GinkgoFabrics

Shop Name: Ginkgo Fabrics

Owner:  Susan

Location:  Camano Island, WA

Shop Link:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/GinkgoFabrics

Would you ever guess this was made from a placemat?

Susan has been creating handmade treasures for over 30 years.  She explains, "My handbags are one-of-a-kind and range from recycled wool to choice fabrics. Each handbag has unique details, from hand sewn beads to vintage buttons and eye-catching lining. You may also find some handknit or crocheted items created from pristine materials."

Made from clean plastic grocery bags!

Handknit creation meets upcycled adornments!

Custom orders are welcome! Susan encourges you to contact her directly at ginkgofabrics@fidalgo.net


Make sure to check out this great Etsy shop NOW!

RetroGrandma

NAME: Grandma

SHOP: Retrograndma

LOCATION: Sunny Saskatchewan, CANADA

SHOP LINK: http://www.retrograndma.etsy.com/

RetroGrandma has been handcrafting for over 30 years. This store is filled with whimsical book and record purses made from TOTALLY VINTAGE and recycled goods. Retrograndma loves to recycle books and records into purses, clocks, containers, earring holders and hollow book safes. She describes her crafting as "relaxation therapy".

RetroGrandma has been subject of many blogs, and articles. It's no wonder, you have got to visit this site.

Visit RetroGrandma on Etsy right HERE.

Check out her blog HERE.

Also: This just in, a sister shop with cool vintage goodies HERE.

NansRedesigns

Shop Name : Nan's Redesigns

Owner: Nan

Location: Massachusetts

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

Nan is an artist and interior designer, who has been sewing since her mother taught her early on. Her purses and fashions are made from recycled fabrics. She says, "Every purse, sling bag, and tote is expertly made by me using an eclectic mix of new, vintage, and repurposed textiles. I now offer organic fabrics. Made with complete bliss and hope for a peaceful whole earth. "

She says, "The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that every year 4 million tons of textile waste rots in landfills, producing methane gas which contributes to global warming! The green movement is about recycling products, redesigning them for use, and renewing the earth; add to that a love of fabric and a passion for sewing, and the combination gave birth to Nan's Redesigns."

Be sure to check out her shop HERE.

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!

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.