INTRODUCTION THIS IS A JOURNAL OF MY EXPERIENCE OF UPCYCLING ON ETSY.COM AS A DESIGNER AND A USER. Etsy (noun) 1. an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies. These items cover a wide range including art, photography, clothing, jewelry, food, bath and beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks, and toys. Many individuals also sell craft supplies such as beads, wire, and jewelry-making tools. All vintage items must be at least 20 years old. The site follows in the tradition of open craft fairs, giving sellers personal storefronts where they list their goods for a fee of $0.20. Upcycle (verb) (as adjective upcycled) 1.reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original. The word Upcycling was coined by William McDonaugh and Michael Braugart in their book on ecologically intelligent design, Cradle to Cradle in which they define upcycling as ‘the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value.’ In the world of Etsy, this term has been intermingled with other sustainable terms like “adapted re-use,” “reclaimed,” and “eco-friendly” causing the word to grow into a broader more colorful definition. Function, beauty and eco-conscientiousness have come together. Hand-me-downs of yesterday are dressed up and sold as responsibly repurposed. Old items carefully stored for generations are rediscovered as wonderfully vintage. Etsy offers all kinds on opportunities to participate in this movement as both a consumer and a crafter and I set out on a trail to experience all of it and become full-fledged Etsian.
Etsy’s Headquarter Entrance DUMBO, Brooklyn
Etsy’s Lounge DUMBO, Brooklyn
COMMUNITY
Etsy Craft Party 2012 at Brooklyn Bridge Park August 2012 Photo by Etsy Labs
Batik at Etsy Labs Berlin September 2012 Photo by Etsy Labs
DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS IN A MARKETPLACE THAT RECONNECTS PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS. Treasury An ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery Circles Connect with new friends, find old friends and grow your circle. Teams Meet people with common interests and collaborate. Events Attend craft fairs, labs, and meet with Etsy artisans in person Online Labs Tune In and Connect with Etsy by watching tutorial videos. Blogs Connect with the Etsy community in person. Read about featured artists, short stories, news articles, How-to Tuesdays, wedding stories, and Etsy events. Connect with fellow Etsians. The Etsy community is chalk-full with avid crafters, artists, creators, collectors, thinkers and doers. These handmade evangelists curate treasury boards, join individualized teams, heart their favorite items, and join circles of friends. They also give ideas on forums, join in on and create Etsy crafting events and fairs, and share their trade by making video tutorials. The Etsy blog allows users to read inspiring stories, and read up on the latest news.
Screen Shots from Etsy.com
my profile MY FIRST MOVE AS AN ETSIAN. I signed up and made a profile. I added friends to my circle. Then I took a “taste test” which helped me discover items catered to my taste... Vintage, bright colors, and eco-friendly. I immediately began favoriting items and shops by pressing the little heart that appeared as my pointer hovered over a picture. My imagination was captivated and inspiration struck. I continued into curating my own Etsy Treasury, which consists of sixteen related items. Of course, the theme I chose was upcycling and dutifully named it “Chic-Upcylcing”. I was very pleased with the finished whimsical board and It even inspired an upcycling project of my own. I used old vintage recipe cards circa 1962 and bunted them together.
Screen Shots from Etsy.com
1962 Recipe Cards Bunting inspired by Etsy
participating THEN I BRANCHED OUT. I decided I needed to join a team and I found the perfect one. The team “upcyclers” are fellow Etsians with the same mission as my shop. The team has discussion forum and monthly upcycling challenges. They also have a blog, featured upcyclers, and resources for upcycling and project ideas. I introduced myself, shared my treasury, and entered my wood insect print into the wooden upcycling challenge. I ventured off to the different upcycling links. Their mission statement: “Upcyclers are artisans who repurpose existing materials or post consumer waste to create fashion, art or products with a new value, purpose or aesthetic appeal, thereby reducing the consumption of raw materials, energy and resources that must be conserved for the environmental health of the planet. We also re-introduce vintage fashion and objects to the marketplace thereby rescuing them from being discarded or neglected.” My favorite thing I found is when checked out the Etsy blog and found an inspiring article by Chappell Ellison titled “Noted: Treasure in the Trash”. In this article she talks about Molina - a man whose passion for collecting has filled the second story of a sanitation department garage on Manhattan’s east side. She really embodies the spirit of the upcycling revolution when she concludes that “To many, Molina’s collection might look like a pile of junk, but through his meticulous arranging and collecting, he exhibits one of the most powerful human qualities: seeing value where others can’t.” Screen Shots from Etsy.com
“Retro 1960’s television converted into a swanky bar!!!” From Team Upcyclers Pinterest Board “Love 2 Upcyle”
The Trash Museum Librado Romero/The New York Times
how–tuesdays DOLLY DREAM CATCHER
This is a fun how-to that I found on the Etsy blog.
