Cyber Monday Etsy Sale!

This is the Biggest Sale of the year!

It's time to shop for the holidays and inspire the crafter and environmentalist in your loved ones.  Check out our Etsy store today and get a big discount on any of our unique, handmade, upcycled art.
Hit the jump for the 30% OFF Discount Code.

How-To's Day: Upcycled Holiday Wreath Bases

One of the major staples of Holiday decorating is the WREATH! If you are a big holiday decorator I am sure a new wreath is something you get excited for every year.  Or maybe you know that person who goes koo-koo crazy for decorating and you want to bring them a new wreath for a hostess gift or holiday party. This is a simple and affordable way to create a wreath WITHOUT USING STYROFOAM!!!

While Styrofoam wreaths are the usual bases for crafted wreaths and are a very versatile base to create your own holiday decor, Styrofoam is majorly gnarly on the environment and I try to look for alternatives when personally making my crafts.

I am a huge fan of this method of creating a paper wreath form because it is basically free. Where as a Styrofoam wreath base will run you ~$5.

All you need to make the base is a brown paper shopping bag and a roll of masking tape!!!

After opening the bottom of the grocery bag - scrunch the top of the bag to the bottom, creating a scrunched paper circle. Make sure you take off the handles. The handles can be added to the scrunched shape while taping if there is an uneven surface that needs beefing up.

Using this bag method you will get approximately 11" diameter circle which is a pretty standard small wreath size. To get a larger diameter you can create the circle with paper packaging or tape the grocery bags together.

You can wrap the tape as tight or as loose as you'd like.  Try out a few different tightness-es and see what works for you :)

Normal taping will leave the wreath about 1" thick. If you want a thicker wreath you can add two scrunched shopping bags together, then wrap with tape. This will create a base that is ~ 2" - 2.5" with two and over 3" with three together. If you wrap multiple bases together you should tape everything extra tight and you will have a super strong wreath base sturdy enough for a holiday heirloom for years to come.

The best part of utilizing the paper base is when you want to have a different wreath next year you can recycle this wreath keeping harmful materials like Styrofoam out of our trash!!!

Last year we had a Holiday Making Party where we highlighted sewn fabric bows and we had these wreath forms so people could make their own holiday wreath. Hopefully we can host another party this year and share some ideas so you can host your own with friends too!

Here is a peek at one way to use the base and do a snow theme with old dryer sheets and junk-mail paper snowflakes:

We would love to see your wreaths if you try out this Eco-friendly paper base! Post a comment or leave a picture on Our Facebook to share your holiday decor :)

Happy Making!!! XOXO, KC

DIY Outdoor Party Decorations

Are you taking your Cinco de Mayo outdoors this year? We posted last week a DIY project we shared at West Elm's customer appreciation night at their Beverly Blvd. location. These lanterns take a bit of prep work so if you are able to start them tonight you will have them in perfect time for Cinco De Mayo.

DIY LANTERNS

All you need for these lanterns are some old cans, some dried rice, nails, and a hammer. Here is some cans that will be turned into lanterns after eating all the tomatoes.

The first step after cleaning up your cans is to make the middle solid again so the can doesn't buckle when adding the holes.  I saw tutorials on making similar upcycled lanterns on Pinterest that said to use sand. Being that I don't have a yard and am a city dweller, the thought of all the soggy sand leftover from this project seemed problematic. I thought trying my hand at this project with rice might make better sense.

The rice expands in the freezer so leave plenty of room for expansion left in the can. I found it works nice to freeze the rice all day and add more water to fill out the rest of the top portion of the can and refreeze.

If your rice expands too much like the picture shown on the right just scrape the top portion of the rice off and top it off with as much water as possible before refreezing.

Once frozen you can make any design you'd like with your hammer and nail(s). You will really just need one nail.

Once you poke your design in the can you will want to flip the cans upside down in a bucket so that it collects the rice and water as it thaws. 

