Craftwork: Zipping Up Our Green Boots
We got lucky this weekend. Not like that. We got lucky because one of our dear friends gave us a fantastic pair of black leather boots. The boots are brand new, never been worn, tall ones that go up to our knees. We've wanted a pair of boots like this for a while. But we have big calves (ok, this is where it gets weird, because I have big calves and I know for a fact that most of the SFist staff doesn't. Really, I've seen Matty Matt and Rita and Jeremy in the flesh, and not like I was really looking, but they all seem to have very normal sized calves, maybe even tiny ones). We bring the size of our calves up because, instead of denying the very cool boots our friend gave us, instead of turning them away and saying, oh those boots won't fit us, we took one look at them and thought, hey we can run those puppies through our sewing machine and alter them and make them fit just perfect. Which is exactly what we did. And we were so proud of ourselves that it got us thinking about all the other stuff we have lying around that we don't use anymore but could probably turn into something very useful with some cutting or gluing or altering. So this weeks post was inspired by those black boots and our very sweet friend who gave them to us. What follows is a sort of laundry list of ideas and resources for turning old things into new ones.
Although it's not a unique concept, the craze to make recycled crafts is more popular than ever. If having a green issue of Vanity Fair is what it takes to get the main stream into the idea of 'going green' again, we'll take it. But for those of us who make it a point to always live resourcefully, no matter what Newsweek is telling us, there are some great new craft books that feature projects with a green angle. Re-Creative has 50 projects that can all be created from 'trash', cast-off, or found items. We like what we're hearing about Danny Seo's new line of books called Simply Green, which teach people how to make eco-friendly gifts and party decorations. Although Craftivity isn't entirely centered around recycled craft projects, it does have some great ideas for reusing cast aside items, including moth eaten sweaters.
Image from Needles & Pens
If you don't think you'll have time for a whole book of projects we suggest checking out ReadyMade's blog where they always have smart ideas on how to reuse old stuff. We like the looks of this compost bin, and when we get a yard one day we swear we'll build it. We've also been pretty inspired by the Wardrobe Refashion project that many bloggers are participating in. The project encourages people to pledge not to buy anything new for a period of 2, 4, or 6 months (or longer!) but to use what they already have to create or re-fashion their own clothes. We were pretty inspired by Susan Beal's transformation of this great whale skirt she found in a thrift store and altered into a cute well fitting addition to her wardrobe.
Even if you aren't committed enough to join the wardrobe refashion project, we bet you have some clothes lying around just begging to be re-made into something you'll actually wear. We've seen old ties transformed into bags and skirts. And if you've been to a craft fair within the last three years we'll bet money you've seen some great reconstructed t-shirts, hell, even Urban Outfitters is selling them at laughable prices. But you know what, they are as easy to make as you think, and if you don't believe us pick up a copy of Generation T which features 108 ways to transform a t-shirt. It goes without saying, if you don't have time to make one, support your local crafters and not Urban Outfitters! We know Needles & Pens on 16th street in the Mission usually has some great reconstructed clothes made by local hands.
We could go on and on. But instead we'll just mention that the new issue of Adorn Magazine has an article you should read by Shannon Okey on recycled crafts and fashion. Adorn is a great magazine, full of inspiring crafty ideas, so pick one up if you haven't yet. We also found some interesting projects on HGTV.com, and we wouldn’t feel right if we didn't point you towards Melissa Dettloff of Lekkner.com, she's the first one we saw reconstructing t-shirts about three years ago.
So don't wait for Earth Day, open up your closets and see what's waiting to be transformed by your crafty hands.
Tie skirt from tawnismoon's Etsy shop