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Here’s a great example of indie design - fab style - and recycling too! This dress is from Amanda Vaughn-Redmon on etsy.
First and foremost of course, is that it’s a great-looking dress - it would be fun and flattering to wear!
Equally important in my book - she makes her garments in the U.S. (North Carolina) and she uses recycled/repurposed clothing for all or part of them. Of course that makes each garment one-of-a-kind, which is terrific too 
Think about it - this is style at its best. It looks great, those fabrics would feel good and be super easy to care for (here, she’s used an old t-shirt, and slinky drapy poly knit) - and she’s taking what would otherwise be tossed away, and turned it into something fabulous.
Talk about a feel-good dress! Love it
I’ve started doing “pet photo jewelry” lately and people are so enthusiastic about their pets, furbabies, fuzzy kids, whatever you call them - I have a feeling these are going to be fun!
There’s a twist though. I don’t just use straight pixel-for-pixel photos (well I can, but that hasn’t been the focus so far) - instead, I make a sort of portrait of your furbaby, and use that as the basis for the earrings (or pendant). For example, look at these sweet beagle earrings:
Custom Pet Photo Earrings or Pendant
These would be fun anyway, because this is a much-loved pet and her human really cares about these earrings - and the extra fun part is that, these aren’t copied from an “exact” photo. At my customer’s urging, I played with the photo a little, I changed it, stylized it, turned it into a mini-portrait. (Yes, I photoshopped it!)
I think it’s going to be interesting to go down that road a little more
The earrings are a great conversation starter, if you’re into that. And they’re a great keepsake gift for someone you love (hmm, can we can “paper anniversary present”?) For someone who loves their pet!
PS I’m going to be putting up some new and different examples soon - stay tuned for further developments!
I’m always looking for paper inspiration and goodies, right? And in my recent quest I found this yummy vintage skirt. The vendor is calling the print, “Paper Roses”, which is how I found it. Serendipity! It’s so fun to find surprises that are as cute as this one - and as affordable
“Paper Roses” Vintage Skirt from kellyemeraldhart at Etsy
Of course once I found her shop I had to look around. She’s got really good prices, vintage skirts and dresses I’m definitely going to check out, and some goodies that I thought were both attractive and really interesting. Take a look at this artwork:
Polaroid into Prints - from kellyemeraldhart at Etsy
She’s taken her own polaroids - and turned them into larger prints. You can buy a pack (as in this listing) or get each one separately for only $2.00! I love the water-color-ish look of them - and the uniqueness - and of course the price!
Original artwork - and vintage pretties - this is a great shop you definitely want to visit
P.S. AND she’s having a sale!
So I’m back on track, yes. I’ve found a SUPER do-it-yourself project that is (1) recycled, (2) easy to do, (3) goodlooking, and (4) will fit anywhere you need art!
And it’s practically FREE.
I found this on a fun blog, Homemade Mamas Blog and they not only invented the project, they share how they did it! I’ll bet a nickel you are going to love this as much as I do:
Recycled Wall Art invented by Homemade Mamas (dot net)
Just to give you a hint: this is what the project starts with:
Recycled paper towel and toilet paper cardboard tubes
Now, you see what I mean? This really handsome, sculptural wall art - is made entirely with recycled paper tubes you just throw away anyway! Well, and a little paint, and some paper clips (you can reuse those, too).
This is an idea I am definitely going to steal!
PS I added this to my “bridal and weddingj” category, because think how you could adapt this for some beautiful wedding decorations. Make floral wall art in your wedding colors. Paint the tube(lets) and scatter them on your reception tables. Spell out the names of the bride and groom! I know you can think of more ideas. And you can make them at the bridal shower!
Now you know how I love seeing artistic creativity, especially when it’s original work, and especially when it’s budget-friendly. This is fabric creativity, not paper, but it’s right up my alley all the same.
The artist is Kankywompous - see her work here. Her project - that reminds me of Project Runway - was to create a Japanese kimono outfit (kimono, obi and haori) for a small contest on the following Saturday. To find the fabrics, do the cutting and sewing of all the pieces from Wednesday to Friday (night) - and oh yeah, there was a “real” job during that time too - I’m applauding!
