DIY: Recycled Magazine Holders Like the Stores Sell

Check out this great video I found from KelseyR2 on Youtube. This awesome "recycler" is making her own Recycled Magazine Holders (she once saw one like it at Urban Outfitters), lucky for her, she decided to make it herself. Using old magazines and glue and a shoebox, she will show you how to make this great look!



Happy Creating!

New Contest Open to ANYONE Not Just Etsy Recyclers Guild Members Links Contest Enter Unlimited Amount of Times!

It's a New Year and time for a ....
                             New Contest! 

Our contest is called LINKS!

The Etsy Recyclers Guild is proud after only a year, to rank in Alexa, and have sites linking in.  Other than that, we've got readers, subscribers, people who check our blog on a regular basis. :)  Even better than that, is something called Backlinks.  Backlinks are where other sites (whether it be a blog, website, online article, etc) puts a link to this site which gives us "crediblity."  Without getting into technical jargon, in most cases, the more links the better we rank......

So now it's time to apply this theory to this contest. 

"Links" CONTEST RULES:

Eligibility:
This contest is open to anyone, anywhere in the world,  with a blog, website, or online presence! (Not just the Etsy Recyclers, so the competition can be FIERCE!)

Entries are unlimited as long as they are unique!

Open until: February 14th, 2011 Judging will occur then winner announced February 21, 2011.

$200+ Value Prize Pack: 
Special mystery prize pack includes:

$75 value of products donated from Etsy Recyclers Guild Members shipped to you!
$125 value of a sidebar avatar/link to your hop, website, or siteon this site for 9 months!
+Bonus: Feature Story written about you or your shop/site, to increase YOUR credibility!

How to Enter (Easy as 1-2-3):


1- CHOOSE A SHOP WISELY:) You must choose an active member from our e by clicking HERE to search our team tag "Wastenot" on Etsy. This will bring you to most recently listed items and MOST ACTIVE members (the Member Directory is in alphabetical order but not everyone is active)  so I strongly suggest using the Wastenot Search!

Go to their shop and make sure their shop is open and "frequently has new items added."   Make sure they indicate in their shop banner or profile they are a member of the Etsy Recyclers Guild (if they don't they will be disqualified because they may not be a "legit" member.)

The shops will be supplies, vintage, handmade, you name it, any shop on our team qualifies!

EXAMPLE:

This member, Retreauxgirl has the tag "Wastenot" and the "Etsy Recyclers Guild" in her shop banner. She updates her shop regularly! Her shop is legit!

Find out everything you can about them: review their profile and see if they have a blog, or personal website.  Find out more about them, their shop, and pick our your favorite items.  Maybe even contact them for an interview! Once you have your member in mind...continue on...


2- FEATURE THEM & THEIR SHOP  :)  Feature them in a small article on your blog or website--or if you write for a place you can do an article also!
 
To qualify you must include:

a)Their Etsy shop name in the title.
b) Put a link to their shop in the article ie: Check out the Retro Chalet Shop!.
c) Put a link to THIS BLOG somewhere in your article!  (http://EtsyRecyclersGuild.blogspot.com)

EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR  :)
A perfect example of this is a story Three Old Keys wrote about my shop. Not only did it help in Google Search results, but gained me credibility for my Etsy shop and my plastics blog.  **The only thing to chane, would be to put a link to the Etsy Recyclers Blog but other than that, the format is great.  Click HERE to view the format.

Online articles can gain your shop exposure and help you get fond!

3-  DOUBLE CHECK & LINK YOUR ENTRY BELOW:)
If you answered yes to all these quesitons, place your link below.  Judging will occur around February 14, 2011 and winner TBA by February 21st, 2011.

a) Did you choose an active Etsy Recyclers Guild shop, who has that they are a member of our group somewhere in their banner or profile?

b) Did you put their shop name in the title of your blog post, website feature, or article? 

c) Did you link to their shop in said blog spot , website feature, or article? 

d) Did you link this blog also? 


IF YOU ANSWERED YES, throw your link to YOUR ENTRY ie: the article, blog feature or website feature below in the comments of this post and consider yourself officially entered! 

YOU CAN ENTER MULTIPLE TIMES~THERE'S NO LIMIT
 
EACH ENTRY COUNTS AS ONE ENTRY!

GOOD LUCK!


Good luck!
Questions? Contact me here.

The Amazing Tale of Women's Fashions from Long Ago

I'm a bit of a book hoarder. Especially vintage fashion books. I purchased a book called Women are here to stay by Agnes Rogers at an estate sale several years ago. I was going to sell it, but decided to keep it. The fashion photo's in the book are great. The book is basically about what women went through last century in terms of women's rights (their right to vote, work and wear what they want).

