Etsy Recycle Artist Feature: TheGreeneFairy

Look what I stumbled across!

Is this the most awesome, environmentally conscious paper you've ever seen???

Tell me a little about yourself.
I'm Kerry, and I'm a 30 year old transplant from southern WI :) I've been doing arts and crafts my whole life-- lots of happy childhood memories of drawing, bracelet making and other assorted crafty activities! I wound up at UW Madison, where I earned a bachelor's degree in fine art...here I focused mainly on drawing and painting, but also dabbled in etching, beading, and ceramics.


How did you get started making paper?
I first made recycled papers at age 11 ...
I was at Octoberfest in LaCrosee WI with my aunt. Her roommate was an art teacher, and had a booth where people were making handmade paper-- I was hooked from an early age I think. I learned some basic techniques which I picked up again with later, when I got my own paper making kit at age 18. I made paper on and off throughout college (not specifically for a class, but on my own), and eventually wound up teaching an art class at a non-profit organization for 5 years. It was a really fun class-- we made lots of handmade recycled paper! Over the years I experimented with different techniques, and kind of developed my own style. It was so much fun! Recycling is a big thing in Madison too, so that made it extra cool-- to create something fun and beautiful out of recycled materials.

What inspires you to create?
I'm inspired by so many different things. In college, I was often inspired by my own experience, and would put my own personal symbolism into my work. I still am a little,(for instance, my Mr. Chicken series at my other shop, Snitterdog, is inspired by the pop culture I grew up surrounded by), but truthfully, these days I am more inspired by all the things I see around me...I love nature! I used to walk in the woods up in WI-- hence all the leaf and flower paintings. I'm also inspired by other artists...I might see a painting I really like, and just want to go home and start painting! I might see a color scheme or mixed media technique I want to try. When it comes to the recycled papers, I just love the idea of making something new and pretty out of scraps! :) I want to see how decorative and sculptural I can get the paper, and still have it be a functional sheet of paper.

Recycling tips?
Those scrap papers from home and your office really come in handy! That's the main base on my paper and I've found that little tidbits you are inclined to throw a way; little pieces of string, stamps from envelopes you receive in the mail, the old sequins you've had for 20 years and never thought you'd use... often make great additives your art pieces! Sometimes I look at something I might want to throw away and think to myself-- is there a way I could use this in my art? It saves you money, and helps the environment-- extra cool! :)

Check out Kerry's awesome and super affordable

papers in her Etsy store.

TheGreeneFairy

Don't miss her beautiful Artwork, ACEO's and her blog too: snitterdog.blogspot.com

Featuring Etsy Recycle Artist: IMOTIME

Lookie Here! Upcycling at it's best!!!

I have watched these awesome and ocasionally bizzare clocks list and sell at the speed of light and knew I just had to (have one) feature this creative recycle/upcycle artist.
There is one in particular I have my eye on but I'm waiting for my next sale and I'm not telling you which one ;-) Those that know me personally can easily guess. I better not see it on your wall! It's calling MY name. Not yours. To buy it before me would just be mean.

I asked IMOTIME;

Who are you?
I am 40-yr-old Eric Masters, in San Diego. I have one dog, and love it here. I grew up in Evanston, IL. I spent almost seven years in Osaka, Japan, teaching English, and doing some translation and Spanish-teaching there, as well.

How did you get started making these awesome clocks?
I actually first got the idea watching Martha Stewart on tv a few years ago, where she made a clock out of a cake cover. I thought it looked fun (and easy) and unique, so I made one and gave it to a neighbor. It was well-recieved, so I just went on from there, and now almost everything looks like a clock to me.

What inspires you?
These days, the feedback I get about my clocks really inspires me, and gives me great strength. I love hearing people say that they have never seen anything like "that" before!

Which one is your favorite?

I think that my current favorite is my present Etsy Avatar, a Barbie bust doll thing with the clock in her "chestal region". Campy, if I may say so myself.

Since you use recycled materials in your artwork, do you have any recycling tips?

One thing I have learned in recent years is that so many things can have second lives in places and ways that are so new and fun. Stop before you toss that can, box, shoe, globe...

Think about it in a different way, and you may get some great (and way inexpensive) results!

I used to be called cheap. Now I am Green. Cool, huh?

Run to IMOTIME's shop to get 1st choice of these incredible clocks

(but not the one that will be mine)

http://www.IMOTIME.etsy.com

RECYCLE, REUSE and REDISCOVER!

Featured Etsy Recycle Artist: Pine Blossoms

Wow! These are recycled!?!

That was my first thought. My second was that I had to show them off. She also makes beautiful handbags.

PineBlossoms

I asked her a few questions:
My name is Jennifer Guthrie. I live in the mountains of Northern California with my husband and 2 big old children... (they really do grow up fast!) I have always been creative... and used to sew a new garment when I had nothing exciting to wear to school the next day. I used to sew dolls and bears, for gifts, and because I wanted them... and knew I could do it better myself.

How did you get started making your upcycled wallets and bags?
I started selling on etsy after much urging by my sister... who sells as Petals.etsy.com. I love the idea of making something new out of something old. Living in the mountains too, helped steer me to Upcycling. No fabric stores for 100 miles, can force one to think outside of the box. I love the body and feel of wools. I love how you can full, felt it, and dye it and make it into something completely different from what you started with.

My favorite thing now is to make a "pretty" bag out of a "manly" suitcoat. I love pretty things, but don't consider myself super "girly" so this mix suits me well.

What inspires you?
The 30s and stories of the Great Depression and the ingenuity of women in rural areas making do, or doing without inspire me. Living here in the mountains, things like tall trees, and funny blue jays scaring off squirrels to win a meal, inspire me. I now find myself seeing something beautiful and asking myself "How can I capture that in wool?" I have a horse, whose grace & beauty inspires me and I relished the challenge of making a bag with a horse on it... without it being too horsey. I live in a mixed forest with oaks and pines, birds, wildflowers... you will see hints of these themes in my bags. I think too, that the cold winters, and the high cost of heating fuel may have helped me to appreciate another of the wonders of wool!

Recycling tips?
Look at everything as a raw material. Think of how it can be used in another way. Garments made of fine material, such as wool, linen, and wonderful cottons deserve to be used up and worn out. It is fun to see how much "new" you can avoid buying. For example, I use a lot of piping in my bags and wallets. 10 yards costs about $3.99 at the big city fabric store. I found a bunch of macrame twine at the thrift store. I think it started out as about 200 yards of nylon fiber twine and it makes a perfect piping filler. It cost $2 and went to fund a hospital. The $4.99 at the fabric store didn't do much for the folks in China who made it, and plenty for the chain owners.

Visit her store and buy from this wonderful recycle artist, Jennifer

and RECYCLE, REUSE and REDISCOVER!

PineBlossoms.etsy.com

She can also be found at: Flickr

Featured Etsy Seller - dahlila

Check out this awesome recycle Artist,
dahlila

I asked a few questions,
My name is Dahlila (but if you've read my blog, you know my secret. shh! don't tell.)

How did you get started making these awesome recycled button bracelets?
A lot of my work comes from an initial need for a gift. I like to create while thinking about the friend it's for. In this case it was a birthday for a friend who loves jewelry and bright colors. After that, buttons began materializing! People gave me their grandmother's attic stash. What a gift.

What inspires you?
Wow. An odd juxtaposition of nature and junk--however, not together. I like nature pristine and peaceful. But I also love discarded piles, thrift stores, junk yards, scrap piles. I'm a dumpster diver at heart. It's all about the curiosity. It runs in my family. We are a thrifty and creative people, if I do say so.

Recycling tips? Keep your eyes open. I find crazy stuff on the street just being out in the world. I'm a natural crow. If it shimmers or shines, I have to see what it is. As for my own stuff? Give it away, sell it, dismantle it, recycle it, compost it, refurbish it. Check out www.freecycle.com. It's a great trade source.

Do you Blog? http://snowflowerstreet.wordpress.com/. I've got another shop opening soon as well: dahlilafound.etsy.com. for scavenged objects, buttons, paper and supplies. It's good to spread it around.

Anything else? Experiment. Try new things. Recycle yourself. I don't think it matters so much what you make or do as long as it wakes up your heart.

I know you HAVE to own one of these but you'll have to hurry,

they're one of a kind! Stop by, grab one fast and

RECYCLE, REUSE and REDISCOVER!

http://www.dahlila.etsy.com/

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 ;-)