Thursday, March 31, 2011

Someday this will be Recycled!

I have been searching high and low for good vintage jewelry, either broken or whole to use in my cuffs and other jewelry pieces I will be making.  It is easier to create if I have a lot to choose from so I thought I would share some of my latest finds.  

Yesterday for a very good price I got all of these at the North Country Neighbors Flea Market:


On Etsy I was able to find some great jewelry lots at great prices and most shops are willing to combine shipping so all and all I feel like I have gotten some pretty good deals and some great piece to create with :)

Spring SALE A Combination of Jewelry for Repurposing

Three Vintage Pieces of Jewelry For Repurpose

Vintage Bits and Pieces of Jewelry for Repurposing

Jewelry making supplies

Little bits .. two vintage fabric buttons

Lot of 22 single vintage earrings for your repurposing joy

Lot of vintage jewelry links, bits and pieces for your creative expression

Lot of 22 vintage single earrings for your repurposing happiness

Lot of vintage links, bits and pieces of your creative expression

So check back soon for more recycled creations!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Hot Pink Recycled Cuff - Can you tell I love making these! ♥

If you haven't guessed,  I absolutely love making these bracelets!  I think it is my new favorite craft project.  There is something great about mixing the recycled soda can flowers and vintage jewelry, it makes such a lovely combo.  On this bracelet, the large hot pink rose, the smaller hot pink flower and the large antique gold leaf are all from soda cans.  The rest are bits and pieces from broken earrings, necklaces and bracelets.   Watch for these for sale at my next show, April 15th from 4 - 8 pm at the Winthrop American Legion and April 16th from 9 am - 3 pm at the New Testament Church in Massena!





Tuesday, March 29, 2011

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” - Scott Adams ~ Recycled Cuff 4

This was my first cuff that I created the actual bracelet from soda cans.   I purchased aluminum cuffs and then wanted to kick myself b/c soda cans are made of aluminum.  The cuff portion is made from one soda can that I cut into 1 inch strips and glued together and then covered with ribbon.  It has a small piece of ribbon to tie it on the back to hold it on.  That is the only downfall of the soda can bracelet is it has to be tied or secured in some way.  I think I am going to try elastic next.   The large flower in this piece was also created from a soda can and painted metallic champagne!  Enjoy!



Monday, March 28, 2011

♥ Turquoise Recycled Cuff Braclet ♥

Another wonderful recycled creation!  This is line with a gray, black, and turquoise flannel material I had.  I then added a turquoise recycled soda can and some vintage beads and jewelry parts.  I totally love this one!  I am having trouble picking a favorite now!




Friday, March 25, 2011

Springs n' Things is now The Mad Recycler

I mentioned in my last post that I thought I had outgrown Springs n' Things since I would also like to move into making recycled jewelry and with my love for Alice in Wonderland, I became "The Mad Recycler".  Watch for more great recycling projects!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

♥ Red Gingham and Red Rose - Recycled Cuff 2

I love red gingham, so of course for my next bracelet, I used some scrap red gingham ribbon I had left to cover the cuff.  A recycled soda can rose I had painted red.  I then added some pieces from broken vintage jewelry, flower rhinestones as well as light blue pearls.  I totally love this one and not sure I can part with it! Enjoy!





Tuesday, March 22, 2011

My Small Business 102: STRATEGIES AND INSPIRATION FOR THE CREATIVELY INCLINED

For all my crafting friends trying to make it in the business world, check out Clarkson University's Center for Entrepreneurship.  I am currently attending the My Small Business 102, which is for the creative artist and crafter.  It is being taught by a very successful north country creator, Sandy Maine, owner of Sunfeather Soap.  Last nights class was about setting goals for yourself, as well as tips and tricks to help the creative person.  I enjoyed this class and will definitely be suggesting it to others.

Center for Entrepreneurship Logo
image from clarkson.edu/entrepreneur

With this I would also like to announce that Springs n' Things will be going through a change in the next week or so since I feel my recycling has gone way past just springs!  

I didn't get home until around 8:30 last night and wanted a snack.  The BF had made a grilled peanut butter and fluff sandwich for lunch that day and suggested I try it.  It is the same as making a grilled cheese just with peanut butter and fluff and it was delicious!  Definately not healthy, but great comfort food (at least I used wheat bread).  