And check out the result!
 and 
See the detail:
And they won first place! The artist mentioned, “I started cutting and sewing about 11am Wed and stopped at about 10pm that night with both the Kimono and Obi finished at that point.
The Haori I had less time to work with, as I had work in the morning, so after I got back on Thurs, I started the cutting and sewing of the jacket. The Haori is lined with the same print as the outer layer, but in a brighter color to add a nice pop.
At the event, which is part of a two day CCG Event for Legend of the Five rings, it placed 1st in the costume contest (out of four placings).”
You have to admire that kind of creative rush (and can I add, I absolutely love that lining!)
No, really, I’m not obsessed with cardboard. But once I started thinking about cardboard, and how useful it is, and how it’s all over the place, and we usually just throw it away - I couldn’t resist finding more good examples of what we can do with it. Easy, Inexpensive, and Fun Home Decor Idea No. 2 (or 3, or whatever):
Corrugated Cardboard Wall Decor created by Jonathan Fong
That wall looks great! Neutral, strong, geometric, dramatic - take your pick of descriptives. We could all use some version of this! The article even tells how to do it - though I imagine there are as many ways to do it (easily!) as your imagination can come up with patterns.
And if you mess up part of the design, you just cut new cardboard. If your baby scribbles on the wall, you can replace that section (or celebrate her creativity!) If your cat shreds the bottom, so what? Tear up another cardboard box. And reuse the pieces
So, the first year anniversary is traditionally considered the “paper anniversary” - well, except in Great Britain where, I’m told, the paper anniversary is the second anniversary. Not sure why the diff there. (And, “modern tradition” as opposed to “traditional tradition” says the first year present can be clocks. …Clocks??)
So I’m thinking most people go with the “paper anniversary” tradition. And all you first-year-marrieds out there? Have I got a gift suggestion for you
Guys - this is the perfect answer for your “what do I get for her, she loves jewelry, she loves flowers, yeah, and I’m supposed to do that paper thing” anniversary-present-that-I-need-to-order-TODAY problem.
Paper Jewels, of course. Even more specifically (if you’re not sure what to get) - these gorgeous paper earrings:
 … or  .
These flower earrings are very pretty, they’re comfortable (I promise!), they’re feminine and affordable and yeah, they’re made with paper. So. You’re getting her artist handmade paper earrings, that also feature Swarovski crystals (the finest in the world) and gold (okay, gold-filled earwires). She’s going to love them.
And you, of course.
Okay, you want to spruce up your place, and you want it to be (1) easy, (2) affordable, (3) great looking, and did I mention (4) easy?
You really should check out the vinyl wall art - stickers for grownups! at Savvy Gal Designs on Etsy.
Like this fabulous graphic:
These are great for renters - easy to apply *and* to take down.
Personalize your space! Not only can you apply them vertically or horizontally, you can choose your own color. Go for it!
I’ve been sewing for (cough mumble) years, and I was jazzed to find a great online source of great vintage sewing patterns. Like this one:
The seller is Glamourstitch on Etsy. She has bunches of fab vintage patterns, some easy, some not so much.
By the way, check out the accessories on the pattern illustration - LOVE the shoes! Which just reminds me - if you have access to some really old magazines, or patterns, or whatever - they can be a great source of fashion inspiration
This is just one more (great) way to reuse and recycle - rescuing and using something that has been neglected for decades. And you’re doing it yourself (if you’re the one sewing) and you’re making something TRULY unique. How cool is that!
Aw, this is nice. One of my lines is “your logo on jewelry” (find more info at Weekend Jewelry Logo Jewelry pages and Logo Earrings (and Pendants) and today I’m featured on Cuteable.
I actually did two versions of the Cuteable logo - one with glass, and one with a reclaimed (recycled! yeah!) scrabble tile:
 and 
They really are cute
Cuteable is super fun to look through anyway, even when I’m not featured You’ll love it, go peek!
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