The Importance of Supporting Small Designers - Like Us:-)

This morning THE Cut ran a good article on shopping ethically for presents this year.  They advocate spending on better quality and supporting US makers - Jag & Nevie, perhaps? :-)  Exerpt:


"...That means going local in our shopping. For example, you can purchase your holiday gifts from crafters like Jenine Bressner, who sold and showcased her wares at Maker Faire this year. When I spoke to Bressner and other craftivists like Church of Craft's Callie Janoff, it was clear their DIY wasn't just Portlandia-ish kook. They do tend to have ideals.* They aren’t creating a mass-production line that can lead to exploitation and dangerous corner-cutting. Buying and selling from real people and being able to make everything they need: These were some rationales for all that knitting, felting, and decoupaging."
* Three cheers for ideals.

Everybody needs a fun new scarf for Christmas

Waste Not

piles of t shirt strips = straps and necklaces at a later date

stack of sleeve = ruffles, posies and/or more strips

I am always excited when able to reduce waste of any kind.  We are making mosaics out of plastic container caps at our elementary school right now - awesome.  Southern Houston grocery stores are finally recycling plastic bags - whew.  I'm making necklaces out of frozen juice container caps - chic (hopefully!).
And today I decided to actually measure how little/or how much, depending on your half full/half empty perspective, fabric waste was leftover after cutting 8 t-shirt "T Bags".

This is all that remains of 8 unloved t-shirts that would have otherwise met their demise in a landfill or been shipped (at great environmental cost) to Africa for donation & resale.   Much of this small pile (scissors shown for scale) will be used as pillow and doll stuffing also.  I call that fantastic.

BOO!

I'm afraid my kids will be disappointed yet again this year since I don't have a costume - but this is as far as I got.   

recycled T shirt strings w/ stuffed skull

Another Etsy Shop I love: Johnny Vegas Originals

Details, details

I also just found Johnny Vegas Originals and am thrilled!  He's taken recycling t-shirts to another level - love it.  I wanna keep company with him:-)
The intricate details are not to be missed.  Browse through the shop for really cool scarves, necklaces and even men's shirts.  

It's grey - of course I love it!

NEON!  yes, please.

The Find Houston - very excited! Come see us!

On Saturday, December 3rd, we will be at The FIND Houston, a special Pop-Up emerging style designer sale held at Hughes Hangar, which is a very glamorous speak-easy-like watering hole, dahling! 
Here's the link if you want to know more:
The FIND

I'm bringing all the scarves you could ever want from ultra-luxe Cashmere to rock star T-shirt wrapperie.  "Wrapperie" - hmmm, I like it.  Add that to Webster's New Collegiate.  (wrapperie: noun; an item to wrap oneself in, i.e. scarf, shawl, capelet, scarflett, etc.!)

See you then...

Treasury Happy

Dark in the Heart of Summer     
Using my own Tea Posy Necklace in shades of black as a stepping off point I wondered what other Etsy folk were making for black summer neck "jewelry".  I am absolutely nuts about all the crocheted pieces especially.

My favorite is from a Lithuanian woman living in the UK - she makes lots of lovely items mixing beach glass and crochet!  Just frighteningly beautiful if you ask me.  I'm dying over these three (only the black is in the treasury, however)  Her shop is here http://www.etsy.com/shop/

oh SWOON!

I am just in awe of the craftsmanship and beauty.  I have such a fondness for asymmetry and irregularity:-) and I highly doubt I could do anything remotely as gorgeous as these with my own box o' beach glass from lovely Monterey, CA!

I also really appreciate the technical skill (and good eyesight!) involved for this necklace - isn't it stunning?

 delicate necklace 
The shop hails from Turkey.  Check it out
 here
I love these people!