Spotlight Team Member for Holiday Season : In the Studio with relove

relove:  The Interview

relove's favorite quote:

"Wait...don't throw that away! I can use it for one of my notebooks!"

Q: Tell us about the move to Brooklyn.

Brooklyn has affected my creativity in lots of interesting ways. I am surrounded by creative people and businesses all the time and this encourages me to think outside the box when I am crafting. Also, Brooklyn living is small. My studio is small so I find myself really thinking about quality rather then quantity. Lastly, Brooklyn has tons of opportunities to sell handmade crafts and hopefully by spring I will have a nice size collection of notebooks to sell. I plan on approaching some of Brooklyn's fabulous boutiques and craft markets. A long, cold winter will definitely help me stay on track and get some work done!

relove's notebooks combine upcycled components.

Q:  Can you tell us more about the process in which your notebook are created?


Each one of my notebooks are little works of art and I really enjoy selecting the pages from my collection of vintage and reclaimed papers. My paper collection is very personal. I have been collecting paper and envelopes for about 5 years and each piece relates to my life in some way. If you look closely at my books you will find pieces of old sketches I did in collage.

The insides of each notebook are unique, you never know what you may find.

Q: Your books are amazing, I bought a bunch and gave them away to my family last year as gifts -- they loved them. I still use one for my art journal.  I particularly love the vintage paper, where does all of that come from? 

Vintage papers are found randomly placed in the books!

My vintage paper comes from years of thrifting and tag sale hunting. Also, lots of my papers have been given to me by friends and family. Just about anything that I can write on and fold in half I will save for a notebook! Lately, I have been having fun giving each one of my books a playful title and "curating" the pages inside to match. For example, the graphic cover of the "Checkmate Notebook" reminds me of graphic design so I chose papers from and old graphic design and lettering book to include in this pocket sized notebook.

"Checkmate" retails at only $14 in her store.

Q: So where does all of this creating take place? Tell us about your studio!

My boyfriend and I built our loft bed/studio area ourselves out of partly salvaged wood and wood from a local lumber yard.

The relove studio, aka where the magic happens!

We reused brackets from old shelves to support the desk area. We had the wood precut at the lumber yard and assembled the bed/desk unit with a power drill in our bedroom. The entire project cost about $150 and took about two days to assemble. It was tons of fun to build and a fantastic example of upcycling done right!

My vintage chair (that I love) was found curb side and will soon get a new seat cushion once I find the perfect fabric.All of my art supplies and papers are organized in repurposed buckets and boxes.
 

I spy works in progress atop the desk!

Q: I'm glad I'm not the only one doing curb-side pickups.  Can you tell us anything about your upcoming projects?

I am working on some new books made from repurposed corrugated cardboard and vintage sewing and craft magazines. I love the vintage clothing depicted in old craft magazines so i decided to turn them into book covers.

Sneak Peek!

One of these fun notebooks is available in my shop now, "I Heart Vintage Notebook". More will be on there way soon!

Priced at $16 I Heart Vintage  from ReLove is a great gift for the fashionista in your family!

Q: Any secrets you want to share? 

Looking forward to spring...I am planning on introducing some upcycled jewelry to relove.etsy.com. My first line will be one of a kind "found object" necklaces. I have included a sneak peak photo (project3) for you to check out. Please let me know what you think!

Please share your comments and feedback to Sarah @ relove, and please share this story by clicking on the share buttons below!

Additional Note:  Relove has been an amazing help to this team, and even during a hectic move from her former home to Brooklyn, she managed to donate a huge box of merchandise (tote bags for sale in our Team Shop) and help with the team store.  Thanks for being a part of our team!  

Turning Trash into Treasure

by Sarah
For the past week I have been pounding the pavement in Brooklyn looking for my first New York apartment. During my daily outings, I often come across piles of unwanted items being thrown out. Some piles are neatly organized as if they are for sale, while others are just large heaps which require some scavenging. But always, there is plenty to choose from. From wood scraps to old sofas…from clothing to old books…it seems like every corner I turn I find a homeless item patiently waiting to be upcycled into something great!

Check out what some fabulous members of the Etsy Recyclers Guild have done with items otherwise bound for the dump.


Pop Can Tab Bracelet by AmbidextrousOctopus


Denim Tote Bag by wrapcycle


Upcycled stool by shemakesremakes


Upcycled vintage shirt by Brokenghostcouture


Salt and pepper shakers made from old chair legs by kentuckygreen

Next time your out on trash night, don't forget to take a peak at that heap…just maybe you too will find something worth turning into a great treasure!

Posted by relove

relove

Shop Name: relove

Owner:  Sarah

Location:  Florida, USA

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

Sarah has a love for paper - she calls herself an avid collector of vintage papers, interesting materials, and beautiful items from nature. She says, "My love affair with collecting started as a child. My father, an antique dealer by trade, would bring me along on his hunts where we would rummage through piles of unwanted goods looking for rare antiques. He taught me to appreciate quality items filled with historical value."

That she does.  Sarah explains, "Some of the items she's accumulated over time include interesting books, coloring pads with classic imagery, vintage school books and supplies, unusual packaging material, used sketchpads, vintage ruled paper, well worn game boards, vintage flashcards, reclaimed ribbons and threads, vintage seam binding and lace, high quality wrapping paper, vintage buttons and sewing notions, one of a kind maps, driftwood, rare sea shells, sea sponges and beans, rusty metals and keys, and much more. "

All of these articles in her stockpile of supplies are repurposed, reused, and remade into something practical and desirable in her shop.  Do check over, stock is ever changing!  Sarah says, "Each piece is special and one of a kind."  I couldn't agree more.

Her Cream Natural Sponge Sculpture was featured in this storque article!


Visit Sarah's shop HERE.