The Only Girl

Name: Pamela Morrow

Shop Name : The Only Girl

Location: Flagler Beach, Florida

Link to Store: http://www.theonlygirl.etsy.com/

Pamela's shop is full of awesome upcycled fused plastic bags, great for everyday use as a handbag, using something durable for shopping, beach bumming, or for a great book tote! Pamela has been sewing for 44 years, and was ecstatic when she found out that by fusing bags, she could create a durable material of which to make things. Pamela feels, "I want to do as much as I can and I believe with all my heart that if every person did just one thing everyday to help eliminate waste we could make such a huge difference one person at a time."

Pamela is a that is a recycler, and upcycler. She says, "I do not like to waste and there is so much trash everywhere you look. Before I throw anything away I ask myself if I can use it for something else or can I make something useful out of it. I love the fact that I can take plastic bags and make something really useful and beautiful. I think that what motivates me the most about fusing plastic and recycling, reusing, etc. is that it helps to keep items from going to landfills. Plastic bags are everywhere they shouldn't be...along roadways, waterways, ponds, lakes, forests, beaches, and I could go on and on about where they end up. I truly believe that we have been given countless gifts of life in many forms and that it is our responsibility to respect those gifts. The wildlife that live among us are victims of our wasteful living, they cannot clean up after us. I once read a pamphlet while volunteering on beach clean up day that said, 'there is a face behind every piece of trash.' I have never forgotten that statement and thought to myself how true it was."

Visit Pamela's shop HERE.

Pamela also has a sister shop called "Hey I Remember That" on Etsy as well. Visit that HERE.or read more about it in this directory!

Tranzendental Arts

Shop Name: Transzendental Arts

Owner Name: Cynthia

Location: Lawrence, Kansas

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

Transzendental Arts is home to Cynthia, a theatre design specialist with experience in costume, set, lighting design and directing. She believes in recycling, and using reclaimed materials. Her shop consists of custom fashionable designs ranging from hats to bell bottoms, to other accessories. Cynthia says, "Sometimes the materials I use retain their original form, but often they are integrated and not readily recognizable. I enjoy the challenge and spend a great deal of time dissembling items to make use of as many elements as possible in my process."

Just look at these lovely creations:

Check out Cynthia's great shop HERE.

NOTE: Special thanks to Cyn for coming up with out team tag WASTENOT!

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!!!

WrapCycle

Shop: WrapCycle

Name: Janet Michal

Location: Atlanta, GA

Etsy Shop: http://www.wrapcycle.etsy.com/

Janet's passion for all things environmental and ecological are carried over into her shop. Using recycled or repurposed materials and fabrics found at local recycling centers, yard sales, or thrift stores, her shop is a true example of greener living.

Janet's products include unique ecological cases for laptops, passports, business and credit cards, and other accessories from a huge variety of repurposed fabrics and other materials. She also offers embroidered personalization of all items of which you may contact her about. Janet encourages custom orders -- and is open to adding new products based on her customer's needs.

Check out her 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.

KoolBagsPlus

Kool Bags Plus

Shop Name: Kool Bags Plus

Owner: M.J.

Location: Midwest (Tornado Alley)

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

M.J.'s shop is a great example of recycling and reusing. You know those Kool-Aid, Capri Sun, and other non-biodegradable pouches that would otherwise clog up our landfills? Fret no more, thanks to M.J. they are being upcycled into something useful for every day use! Her amazing designs include a tote, purse, billfold, and more. She's been sewing for over 20 years and takes pride in the quality of her items, making sure a zig-zag quality stich job makes your item durable to last for years to come! You'll also find original designs sewn by M.J. in here also!

Visit her shop on Etsy HERE.

JenLucasDesigns

Shop Name: JenLucasDesigns

Owner Name: Jennifer

Location: Greenville, SC

Shop Link: http://jenlucasdesigns.etsy.com/

This shop is all about repurposing, enter the Yo-Yo Bow! A bow for your hair made from recycled plastic milk jugs and repurposed cotton fabric scraps from a fellow Etsian! Jen has also been working on a line of cork jewelry from repurposed wine corks and semi precious stones. You never know what greenie items you will find here, and be sure to check this shop out for cute and adorable accessories! From hairpins to earrings, you never know what may lurk in this awesome shop!

Visit her Etsy shop HERE.

Ecstasea

Shop Name: Ecstasea

Owner: Tina

Location: Hong Kong

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

Tina collects and finds this wonderful sea glass, and fashions it into jewelry. Aside from drilling and rubbing it with olive oil, you are getting an all natural "found" product. Check out her lovely designs. You will find everything from earrings to necklaces and more in this lovely colorful store.

Visit her blog here:
http://ecstasea-at-etsy.blogspot.com/

or learn more about her at her website:

http://ecstaseaglass.googlepages.com/

Visit her Etsy shop now by clicking HERE.

Cristines Mittens

Name: Cristine

Shop Name: Cristines Mittens

Location: Washington, D.C.

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

Cristine says it best in her Etsy store Bio:

"After buying a seemingly endless string of mittens (and being endlessly disappointed), I decided to make some myself. With a huge helping hand from my Mother-in-law, who is a magician with a sewing machine, here is the end result. This pattern is incredibly warm, sturdy, and really comfortable."

She continues, "Machine washed wool from recycled sweaters provides a durable water resistant exterior and the polar fleece lining gives you the warmth to brave nearly any winter activity from driving, to skiing, to going for a walk."

Check out her Etsy shop HERE!

Check out a front page article about her wonderful upcycled sweater mittens in Boing Boing--read it 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.