art with (re)purpose

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T13:37:00.000-08:00

Things have been hectic around the junck shop this holiday season but I do want to take a moment to thank everyone who supported my work this year and to say—

Happy Holidays & all the best for the New Year!

Culture Days 100 Mile Finds [east] Market

2011-10-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

When I found out that 100 Mile Finds would be participating in Culture Days with an artist market in Toronto, I offered to organize a satellite version for 100 Mile Finds vendors east of the city. Thus, the 100 Mile Finds Market [east] event was born!

Three incredibly talented artists joined me at Bola! in downtown Oshawa to offer workshops and demonstrations from noon until 4pm.

Glass artist Jeanette Bartosik spent the day creating fabulous wire-wrapped jewelry and played host to our mini-marketplace.

Dawn Barbieri of the eco-friendly company Albertine Dawn offered a “How To Add Color To Your Decor With Accessories” workshop.

Lesley Kelz of SquidPress hosted a collage workshop where participants embellished giant letters with fabric, paper and yarn.

I offered an upcycling workshop that had guests using discarded photographs to make paper ornaments. A few participants said they would be making more of these for their Christmas tree this year!

Thanks to all the artists for agreeing to participate and for making the day a success!

Tomorrow!

2011-08-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

Thanks to Susan and Shirley of 100 mile finds my work will be available tomorrow along with:

jewelry and leather journals by Christine Marie Ford
encaustic jewelry from Torched Studios
and Kat's Curious Oddities
and bags by Saracino Designs

100 mile finds will be setting up shop at Toronto's Evergreen Brickworks Farmer's Market.

Head over to the 100 mile finds blog for more info on this event and for lots of interesting stuff about art, life and other fabulous 100 mile finds vendors!

Happy day!

Things I Never Knew I Needed

2011-08-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

[before]

A few years ago, a good friend of mine introduced me to the sweater shaver. What the heck is a sweater shaver? you may ask… well let me tell ya!

You know those little "pills" that cover your acrylic, wool and cashmere (oh how I LOVE cashmere) clothing? A sweater shaver will collect and REMOVE them!

Run the shaver over the affected area and — presto! — no more "pills"! Your clothing will look fantastic again! My shaver in the photo above is a large electric model. I started out with this small battery powered shaver but soon, I was shaving everything in site which meant I had to empty the collection compartment quite often. A large electric shaver has a bigger collection bin and makes quick work of large and small projects.

So, before you toss your "pilly" socks, sweaters etc. — have a go at them with a sweater shaver.

I have to say, I get quite a sense of accomplishment by shaving something that is quite pilly… (yes, I do find joy in the smallest of things!)

[after]

Paint-A-Thon

2011-07-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

I was tickled to receive an email from the wonderful Paint-A-Thon team, graciously inviting me to participate in their event.

Unfortunately, I am unable to attend but I can help spread the word!

Paint-A-Thon is an outdoor public arts event where members of the community will converge to paint to their hearts’ content on thirty-two 4x5 ft large-sized canvases.

On Saturday, July 16, 2011, the Markham Civic Centre parking lot turns into a mini arts village featuring communal painting, live entertainment and local artisans.

Part profits from Paint-A-Thon would be donated to the event’s beneficiary, Free The Children, and the balance would be used to fund Power Unit Youth Organization’s year-round youth development programs.

Oshawa's Fantastic Street Fair & Sidewalk Sale!

2011-07-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

Downtown Oshawa is the place to be next weekend! Look for me in front of the Mad Café during the Fantastic Street Fair & Sidewalk Sale. See you there!

Asparagus & Art

2011-06-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

If you're in Oshawa on Friday, June 17th be sure to stop by the Outdoor Farmer & Art Market for Community Action Day!

The event is taking place at the Oshawa Centre parking lot from 10 am until 2 pm.

In addition to local produce, plants, baked goods and maple syrup you'll find one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry and accessories as well as zines and photography.

See you there!

New Uses for Old Things #4

2011-04-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

Inspired by an empty Tic Tac® box, these mini-er than mini business cards are a fun way to market your work! I used a large box for this tutorial but you can size your cards to fit the standard box (they'll just be even mini-er!)