Monday, March 21, 2011

I've moved onto jewelry! Recycled Cuff Bracelet

After taking a couple days of much need break, I found some time to do some creating last night and came up with this chunky recycled bracelet.  The center swirly flower was made from a used brass bullet casing that I cut apart and twisted.  I then adorned with pieces taken from vintage jewelry as well as some vintage buttons.  The cuff itself was made using an aluminum bracelet cuff and vintage ribbon.  It looks so much better on and is a great statement piece.  So excited that my recycling has moved into wearable pieces!  I would definitely love some feedback on this piece.   And hopefully will have a bunch of unique jewelry at my next show!  Enjoy!


Thursday, March 17, 2011

Nothing says summer like Fireflies - Bedspring Firefly Wreath

“So you treat your love like a firefly, like it only gets to shine for a little while. Catch it in a mason jar, with holes in the top, and run like hell to show it off.” ~ Miranda Lambert

I love fireflies!  The firefly wreath was created by running a battery operated 10 light strand of lights through the springs and attaching little firefly soda can cut outs to each light  I also added some grass to each spring to give it a natural feel.  It is really hard to photograph with the lights on so this one will not be in my shop unless requested, but will definately be at the craft show at the Canton Day Care Center from 9 am - 3 pm.  Stop by and check it out!  I am also working on a firefly jar!


Wednesday, March 16, 2011

For the Nerd or the Crazy Cat Lady - the book clutch ♥

My latest recycled creation.  I have been buying old books to make flowers out of and was trying to think of something to do with the covers and I came up with a book clutch.  Some of the covers are so beautiful, and have such rich colors that they needed to be used.  I linked it with some heavy blue seersucker fabric, that I had leftover from a previous project. I try to only buy books that no one will probably read, this one was title "The Science and the Mystery of the Cat".  So all you nerds and crazy cat ladies ENJOY!





Don't forget craft show in Canton this Saturday at the Canton Day Care Center 9 am - 3pm.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Etsy Shop: PheonixThread

I think for all of us who do not have kids out there dressing up our dogs is a good replacement.   Poor little Bubba has endured the t-shirt yarn sweater as well as other things I have created for him to wear (like his Christmas Bow Tie).  Etsy Shop PheonixThread has this down to an art.  She creates dog clothes out of upcycled garments, which makes her another one of the great recyclers out there.  I fell in love with the I Love NY dog tee, but its white so Bubba would have it a mess in less than 10 minutes, but I did request a black one if she ever comes across a black I love NY tee to upcycle.

Upcycled dog tee - I heart NY (Medium) - green, sustainable, handmade from old t-shirt
Upcycled I Love NY Dog Tee - $19.99

I will definitely be keeping my eye on this shop and I suggest all you pet lovers do the same!

Monday, March 14, 2011

I had a great time at the Holiday Shopping Kick Off Fair!

Of course as normal, I forgot to bring my camera and take pictures of my booth, with the new magnetic setup.  I received lots of great feedback and have tons of new ideas.  I also go to try the new scentsy scent of the month, Jumpin' Jelly Bean and absolutely loved it.  I had some great cupcakes from Simply Cupcakes by Allie, so any of my readers who are getting married or having a party, definitely check out her stuff! The cupcakes are to die for.  I brought home a 20 pack of mini filled cupcakes for the BF and had to force myself not to eat them all when I got home.  I also bought adorable bows from Boogies Bowtique!   The next Holiday Shopping Kick Off Fair will be April 15th at the Winthrop American Legion from 4 - 9 PM!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Happy Friday! Sign up for Etsy Newsletters!

I receive daily emails from Etsy which are mostly themed in some way, but I totally love them and suggest them for others.  It is something I look forward to everyday b/c the items are so unique.  Visit the Etsy Newsletter site to sign up for several different options, such as Etsy Finds, Etsy Weddings and Etsy Dudes!

I absolutely fell in love with this weeks Etsy Weddings e-mail titled "Miss Peony", Check it out! - And yes I apologize to the BF again for looking at wedding stuff :)

One of my favorite items is from a jewelry/accessory maker, sayagdis, out of the Netherlands.  Almost all of the peices are used creating vintage jewelry.  Recycled at its finest and I would love to own any of the pieces they make!  And for all of my friends getting married, great unique wedding pieces!


Romantic flower bouquet vintage collage bridal haircomb

Romantic flower bouquet vintage collage bridal haircomb - $85.00
Don't forget the Holiday Shopping Kick Off Fair this Saturday, March 12 at the Massena American Legion from 3 - 8 pm.  Become a fan on Facebook, to see when we will be visiting a town near you!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Thanks Everyone!