Check it out at http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/how-tuesday-doily-dream-catcher/. Story by ILoveLune Photos by Lune Vintage
Supplies you’ll need: Large metal loop (wire macrame hoop) Lace doily — Find them at a thrift store, flea market, or on Etsy. (Thinner fibers like doilies made of mercerized cotton work the best.) Small ball of inexpensive, lightweight yarn (Use a cotton/poly blend for less fray.) Clothespins or clips Decorations (feathers, shells, stones, gems, trinkets, jewelry pieces)
Directions: 1. Tie a lark’s head knot and begin to macrame your metal loop. Cover the entire frame with the knots. I created this video to illustrate the best way to do this. Alternately, you could simply tightly wrap the hoop with the yarn.
2. Knot a piece of yarn into a loop at the top of your dream catcher. This is what you will eventually use to hang it. Lay your doily in the center of the hoop to decide which way is up. Notice how small the circumference of the doily appears in relation to the hoop?
3. Tie a piece of yarn to opposite ends of the doily. Using clothespins to help you find the center, tie each side securely, stretching as tight as possible. This is the really fun part — but if you allow the web to go slack, you’ll be disappointed with the final result. Work across from each side in quadrants. Think north, south, east, west, and divide evenly until there are no sagging areas. If you find halfway through that your initial tie-offs are a bit slack, cut them and re-tie.
4. Leave tied-off ends loose and do not trim. Keep your web as tight as you can, like the skin of a drum. I also left all ties with two loose ends dangling. These ties are what secures the adornments you will add in the final stage of the project. Remember to keep that web taut!
how–tuesdays DOLLY DREAM CATCHER
Tips on creating a seamless look: – Use yarn with mixed fibers of a similar tone to make it easier to match that of your thrifted doily – Consider dyeing your doily to match the yarn, or immerse the finished product in a dye bath before adding embellishments. If doing this, be sure that you are using natural fibers of similar content. –Synthetics require special acid dyes and heat methods, so stick to natural cold water baths if possible. –Scout doilies which are lacy, unstarched, and on the thin side. Thicker, stiff doilies will not give you the stretched effect, as they won’t expand or contort into a natural web-like shape.
5. Finally, once all loose areas have been pulled and tied tightly, your web will be tight and ready to decorate. Using a lace crocheted doily like this one provided me with an instantly intricate design that would have been beyond my capabilities. Using similar fibers and colors, the doily blends almost seamlessly into the project.
6. Adorn your piece with tassels, feathers, stones, gems, trinkets, shells, fabric, and any special object that gives you a feeling of peace. Hang and enjoy!
Jill from Etsy shop LuneVintage Winnipeg, Canada
BUY
Autumn Sunset By Etsy Shop “razzeldazzelshop” Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Blue Moon in October By Etsy Shop “EarthlyCreature” Cindy Cantelon Sechelt British Columbia, Canada
VALUE AUTHORSHIP BY BUYING UNIQUE VINTAGE AND HANDMADE GOODS. Etsy Local Support your neighborhood by buying and selling nearby. Categories Shop using over 30 categories. Shop Trends Shop the latest and newest trends Shop for a Friend Get gift ideas by connecting to your friends’ interests on Facebook. Colors Using a color browser selector, find items that are your shade. Taste Test Get recommendations based on your taste. Shop Search Search by shop name and discover shops near you or any location. People Search Search by name and discover people on Etsy. Treasury Shop using the ever-changing, member-curated shopping gallery Buying on Etsy is easy. You can buy anything you would ever want from over 12,000 artisans. With direct checkout, most shops accept credit cards. Beginning in October, Etsy is offering gift cards to use on all shops! Shipping differs from seller to seller, and some sellers even offer custom order goods. Etsy is empowering small business to sell authentic goods in order to make the world more fair, more sustainable, and more fun.
favorite shops I LOOKED ON THE BLOGS AND FOUND FEATURED SHOPS THAT UPCYCLE. THESE WOMEN ARE TRULY INSPIRING.
REBYC “Somebody had a plan for each piece of fabric that has been tossed aside and now I can give it some sort of new life.” — Stephany Childers
Tell us a bit about yourself. “My name is Stephany Childers and I am the creator of rebyc handbags. I was born and raised in Oregon by a fantastic family, and I am currently the cool age of 35 and single. It’s kind of funny because I spent so much time trying to escape this slow-paced granola mentality, but years later I am back here again. Oh, I went to college and got myself an education and then I traveled the world and dabbled in NYC fashion but nothing beats the West Coast. We love to recycle here and that is what my business is all about. I design leather handbags in an environmentally friendly way using vintage fabrics, recycled notions, and scrap leather to create one-of-a-kind bags for ladies all over the globe. I love the connections that this company has brought me. Recently I received the coolest email from a customer in London who was at a wedding in Austin, Texas and she ran into a girlfriend from Seattle and they both had one of my bags. How rad is that?
