TheBackyardBear

Shop Name: The Backyard Bear

Name: Mary Ann

Location: Bracebridge, Muskota ,CANADA

Etsy Link: http://thebackyardbear.etsy.com/

Mary Ann's shop is full of whimsical hand painted novelties, all made from upcycled and recycled bits of nature and vintage goodness. Tic tac toe boards incorporate mother nature and make for beautiful playtimes. Driftwood collected on the Muskota River give way to gorgeous painings. Smooth river rocks turn into brooches and pins each hand painted and depicting nature in it's finest. Be sure to check out this shop as it is full of great one of a kind gift ideas. Resuse, Recycle and Reclaim are just a few vocabulary words you will find here.

Check out her shop HERE.

Tushemeriirwe

Shop Name: Tushemeriirwe

Owner: Mariama Tushemeriirwe

Location: Derby, United Kingdom

Etsy Shop Link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/tushemeriirwe

Mariama has been designing the loveliest of creations since the early 1990's. She has a deep interest in creating fashion and accessories with reclaimed, reused and recycled materials. You will find everything from fashion bags, cushions, scarfs, purses and more.

Mariama describes her offerings as such, " Fashion for those who love diverse, individualism, creativity and elegant style. Designed and manufactured casual and evening wear inspired by nature, people and places. Each piece designed with the individual in mind all reasonably priced to ensure beautiful garments are accessible to all. Accessories inspired, designed and created for every occasion. Knitted, African inspired and reused and recycled fabrics and fibres. Soft furnishings produced using reclaimed, recycled and reused fabrics and fibres. Inspired pieces which brighten up living and work spaces."

Find out more about her on her website http://www.mariama.co.uk/ and make sure to visit her Etsy shop HERE.

Urban WoodsWalker

Name: Mary Anne

Shop: Urban Woods Walker

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Mary Anne is an inspiration to me. She's an Eco-Artist who makes everything from recycled and upcycled goods. She is truly a busy bee and can hardly keep her Etsy Store stocked. Things sell QUICK HERE.

What's unique about Mary Anne is her genuine approachability and the desire to share ideas and network with other artists for the greater good. (Friendly convos welcome!) She shares wonderful photos of her work, and works in progress at her flicker group under this link.

Once an illustrator, graphic designer, animator, and art educator, (and yes, even a model), Mary Anne has done it all. Now she does what she loves to do, CREATE RECYCLED ART!

Check out some of her work:

Visit Mary Anne here.
Also, be sure to read more about her on our MEMBER SPOTLIGHT page as she made the spotlight for Dece 2009!!!

Lucid Dreamers

Shop Name: Lucid Dreamers

Owners: Eric and Celeste

Location: Eugene , Oregon

Etsy Link: http://www.luciddreamers.etsy.com/

Lucid Dreamers is the creation of two very talented people, Eric and Celeste. From a green valley in Western Oregon comes these whimsical creations, from mixed media sculpture to reclaimed part necklaces and dimensional art, you never know what you will find here. Celeste works primarily in glass, metal, pastels and watercolors. Eric is a musician as well as an artist, so he works with musical instruments as well as mixed media, including collage, painting, assemblage and sculpture. Their creations are made separate, or sometimes together--and are amazing.

They were also a spotlight vendor for January 2010 on this blog, read about them HERE.

Check out their Etsy shop HERE.

LBJonriver/Riverside Studios

Name: LaVerne

Shop: LBJonRiver (Riverside Studios)

Location: New Braunfels, Texas

Etsy Shop Link: http://www.lbjonriver.etsy.com/

LaVerne lives on the banks of the beautiful Guadalupe River in the small town of New Braunfels, Texas. She says it's a town with a "real downtown" that features the oldest bakery in Texas, not to mention, one of the state's oldest hardware stores...(you know the kind, wooden floors and tin ceilings.) LaVerne describes it as the perfect setting for vintage treasures and the perfect setting for a recycler like herself.

