ikcdesign: Original (re)Design

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62006649/upcycled-checkbook-cover-made-from

I’ve run out of checks again so it’s time to order a new set. After wading through screens of puppies and fairies and Christmas designs, I finally decided to just reorder the argyle that I’m already using. I know; boring. I still can’t figure out what kind of person wants to have Christmas themed checks all year long, but I digress… As I was about to checkout the page suggested that I buy a matching leather checkbook cover. “Ooh…pretty”, I thought, but then I realized that it’s new and it’s leather. Neither of which are particularly environmentally-friendly, so I popped over to Etsy to see what I could find in the upcycled/recycled categories. In college I studied Japanese language and East Asian studies and have retained my love of all things Asian. I was so excited to find checkbook covers made from recycled book pages about Japan. There were so many interesting choices. One seller in particular had some very creatively recycled pages that I thought would make for a very stylish checkbook cover. They also recycled the tops from trophies and old album covers. The seller named ikc (original redesign) has a very catchy tagline “Old is the new New”. I love it! Here are few other really cool recycled homegoods by ikcdesign:

Shopping Local on Etsy

While I don’t really love to shop, when I do need to buy things I prefer to a. shop online, b. shop local, and c. buy used. Why? Well, I’m lazy, cheap and concerned about the environment. I also love hand made or artisan objects if a suitable vintage piece can’t be fuond, but I usally stick to pre-owned (see previous comment about beign cheap). Etsy is a great place to browse, buy and sell and I especially love their “Shop Local” button that narrows down my search to those items in the area that I list. You can even expand the search terms to narrow it down further. In my general browsing/shopping I just type in Baltimore, MD and from there I can just click on the “vintage” choice to find all things once loved, but now waiting for me. So, if you too love to shop online and want to save some dough and a little petrol, then buy local and if you need help finding some good vintage in your neighborhood try Etsy.

Shop Local: Patterson Park Flea Market & Craft Fair in Baltimore, MD on May 14, 2011

If you live in the Baltimore-Washington area and have ever been interested in viewing my items in person, there is an excellent opportunity this weekend. I’ll be peddling my wares at the Patterson Park Flea Market & Craft Fair. I’ll bring all of the vintage and refashioned goodies from my Etsy shop and sell them at my booth, just look for the large SerendipiT sign. I’ll even have goodies that I haven’t had the opportunity to list in my store, like recycled tshirt tote bags, hats and more. This event will kick off Saturday morning at 9am and last until 3pm and you can find us near Lombard Street and Patterson Park Avenue, by the White House and Fountain.

The Spring 2011 Patterson Park Flea Market and Craft Fair will be presented by the Butchers Hill Association on Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.� The event is located in the northwest part of Baltimore�s Patterson Park near familiar landmarks � the Pagoda, the Marble Fountain, and the White House.� Vendors and buyers will enjoy a great outdoor setting, live band music, and picnic food and beverages offered by Butchers Hill.

We hope that you’ll join us in this 20-year-plus flea-market tradition, either as a vendor selling �fleas,� both old and new, or crafts, creations, and other valuables, or by kicking back for a day of fun and bargain-hunting.

So come out and enjoy Baltimore in Spring, shop for some local handmade crafts and unique vintage finds and be sure to stop by and say, Hi!”.