This photo was a Rene'e model, imported by B. Altman, New York department store (illustrated by Douglas Pollard), April 15, 1926 issue of Vogue, featuring "chic simplicity and skillful cut".

Paris set the tone for fashion last century, just as they do today. Most American fashions/sewing patterns were changed up for women who made their own garments. They were basically simplified for the average day American woman.

I love Katharine Hepburn. She was so beautiful and glamorous. The epitome of old Hollywood glamour and charm. She was born in 1907 and raised in Connecticut. She appears in this photo with James Stewart in the movie The Philadelphia Story (1940).

If you love vintage fashions, I highly recommend this book. It has some great photo's and also tells a lot about last century as well. You can find a copy here. You can also find a lot of vintage clothing by searching WASTENOT in the vintage clothing section of Etsy or by clicking here.

Article submitted by Heather of MattieReidChicago and TexasVintage!

DIY: Fusing Plastic Bags Laptop Case and More the Threadbanger Way

Meet The Recycle Ben by LEUCKIT

Good Ole Dog $110


Shop Name: The Recycle Ben by LEUCKIT

Name: Donna Provo Leuck

Location: West Lafayette

LEUCKIT says, "I became an artist when I was five years old. The draft sent my brother to Vietnam. I drew him a picture everyday. Unfortunately, they where all of “Bozo the Clown.” He still has them so, they must be good. I have since broadened my horizons. I grew up in “the region.” That is Northwest Indiana. I put myself through college. I attended The American Academy of Art in Chicago. I had the privilege of studying under some very awesome teachers (Mr. Dowdy, Mr. Thiery, Mr. Cushing, Mr. Parks, and Mr. Shapiro) and the privilege of learning along side some very awesome students. (Bobular, Steve Tarpey, John Figler, Nathan Greene, Amie’ Lamair, Amy O’Brien etc.) I work from my home. I have a very patient and understanding husband and three very talented children. I do not limit myself to one medium. I love to take something that nobody has use for and reinvent it into an art piece that will be useful or at least bring a smile to your face!

Whose your favorite clown $110


Her shop announcement states, "Welcome!!! Thank you for your interest in my artwork. i love what i do. So, every piece i make is a labor of love. Hopefully you will see something you just can't live without."

It's Not Easy Going Green $110


You can find The Recycle Ben by LEUCKIT on Etsy here and her blog can be found here.

This blog post was contributed by Heather of Texas Vintage Things.

Meet Clone Hardware

Caramel Orange Upcycled Computer Component Necklace $49.99


Shop Name: Clone Hardware

Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Clone Hardware says, "After university (several thousand years ago) I decided to pursue a career in graphic & web design. But during the years of slaving / working in that field my creative energy was being slowly stifled.

Then one day I stumbled into the warehouse of Pothast Technologies, with boxes and shelves filled with beautiful and unique baubles, bits and pieces I had a lightbulb moment. I had never really been interested in conventional jewelry and with all these lovely and interesting things within my grasp I became inspired and empowered to create.

Clone Hardware was inspired by the constant influx of computer hardware and electronic devices that have entered our lives and sadly departed as well. The problem of e-waste has recently been the focus of many businesses.

With our partners, Phrenic Systems Inc. and Pothast Technologies we aim to extend and re-use technology as much as possible. By creating beautiful and unique pieces of wearable art out of what would otherwise end up in landfill, we hope to educate. Our landfills are still being overloaded with these products, and it’s up to us to dispose of them properly and try to reverse some of the adverse effects on the environment created by this modern waste.

The majority of the jewelry I create is made from salvaged computers and electronics, some is surplus/unused parts."

Black Computer Ribbon Wire Upcycled Cuff with White Snaps $17.99


Clone Hardware's shop banner states, "Kickass Industrial, Ultra Cool Steampunk, Super Spiffy Pretty, Simply Modern, Wearable Art Jewelry."

Copper Computer Hard Drive LOCK and KEY Pendant with Wire Necklace $25.00

You can find Clone Hardware on Etsy here, on Facebook here and online at their own website here. Lastly, you can find their blog here.

This blog post was contributed by Heather of Texas Vintage Things.

Get to know our awsome team captain, Cindy of Retro Chalet

I joined the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team a few months ago and have had a pleasant experience from day one. Cindy our team captain and team leader has several shops on Etsy. Her main shop is Retro Chalet and her second shop is Retro Chalet Studio. She sells really cool vintage stuff including vintage buttons, vintage Melmac, vintage block letters, vintage advertising and other vintage items at Retro Chalet.

Her Etsy bio says, "Dumpster Diving Diva, Recycler, Artist, Writer, and Greenie. Proud Team Leader of the Etsy Recyclers Guild. Member of the Vintage Etsy Society Street Team. Do-gooder".