Here's what you need:

• an empty mint box

• heavy card stock

• a ruler
• scissors or paper trimmer
• rounded corner punch (optional)

Step 1:
Peel the label from your container and pop the top off.
Soak both pieces in hot, soapy water and then rub clean (this should get rid of any label residue). Mineral oil will remove any remaining sticky bits (be sure to wash the box again with soapy water to remove all traces of oil).
Allow to air dry completely.

Step 2:
Before you make your mini-mini cards, you need to take two measurements: the height of your container and the width of the lid opening. These measurements will determine the size of your mini-mini cards. For your cards to easily slide out of the case they need to be slightly smaller than the measurements you get. For example: the measurements I took from this large container mean that each of my cards will be 1cm wide by 5.5 cm long.

Step 3:
Create your cards!
Design them on your computer and print them out or cut your card strips and write them out by hand. If you decide to print them from your computer and you want double-sided cards, you may have to do some test prints to ensure your front and back images line up.

Step 4:
Cut 'em out!
(you can round the ends for added flair!)

Have some fun!
Add some quotes, a discount code or holiday greeting etc.

Make lots!
(the large container shown here holds 120 cards)

Step 5:
Place your cards in the container and pop the top back on.
Your ready to start marketing your work! I'm sure you can think of many creative ways to utilize these teeny promo tools!

Have fun!

(FUN)draiser!

2011-01-26T07:35:00.000-08:00

I will be participating in the Instruments & Easels fundraiser for the Oshawa Community Health Centre.

Local artists and musicians are coming together to support this community-owned, non-profit, charitable organization.

Hope to see you there!

Two's A Party?

2010-06-24T16:35:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to host an Etsy Craft Party! I created the Meetup page, sent invites via facebook and tweeted about it…

A local printer I work with quite often (I am a graphic designer) agreed to sponsor the event by printing (in colour!) the Craft Party hand-outs Etsy provided and the local university provided me with an amazing meeting room in which to hold the event.

Friday at 5:30 my husband and I made our way to the campus to set up for the party. (I have to tell you that spending a beautiful summer evening in a boardroom making crafts is not high on my husbands list of things to do).

I set up a table with handouts, name tags and sign-in sheet then got to work organizing the craft supplies. I had decided to make two crafts - fabric banners and paper tube sculptures.

As I waited for folks to show up, I began making a fabric banner.

I cut out the triangles.

I cut out letters.

I glued the letters onto the fabric triangles and then glued the triangles onto some ribbon.

I finished my banner.

At this point I began thinking that maybe no one would show up!

My husband is a photographer and after helping me get my supplies up to the room, he decided to walk around the campus to take some shots. He returned as I was beginning my second banner and was surprised to see no one had arrived yet.

He took some photos as I finished the second banner and began making a paper tube sculpture.

"What time are people supposed to be here?" he asked

"Anytime between six and eight-thirty" I replied.

"It's seven thirty" he said.

I started on my third banner…

The party was scheduled to run from 6:00 - 8:30 pm. At 8 pm we decided to pack up and head for home.

I was a bit sad that no one came to the party but I have to say I still had fun creating and crafting! I'm going to organize another craft party at some point ~ I think if I keep trying, eventually someone will turn up!

Craft Party!

2010-06-14T23:40:00.000-07:00

The Etsy Craft Party is just around the corner, so grab your party hat and join us to celebrate creativity and community in Oshawa, Ontario on Friday, June 18, 2010 (which just so happens to be Etsy's birthday!).

We will be crafting in room CC2214 at Campus Corners (Durham College) located on the southeast corner of Simcoe Street and Colin Road. Check in at the security desk – tell them your here for the Etsy Craft Party!

Crafting supplies will be provided!

Etsy has provided us with some fun handouts and discount coupons from various sponsors!

If you are in the area and would like to join us you can sign up here.

2010-04-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

Rekindleme (a fellow Etsy Recyclers Guild member) recently passed this award to me! Take a moment to check out her wonderful blog here. She turns recycle items into artistic treasures!