Tune In, Tune Up and Put the Hammer Down

Ah, Spring! It’s time to get out the bikes, unpack the padded shorts and shine up those clipless shoes. Mr. Jones and I will ready ourselves for race season. That means that I’ll stand around asking dumb questions while he puts the bikes up on the stand and clucks about the damage that I’ve inflicted on my beautiful bike during the last season. There will be laughs, there will be tears and oh my will there  be cursing. You see his bike, Christine, as we like to call her, has been trying to hasten his demise since she was purchased. His Intense 951 and I have a lot in common, mostly we are  both pretty darn good looking (If I say so myself), quick and likely to result in an early death for Mr. Jones. However, despite his better judgement he still regards us both with adoration mixed with a twinge of minor annoyance and occasionally on the days when we really cause him pain, some deep seated loathing. But I digress, back to the spring prep. Currently my beautiful Transition Syren is getting a tune-up and the addition of a chain guide (thank goodness) as I am finally fast enough to cause the chain to flop off nearly every time I make a decent now. We also have my xc bike and his dirt jumper to clean up and prep for pedaling around town. Those I’m more inclined to assist with because they are less likely to kill me should I not have some of the adjustments quite right. Most normal folks will be readying their rides for fun and exercise now that the weather is beginning to warm. Perhaps you’ll go to your local park or even ride around your street. But, before you do, be sure that the bikes have had a good tune-up. Perhaps you’ll take it to your local bike shop, which is always advisable, but if you want to DIY there’s a video below to help guide you.  You may have read an article that I posted in July of last year about the Recycle-A-Bicycle program in NYC. If not, just click the link and have a catch-up. Either way, the video below features Susan Lindell at Dumbo’s Recycle-A-Bicycle and covers the 5 basics that you should check before getting back in the saddle this season. It’s called the “ABC Quick Check” and everyone should learn it. This is part of the Etsy How-Tuesday series, so check them out, watch the video and get ready to Tune in, tune up and put the hammer down on your two-wheeled steed.

Tune Up Your Bicycle For Spring from Etsy on Vimeo.

Stuff I Love: Gandhi Mixed Media Metal Wall Art by AlanDerrickArtist

I need a daily dose of inspiration. Famous quotes on peaceful strength and images of Buddha, Gandhi and Mother Theresa are especially helpful to remind me that it can, and has, been done already; I just have to walk the path. I need to hang this in my meditation room as a reminder. The beautiful quote featured says it all, “There is more to life than simply increasing its speed”. I happened across this amazing sculptural wall hanging on Etsy and knew instantly that I had to feature it as an official “Stuff I Love!” I hope you love it too. Here’s a bit of information about the art that I pulled from this awesome husband and wife team’s Etsy store and from the item listing:

FEATURES
3-D with 2 layers of cut steel mounted on a canvas overlaid wood panel
Hand Painted with acrylic enamel and Signed by the Artist
Ready to hang – No need for costly framing
Professional Packaging gets it to your doorstep safely
100% Made in the USA
Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back
Buy Direct from the Artist and Save

FACTS
Title – Mahatma Gandhi Mixed Media Wall Art
Artist – Alan Derrick
Type – Mixed Media Wall Art, Ready to hang – no frame needed
Medium – Acrylic Enamel Paint on Steel & Canvas Panel
Overall Size – 24″H x 18″W x 1.75″D

ARTIST STATEMENT
Officially honored in India as the Father of the Nation, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known around the world as Mahatma Gandhi was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded upon total nonviolence which led India to independence. Gandhi influenced political movements and important leaders who drew from his writings in the development of their own theories about non-violence and he was the inspiration for civil rights movements and freedom across the world. The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring Gandhi’s birthday, October 2 as “the International Day of Non-Violence”.

TECHNIQUE
This is a 3 dimensional work of art made from 2 layers of cut steel mounted on a canvas overlaid wood panel. This hand painted mixed media wall art is created and signed by southern metal artist Alan Derrick. I design, cut, shape, weld, and paint the steel to create my works of art. All of my mixed media wall art sculptures have two layers of metal that stand 1/2 inch apart. They are mounted onto a canvas panel with the same 1/2 inch of space between them. The innovative shadow effects created within the piece constantly change creating an amazing illusion full of shadows and dimension. In addition, each panel floats off the wall creating a dramatic background shadow effect.

Each piece is sprayed, misted, and splattered with paint to create a unique pattern reminiscent of nature’s kaleidoscope of color and its three dimensional shapes. The entire process is time consuming and involves a lot of planning and hard work to get just the right colors, shapes, reflections, and shadows.

This mixed media wall art features a silhouette design that is produced in a wide variety of color scheme combinations as well as multiple copies of some popular color scheme combinations. As with a “one of a kind” original these sculptures are designed and individually fabricated, painted, and signed by the artist.

SerendipiT Donating 100% of Sale Proceeds to Japanese Aid Organizations

Etsy Shop Feature: Little Asian Sweatshop

This Etsy shop feature segment is for a local designer from the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. At fewer than 50 miles away from Baltimore, D.C. is just a hop, skip and jump away. We are both members of the same Etsy team: DC Craftacopia, a collection of fun and talented crafters from the D.C. Metro region.

ICouldSewDoThat(SerendipiT): Ok, let’s get this party started! So, first things first…your shop name. How did you choose such an unusual shop name for yourself?

LittleAsianSweatshop: While in college, I started cosplaying, and began making costumes for all my friends, manically sewing well into the night for weeks preceding a conventino, which earned me the moniker, “a Little Asian Sweatshop”.

ICouldSewDoThat(SerendipiT): Ah, well that sounds innocuous enough. I studied Japanese language and culture in college, so as you can imagine I was really into anime and quite a few of my friends really enjoyed cosplay too. Baltimore is home to Otakon, so we’re no stranger to conventioner’s milling around the streets in furry costumes. In fact, my neighbor, Stephanie Burke,  is a well-known science fiction romance writer who can be frequently found at many conventions around the country in all sorts of fun outfits. Sewing costumes can be tough work, have you been crafty your whole life?

LittleAsianSweatshop: I first started sewing when I was 10 years old, making outfits for my brother’s Transformers (my mom didn’t believe in buying me Barbie dolls). 

ICouldSewDoThat (SerendipiT): Wow! That’s some serious experience! I had both Transformers and Barbie Dolls that I enjoyed equally, but I’ll be honest and say that it never even occured to me to put a dress on my Optimus Prime. You must be a really creative thinker. So what inspires your creativity now?

LittleAsianSweatshop: Since I’ve stopped cosplaying (too old!), I’ve focused my passion for sewing onto making cute and whimsical hats, dresses, and accessories.  I don’t really know where my inspiration will come from – but I strive in making everything as adorable as possible!

ICouldSewDoThat(SerendipiT): Well, you have certainly accomplished your mission. Your hats are super cute! My favorites are the Cleverly Wise Owl, the Scrumptiously Sweet Strawberry and the Dastardly Dangerous Dragon. These are such unique and fun items. What do you love most about the creative process?

LittleAsianSweatshop: I love it when a design that has been floating around in my head comes out EXACTLY the way I pictured it!  It inspires and encourages to keep trying new things!

ICouldSewDoThat(SerendipiT): I am not yet familiar with this technique. Nothing ever comes out the way I plan. Sewing and creating has been a real practice in patience for me. I work with refashioning clothing and recycling what would be trash into new stuff mostly. What about you? Do you ever work with any “green” matierals?

LittleAsianSweatshop: I try to be green by upcycling when I can.  For example, my poker card flowers came about because a friend was about to throw away an old deck that was missing an old deck. Most of the clothes I wear are modified from vintage or thrift-store buys.  My inlaws think that I spend a ton of money on my clothes, but not a single item in my closet cost more then $30

ICouldSewDoThat(Serendipit): You know, the clothes that I get the most compliments on are always my thrift store buys or stuff that I picked up at a clothing swap so I totally know what you mean. I also get some great vintage and refashioned buys on Etsy too though. Do you have any favorite Etsy stores that you are willing to share with us?

LittleAsianSweatshop: My favorite Etsy sellers are www.etsy.com/shop/PaigeyPumphrey and http://www.etsy.com/shop/janinebasil because her stuff is so cute, and because she has the BEST customer service skills. A close runner up is http://www.etsy.com/shop/friendlyfeathershop because she believes in cruelty free feathers (something that is very hard to find). And some of my other favs:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/anilineblack
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theghostgirl
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ecofriendlybeauty
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theaterclouds

ICouldSewDoThat(SerendipiT): Thanks! I’m totally going to go and check those out now. So what’s next for you and your craft?

