Bumbershoot

Spying this print amongst the rows and rows of blah fabrics at the thrift store, even though the size of the garment was way too small, the only thing I wondered was,  "What will this become?!" 😉

WAS: Tiny-waisted A-line skirt

REBORN AS:

Tight-jewel neckline, with back invisible zip; armholes & neck faced with pink slubby silk from Kauai crop top :)

Appreciating the way the side seams sway about...Hmm.  Close them up or keep the floaty shape they are currently exhibiting?

Rentrayage

A REnewed beginning

Although its been over 2 years since Suno closed it's doors, Erin Beatty is creating cool-quirk clothes once again; except this time it's even better because they're RE-imagined thrift and vintage pieces!  So stoked I'm screaming!!!!
https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2019-ready-to-wear/rentrayage

Textures, Layers, Richness, Oi!

FENDI Fall 2019:  AHmaahhhzing!

Texture, Layers, Depth, Simplicity:  Louise Nevelson

Her work is a feast for my eyes and soul. (Saw one of her pieces for the first time at the Phoenix Art Museum)  

 What do you think?

Re-using is SO much FUN!!!

Don't you hate it when you forget your tickies when you go on vacation?
Always feeling a bit guilty about buying gum in hard plastic containers (but not willing to give up my beloved crunchy-on-the-outside/chewy-on-the-inside gum) will be a thing of the past now that I realized it's the perfect size for tickies!

What else could go in these perfect little containers?  Beads? Jewelry?

I'd love to hear your ideas!  What other plastic (metal/paper/etc.) containers do you re-use?

Sleeve Cuff Choker

Was:  Sleeve cuffs on a silk shirt

Transformed:  Steampunk Choker w/black lace trim

A Pretty addition to any Steampunk Ensemble

Back in the Swirly Chair...

...and it only took SIX years!  Using up some beautiful tropical-print silk fabric from my former life at TB to create bow ties (5 men's + 1 ring bearer-size available).  Don't you know someone who is getting married this year?  Pass it on...

Peeko by Brooklynn

If there ever was any other designer (besides me) who embodies a love of the earth and being part of the solution of reusing this is the gal: Brooklynn of Peeko Apparel! Check this girl's redesigns out:



Isn't she the most creative and chic designer?! She's even a July-baby just like me!!!  Once you visit her Etsy shop you will be a fan: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6910886  Updated Feb 2018:  Looks like Peeko by Brooklyn is no more on Etsy :( 

La Belle Savage

Pretty, eclectic, bold, edgy, artistic, one-of-a-kind--truly. Holly, the creativity behind La Belle Savage, makes these gorgeous creations with not just any old vintage & antique findings--these are pieces that have been handed down from her Grandmother who worked for a company that supplied jewels for Vogue fashion shoots in the 1940s and 50s. These are some of my favorite pieces, but with all the shop has to offer, you'll most likely end up flipping a coin...or, just buying both ;)

Did You Guess Sleeve?

Yep! That neck ruff collar used to be the sleeve off of a blouse--see:

Crazy, huh?! Don't you love how something can be reborn as something completely different!?
The fabric was so fluid and with the sleeve already being a double layer, I figured it would have enough body to hold up as a ruff. It was a one-of-a-kind, but really it's going to be more like one-of-a-pair since I have another sleeve yet to be transformed!

This blouse also had a very beautiful lace collar that I just dismembered from the fabric and adjusted the circumference to fit the neck as a choker (that sold on Ebay in less than a day!):

The Most Beautiful Discards

Karen Miller has the kind of eye that a lot of people envy. She looks at an old piece of wood and sees the frame of a clock; or a scrap of metal wall hanger and sees a decorative chair. Simply creative.

Bayou Salvage

Ever heard the term "Southern Gothic"? No? Well take a trip to Bayou Salvage via Etsy.com and you'll find the quintessential southern gothic accessories and "storyville" clothing that's romantic enough to put the most hardened heart in the mood to dine with St Valentine. Bayou Salvage is at once beautiful and comforting, as this crochet capelette shows (my personal FAV!):


And talk about an "IT" belt! This lace doily reminded me of the oversize belts that Karl Lagerfeld (genius!) did for Fendi's Spring'09 line:


Sweetly tragic: Southern Gothic Charm


What a versatile piece! This, most obviously, would look amazing as part of a bridal ensemble but would look just as ravishing with one's most casual jeans-& a-tee outfit.


