making the most out of a business card

My sister and I have been striving to use only 100% recycled items in our shipping and packaging for .tomate d'épingles.

For quite some time now, this goal has been reached in shipping materials.

Just recently, we started packaging everything in recycled materials as well. We had the ideas, and where ready to start earlier, but we actually had to wait to use up all the purchased material before we went 100% recycled. It would have been a waste not to...

Here are some of the many things we do with our business card.

It was designed in a standard sized card. But we knew all along we didnt want to use the full lenght card, we wanted one that would stick out.Our cards are cut in half. The top part is our official business card. The bottom part is put to loads of good uses.We use it as a jewelry card, like, in this case, above you see a button earring card. Bellow, a feather earring card is made with our business card, it's as simple as that.
We can also cut it in three, to make tags for our items (see example of tags in use in our display above)We use vintage thread to tie the tags.
We also use the card at full lenght, to make necklace cards. We just fold it in half and staple it!

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Grande soirée d’ouverture pour Opaline STUDIO le 3 septembre

Grande soirée d’ouverture pour Opaline STUDIO le 3 septembre

Montréal, le 28 août 2008 – Le 3 septembre prochain à 18 heures, rendez-vous est donné à tous les créateurs et fervents amateurs d’objets d’art au 250, rue St-Zotique Est à Montréal, à l’occasion de l’ouverture officielle d’Opaline Studio, de son atelier, et du lancement de sa session d’automne. Venez rencontrer les d’artistes professionnels engagés dans ce projet atypique, réalisant l’amalgame parfait entre créations, boutique et formation.

Beaucoup plus qu’une boutique d’objets d’art et d’accessoires mode aux choix étonnants, Opaline Studio est aux dires de sa fondatrice, l’artiste verrière Jeannette Pigeon, « un lieu dédié à la création et répondant aux besoins des artisans ou élèves en arts. Il s’agit d’un espace convivial et vivant dans lequel le vitrail rencontre d’autres disciplines et formes artistiques ».

Ainsi, Opaline Studio propose au grand public et aux artistes en formation une palette de cours pratiques à la fois accessibles et rigoureux. Sa première session d’automne débute le 6 septembre 2008 et met à l’affiche des experts chevronnés dans leur domaine : Jeannette Pigeon, John A. Cosgrove, Laurence Petit, José Duclos, Françoise Issaly, Nicole Lebel, Diana Polizèno, Marie José Gustave et d’autres. Les cours sont intensifs et donnés sur une courte période (les cours se donnent sur une base hebdomadaire ou les fins de semaine de sorte qu’on puisse s’initier sans contrainte).

Avec ses forfaits mensuels, sa formule de location d’atelier et la qualité des objets d’art exposés qu’on peut s’y procurer, Opaline STUDIO a décidément tout pour faire école…

Opaline Studio
250 rue Saint-Zotique Est
Montréal
http://www.opalinestudio.com/

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Etsy eco finds : Mainichi

Shop name: Mainichi

Shop address: http://www.mainichi.etsy.com/ OR http://www.mainichidesign.com/

In a nutshell: Mainichi reconstructs the unexpected and ordinary into unique pieces of wearable art.

Tell me a little about yourself ...

I am a designer-maker (my official qualification is as an Interior Designer), I run 2 small businesses, one is Mainichi, making unique jewellery from recycled and interesting materials, and the other one is an Interior Design practice. I'm also partner to John and Mum to one year old Andre. I am currently focusing my attention on building the jewellery business and my online etsy store, while my Interior Design work takes a rest. All of this while being a full time Mum, primarily! I'm also dreaming of making cloth nappies and groovy boys clothes, and one day experimenting with natural dyes and wet felting. I'm a typical Sagittarian with a million projects on the go all at once...or maybe that's just a personality flaw!

What are your favourite materials? Plastic, bamboo, recycled Australian bush timbers, hemp thread, PVC, Japanese fabrics, vintage fabrics and offcuts, but most of all LEATHER - of the recycled offcut sort.

What inspired you to do this? A holiday in Japan, I came back inspired by their magnificent craftsmanship in all that they do, and loaded with supplies purchased and ready to start making.

Do you remember the first thing you made? What was it? The first thing I made for Mainichi was a black leather necklace, similar to the one listed in my etsy store: Kawa Necklace. I gave it to my friend Ang to wear. I hope she still has it!

What's new and exciting in your store? The newest pieces I have been creating are the Nagai Necklaces. They are made from PVC offcuts, threaded onto hemp thread and combined with bamboo and plastic beads. This were a departure from my stitched necklaces and an experiment mainly in materials. What is your favourite item? And why? My favourite items are the Mushi brooches, they are so much fun to make, and very organic - I never quite know how they are going to turn out. Over time they have become much more layered and textured and now I'm experimenting with cut felt shapes stitched onto themWhy should people buy handmade? Because you get something unique, special and made with passion that is long lasting, as opposed to mass produced and short lived.

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this just in : neawear 2yr Anniversary SALE is EXTENDED!

neawear is celebrating two years on Etsy!

Not only is Janick talented, she is also funny and the best friend ever!

We are happy to say: «Happy Etsyversairy Janick!»

The sale has been EXTENDED to the 17th! Dont miss it!

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Etsy eco finds: TwIsTeD

Shop name: TwIsTeD

Shop address: http://courtneywatson.etsy.com/

In a nutshell: Jewelry, accessories and MORE, made of recycled/pre-loved/found materials, featuring recycled telephone wire jewelry.

Tell me a little about yourself : I live in St. Louis, MO with my fiance' (getting married in September) and our dog, Roxy. I work as an office manager for a computer and networking services company by day, and work on crafty goodness late into the wee hours in the night.

What are your favourite materials? Telephone wire- definitely. Buttons, Rick Rack, Felt

What inspired you to do this? When my father was on strike (and I was in elementary school) with the telephone company, he brought some phone wire home for me to make "friendship bracelets," since we could not afford the colorful thread the other girls were using during the strike. Ever since, I have been addicted to the colors hiding in phone/data cables!

Do you remember the first thing you made? What was it? Probably some insane stick figure drawing on green construction paper. I still love coloring (;

What's new and exciting in your store? My TwIsTeD ReCycle Necklace!

What is your favourite item? And why? My TwIsTeD ReCycle necklace would have to be my favorite right now. It took more than two weeks to complete, and I am extremely proud of it.

Why should people buy handmade? Mass production is bad for the environment, hands-down. It is a major cause of global warming and polluting the air. Handmade goodness pollutes the air with the sweat and love of crafters, which sounds excellent to me!

Anthing else? For TwIsTeD news and more, please visit my blog at http://www.courtneywatson.net/ (:

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VERT les 400 prochaines années - Art et bijoux recyclés

Dans le cadre des festivités soulignant le 400e anniversaire de la ville de Québec, le centre MATERIA présente, du 19 juin au 24 août 2008, l’exposition multidisciplinaire VERT les 400 prochaines années.

Cette exposition présente le travail actuel et engagé d’artistes de différentes disciplines en métiers d’art. À la fois dénonciatrices, humoristiques et révélatrices d’espoir, les oeuvres présentées font appel à notre sensibilité et à notre rapport à l’environnement. Les oeuvres sont à la fois engagées et inspirées par l'environnement, l'écologie et le développement durable.

En parallèle avec l'exposition, La Boutique MATERIA vous offrira des objets recyclés, des accessoires décoratifs, vestimentaires et utilitaires, des pièces uniques et des éditions limitées.

Venez y voir la toute nouvelle collection de bijoux .tomate d'épingles.

Nos bagues de cuir recyclé et de fourrure vintage recyclée sont à la fois ludiques, mais d'un design simple, et écologiques: elles sont faites à 100% de matériel recyclé et organiques, et sont même... biodégradables!

