To The Steel Fork on Etsy : I Think You're Tractor's Sexxxxyyyyyyyyy

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Side end table, here,  $470.

It's true, TheSteelFork Etsy shop has it going on! A shop from Bloomsberg, Pennsylvania, with many reclaimed items serving functional purposes. This handmade Farm Table Reclaimed Tractor Hood table is a real gem....I love old machinery.  Doesn't this serve as a great creative reuse functional way to save the best parts of something otherwise headed to the landfill or scrap pile?  I would love to have this in my home! 

Their shop banner proudly says "There's a Farm in Every Home!"  This store is definately worth a look-see.  The rare and unique is hidden here. This table was made from an Allis Chlamers Tractor--if you aren't a tractor buff, I can only tell you how rare they are, all the way from France! What a great way to preserve parts of the item forever!

Large Rare French Tractor Bar Table, $1495, check it out.

Did I mention, you don't have to like tractors to visit this store?  There are other things creatively repurposed, such as this Cleaver Butcher Recycled Kitchen Hook.  At $75, it is a great gift idea for the person who has everything.

There's also signs made of reclaimed machinery, given new life serving as great home decor, like this!

For only $26, this sign is just the right flavor for your home!

Not only is this a great store, but their way of reclaiming items is just marvelous.  I'm sharing this with the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team first chance I get.

Tee Tugs : Upcycled Pet Toys

Visit shop NOW.

I'm pleased to welcome a new member to our team, the very creative Kaylin Carol who makes "Tee Tugs."  What are they you ask?  Adorable pet toys made of upcycled t-shirts!  That's right, full of special knots, these tugs will keep your loved ones busy!

Cats, don't fret, check out these tugs for your pretty kitty!

A real bargain, 8 kitty tugs for only $6, available here.

Dogs and precious pups, you'll never give up trying to tug and tug on these toys!

Dogs tugs range in price around $12.50, a real bargain, and come in lots of pretty colors!  Check 'em out here.

It's all in the knot, Kaylin has special gloves that allow her to tie those knots super tight, to allow your pet long hours of playtime.  Not only that, Kaylin's love for recycling and upcycling goes a step further. She ships her items the very special "CAREMAIL"  way, where she uses an ECO FRIENDLY packaging made from 95% recycled, 55% post-consumer materials. 

All design of products go through "pet approval" and quality checking for durability.

She was featured in People Magazine's online Pets section, make sure to read her article here.

Kaylin is a student living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She is an artist and graphic designer, who loves pets and the environment.  Read more about her two very special cats, and more about her in her Etsy profile located here. 

In the Spotlight: LizzieCaye

It only seemed appropriate to spotlight Elizabeth Patel, for October, who is wonderful in more ways than one.  Not only  has she been such a wonderful addition to our team, and helping grow this site--but even more so, her handmade Lizzie Caye designer bags are amazing.

The "Classic Lizzie" in blues and pinks

Without her the blog as it is today would not be possible.  I often wonder, as I look at her pretty creations  how does she do it?  Where does it all happens?  Originally from North Dakota, now transplanted in Dallas, Texas, Liz is happy creating what she loves--and this love shows in her craftsmanship and quality original designs. 

This recycled purse was a quick seller.

Ruffles add flair to her sophisticated designs. This one comes in many colors like pink.

Careful detailing means everything.

Here is where the magic happens.  Her sewing machine is often covered with remnants of a work-in-progress.

Creations kept in eco-friendly totes aka cardboard boxes! A bag holds recycled scrap paper for packaging materials.

 Liz explains, "A normal day with me involves a ton of running up and down the stairs. Let me regress for a moment to explain how I got my very own giant studio in my home.  About 2 1/2 years ago my father-in-law passed away.  My mother-in-law does not drive, or make any form of decision without her husband.  It became obvious that she would need to live with us.  She didn't live incredibly far from where we did, but long enough that it would have been harder to take care of her from a distance, even if the distance was only 15 miles. We looked for existing homes, and couldn't find anything that wouldn't have needed a major overhaul.  So we decided to build in a planned community (meaning we had a set of home plans we could choose from).  We picked this community because the specifically had a plan that had a bedroom with its own en suite bathroom.  While we were making all these plans we decided to add the 1/2 story option of a game room upstairs, so that my hubby wouldn't ever have to look at my mess again....."

This wire mannequin proves to be a good note board for Liz. 

Thanks to the addition of her mother-in-law, Liz was able to have her very own space and a built in computer niche in which she explains, " I can create as I desire."  She says, "I have a nifty entry to the attic where I store all my boxes for shipping and LOADS of other stuff.  This really has helped me keep my room a bit neater.  Beyond that I use a ton of paper grocery bags to sort out my fabric and felt. "

Sometimes the best organizational system, is a simple one.  