Lot of vintage buttons $12.00


In her Retro Chalet Studio shop, she sells a variety of cute recycled handmade art things such as poker chips with cute images taken from vintage books and other sources (these are made into pendants), mixed media collages and other jewelry pieces.

WATER LILY - Pendant - 1930s Vintage Ephemera - Eco Friendly Blue Poker Chip Pond Plant Pendant $12.95


Cindy is the type of person who is willing to go above and beyond for anyone. She's always willing to promote other team members because that's just who she is. I've never met her in person, but we have exchanged quite a few messages and I feel as if I've gotten to know her. She's a genuine person who would give anyone the shirt off her back if it came down to it. She gives 110% and more in everything she does. I would like to thank Cindy from the bottom of my heart for everything she has done for our team and for me. You can get to know Cindy better by clicking the links below:

Retro Chalet
Retro Chalet Studio
Ira Mency
Ira Mency Blogspot
Twitter

Vintage gifts make the best gifts

We're well into the holiday season and I honestly can't believe Christmas is a little over a week away. I don't even have all of my shopping done. Vintage gifts make the best gifts. There's something about old items that make them special. Perhaps because they have history? I always think about the person who used to own the item. Who were they? What were they like? (Please click on any of the images below to be taken directly to the item)

I think this little Vintage Czech Beaded Purse is so cute and it's only $8:


I love Renoir MATISSE jewelry. Most Renoir pieces I've come across are all amazing copper pieces with enamel. This set is no different and would make a great gift for $149.99. It's vintage and looks very contemporary and artsy:


What about that "hard to buy for" person who loves vintage and collects mushrooms? Well, look no further. This cream/sugar/salt/pepper set would make a great gift for only $35 (salt & pepper not pictured):

Whatever your vintage holiday shopping needs are, look no further than items from Etsy's Recylers Guild Team. Just search WASTENOT under Etsy's vintage section (or click the WASTENOT hyperlink I've just included). Happy holidays from all of the Recyclers Guild team members!

This post was contributed by Heather of Texas Vintage Things.

It's a vintage & recycled holiday!

'It's a vintage & recycled holiday!' by TexasVintage

A selection of vintage & recycled items from the Etsy Recyclers Guild team. Happy holidays! To find more items from our team, search WASTENOT!

Vintage 1970 Gold Lunar Star... recycledwares $15.00	Vintage Santa Bank Made in J... AlpenglowVinta... $15.00	Vintage Santa Embroidery Pie... RecyclersGuild... $4.00
Pop Art Santa Brooch pin for... RetroChaletStu... $12.00	Big Poinsettia Holiday Pin W... WanderingLydia $12.00	Christmas Ornaments Silver R... Retreauxgirl $20.00
Upcycled, Whimsical Garden P... rekindleme $15.00	Custom Adult or Teen Size Sl... FeltedWoolies $46.00	Holiday Santa Upcycled Hair ... junck $2.50
Christmas Morning Necklace/C... modernshadesof... $21.00	Hot Pink Samsonite Suitcase ... RetroChalet $42.00	Victorian 1874 Blue Aquamari... HHDollhouse $139.99
Coca Cola Bottle Cap Upcycle... TheWeepingWill... $4.50	Large 50s Vintage Matte Gold... TexasVintage $45.00	Snowflake Christmas Stocking Revivalvintage... $5.00

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Happy Birthday to You says Ira Mency 1 Year Officially Since Etsy Recyclers Team Was Recycled

Tartan Gift Bow, from Serendipit

It's been one year since I took over the team, which was originally started in 2007.  Essentially we are only one year old, recycled wise.

Let me recap.

I wanted to JOIN the team, not run it.  The Team Leader had been looking for a replacement for a long time.  The team had almost 150 members, but had been dormant for two years.

I took it over.  Convo'd everyone.  Half the shops were closed.  One quarter had migrated elsewhere.  Took 25% with me and thought, what do I do now?  

Art pendant by SueCorcoran's shop.

I did not know what a blog or social networking was, it just sounded scary and I wasn't very technical.  I learned and built a blog on greechi, a WordPress site that no longer exists but was to be for green living and "the next it thing."  Thought this was a great opportunity, a green site with a green team.  Got great page rank, a lot of views, then something strange was happening.  The site would be down, then up, then down, then up.  Not WordPress' fault, but something about greechi.com.

Two months later I was up to 179 members, and the blog crashed in early 2010.  I had to move each post page by page to blogger and learn that.  Suffice to say, I think it's much easier and the moral to this story here is when you are forced to learn something on your own, it makes you perfect it until you are good at it.  