In accepting the award, I must now complete the following 7 steps to give this award its proper respects!! They are:

1. Post the award on my blogspot.
2. Thank the person who gave it to me. Thanks so much Sharon!
3. Link to the person who gave this to me. You can find her here!
4. Share a list of 7 things that you probably don't know about me... (or were afraid to ask!!) :)
5. Choose 7 great bloggers to give the award to.
6. Share a link to their blogs.
7. Leave a comment on their blog.

And now for the 7 things about me!!! Hold onto your hats!

In high school, I dreamed of being a comedian
I know almost all of the dialogue to The Philadelphia Story.
All my life I picked the pimento out of any olive I was about to eat until my husband told me it tastes like the rest of the olive.
I like to write the word "Canada". It's such a lovely word to write. Try it!
I was born with an extra pair of ribs.
I once had a summer job cleaning office phones. I had no idea phones could be so disgusting!
I learned to drive stick in a Volvo that once belonged to Farley Mowat.

Now I need to pass this award on to 7 wonderful bloggers!! They are:

Brooke at http://cherubsn.blogspot.com/. She creates amazing jewelry and clothing from vintage, recycled and preloved materials. I have one of her button cuffs and I LOVE it!!!

Christi at http://fatbottombags.blogspot.com/. She is a wonderful eco-concious crafter and the founder of fatbottombags.com - a plastic bag recycling program.

Chriss at http://theartofzencrochet.blogspot.com/. I can't wait to try her recipe for Home Made Laundry Detergent Powder!

For those of you who live in Ontario, Shirley & Susan have created a website that showcases local artisans, cool stores & restaurants that offer local fare and funky things to do. Their blog has all sorts of info and links to local stuff http://100milefinds.blogspot.com/

Emily at http://candycalamity.blogspot.com/ makes art from candy wrappers! A feast for the eyes!

Visit Pam at http://re-maker.blogspot.com/ to see her FABULOUS FINDS FROM LIFE'S DAILY GRIND™. I like "The Wisdom of Fortune Cookies" post because I save them too!

Fun and inspiration from Katie at http://matsutakeblog.blogspot.com/

Thanks again to rekindleme for passing the award along - this has been fun!

Happy Day!

Rescue Me

2010-03-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

A short time ago I found a pattern online for a knitted lariat. I really wanted to make one as a birthday gift for my dear friend. The pattern has a skill level of "Easy" so with my VERY basic knitting skills and some help from my MIL, I figured I'd give it a try.

Next time I visited my in-laws, I brought my knitting along with me. My MIL helped me with the abbreviations and stitches I wasn't familiar with (adding stitches for example). Confident I would remember my "lesson" I packed up my knitting and headed home.

Later that week I decided to finish the lariat. As I continued with the knitting, I couldn't recall some of the stitches my MIL showed me and she was now on vacation! Argh!

To the computer I went!

In quick time, I found a fabulous knitting site! I registered, posted my question in the forum and in a FLASH received the help I needed from some wonderful members! I was thrilled to say the least! How fantastic is THAT?!

So, with much help from some kind KnittingHelp.com members I finished my first lariat and have been making them ever since!

A big shout out to those who saved the day for me! The internet is fabulous and so are you!!!

P.S. she loved her birthday gift

Etsy Trashion Street Team

2010-03-05T07:24:00.000-08:00

I am also a proud member of the Etsy Trashion Street Team. We are a group of Etsy sellers who focus on recycling and upcycling all kinds of discarded and found materials. We are creative artists and crafters who are dedicated to making trash into treasure!

Etsy Recyclers Guild Team

2010-03-02T21:12:00.000-08:00

I am now a member of the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team ~ yay! Go Team!

New Uses for Old Things #3

2010-02-15T14:02:00.001-08:00

Enviro-friendly & Cost Effective Business Cards

I eat cereal everyday. I eat it for breakfast, sometimes as a midnight snack and truth be told - I've had it for dinner.

As an avid (up)cycler, I am interested in creating new stuff from discarded stuff. As a graphic designer, I love the colours and shapes that can be found on cereal boxes.

There are a few things I do with my old cereal box card - this is by far the easiest!

