Renew & Reawaken: Breathing New Life Into Vintage

 

This is me, the grateful Team Captain of the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team, in my Aunt Mary Lynn's Hand-Cut Moon Geisha Zen Taoist Appliqué Denim Vest in my Etsy shop Eco-Friendly Freckles. I am constantly reflecting with reawakening aspirations, gaining inspiration from fellow Etsyians!

I am so amazed and impressed with this story that I have to share which I know members of the Etsy Recyclers Guild will enjoy as it encompasses the themes of reusing and revamping!... A certified yoga teacher from Canada, Amy of Mystic Key Meditations, purchased one of my vintage beaded necklaces from my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop, a 1980s blueberry swirl necklace, and how she transformed it is truly amazing! Like Amy's alias name "Metta Morphosis", she has revived and enchanted these old beads, creating a profound metamorphosis in their aesthetic beauty and symbology by utilizing them as an element in her sacred, artistic craft. She removed the beads and constructed them into a yoga mala necklace and bracelet Prana Gift Set that includes a 108 mala, lotus bracelet, and swirl sunshine peace flags. Like a butterfly flying out of its cocoon for the first time, let's admire in awe the astounding transformation of the before-and-after images of this vintage necklace being altered into a sanctified creation!

BEFORE: As the vintage 1980s Blueberry Swirl Sorbet Marbled Necklace in my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop...

AFTER: As the beautifully transformed sacred 108 mala and lotus bracelet in the Prana Gift Set in Mystic Key Meditations...

Isn't it gorgeous?! I am so in love with this stunning transformation...Mystic Key Meditations utilizes vintage in this Prana Gift Set in such a creative and breathtakingly beautiful way by combining it with three silver lotus marker beads, a "be yourself" pendant, white tassel, natural white bamboo cord, and sacred blessings.

Mystic Key Meditations is hosting a free give away for the month of May! I encourage all admirers to check her Facebook for more entry details for this giveaway HERE! There will be 3 prizes and it runs May 2 - May 30th. The winners will be picked May 31st

As I bid adieu with farewell blessings, I'd like to leave similarly as I came with another one of my Aunt Mary Lynn's handmade feng shui creations...this one is a home decor piece in my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop, an Oriental Zen Geisha Tea Room Pillow...Namaste...

This blog article was contributed by the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Captain Jessica Woody of Eco-Friendly Freckles

Upcycled Art at Franklin Arts Center, The May 2015 Issue of Tulsa People Magazine, & Jessica White's Cranky Pickle Etsy Shop Feature!

Hooray!! The TulsaPeople Magazine feature spotlighting my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy art business in the May 2015 issue recently made its debut (an early release before the magazine will be available on local newsstands May 1st)! The article can be found on page 24; and the entire magazine can be viewed HERE! Along with my upcycled artwork, the two books that my art is featured in, Jen Karetnick's "Brie Season" and Julie Rawding's "The Upcycler's USA: 21 Eco Folks Who Made It" is also promoted! I'm so excited!!! My artwork can be seen in my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop section "Upcycled Decoupage Art" (my virtual online art gallery), however at this time this only includes my canister and tin art pieces since throughout the month of April all of my vinyl record artwork is on display in the "Art On Record" exhibit at the Franklin Arts Center | Resident Artists Gallery in Brainerd, Minnesota. 

If you happen to be visiting the area, please stop by and admire all of the upcycled masterpieces at this wonderful art gallery! 

In the gallery exhibit's promo photo above, my upcycled vinyl record art piece titled "Tintype of Love" is shown on the far left, in the middle is fellow Etsy artist Jessica White's vinyl record artwork titled "Nature Walks"...I love it's whimsical charm! I encourage everyone to stop by her Etsy shop Cranky Pickle and check out all of her delightfully quirky mixed media vinyl record art pieces! Two of my personal favorites from Jessica White's collection are...

"Woman Sitting on Henna"

...and "Lipstick Kisses":

This blog article was contributed by the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Captain Jessica Woody of Eco-Friendly Freckles

A Tour of My Upcycled Art Studio and the Two Books That Feature My Artwork!!

Hello! I'm the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Captain Jessica Woody of the Etsy shop Eco-Friendly Freckles...Welcome to my art studio! Here you will find my hand-painted upcycled vinyl record wall art...a couple of the pieces are sold, but will soon be replaced with more artistic eco-conscious creations!