LittleAsianSweatShop: I’m hoping to be at the Art Whino in July and August…and I’m working on placing my products in stores…soon!

ICouldSewDoThat(SerendipiT): Wow, I had never even heard of that! I’m totally going now; thanks! That “Viva la Gummy” looks really awesome. So to close out our interview, I love to ask people for one completely random fact about themselves. Do you have anything that you want to share with the world that may have previoulsy gone unknown?

LittleAsianSweatshop: I’m a closet thrill seeker - I’ve scuba dived, done trapeze, sky dived and bungee jumped!

ICouldSewDoThat(SerendipiT): Whoa! I never would have pegged you for an adrenaline junkie! Thanks for taking the time to share your story with me. Be safe you wild and crazy artist and keep up the super cute work!

Check out the amazingly adorable hats and other goodies (especially the eco-friendly recycled poker card fascinators) on sale in the shop now!

Stuff I Love: Crab Card by sweetperversion

As you may know from reading previous blog posts, I am the owner of my very own Etsy Shop, SerendipiT where I sell hand-made, sustainable fashion crafted from sustainable (used) fabrics and accessories from recycled materials. I am also a member of several teams and even lead one the Fashion:Remix Team. With all of this Etsy activity, I see hundreds of awesome items every day. While I always mark my favorite shops and items, there are some that are just too awesome not to share. So, with that being said, I’d like to kick-off my newest blog intallment, “Stuff I Love”. This could be monthly or weekly, but will probably end up being daily because there is just too much great stuff on Etsy not to share the love.

Here it is, the Crab Card by sweetperversion. simply stated, the card reads, “Good for eatin’, not for spreadin’”. Truer words were never spoken. Enjoy!

Etsy Shop Feature: Sweet and Dirty’s Emporium of Good Stuff

This next shop feature is special because we are both members of the same Team on Etsy: The Etsy Recycler’s Guild Team. However, I noticed and marked a few of their items as favorites before I even realized that they we were teamies. So, without further ado, it has been my pleasure to interview Sweet and Dirty’s Emporium of Good Stuff.

ICouldSewDoThat (Serendipit): First, let me thank you for taking the time out of your busy designer schedule for this interview. Second, let me say that I love your stuff. I’m so inspired by it every time that I browse your shop. In fact, the rowdy girls bag is on my wish list right now; I love it!

What is your inspiration for these wonderfully unique items?

SweetandDirty: I was always encouraged by family to make sure that I love what I do,  and I really think just knowing that I get to do that everyday.. wake up, be with my kids, and sew… that is all the inspiration i need to keep on keeping on. Of course coming across some good vintage fabric is pretty motivational too

ICouldSewDoThat (SerendipiT): Wow, that is so cool that you had so much support from your family and you get to really enjoy what you do; congrats! I love vintage fabric too, for many reasons. I typically use vintage fabric because it’s eco-friendly. Do you consider yourself “green”?

SweetandDirty: Very much. My entire shop is made from vintage/recycled/repurposed materials… it’s so nice to give new life to something instead of discarding it. It all carries over into my home life too – compost pile, garden growing (soon to be canning this summer), crazy recyclers.. it’s true, my husband has been known to go get and give recycling bins to those we know who don’t! 

ICouldSewDoThat (SerendipiT): So, now we know that you are an eco-friendly artisan, who enjoys crafting with your family, tell us a little more about yourself.

SweetandDirty: My name is Logan and I live in the wonderful mountains of Tennessee. I am a stay at home mom to two sweet babes (Harvey and Ruby) and wife to a super encouraging husband.  I went to college and got a BFA in painting, worked a silly retail job for way too long, then decided to take what I was doing for my loved ones and try to sell it to a larger audience… so far so good. It’s amazing to be doing what you love. In my ‘free time’ i can usually be found putting on impromptu dance parties and concerts with ruby, she’s two.. Harvey is only 5months so he hasn’t joined in just yet.  I also love to cook!