Pop in a candle, or some of those flame-less battery operated kind if you are indoors and you are in business!

DIY FABRIC STRING GARLAND (No Sew)

This garland is a simple and easy way to put old fabric and yarn scraps to good use.  

Since the strips are looped over in what ends up being a cow hitch/ Lark's head knot--otherwise known as "really easy"!

As pictured you fold the looped end over the string and you pull the tails through the loop fastening it over and securing the fringe. Do this as many times as you see fit for your garland.  The best part is with this type of knot you can move the fringe wherever you'd like so there is no way to mess this project up :)  It could even be hung up in your studio as a way to organize the smaller leftover strips too! I love when decor holds an extra function. 

Enjoy! XOXO, KC

Cinco De Mayo Recipe

Looks like once I finish this post I am ordering Miss Gypsy an outfit for the upcoming holiday!!!

This Cat Hat Sombrero from ToScarboroughFair on Etsy - in Black Mariachi is FAB!

Now that you know what one of the guests will be wearing at our Cinco De Mayo party, here's what I am trying my hand at in the kitchen.  On the menu:

Sparkling Margaritas and Spicy Roasted Jalapeno Guacamole. 

~The recipes are for a party of 6 guests~

Have you seen the new West Elm catalog? It is pretty amazing! Flipping through the catalog feels like getting to read my favorite magazine.  It has great inspiration for interior design projects but it also includes a handful of really tasty looking recipes.  This Roasted Jalapeno Guacamole has been calling to me ever since last week when we had a fun night at West Elm. I am going to put my spin on the featured jalapeno guacamole pictured.

Roasted Jalapeno Guacamole 

- 2 limes, juiced

- 1 tsp coarse salt

- 1/3 cup chopped red onion

- 2 large jalapeno

- 2 avocados

- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

- black pepper to taste

Combine lime juice, salt, pepper and red onion in a medium bowl. On a grill blister a jalapeno turning frequently as it roasts. Once blackened to desired char, remove from heat and let cool. Using a knife completely peel and seed the peppers. Dice into strips and combine with onion mixture. Slice and dice avocados into medium-sized chunks leaving the pit in with the mixture to keep it from browning - Secret tip ;) Folding in chopped cilantro and avocados into the marinating onion and pepper mixture. Mash slightly as you stir the mixture completely.

What is Cinco De Mayo without a signature cocktail? Definitely a party foul I aim to avoid with a sparkling margarita! Yes please!

Sparkling Margarita

- 1 1/2 cups blanco tequila (Suggestion - Cabo Wabo Tequila Blanco)

- 1 cup lime juice

- 1/2 cup agave nectar

- 1 1/2 cups sparkling wine or champagne (I always like a good Prosecco)

For garnish:

- Lime peel strips or lime slices

- Salt for rim

Depending on the size of your cocktail shaker you should be able to make ~ 3 glasses at a time. With this in mind, mix half of the tequila, lime juice, and agave with plenty of ice. Shake and strain into 3 glasses. If using the salt, rim the glasses before pouring in the shaken mixture. Repeat for the remaining guests. Top the glasses off with the sparkling wine and add the lime peel or strip to garnish.

We hope you have a super fun Cinco De Mayo!!!

Cheers! XOXO, KC, Kevin, and Gypsy

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Happy Thanksgiving from (a portion of) Our Family to Yours!

We had a late Thanksgiving lunch with part of my Dad's family earlier today.

Thankfully my Grandma was feeling up to coming! She and my Grandpa, my Uncle, his Wife, and her Brother's Family, my Dad, Kevin and I went to the North Carolina State University Club where they had an awesome buffet.  I only got one plate in preparation for our second Thanksgiving dinner with my Mother, her Sister (My Aunt is coming down from VA and spending the night) my step-dad and Brother at The Irregardless Cafe.  