You need:

a paper cutter with a sharp blade (an x-acto will work, the cutter is just quicker/easier)
stamp of your choice (I use this stamp kit so I can change my stamp when needed)
cereal box card

Unfold the cereal box (tear along glued edges) and cut the front and back panel out (be sure at least one of your edges is straight).
Trim the box card into business card sized pieces (3.5 inches x 2 inches). Pay attention to the images and shapes that will end up on your cards. You may not use ALL of the original image - you want your cards to look funky and fun!
Stamp your info on the "back" of your fab cards! Your name and web address should do the trick. Have fun!
Hand out your fabulous enviro-friendly and cost-effective business cards!

New Uses for Old Things #2

2010-02-15T13:49:00.000-08:00

Fortune Teller Box

I have always enjoyed creating. Drawing, sewing, sculpting... anything! I especially enjoy what is now called "upcycling" — finding new uses for discarded objects. For example, this was once a box of AfterEight chocolates but now, instead of selecting a chocolate from the box, you select a fortune!

If you would like to make a Fortune Teller box of your own, here are the instructions (sorry I don't have any step-by-step pics as I made this one quite some time ago and never thought to document the process! When I make another one I will be sure to do that):

Materials:

An empty box of AfterEight chocolates (but keep the little envelopes the chocolates come in —you'll need those!)
Acrylic paint and acrylic paint sealer
Paper (preferably card stock)
Stamps, markers, stickers and any other fun stuff you have around that you can use to create each "fortune"
Glue

Instructions:

1. Get yourself a box of AfterEight chocolates.

2. Remove the chocolates from their little envelopes (but keep the envelopes!!). I suggest you don't perform this step all at once! :o)

3. Paint the box any colour you like. Dark colours work best as the paint needs to totally cover the wording on the box. You may need more than one coat (allow each coat to dry completely before applying the next). Allow the paint to dry over-night.

4. Meantime, to replace the chocolates, cut out square pieces of paper that will fit inside the little envelopes the chocolates came in. Make one for every envelope.

5. Now the fun begins! Use stamps, markers, stickers, paper embellishments — anything you have that you'd like to use for each fortune. I used stamps with words like "create", "dream","love" & "happiness" on them. I created this fortune box for a friend and I wanted it to be all about positive thinking and uplifting sentiments... but you could choose any theme you'd like. You could make a fortune box for Valentines Day and write something you love about your mate on each card, or make one for a special birthday and write something that happened the year/day your friend was born on each card (e.g. #1 song, Best Movie at the Oscars that year, famous people who share the birthday). You can embellish one side of the fortune or both sides — have fun and be creative! The possibilities are endless!

6. Cut three pieces of card stock that are just a bit smaller than the long sides of the box, and two square pieces that are a bit smaller than the ends. This is where you'll write (or you can use your computer and printer) the instructions for your "Fortune Teller".

The top of this one I made says:

Get Ready! Get Set! to Choose Your Destiny!

(well, for today anyways!)

The side panels say:

Pick a card from the box…

you can dream it! you can do it!

The end panels say:

Let Your Day Begin!

8. Glue the paper "panels" you've made to the top, sides and end of the box. Allow glue to dry.

9. Coat the entire box with acrylic sealer (again, you may want to apply more than one coat).

10. Fill the envelopes with the fortunes you made and place them in the box. Your done!

Give your gift to the lucky recipient (which could be YOU of course!)

Have fun!

New Uses for Old Things #1

2010-02-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

"Stained Glass" Sun Catchers

You know those clear discs you get when you buy a tower of CDs/DVDs? Well, if you drill a small hole near the top and then paint on them using Gallery Glass paint — you'll have some pretty fine looking suncatchers! The one's pictured above are the first three I made... kinda test samples I suppose – I think they'll get better as I go along.

Since the discs are clear, you can lay them on top of any image you'd like to use and easily "trace" over the image with the "lead" paint. If you haven't worked with Gallery Glass paint yet, I highly recommend it! It's very easy to use and the effect is quite realistic. I've used it on old wooden window frames to create some lovely "stained glass" windows!

[special thanks to Bruce for saving all the discs for me!]