LaVerne's store is filled with wonderful upcycled and recycled items like golf club wind chimes, story book birdhouses, or fun wine charms. Check it out HERE.

ConsciousCrafts

Shop Name: ConsciousCrafts

Owner: Cortney

Location: Carrigaholt, Kilrush (Co Clare Ireland)

Etsy Link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Consciouscrafts

This shop is full of gorgeous hand woven items. Some eco-friendly items you will find here are made from discarded and reclaimed goods, such as fishing rope found on the beach. From the wearable to the usable, it's all in this shop.

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Cortney describes it best: "Living in West Clare, the pace is relaxed; life is simple yet abundant. Conscious Crafts by West Clare Weavers grew from the idea that reclaimed fishing rope could be woven into something usable in the home."

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She continues, "Today, we weave reclaimed and new materials into usable goods for personal and home use, we also try to "upstruct" other reclaimed goods whenever possible. We thrive on inspiration from our surroundings to create these functional goods. Our intention is to colour the corner we live in and share our happiness with others through a sustainable, home-based venture." They ship worldwide and you should really check out these cool finds!

Check out the ConsciousCrafts shop HERE.

Colleen Attara Studio

Shop Name: Colleen Attara Studio

Location: Bucks County, PA

Name: Colleen Attara

Shop Link: http://www.colleenattarastudio.etsy.com/

Colleen describes herself as an "all or nothing kind of artist." Her art is perfectly imperfect. Color themes aren't chosen for their "ability to match", but instead chosen for bold and cheerful statements. Colleen uses reclaimed and discarded goods in her work. She has working relationships with local sign shops and plastic fabrication companies that allow her to do this. Using scrap plastics and pieces of old signs are elements that allow her work to become three dimensional! An old picture frame with dents and paint drips magically transforms into something new, left with the evidence of it's former life. Her colorful eco-friendly art is a must see and makes wall decor!

Colleen says, "When I am getting ready for a show, I have a few weeks where I do nothing but create. There is paint on my face and even on the bottom of my feet. Sleep and food become less important. Coffee, music and candles become more important. Pressure spurs me and makes me even more creative. By the time this frenzy is over, I will go weeks without picking up a paintbrush. I’m lucky to have a husband and children who tolerate the ebb and flow of my creativity."

Check out her website here: http://www.colleenattara.com/

Go to her Etsy Shop HERE.

ChersPassion : Revisited

Shop Name: ChersPassion

Location: Baltimore, MD

Owner: Cherri Miele

Etsy Shop Link: http://www.cherspassion.etsy.com/

Cherri's shop is filled with a wide variety of artwork, that is fully functional and home and garden decor that is great for decoration . The best part, is she implements recycled, and discarded goods in her work to bring you these one of a kind creations.

Wearable Art & Accessories

These wearable art rings, are my favorite and made out of upcycled bottle caps:

A real steal at their average price of $5, this Rose one HERE.

A lot of work went into this cigar box etched butterfly purse, on sale for $85 it is functional and well made.

When asked about her art, she explains, "Unlike something machine made, I believe art has it's own personality. It tells it's own story, and as it changes hands, the pages of it's story are further written."

Cherri pours her heart and soul into each piece, and is often inspired by nature. She says, "In my work you will find original concepts incorporated in something similar you may have seen before, but you'll notice the difference right away."

My favorite creations she makes are those out of natural wood found from a local beach.  These driftwood pieces are turned into keychains, garden art, and home decor.

$25 for this upcycled driftwood sign is a real steal, I love the way the gems catch the sun!  

Cherri is not limited to one medium, so be sure to check out her shop for great items, and wonderful gift ideas!  She has been known to upcycle everything from soda pop bottles (for spinners) to tin cans (for cat purses!)

Repurrrposed PURSE built custom order, check 'em out HERE.

Check out her store HERE. 
Read her blog http://cherspassion.blogspot.com/
Fan her on Facebook here!