Click on Bayou Salvage under "Rockin the Recycle" to the left or paste this in your browser:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5097827

One-of-a-Kind Steampunk Rings

Some of my Steampunk rings that I made eons ago (okay maybe just this past summer) finally SOLD! Yay! With the economy tanking the way it is, I suppose its much easier to digest spending $20 on a piece of jewelry than spending double that, or more, on a coat.

Japanese Recycling

Kosuke Tsumura
Be impressed. Be very impressed. Not many words are needed for this accomplished master of recycling, but here is a read-worthy article:
http://www.pinktentacle.com/2007/09/pet-bottle-armor/


Okay, so not everyone can do this sort of thing. But it just gives an example, albeit extreme, of what is capable when one lets their imagination rule!

Spin Jen Spin

So here's the beginning of getting to see my pieces on actual people! YAY! I love it. Jennifer bought the striped double collar shirt for a gig DJ'in: Doesn't she look amazing?! She wears it so much better than the dress form (lol). And that corset she's got on with it looks like they were made for each other. Thanks for the pics Jen!

Slacker

Wow. A whole month has gone by without a single post. Surely no one has noticed but me. It's not like I haven't been working. I work on being a good Mom and an attentive loving wife and try to keep the house from being a pigstye. And in between all that, I try to get a few pieces done. Here's a few that were done this past month:

New Brag

TALULA creates romantic quirky and of course, one of a kind jewels to adorn your unique person. In her own words, "talula is all about rust, tarnish, imperfect bits...". Ah, close to my heart. And of course I love her because she practices what I'm all about: Recycling!
Check her out: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15499366 (she's also to the left under "Rockin' the Recycle")
A few of my faves (really, ALL of her pieces are my faves):

Tins Tins Tins

Ya know those tins you get when you buy gum or mints (Altoids) or a metal cylinder that tea comes in or those little tiny lunch box style tins that Target sells that have old school candy in them? It bugs me. I just want to collect all the used tins in the world and find homes for them. Artists could use them to make little shrines. Kindergarten classes all across America could do crafts with them. Crafters could turn them into little holders of tiny supplies and store them in a wall shelf. Hmmm, sigh. So much potential. The logistics of gathering and organizing and disbursing is another story.

Recycled Leather Cuff

Here's my first attempt at a leather steampunk cuff:


Used some leather that I've been moving from house to house for at least 8 years now. I grabbed it at a sample sale from a company I used to work for and didn't have a purpose for it then; but I just knew I'd use it someday! It only took me 8 years :+)

Opulent Oddities

I am in LOVE! This gal's pieces are SICK! Check out her Etsy shop called Opulent Oddities (it will also be on the left hand side bar under 'Rockin the Recycle'):

Every Little Piece

I made these arm spats from the left-overs of the brown plaid pointed-lapel waistcoat I sold a few weeks ago. Practically every inch of that jacket was used...now let's see if someone actually wants these:

Military Duster

I almost didn't even change this sweet duster jacket because it was so Steampunk all on it's own (especially with the watch pocket)...but that's no fun :+)


Just cut about 15 inches off the front and brought the back into an inverted pleat to give the front its finished look. Also added pewter toned buttons at back sleeve cuffs and front closure.

Oh SO creative Upcycling

Not only is Karna an accomplished crafter (somehow that doesn't seem like a good enough word for what she does), as you can see from a couple of the pieces in her shop, but she is also amazing with pen and ink! Check out her drawings/paintings on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocoondesigns/



Please visit her Etsy shop for purchasing these precious and clever creatures. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5572078

Re-Designed Trench: Military Steampunk

Just putting the finishing touches on this military-flavored trench:

Portfolio (mostly past & sold)

New Project

Trying a trench coat this week:

Neo Victorian Brown Velvet Waistcoat

Here is the custom brown velvet waistcoat for fallhaven that will be in my Etsy shop, SteamTrunk Restycled (please click on the "SteamTrunk Restycled on Etsy" to the left to take you there).

Vintage Store Liebemarlene

I am really excited about this gal's vintage shop. Her selection is chic, well merchandised and in good condition! Check her out at: http://stores.ebay.com/LIEBEMARLENE Vintage
Let's give her a round of fashionable applause for making Vintage look SO chic and polished!

Boho Magazine

I am SO excited about a new magazine for gals who love fashion AND the environment. You may not have seen this on newsstands yet (issues just dropped in stores August 12th), but this is a publication that I think is going to pick up great momentum for the already-strong green-movement. It's called Boho and you can visit them at: http://bohomag.com/index.html

As to whether or not YOU are a boho gal, well, read this excerpt from their website: