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Okay, you know I love upcycling and recycling and refashioning – it just makes sense to me. But it can take an artist to make it work well. Well today I found an artist like that 🙂
Aren’t these pieces wonderful? I love the detailing with the coordinated fabrics, the serged finish on each swatch of fabric, and the skill she’s used in building these pieces.
And of course, there’s the all-important fact that she’s designed and made these with fabrics and garments that were discarded throwaways. Like I said – it take an artist to see the beauty and create these. The artist is Susan Temple of MargoSue Studio on Etsy. She’s got some great work in her shop – and her prices are so reasonable it’s almost scandalous. Go shopping!
P.S. Note for people who don’t sew – no, it is not easier to build new garments from upcycled fabrics or garments. It takes more skill, not less! Take it from someone who does sew. I appreciate this work!
Don’t get me wrong, I love color. Vibrant, rich, happy color can totally brighten your day. But sometimes, you want a neutral. It goes with practically everything. It quietly announces This is Classy. Neutral gemstones or glass gems or beads are the Angela Bassett or Lauren Bacall of jewelry – they always look good, they’re always in style, and they’re always a Class Act.
I haven’t got Angela Bassett or Lauren Bacall to show you but I do have some lovely “black diamond” glass gems in my shop right now:
And by the way, wasn’t it smart marketing, when somebody came up with THAT name for this neutral gray stone?
Thee are available in my Etsy jewelry supplies shop of course – and these are only examples. I’ve got more 🙂
Just for fun – feel like a 1950s mom! I found an adorable, genuine 1950s Christmas apron complete with poinsettias – which is cute and funky and wouldn’t it be more fun to cook in this apron? I mean, if you’re going to do it, you might as well feel all Mom Cleaver, right?
This darling apron is available at A Blast 2 the Past – a great vintage shop on Etsy. The shop owner, Cathy, obviously appreciates the fun image of TV moms – that’s her cool pic above!
I mean, who wouldn’t like to role-play (a little bit anyway) and be Lucille Ball, Donna Reed, or Barbara Billingsley?
And then go back to real life and take-out, maybe. But still!
P.S. And what a great gift for your mom!
P.P.S. And if this particular apron is gone when you visit her shop – believe me, she’s got some great finds there. You’ll love it!
Woo hoo! I was interviewed for a blog! Like I’m practically a celebrity 🙂 Well, okay, maybe not exactly, but still it was fun and the lovely Jen Purple at 
Purple Fish Studio (love that name) really did ask me questions, and like that.
You can find the interview here. And hey, check out some of her other fun posts, like How to make a Found Object Leather Bangle and Silver Swirls and Pearls.
Just for fun (and maybe inspiration too) – go peek 🙂
Thanks Jen!
Here’s another quick, easy necklace design idea. Take one pretty pendant – and add an ornament. Voila: a terrific concept that you can adapt to endless designs.
For instance:
In one design, I’ve shown a circular ornament, almost modern in design, paired with a very traditional ruby glass teardrop pendant. In the other, a vintage sapphire heart jewel is added to an asymetrical silver flower charm.
You see what I mean – incorporating an extra ornament, a small cluster or charm, adds dimension and texture. It doesn’t have to be complex. It just has to be fun or pretty or interesting. You choose. It’s your design.
P.S. What was I thinking? I almost forgot to mention that of course you can get these lovely pendants, and many other pretties, in my Etsy jewelry supplies shop 🙂
I know the minute you see this skirt you’re going to think the same thing I did: this is a GREAT skirt!
Is that not fabulous? It’s available from McGregorGirl Vintage on Etsy and I have to say, she has some fabulous items – and very affordable fabulous items. Her shop is going on my favorites list!
P.S. I included the second pic here because I love the whole outfit. The shoes, the top, the glasses… and oh yes, the gloves! This is a girl who knows how to present her vintage items. She stages well. She has good feedback. She has great pricing. This is a shop to remember!
So I was putting together a pair of earrings that feature two of my favorite design elements: vintage glass rhinestone jewels, and chains. More importantly, chains of more than one style and more than one metal. I love the look – maybe a little messy, casual, easy to wear 🙂
These earrings have sapphire blue rhinestone pear jewels in silver settings, with silver, copper, and golden chains in deliberately un-matched styles. I added small yellow-green teardrops – just to give a little tangy color to the mix.
Then I tried an experiment – take a look at the earring, with small crystal rhinestone rounds added asymetrically.
Sapphire Vintage Glass Pear Jewel Earrings
It’s a nice way to give a little extra sparkle – and suppose you were to use small jewels in, oh, peridot green, emerald, aqua…. or pink and orange.
Try it! Take this sort of design and run with it. Play with textures and colors – there is no “wrong” way to do it – and you’ll be surprised at how many designs you can create with this basic concept. Make it yours!
This necklace design shows one way to add just a little extra pizzazz – and highlights the idea of repeating a motif or design element:
The crystal rhinestone pear jewel as a design element is repeated three times here. The central two-jewel “duo” pendant measures just a smidge over one inch long and is the focal of this necklace. Yes, it’s available here in my Etsy shop – all these jewels are (of course I used my own stuff for the example here)!
I repeated the “crystal teardrop” element in two similar-but-not-identical shapes. It doesn’t have to be teardrops. Try the same idea with round beads or crystals, in ascending size to the central, larger pendant.
It adds an extra bit of design excitement 🙂
This idea isn’t original with me – it probably started back in the Stone Age. Take the idea – run with it – make it your own!
I saw a beautiful – and inspirational! – quilt this morning at All People Quilting, part of the Better Homes and Gardens family:
Of course, just seeing this quilt is inspiring – the intricate, lovely design, and those cheerful happy colors! And then we get to the “DIY inspiration” I mentioned.
First, you could buy one from the designer, which would mean you’d have a beautiful piece of useable art and an heirloom for your kids. But if you want to Do It Yourself (or have to because, well, funds are limited) – think about it. You could use a quilt design as a template for recycled fabric scraps, discarded t-shirts, or old neckties, and use the design as a quilt – or as wall art.
Take the idea further – you wouldn’t have to use fabric. How about cut out magazine images? construction paper, or too-creased-to-use-again wrapping paper.
You see what I mean? Endless options – and using recycled materials, almost cost-free.
There are a LOT of inspiring quilts out there. Until you can buy one of these masterpieces, well, make your own!
Today I wanted to talk about upcycled fashion – with the emphasis on “fashion”. Also on style, and affordability, and great, unique design.
Case in point:
Now this is a great dress. It’s one of a kind – you’re not going to see it on everybody else wearing stuff from the Mall. It looks really comfortable without being all fussy. It’s feminine without being, well, all fussy and cutesy. It’s washable (stop laughing; that’s major important!)
And it’s upcycled – made of fabrics and garments that were discards or rejects or out of style or who knows what – it’s a wholly new dress. And it’s got great style – with the right accessories, a woman from 20 to 50 could wear this dress. Or from 15 to 60. It looks *good* 🙂
This is just what clothing ought to be. A little bit fun and original. Washable. Affordable (try buying handmade garments for less!) Upcycled. And, it looks great.
Lisa at Great Fabrications SRF started her shop focusing on bags (they’re great) – and now is showing us garments as well. This is a trend we want to encourage 🙂
P.S. Lisa has a lovely vintage shop as well – Jay Bird’s Vintage – with some totally yummy items for your home. There’s an aqua pyrex which is totally calling my name….. it may be gone by the time you get there 🙂
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Jewelry and Accessories
Vintage, Recycled, Upcycled!
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