Screen Shots from Etsy.com
Interview by Etsy Blog Story and Photos by arebycdesign Published on Nov. 25, 2011 in Shop
VINTAGE RENEWAL “It’s almost like I have x-ray vision for what has potential for successful redesign. I can effortlessly see a gem in a pile of clutter.”
Tell us a bit about yourself. “I’ve always called myself an Indie Furniture Redesigner until recently, when I switched to simply Indie Redesigner. My business concept has become more expansive than just furniture redesign. This new title seems more appropriate for where Vintage Renewal is headed. I started in furniture redesign when destiny forced me to decorate with thrift store treasures. Luckily, I seem to have a knack for redesigning vintage pieces into fresh, retro-bohemian works of art for the home. It’s almost like I have x-ray vision for what has potential. I can effortlessly see a gem in a pile of clutter. It’s my thrift gift, I suppose! I am so very lucky that what I love doing is a very sustainable act. I’m saving wonderful things from going into a landfill. Frequent comments are that my work is very inspiring to people. That inspiration helps them to rethink what they might have cast away too, which makes me smile. Interview by Etsy Blog Story and photos by vintagerenewal Published on Mar 28, 2012 in Shop Screen Shots from Etsy.com
By Waterstone Succulents Michelle Weddle Houston, Texas
my purchase IT WAS NOW TIME TO PURCHASE SOMETHING FROM ETSY. However, I wanted to purchase something that I could upcyle! When I was looking at my taste suggestions, I saw a shop that sold tiny succulents and cacti in bulk. It caught my attention. My decision was made while I was browsing through the Etsy blog, I came across an interesting seller who revamped succulent plants. Waterstone Succulents is “fascinated by the tenacious and beautiful ways succulents have adapted to the extreme environments where they thrive”. This gave her the idea to cast the plants in carefully constructed molds of different succulent species with very strong gypsum cement. “It’s a process that allows me to recreate the unique form of one particularly delightful specimen many times over. To me, they are treasured relics, comparable to a pristine white sand dollar or the shell of a sea urchin.” I ordered my succulents and they came in four days. I then went on the quest to upcycle them! I found an old mason jar and put one of the succulents in it and tied it with twine. I was very happy with the purchase I made!
Screen Shots from Etsy.com
Upcycled Succulents Inspired by Waterstone Succulents
SELL
Etsy Shop The Knit Kid Sabrina Weigt Berlin, Germany
Etsy Shop Tush Tush Tali Yalonetzki Tel Aviv, Israel
BRING BACK HANDMADE.
What you can sell: Handmade Handmade items by you. Vintage An item 20 years or older is considered vintage. Supplies Commercial and handmade supplies Listing Fees Just pay 20¢ per listing for 4 months or until your item is sold. Transaction Fee When you make a sale on Etsy, you will be charged a transaction fee of 3.5% of the item price. Direct Checkout Fee Etsy charges a payment processing fee of 3% + $0.25 USD for each order completed via direct checkout
Connect with your inner passion and start your own shop with an established 19 million members.
my shop I MADE MY OWN SHOP AND NAMED CRITPRINTS. “Upcycled goods with creature prints on them! Everything is totally customizable – Choose from Jellies, Bats, Beta Fish, Rock Fish, Crabs, Herons and Insects and colors/materials! All screens were made with my hand drawn critters."
My idea that I wanted behind my shop, naturally, was upcycling. I decided to take drawings of sea creatures, insects, and a bat that I have done and make two screens from them. I was upcycling art in a way. After I made the screens, I needed to decide what to print on. I went to a thrift book shop called The Readers Corner on Hillsborough Street and found tons of cool and vintage things to print on. I scavenged through records, old photographs, maps, note cards, and books and gathered my loot. I also scavenged my linen closet, dresser, and portfolio for old T-shirts, scrap pieces of wood and paper, and pillowcases. Then I went to Askew Taylor and bought screen printing ink: process magenta, yellow, and blue and metallic gold and white. I spent about $70 on all my loot – an investment I hope to get back. Then the screen printing frenzy began. Not all of the stuff I had printed on easily, but it took me about two days of printing to finish. When I had enough, I photographed all of them and started making my Etsy site. It was very easy to make, it took me like an hour. Within the first day I had 236 views, 1 shop favorite, and 7 item favorites. I felt pretty proud of myself.
The Reader’s Corner Raleigh, NC
Screen Printing My house on Chamberlain St. Raleigh, NC
My shop CRITPRINTS http://etsy.com/shop/critprints
Screen Shots from Etsy.com
Jelly Fish Antarctica Map
Bug Print Pillowcases
Beta Fish & Jelly Vintage Record
Insect Stained wood
Crabs & Jellies Posterboard