ICouldSewDoThat (Serendipit): Wow! Well you sound like one very well-rounded and equally busy lady who really lives life to the fullest; good for you! I always find talkign with other artisans who have taken their craft full-time to be so encouraging. I hope that one day I can too. There are so many great artisans on Etsy who really focus on the quality and good design; I find a new shop that I love every day. Do you have any favorites?

SweetandDirty: oh my goodness there are so many sellers i love, if you take a look at my favorites it justifies that!
a few off the top of my head…
http://www.etsy.com/shop/necessityisthemother
http://www.etsy.com/shop/spinthread ( i have one of her lovely necklaces and wear it all the time, love it)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/chelebert12
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ziazia
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sohomode
http://www.etsy.com/shop/blackbirdtees

 ICouldSewDoThat (SerendipiT): I will definately be checking those shops out; thanks for sharing! So, besides creating and shopping on Etsy, what else do you really love?

SweetandDirty: I love it when my little Ruby gives me random hugs, Harvey smiles my way, I get a date night with my husband, I find “new” fabric, seeing someone happy with something I have made, oh and a good batch of gravy and biscuits works real well too!

ICouldSewDoThat (SerendipiT): Well, you are a woman after my own heart. I lived in Tennessee for a spell myself and I have to agree that it’s the simple pleasures in life that really make each day special, especially time with loved ones and the chance to express yourself through craft. The biscuits always help too.

Well, to close out the interview I always love to get at least one totally random fact about each person that I meet. Can you share an interesting tidbit about yourself?

SweetandDirty: Let’s see… I can’t drive a stick.. I have an unhealthy obsession with sweet tea…I know the words to lots of obnoxious rap songs…and I can weld!

ICouldSewDoThat (SerendipiT): Those are some really fun facts; thanks for sharing!  I’ve always wanted to weld, maybe I can trade you for some lessons in driving a manual. So, now that we know how to find you on Etsy, where else can we keep up with you?

SweetandDirty: I do a lot of local festivals in my area.. the two largest being The Big Crafty in Asheville, NC (it’s in July and December) and Rhythm and Roots in Bristol, TN/VA (it’s in September). I’m looking forward to doing a lot more here this next year though!

Sweet and Dirty on Twitter, Facebook and Blog.

 Thanks again for sharing your story; I really enjoyed learning more about a favorite teammate of mine.

2011 Is Here; Now What?

Well, it’s officially 2011. If you are into Mayans or Judgement Day there may not be much point in planning out your next project, but as for me; I’ve got a lot of work to do. I am extremely happy to have survived the holidays. Everyone seemed to enjoy the gifts that I made for them with a few confused looks but mostly happy faces. Lots of exclamations of “It’s my favorite color!” which is really what I was hoping for. Lots of promises to pair the shawls coats (apparently purple coats were very popular in recent years) and new soap savers being filled with beer soap. I hope everyone really loves their gifts as much as I loved making them, but now it’s time to work for myself. Well, for myself and my Etsy shop. I’m off to a productive start though. I’ve already made a brimmed beanie and a pair of sweater boots from the same sweater. I’m hoping to get well practiced at making these matching sets so that I can have a few for myself, a few to give as gifts and a few to sell in my shop. They combine all of my favorite things in a few fun projects: thrifting, recycling and crafting! I’m also planning to use my newly acquired knitting and crocheting skills to get to work on a few fun projects too. I’m hoping to make a few rag rugs, some stylish accessories and maybe a sweater or two. Of course, I’m already receiving family requests for a new knit scarf, patches and hemming and even a fun baby shower gift. I’ve also come up with some fun ideas for the shop and I’m going to try to start using patterns in my refashions, so wish me luck! I’m also studying up on photography so that I can improve my photos. Please be sure to comment on anything you see in my shop; I can always use feedback, pointers or advice. Finally, in just a few months it will be time to get started on those Christmas projects again. So who has time to worry about the apocalypse? I’ve got crafting to do! What are your plans for the coming year? Be sure to share photos of any projects that you get finished or links to any cool tutorials that you spot. Happy New Year to you gentle reader!