VERT les 400 prochaines années

19 juin au 24 août 2008

Centre MATERIA, Salle d'exposition
& MATERIA, La boutique
Mercredi au dimanche, de 12h00 à 17h00
Admission libre

395, Charest Est (coin De la Couronne)
Québec

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Etsy eco find : Lorimarsha

Yet another fabulous eco-concscious Etsy seller...
Lori is by far the most imaginative, friendly, talented and avant-garde designer out there!
We absolutely adore everything she does, from her fabulous «looks so good you could almost eat them» bakelite accessories to her mix and match sexy and wild overlapping dresses and designs.
When we grow up, we wanna be just like Lori!

Shop name: Lorimarsha

Shop address: http://lorimarsha.etsy.com

In a nutshell: Recycled. One of a kind. Always.

Tell me a little about yourself ... I'm really lucky to be able to do what I love. My passion is designing clothes and accessories from recycled components. I'm married with two children and a grandson. I live in a 100 year old house in Southern California. Yes... there are 100 year old houses in Southern California!

What are your favourite materials? Natural fabrics with a little bit of wear and age to them. Silk. Leather. Bakelite.

What inspired you to do this? Thirteen years ago I was downsized out of my job in training and communication. I was (am) lucky to have a supportive husband who encouraged me to move forward with my creative ideas.

Do you remember the first thing you made? What was it? I remember drawing a picture of a chicken with three legs when I was five or six. Clearly, the criticism stifled any further work in that area.

What exciting things are happening with your business? I just recently had my first fashion show - showcasing a full collection of clothing and accessories from 100% recycled components. I worked with a team of 7 models, hair and makeup artists, a dj, graphic artist, choreographer and photographer. It was held at JD Myers, a fabulous boutique in historic downtown Redlands and we packed the house-- standing room only! Coordinating the details of the show from handsewn programs to "Etsy Eco-Swag" bags for participants was a blast. The clothes were well received and what doesn't sell at JD Myers over the next couple of weeks will be placed in my Etsy store.

What is your favourite item? And why? I can't choose one thing. I love handmade items of all varieties and am especially drawn to vibrant color and interesting textures. Color makes me feel good. It's as simple as that.

Why should people buy handmade? Making a connection with someone who makes things creates a deeper appreciation for that item. Buying from a big manufacturer or store can be so impersonal...and I think that's a big reason that people don't hold onto their belongings. They are just things without a life of their own. When we know the piece's "story" it becomes a part of our personal history...and it enriches our life.

Anthing else? I'd like to say a few words about the support and generosity of creative people. Thanks to all of you for your encouragement and contributions to my recent show. I am humbled by your kindness.

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Etsy eco find: Copabananas

Here is our latest Etsy find, Copabananas, recycled goodies galore! The seller only ships to the USA, though... We dig the vintage pattern items!

Shop name: Copabananas

Shop address: www.copabananas.etsy.com

In a nutshell: I am a 41 year old shop owner who is rediscovering my love of textiles while running my business. I also recently finished school for massage therapy.

Tell me a little about yourself ...

I've owned my brick and mortar shop in Montclair, NJ for 10 years. When I graduated from college as a textiles major back in the 80's, I did craft shows. I eventually burned out on traveling all over the east coast, and always wanted a shop. Finally I realized my dream when I opened Copabananas a haven for pop-culture novelties, in 1998. In the past year I've rediscovered my love of textiles and my creativity has returned. I love the fact that I can produce my handmade goods while I'm in my shop!

What are your favourite materials? Vintage fabric and felt

What's new and exciting in your store? I'm always working on new sock monkeys to add to my shop!

What is your favourite item? And why? The Market Bags are my favorite item at the moment. I love using the vintage fabric to make them. They have so much character and are really practical!

Why should people buy handmade? People really respond positively when they realize I made something and want to support that effort which is so satisfying. It's a much more personal connection to be able to meet the person who made the item!

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