Meet & Greet: NancyHarrington

Nancy loves scouring antique shops, shows, and estate sales, looking for unique silverware that she fashions into pendants, rings, and cuffs. Nancy also does commission work, so if you have a couple pieces from a cherished set you can have them made into something special.

Summer Beauty Antique Art Nouveau Butterfly

I asked Nancy a few questions about herself and her shop and here is what she had to share:

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
I create one of a kind pieces of jewelry from antique sterling silver and silverplate silverware. I also have started making pieces using antique jewelry. This is a new venture for me and I'm pretty excited about it. My shop is called Woods Edge Jewelry Studio because my little place here is nestled right up against a great woods.

Savage Beauty Antique Sterling Silver Spoon

What is your favorite thing about creating?
I love creating, it allows my brain freedom to roam into new areas and explore. It's very rewarding to me to finally be able to figure out what a piece would best be used as after it sitting for a while under consideration.

Silver Breath of Autumns Being Antique

Why did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed/vintage materials?
I fell in love with antique silverware a few years ago. The amazing craftsmanship that went into creating old pieces still to this day floors me. The patterns are whimsical and beautiful. I love making commission pieces for a customer. Often someone will approach me with a piece of their grandmother's silver. They want to be able to have it close to them, not tucked away in a drawer somewhere. Turning these pieces into treasured jewelry is such a pleasure for me.

Pour Some Sugar On Me Antique Sugar Shovel Key Chain

What is your favorite thing about running your etsy shop?
I have made such good friends through my Etsy shop. I have wonderful customers. It's such fun to grab a warm cup of coffee and head to the computer and see what's happening on Etsy; my shop and the Etsy community as a whole. It's like a great big creative family.

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?
I am inspired by the process of taking an old piece and making it current and beautiful. I love whimsy, figurals and florals.

Band of Blossoms Antique Silver Spoon Ring

How do you keep your creative space inspiring?
I always have lovely old pieces of silverware sitting in my studio. As I"m working on a piece, I will have the other to consider and will find myself getting excited to get my hands on it and work with it.

You can friend me on facebook at Woods Edge Jewelry Studio. And if you're ever in the Chicago/NW Indiana area in the Summer, head to Chesterton, IN and look for me at The European Market, May through October, Saturdays 8 to 2.

Thanks for sharing with us today Nancy!

See you next week,
Valerie
Everyday Inspired

Monday's Makeover: Old Shutters Turned Jewelry Display!

Guest Post by Tricia from Upcycled Stuff!

I kicked off a pretty busy month of fairs and festivals this weekend at the Simpsonville Labor Day Family Festival.  In preparation I pulled together a fun little display for my upcycled jewelry out of two old shutters, I was pretty proud of it, what do you think?

Here's what they looked like when I picked 'em up for $10 from Craigslist:

 

Besides being filthy, there were big chunks of wood missing.  So, off to the hardware store for wood putty and hinges.  After applying the wood putty I ran over the surface of the shutters with a few different grits of sandpaper and had something that looked likes this:

Stop by my Upcycled Stuff Blog to follow the rest of my steps to the complete makeover!


Tricia is a member of our Etsy Team of Upcyclers~ Here's a peek at her shop!

 

Weekly Giveaway: MotherBored!

Unfortunately, we have not heard from Mila yet, the winner of the Beach Glass Shop Giveaway. If we do not hear from you by midnight, Monday, 9/5, Mila, we will be forced to select another random winner! Please contact us at teamupcyclers@gmail.com
Thank you!

We love the play on words this week's sponsor used for her Etsy Shop: MotherBored! But don't be fooled her designs are anything but boring~ you will love her innovative jewelry and accessories!


First, we'll announce the winner of last week's giveaway from Yellow Trailer!

#12 ~Amber!! Congrats to you! Mary, our generous sponsor from Yellow Trailer, will contact you at your email address to get your shipping information! Thank you to everyone who entered! One note, please remember that you can enter up to four times and that each entry should be left in a separate comment! Many of you combine your entries into one comment and sadly, it only counts as one entry! Also be sure to have an email address on your profile or leave that in a comment too.


Now onto this week's Giveaway from  
MotherBored by ShellyMac Designs! 

MOTHERBORED believes there's beauty beyond that nasty bug or virus computers can catch. Saved from their death at your local landfill, she recycles and upcycles desktop-laptop computers and other electronic components. They all have colorful motherboards and gadgets awaiting her discovery! Using as much as possible from the computers, she leaves little to no scrap trail behind.