Just wanted the thank all of my supporters!  Springs n' Things Etsy Shop has really taken off this week, I've sold 2 bedspring wreaths and 1 bedspring pumpkin.  Now hopefully I can keep up with all of this and the 2 upcoming craft shows!

I hate Microsoft!

This is a little off topic but I needed to rant!  Probably some of you don't know that by day I am a Web Designer and where I work we are currently going through a large web redesign project, which involves migrating over a 10,000+ page website to a new design.  Needless to say we are beyond busy.  Today I was having trouble with Mozilla Firefox not showing certain elements I needed so I upgraded it and had to restart.  My computer was unusable for the next hour while it installed Windows 7 Service Pack 1.  I am sorry, but on restart you should be warned that your computer will be down for the next hour or that it has a large amount of updates.  Otherwise I love Windows 7 it is 100 times better than Vista.  But come on a little warning never hurt....


Don't forget Holiday Shopping Kick Off Fair this Saturday, March 12th from 3 - 8pm at the Massena American Legion :)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

What a week! Countdown to Holiday Shopping Kick Off Fair - 2 days to go!

It has been a crazy week for me and unfortunately I have been neglecting my blog, but I have still been really busy creating!  My exciting news is I have created a new design for my wreaths.  Instead of wiring on all the decorations, I am now attaching small magnets to the back of each decoration to they can be easily changed!  I do not have this in my etsy shop yet, but it will be at the Holiday Shopping Kick Off Fair, this Saturday, March 12th at the American Legion in Massena from 3pm - 8pm.  So stop by and check it out!  I love this idea, and wanted to kick myself for not thinking of it sooner!  The best part is it follows my recyclable/sustainable belief.

Wreath with Magnetic Recycled Daisies!
A simple change, since it uses magnets and a sampling of other new creations!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Happy Friday! "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi - A Great Upcycled Treasury

Took a break yesterday from blogging because I have a really great project to share next week that has really changed the direction of my bedspring wreaths.  Earlier this week I created a wonderful treasury on Etsy to featured other great shops that create using upcycled/recycled/repurposed materials.

The treasury list is titled: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

60" Flower Garden Rug made to order from recycled t shirts
60" Flower Garden Rug Made from Recycled T-Shrits in a fellow NYers shop: greenatheart

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Silhouette SD Giveaway on Sugar Pop Ribbons

I am extremely excited about this and would totally love one of these machines, if you do not know what it is or want more info visit Sugar Pop Ribbon's Blog to read her review.  So far it is the most versatile machine I have found, it cuts fabric, paper, heat transfer material, and vinyl.  I really hope it can cut through aluminum cans as well b/c I could create such wonderful decorations for my bedspring wreaths.  So cross your fingers for me everyone and lets hope I win it!

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You" - Happy Birthday Dr. Suess! - Vintage Paper Rose Tutorial

I have received some requests as to how I made my vintage sheet music paper roses, as seen on my music note bedspring wreath:


 Here is the tutorial, it is very similar to my Recycled Soda Can Rose tutorial, but with some mod podge fun!



What you need:

1.  Soda Cans that have had the bottoms and tops cut off - see recycled rose can tutorial if you need more help
2.  scrap paper (can be just about anything I've used newspaper, stuff from magazines, comics, old books, etc)
3.  Mod Podge (you may want to put paper or a mat down on your work surface)
4.  Paper Punch (I use a seal punch you could use a petal)
5.  Paint Brush
6.  Scissors
7.  Wire
8. A Tack (and something same to press it into)
9. A large nail or a skewer to use to roll the petals.

Step 1.  Cut out from the soda can using the paper punch at least 2 shapes for each rose. 



Step 2: For each soda can piece, you will need two cut outs of the paper of your choice, I chose old sheet music.


Step 3:  Using an old paint brush, put mod podge kind of heavy on one side of the soda can cut out and line up the paper piece cut out over it and smooth it down and let it dry.  


Step 4:  If you didn't use a petal punch, you will have to cut your cutout into even "petals" and then using the tack poke two holes in the center to thread the wire through. 


Step 5:  Thread wire through the two holes on one cut-out and then on another.  Then using the nail or skewer , create your petals, by rolling each petal around the skewer or nail and shape it until you like it!