Upcycling: It's Gone Mainstream Art Gallery

I had seen her creations before at Eastern Market, where I marveled at their beauty and ingenuity and was excited to learn that Tamara Embrey's upcycled designs now appear at the Torpedo Factory in the Fiberworks gallery. While I was taking a break from working at the Potomac Craftsmen Gallery today, I stopped in at Fiberworks and saw Tamara's exhibit of gorgeous, unique and totally upcycled dresses and other wearables. On either side of her display were two stacks of uncut, recycled sweaters in blended color palettes awaiting a new life.

Wow, time flies ! Another market has come and gone !

Last week was the next Ballston Arts and Crafts Market. This time I was on the other side of the circle which was a little more publicly located. The only problem was the late afternoon sun drifting in and covering more and more of my space inside the tent. The day was not too hot, not too humid, it could have been worse, but I kept the heat at bay with a gel-filled neck cooler (bright orange, couldn't have looked uglier) and frequent cool-downs with cold, wet washcloths (I looked like I was giving myself a bath at times !).

I had three of Alice's critters this time and her darling alligator went to a good home. I sold my refashioned plaid skirt bag and souvenir New Mexico apron tote bag. Three new smaller handbags made their debut at the market having just been created at 2:30 in the morning.

I won't be at the next market, as I will be in Boston so Alice will be manning the booth this time.

Apron Bag Tutorial-Finished Bag

Apron Bag Tutorial-Finished Bag, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

I've been hard at work, cutting up old aprons and reconstructing them into cute and handy tote bags. Follow this link for a visual tutorial on this super easy sewing project

Mother of all fabric dumpster dives !!!

Mother of all fabric dumpster dives !!!, originally uploaded by ambrosianbeads.

The office park where my brother works is probably the world's best dumpster diving location, and the dumpster is about 5 steps away from the back door of the office. Over the years, he has salvaged office panels, file cabinets, phone systems, tools, chairs, carpet, Pergo flooring, computers, bookcases, and just this week-this box of tons 'o fabric !!! There is heavy duty Ultrasuede and canvas, plus silks, cotton, and cotton and rayon velvets. And it couldn't have come at a better time, I'm embarking on a mad scramble to make lots of recon purses and stuff for the Ballston Art Market .

Etsy Trashion Events

I’m a member of the Etsy Trashion Team which is a group of over 70 artists from around the world who specialize in turning trash into treasure. The Etsy Trashion Team is about visualizing beauty in unconventional objects and materials. We fabricate art, jewelry, fashion and objects for the home from used, thrown-out & found elements. For us, trashion is a philosophy and an ethic. It encompasses environmentalism and innovation, and respects the human creative and healing potential.

This month, a group Etsy shop, located at http://EtsyTrashion.etsy.com opened for business. Products from all of our members are available for purchase there. A full list of members' shops can also be found there in the profile section.

On Friday, July 27th, we will be hosting a trunk show at the Etsy Labs in Brooklyn NYC. (325 Gold Street, Brooklyn NYC. A/C/F to Jay St * B/M/Q/R to Dekalb) We will have recycled art, jewelry, clothing, home décor & more for sale, plus there will be trashion-themed films, make-your-own trashion activities and refreshments. The trunk show is FREE and open to all ages, plus the first 25 people through the door will receive a complimentary trashion team gift bag. Attendees are requested to RSVP via email at rsvp@etsy.com.

For more info on the group, our Etsy shop and our trunk show is available at:
http://www.etsytrashion.com

Fashion Recycling

As usual, I am juggling projects and finally finished a couple of pieces that I've been thinking about for a long time. My stash of interesting fabric and clothing has been calling to me and I got down to work last week in time for the Virginia Craft-n-istas show in Arlington. Here's a photo of my display and some new pieces made from old clothes.

The first piece is a blue satin shoulder shrug made from a pair of child's silk trousers. The second is a halter and bubble skirt made from a floor length skirt (not that you would want to wear them together, they are just shown together !). And the third is a purse made from another floor length skirt.

And now the "tagging" issue. I've been putting it off, and will now list 7 things about me, but I feel wary to "tag" anyone else, so forgive me if I'm not playing the game right.

1. I have studied violin-making.
2. I sang in a Bulgarian women's chorus
3. When I was a kid, I ate peanut butter and mayo sandwiches...m..m..good !
4. I love my new "cybergreen" VW Beetle.
5. I like Moomins.
6. And parrots.
7. In high school I once dressed up as a man with a plastic skull head and scared tons of people at the mall.

I hope that's interesting enough for now.