by Jo Ferris
Look at this beautiful necklace!
Look closer!
Megan Leone's creative use of upcycled zippers make for an unusual and beautiful piece of art that you can wear.
Her use of color is stunning.
Megan's creativity shows a fun, vibrant and interesting product that is not only eco-chic but stylish as well.
People who are concerned for the environment and the amount of waste being produced by the human species, need not settle for less when it comes to fashion.
Sometimes we just need to look a little further than the closest or easiest place we usually shop and we will find something unique, something beautiful, something that inspires us.
Digging a little deeper into
The Megan Leone Shop there are also these fabulous bracelet purses.
She has a whole
section of these great purses each is one of a kind and made primarily from upcycled vintage materials. You'll be sure to find something to match your wardrobe among these pouches.
Whatever your favorite color combo or style choice, I'm sure you will be inspired by browsing through the handbags, earrings, necklaces and belts in
The Megan Leone Shop. If you decide to purchase anything from her shop you can rest in the knowledge that you have made a great choice for the environment and for the handmade movement. Also you will own a piece that really is a work of art.
Q. What inspired you to begin making accessories made from salvaged materials?
A. It was natural for me to choose vintage and repurposed materials. I have always preferred second-hand items. There are so many benefits to purchasing vintage and repurposed materials... nostalgia, the thrill of the hunt, quality, and most of all making a kinder choice for the earth. I became very aware of how wasteful and unkind we humans were to the earth at a very young age after my parents decided we would clean up a 10 mile stretch of road. That experience really opened my eyes.
I have also enjoyed the thrill of the hunt since I was a little girl. I can remember clearly the first rummage sale I went to with my Mom where I was free to wander on my own. There is just something about second-hand items that new can not emulate. I do spend a lot of time searching for my materials, but it is so worth it! I get so much variety that way. A lot of times the materials inspire me to create something around them which leads to a wide array of designs. It is a rewarding purchase as the items never come in a shrink-wrapped package and I am often helping a local business or charity out with each purchase. It feels good to keep the men and women who sell at flea markets in business because without them a lot of those things would end up in landfills.
Q. What other steps in your daily life do you take to reduce your footprint on our earth?
A. I recycle, of course. It is the least we can do. I always take things that are no longer useful to us to a thrift shop, list it on sites like freecycle/craigslist or put it on the curb with a "free" sign. I enjoy shopping locally at farmer' markets and thrifting for most of our personal items. When purchasing new, I check labels for post-consumer products and how far the item traveled. I am willing to pay more knowing that my purchase is a vote.
Q. What do you hope people will learn from you, or what message are you trying to get across with the items you sell?
A. I have never thought of myself as a teacher. I am just trying to offer beautiful products that were made with care and love while being good to the wonderful place we live.
Q. How much do you LOVE the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team?
A. Etsy has a LOT of different sellers, it is so nice to have a place to go where like-minded designers are making things with the kind of labels I like to find on my purchases. I am honored to be among them!
Thank you
Megan Leone for offering your items as a wonderful choice for the environmentally conscious.
Oh my goodness, I checked this book out from my local library and I can't put it down! I am amazed with the creativity and brilliant upcycling ideas expressed in this book! Can you imagine recycling the plastic binders that hold soda pop cans together and making a beautiful wood framed room divider with them? Or recycling a plastic milk jug and making a stunningly modern light? This book is full of fun, stylish, and gorgeous upcycled creations. I can't wait to make the papier-mâché bowls featured in this book. 
Here is a lovely lamp shade featured in "Eco Craft" made from a plastic grocery bag! 
...And here is a romantically rustic chandelier with elegant extravagance made from recycled baby food jars! Etsy Recycler's Guild members and other stylish recyclers will be drooling over the pages of this awesome book. I have only mentioned a few of the incredible creations featured in "Eco Craft" which has high quality photos and great instructions. 