So, amidst the cardboard boxes and paper bags of fabric and felt,  add some of  Liz  keen eye for design and out comes unique and eclectic designs like this Knock 'em Dead Purse!!

Liz prides herself on using upcycled and reclaimed fabrics in her LizzieCaye Etsy shop 

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For more information on Liz, please visit her personal website HERE.

AnBláthPáipéir AN BLATH PAIPEIR

Shop Name: AnBláthPáipéir

Owner: Becki

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

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

 

This shop is full of gorgeous paper products - flowers that have been made from upcycled and recycled paper.  Some could pass for real! Treated with special paints and sealants, these are so lovely and require no water!  What a wonderful way to upcycle!  Flowers are affixed to pendants, rings, necklaces, hair barettes and so much more!  Be sure to check out this wonderful shop!

 

Please be sure to visit this shop TODAY!

Or, check out her blog:

http://beckisdesigns.blogspot.com/

Check out her Facebook Fan page!

She also would like you to visit her other Etsy shop!

http://delightfuldeceits.etsy.com/
http://entyqua.etsy.com/

BitsPeaces

Shop Name:  BitsPeaces

Owner: Nancy

Location:  Mid-Michigan , USA

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

Nancy offers wonderful creations here.  Most are eco friendly upcycled items such as denim rag quilts, shams, and pillow covers.  You'll find custom orders are welcome and encouraged.  Check out the selection of upcycled tote bags, crown royal bag quilts and all types of great handmade home decor!  Browse around as you never know what you may find.  From placecard table settings to checkbook covers, stock is always being added.

Visit this great shop NOW!

SashaTierney

Shop Name:  SashaTierney

Owner: Sasha Tierney

Location: San Francisco, CA

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

Sasha recycles broken jewelry into whimsical creations. She gives new life to vintage costume jewelry by repurposing broken strands of pearls, broken brooches and lone clip-on earrings into one-of-a-kind necklaces.

She scours estate sales and flea markets for vintage costume jewelry.  This is used both in her creations or for resale under the vintage section of her shop ---this is why you should check in often, you never know what you will find in this shop.  Rest assured, it's all beautiful and ready for gift giving!

Visit Sasha's shop NOW!  Or, catch up with her on Facebook www.Facebook.com/SashaTierneyJewelry

Southern Silverworks

Shop Name: Southern Silverworks

Owner: Tommy Conn & Family (Online contact is Paul)

Location: Oakland, TN

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

This shop features unique handcrafted jewelry made out of gorgeous antique silverware! Paul describes the shop as a family owned business. His father, Tommy Conn, started the business and makes most of the pieces. When the family steps in to help, the pieces must earn a Tommy Conn seal of approval.

Read more about them in this Etsy shop announcement: " The artists at Southern Silverworks utilize antique silverware in designing and constructing one of a kind jewelry. The techniques involved have been developed over time and involve the highest quality of craftmanship. This high quality, unique design, along with hand picked stones qualify this piece to be branded a Tommy Conn. Whether it is a cross, keychain, bracelet, ring, pendant or earrings you can be assured that much care and thought has been put into each and every piece."

Check out the Etsy shop HERE.

Salvaged Beauty

Name: Greg Knipe

Shop Name: Salvaged Beauty

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

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Salvaged Beauty Studio is home to the wonderful home and garden creations of Greg Knipe. Featuring handmade found object and scrap metal, the sculptures are 90% recycled goods.

Greg is a proud member of Indiana Etsy Team.

See Greg's shop HERE.

RetroClassics

NAME: Retro Grandma

Shop: Retro Classics

LOCATION: Saskatchewan , CANADA

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

When Retro Grandma is not making her cool upcycled purse and book purses, she is stocking this great vintage shop with cool finds. Anything goes here, a true "blast from the past!"

Toys, games, dolls, clothing, you name it!

Hey, wait, I had this as a kid. Does that make me retro?

Grandma just loves the thrill of searching for vintage. If you are looking for something special just let her know. Did I mention the kitchenware?

Etsy RetroClassics HERE.

Check out her other shop, RetroGrandma HERE.

Visit her BLOG here.

Retro Chalet

Name: Ira Mency (Cindy Fahnestock-Schafer)

Location: Baltimore, Maryland / Danforth, Maine

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

Ira gets to travel extensively in the summer which leads her to thrift stores, trash piles, and estate sales all over the nation. This dumpster divin' diva is not scared to get dirty . The Retro Chalet shop is full of vintage housewares, supplies, ephemera, and leftover destash from her sister shop on Etsy, which is her art shop. There's lots of funky stuff you just don't see very often including vintage melmac, wacky and tacky collectibles, and things that she has found along her travels. When not traveling, she's writing about going green, including being Team Leader of the Etsy Recycler's team and busy managing this blog!

PROUD TEAM LEADER OF

Visit her Etsy vintage shop here .

Visit her Art Shop HERE.

More about Ira Mency at her personal website or official blog page.