ShellyMac is a full time student working towards her R.D.H. (dental hygienist) degree. She considers herself a passionate student, as much as a creator of her visions. Creating these little one of a kind masterpieces gives her an escape that she enjoys and looks forward to!

MotherBored is giving away a set of darling upcycled barrettes that started life as button covers and are now home to capacitors and computer components. Both conversation pieces and a fashion statement, we are excited to offer you a unique and clever eco-chic prize this week!

Other items you'll find in MotherBored designed by ShellyMac can be worn by anyone because of the wonderfully unisex nature of the pieces. She also has accessories like cuff links and key chains, as well as stunning pendants that will cause you to doubt the origin could be so industrial or ever have been considered 'e-waste'!

MotherBored jewelry and accessories are one of a kind designs and most findings and bases are sterling plated and lead free. You can feel confident in the knowledge that these pieces have been created with utmost care and concern for both the planet and you!

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 MotherBored by ShellyMac Designs on Etsy!

2. Tweet or Like your favorite item in MotherBored and tell us here which item it was.

3.  Become a fan of MotherBored 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. 

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

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, September 7th 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!

A Soy Candle Tute~ Part 2 from Upcycled Stuff

Soy Candles in an Upcycled Jar

As promised, I have part two of my tutorial for making soy candles in upcycled jars to share with you.  If you missed my recent post on all of the benefits of soy vs. other candle waxes or part one of this tutorial please be sure to take a look before you begin. And the disclaimer:  I am a crafter who loves to play with trash, I am not a expert candle maker so please do your research before attempting to make your own candles :)

When I first started to experiment with different ways to incorporate upcycling in the candle making process, this is what my set up looked liked: 

This make shift double boiler set up worked and is fine if you're making a few candles for yourself or friends. Each of the tin cans is intended to hold a different scent wax.  I've since ditched the double boiler setup and opted for the microwave.  SO much easier!  We'll still use the individual cans when it comes time to add scent, but the wax will be melted in a larger quantities in the microwave first.

Now that you've gathered all of your supplies listed in Part 1 of this tutorial we are ready to begin, just head over to Upcycled Stuff for detailed instructions!

The Results Are In ~~Summer Fades To Fall~~

'~~Summer Fades To Fall~~ Upcyclers August Team Challenge' by collagical

Our votes are in and MelloStuff's Leaves of Change Brooch won First Place in the Industrial Category! Which is your favorite??Please note~ add'l items were added for the purpose of composition!

Leaves of Change Brooch mellostuff $25.00	Alice Book Pendant/Cha... TheLittlestBoo... $15.00	Recycled China Bird Fee... verycreativecr... $60.00	Pair of Repurposed Vint... redezinescanad... $250.00
Orange 'Dreamsicle ... SilverBeachSea... $56.00	button rings in copper ... MarieYoungdesi... $75.00	Flower of the Sun Ring MollCutpurse $33.00	Wind Chime Upcycled Win... glassgaloregal $18.00
Pop Tab Hobo Bag - Brow... PopTopFashion $150.00	agate carnelian literar... NaturallyHeart... $24.00	Recycled Paper Bead nec... LaneECreations $32.99	REVAMPed Vintage Glorio... Lizones $21.50
Repurposed Upcycled Rec... NaturalFlipsid... $437.80	Statement Necklace - Ba... handartdesigns... $45.00	Multi-Colored delicate ... essly $14.00	Table Lamp: "PEACE... micastudio $42.99

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

'~~Summer Fades To Fall~~ Upcyclers August Team Challenge' by collagical

Our votes are in and 4EweDesigns' Orange Ruffle Tote Purse won First Place in the Organic Category! Which is your favorite??

Recylced Vintage Chenil... verycreativecr... $35.00	Baby's First Paleon... VerdantViolet $51.00	Game Day Wallet/Pouch, ... koopdesigns $12.00	Reusable Produce Bags (... TNTees $6.50
Hows Things Growing Upc... meganfranken $25.00	Navy Plaid Upcycled Jou... bumbalina $22.00	Upcycled Felted Wool Sw... remainewicked $350.00	Orange Ruffle Tote Purs... 4EweDesigns $50.00
August Team Challenge -... mutti $1.00	Orange and red tote bag... OriginalCloth $8.50	Sunflower Teapot Garden... GardenWhimsies... $65.00	Real Butterfly Wing Rep... NaturalFlipsid... $43.78
Cardigan wrap sweater L... jill2day $127.00	Fabric flower bouquet -... kmj165 $70.00	Fall Bee Hive Wall Art ... thewoodenbee $25.00	CHRISTMAS CRAFT KIT - N... MamaStowes $2.49

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.