 
Me in my art studio hand painting "Eco-Friendly Freckles" onto one of my original upcycled decoupage vinyl record art pieces...after my local Tulsa People Magazine "Artist in Residence" photo shoot yesterday!! 

My hand-painted upcycled art cans, canisters, and tins, and the two fabulous books that my art is featured in!!! Jen Karetnick's "Brie Season" food and wine poetry book...

  
...and Julie Rawding's "Upcyclers U.S.A.: 21 Eco Folks Who Made It"...which features a wonderful variety of eco-artists, including myself! 

For each copy of Julie Rawding's book "The Upcyclers U.S.A.: 21 Eco Folks Who Made It" sold 10 trees will be planted!! 

Back to my art studio, in front of the pretty daffodil flowers are some stationary art cards printed with my original Eco-Friendly Freckles artwork on them...Thanks to my thoughtful twin sister Andrea (Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Leader and owner of the Etsy shop Storybook Artifact) for getting me this awesome gift! These cards will soon be available in my Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop; sold in sets of four (one of each card).

Next up, my art collage assemblage/packaging station; with some of my vintage print ads and retro wares from my Etsy shop nestled underneath...

My precious Mod Podge and museum putty that I couldn't do without, along with an assortment of acrylic paint and brushes, and some of my Etsy bling, badges, and pamphlets from local art events where I've had my art shown: RAW Natural Born Artists Tulsa and The Drunken Artist...and I have Jen Karetnick's beautiful Brie Season poetry book and accompanying postcards pictured here too. I love that my artwork is featured on the cover of her book!!

 ...and that's it! Thank you for taking a tour of my home art studio...my sweet Flame Point Himalayan kitty Nozomi says, "good bye!"

I've added some of these photos to my updated Eco-Friendly Freckles Etsy shop About Page; which I encourage everyone to stop by and check out...Thanks again!

This blog article was contributed by the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team Captain Jessica Woody of Eco-Friendly Freckles

Green Bug Killer Insecticide Natural Epazote

When killing bugs, are you killing the good ones and the bad ones?  Pic: FatDragonfly 

Kill Bugs Naturally

In our previous post we talked about green alternatives to household cleaning agents. Right in line with living green and finding eco friendly solutions to chemicals in our lives; today we've decided to talk about bug killer and harmful insecticides.

Spring is here and soon the flies and bugs will be rampid.  There are many problems with store bought insecticides and too many to list--from the albeit known facts they contain harmful poisons to your family, your pets and your body. Have you ever considered that by using them, they are not only killing the bad bugs, but the good ones too?

To maintain a friendly eco system some "good bugs" are needed. Spraying tons of store bought chemicals on your lawn, garden, plants, or in your house is messing with the greater good. Not only are you wiping out the bad insects but possibly harming the good ones.  The good news is now you don't have to be in a catch 22 anymore.

The Epazote herb helps kill bad bugs , but you can grow your own, Pic: Fair Dinkum Seeds.

Fair Dinkum Seeds has exposed the secrets of the Dried Epazote Herb.  They say, "It's a dried herb that has a natural chemical component that is toxic.  This toxic chemical kills insects and is much safer than standard insecticides. "

The catch here is that it is not harmful to some bugs if used properly. Thereby, you can leave the bees buzzing while killing off the pests that aren't needed.

Now you may know already that many herbs and plants work naturally to deter pests or insects, and Epazote works as good as Confidor, but if used per Fair Dukum Seed's instructions, it does not harm bees at all!   This is one issue with using other insecticides --- it kills the good bugs and bad.

Grow Your Own vs Buying Epazote Plant Already Grown

What's better than buying a plant and making your own insecticide?  Perhaps starting from scratch. Plant your own seeds, watch them grow and then make into the finished product.

Fair Dunkum says, " I also sell the seeds here and am hoping folks start to dump the conventional poisons and start to use natural alternatives instead. They are just as effective, and there is a subtle explanation about only killing insects in necessary. Most insects are good, so generally it is best to leave them alone, but if you really must, then this is a lesser evil than the rest."

Find out more here: Fair Dinkum Seeds Epazote Page.
How to Make Your Own here:

Thank you to Fair Dinkum Seeds for sponsoring this post and educating us on the wonders of alternative solutions.