Teacup Pincushion by Wandering Lydia

Then came Facebook, a team store, forums, and social networking. We put each other in our shop announcements and blogged about our team.  Our blog gained readers and people who don't follow but do read.   I have a group of people who are willing to help when they can and that's what a team is all about.  I couldn't do it on my own.  So I thank those who throw up a post now and again, those who spot check shops and let me know when someone is closed, and to Liz who has been the best internet guru helper on the planet, and those who constantly talk, blog, and tweet about our team all the time.  Every little bit helps!

Noble Upcycling makes these cute owls.

We decided to be a little firmer on our guidelines for entry into our team, demanding once per month treasuries of team members, and well, we lost a few along the way.   I never quite understood why you would join a team if you aren't getting anything out of it, or interacting, but maybe some people do.   We demanded a change from a team full of "benched members" to ones playing ball so to speak.

Adorable Baseball themed accessories by TeWearables

We did advertising campaigns and we learned form our mistakes, out of it grew analytics and how to cross promote each other's shops.  I listened to the group and our blog became more interactive with guests posting and shop interviews, and artist interviews, and contests.  Then came Random Acts of Kindness - Gift Swapping and here we are.  

I'm glad where we've come in a year , to me it's a small miracle as I did not know what or how to blog.  I want to stress her that I'm telling you to rise to any challenge and push yourself to the next level.  Who would have thought I'd be blogging on 12 of them and even on Handmadeology when a year ago I didn't even know how to do it.  I suppose I grew with this blog and this team in some way, and I am thankful for the path in which we are going.  When people ask me why I spend so much time doing this for free, I tell them I truly love my team members.

I tell them each of my team members's shops is so unique, things I would have never thought of making or doing with upcycled or recycled goods --- their creativity is amazing and I'm hoping that by spreading the green word one item at a time we can make consumers think about buying mass produced items, when in turn, they can buy green HANDMADE, or green vintage, or green alternatives!

Plarn Pouch by Plastique Recreations aka Crochooley

Thank you to Etsy for allowing us to have this team, and to Morgan at Etsy our team liason.  Most of all thank you to my wonderful team members.

So now what?  We will continue to grow, but I am asking something of you.  I really need some time to run my Etsy shops folks!  With this in mind,  I hope you will:

a) Introduce yourself to a team member that is quiet or you don't know, and use the buddy system by cross promoting each other in their shop banners.

b) I hope you will blog about your team members and this team, and cross promote each other and continue to contribute and grow.  Join this blog as a contributor and blog here too! You can blog about things that you enjoy - someone's shop, craft shows, etsy selling, tips on social networking, antiques, vintage, recycling, green living, DIY, you name it, if so convo me at my Retro Chalet store.

c) I hope you will realize that having a successful store on Etsy takes a bit of work, and that you owe it to youself to do your best and I HOPE YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR ART WHATEVER IT IS, so please don't give up so easily.  Take every opportunity as a marketing opportunity, and remember hard work does pay off.

d) Continue to suggest things you want to see, some of you said more DIY, or outside bloggers.  Keep the suggestions coming as our goal is to make this a community for people wanting to live and be green. 



Santa decoration by AlpenglowVintage

 Most of all, I wish you a happy holiday season, wherever you are.

Yours Truly I am,

Cindy Fahnestock-Schafer
aka  Ira Mency

Pay it Forward Recycled Treasury on Etsy from our very own Retreauxgirl

'Pay it Forward - Recycled Gifts Under $10' by Retreauxgirl

Pay It Forward Day! Pay the Earth forward with recycled gift items for under $10. Recyclers Guild Team- Wastenot

Arm Warmers-Made from Recycl... thepainteddais... $10.00	Cork Chalkboard Ornaments or... HearthDesign $6.00	Retro necktie cellphone/coin... TheFloatingMar... $2.00
Green Gerlz Coffee Cozie Mad... kentuckygreen $6.00	Coca Cola Bottle Cap Upcycle... TheWeepingWill... $4.50	Red and Gray Swirl Wool felt... FeltedWoolies $10.00
Upcycled Eco Tawashi Set Wynsome $5.75	Fluffy pouf. Ring promirta $5.00	Snowflake Christmas Stocking Revivalvintage... $5.00
Raw Records Bottlecap Vinyl... NickelCityGirl... $5.00	Cherry Wallflower Sandwich S... WasteNotSaks $7.50	Recycled Red Colored Vinyl ... colerainecreat... $7.95
Recycled Red and Black Coke ... urbanwoodswalk... $8.00	Pop Art Daisy Pendant - red ... RetroChalet $9.95	Mushroom Lady Bug Christmas ... WanderingLydia $8.00

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