Featured! Etsy Seller JenEllsRevenge

As promised, this weeks recycle Artist, Jen Ell

creator of http://www.jenellsrevenge.etsy.com/

In a brief interview with Jen, she said;

"I've been cutting, sewing, destroying, creating and painting my own clothing and jewelry for years. I don't necessarily have one particular style since I tend to just create whatever comes to mind, so you never really know what you're going to get. I have fairly decent art, photography and graphic design background so all of that typically comes to play in my work."

How did you get started making these bags from magazine ads?
I had seen some other bags and wallets created using the same concept, but I could see so much more potential. So, after much trial and error I developed a basic method to creating each bag.

What inspires you to create?
I draw a lot of inspiration from high fashion, art, old pin-ups and tattoo designs. I frequently see something and instantly think of a way I can use the design or improve upon it.

Jen says she is, "always up for a challenge, so custom orders are welcome. Don't be afraid to contact me and see what I can whip up!"

Do stop by, see her awesome shop and RECYCLE, REUSE and REDISCOVER!

http://www.jenellsrevenge.etsy.com/

Reuse, Repurpose, Revive, Rescue, Recycle, etc

Yes, I do it.
In my craft, in my life, in my art, in my home, at the grocery store and on and on. We really do need to. We should also want to.
Recycling doesn't mean you have to weave your old clothes into rugs, turn plastic bags into hats and totes, single shoes into planters... but it does mean thinking creatively, looking for opportunity and only throwing in the "garbage" things that cannot be reused.
At all.
By anyone.
Ever again.

A big part of reusing and repurposing is being aware when you buy. Look at packaging, bring your own bag or reusable coffee tumbler, consider thrift stores for buying AND donating.
Don't get me wrong, I wear high heels, mascara, I eat meat and drive a car but that doesn't mean there is nothing left for me to do.

I'm going to attempt, no, challenge myself, to feature 1 awesome recycled item, recycle Artisan or recycle web site twice per week.
If you would like to be considered, send me off a note thru one of my "Find Me Here" sites or leave a comment.
I'd love to see your Shoe Planter ;-)

We Did It!

...and I love it!

It's been 2 long weeks of moving, sorting, throwing out, organizing, sorting again and throwing out again but the switch of master bedroom and workroom is about done.

I had no idea how much space we were wasting in the big room and how cramped we were in the small room. My workbench, an iguana cage, 2 bookshelves, Donnie's gigantic computer set up and my overflow of art, craft and jewelry supplies, two humans and two terriers all in 12 x 12. It's a wonder we didn't kill ourselves or each other!

Check out the new space:

It will never be this clean again!

What you can't see is Donnie's computer set up directly across the room from the iguana cage next to my workbench. It all fit and more! I was able to bring my desk upstairs along with the file cabinet, all my photography equipment and my packaging and mailing things. I have a matching corner piece coming and more under-shelf lighting. There is so much floorspace I can actually put up one of my craft fair tables and spread out if I need to. I don't know why we didn't do this long ago. The bed, dresser and a chair for the dog to sleep in fit perfectly in the other room.

Yay to my awesome guy for saying, "Yup. Let's do this".

Missing Seattle Man

Please see this link:

http://nicholasfrancisco.blogspot.com/2008/02/reward-increased-to-15000.html

Nic's wife Christine is a member of my EtsyRain group.
This is a tragedy.

Art & Creativity Group

In November I joined a Sno County group for Women that focuses on Art, Creativity and Friendship.

So far, we have been meeting once a month in Lynnwood to learn a craft or art taught by a member of the group. It's a varied group with lots of different arts and styles.

We have painters, knitters, quilters, metalsmiths, jewelry makers, mixed-media altered artists, a woman that does concrete castings, an upcycler, you name it! It's been a lot of fun and it's where you'll find me the last Thursday night of every month :)