastic things available on etsy, and when someone is excited by a purchase from me whether it's a vintage item or something I have repurposed, that makes me feel good.


Annie Doll Refreshed and Upcycled

What inspires you to create/sell what you do
I get inspired by the items I come across, and my desire to preserve vintage items and their history. Even if it means revamping those items into something else. We are in the process of building a new workshop here at our home, so some of my projects are on hold for a little bit, until the new space is ready and then the possibilities will be endless.


Tea Bag Favor or Gift


You can also find me at
toodlefetties.blogspot.com
twitter.com/#!/Toodlefetties
toodlefetties.etsy.com

Thanks Teresa for sharing today!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

And the Winner is...

Congrats to the winner of this week's Giveaway from In Metal Jewelry~ Mary Lee! She had the 7th entry which was the number we drew randomly from Random.org on May 5th. A big thanks again to Corrie from In Metal Jewelry for sponsoring this giveaway!

 Mary Lee lives by the sea in St. Augustine~ hence the name of her amazing shop: Mary Lee by the Sea! She creates papier mache floating globes, free form sculptures, polymer clay jewelry and original paintings. Stop to see "Mary Lee by the Sea" on Etsy or follow her creative adventures on her blog by the same name! And if you hurry you can enter her Giveaway~ the deadline is May 8th!

Thanks to all of you who entered, shared our links and became new followers~ We love our fans and are thrilled you Love 2 Upcycle!