My mom is picking us up in a few minutes and I wanted to shoot off a quick post wishing everyone a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Best Wishes and Blessings for you and your family this Holiday Season.

XOXO, KC & Kevin

Greetings from NC

Hi Y'all! Kevin and I made it safe and sound to my hometown Raleigh, NC today.  I am trying to adjust to the time and get my schedule situated- Let's hope it doesn't happen right as it is time to go back West!

So far today we got into town, had lunch with my Dad, checked out a super awesome beer store- Bottle Revolution, came back home and Kevin took a nap while I re-sized Pin Cushion Rings for Our Etsy Shop.

SUPER EXCITING: Our First Newsletter went out today thanks to Sharon Fain! 

Sharon Fain is an excellent consultant who helps small businesses, non-profits and community organizations to name a few of her many talents. I would strongly recommend her expertise for a large range of services that you can check out here.

Well, I have a Banana Bread Beer from Bottle Revolution calling my name...

We want to wish you the very best Thanksgiving tomorrow! 

Best wishes + enjoy your loved ones & some good eating ;)
XOXO, KC & Kevin

Team EcoEtsy's Holiday 2011 Gift Guide

Yay! This year's Holiday 2011 Team EcoEtsy's Holiday Gift Guide is out and ready for you to check out here.

(image from EcoEtsy Blog)

We are on the "Gifts Under $20" Section seen above which you can check out here.

XOXO, KC & Kevin

UNIQUE LA Holiday Show & State of Unique Website

We are super excited for UNIQUE LA's 4th Annual Holiday Show! 

December  3 + 4   //   11am – 6pm both days

Where: The California Market Center (110 East Ninth Street, Downtown LA)

Cost: $10 at the door or in advance online (Kids 12 and under are free), 10% of ticket sales will go to our non-profit partner (TBD). 
More details about our booth # and any promotions (tbd)

How lucky are we to be amongst the talented independent designers included at this must see Holiday Show! We are so honored to celebrate all the Local Love <3

Their new website launched today- Yay! for modern, curated, Made in America design :) There is new content daily which means it is going to be the first page I look at everyday.  I am pretty freakin' excited about all of this!!

Check it out  State of Unique.Com here or their Facebook page here.

Please save the date and see us in person at the UNIQUE LA Holiday Show! 

XOXO, KC & Kevin

How-To's Day: Get Ready for Halloween 2011

Maybe if I had grown up in this neighborhood I would be more into Halloween:

If you haven't checked out the blog How About Orange, you totally should! There is a super awesome post on making a regular black trash bag come alive as a wickedly wonderful spider web decorations just in time for Halloween.

Check out the post and the tutorial here.

 (image from Craft Buds)

I have stumbled across a ton of fabric pumpkin tutorials, but I really like this one from Craft Buds.  Check out the project and full post here.

I also found this site that has an extensive list of all kinds of items and Halloween projects to make here.

Hope you are inspired by these fun Halloween finds!

Have a super day and enjoy the spooky finds! 

XOXO, KC

UNIQUE LA Pictures and *DISCOUNT*

It was so great seeing all of our great friends and fans at UNIQUE LA this past weekend!!! 

Leah, Kristin and I got together Friday to decorate the booth.  We had a great time, and I am so glad we were able to get together because here is all of us vendors in line just an hour before the shopping starts!  I am not sure yet of the overall count for the weekend, but last I heard there was ~8,000 People who attended on Saturday.

I was really impressed with the Holiday Displays at West Elm this year.  I loved that the majority of the decorations were all paper.  The packaging was clear on some of it, but I am not sure if they are recycled which would elevate everything to AWESOME. But, the Christmas Tree made from Books was definitely one of my favorite parts.

Our inspiration picture is bellow-

Highlights of our Winter Wonderland set-up: Meyers Dryer Sheet Paper Rosette Snowflakes, Recycled Box Tree Branches, Paper Strips from around the Studio in Paper Chains. In the back a "Gift", a wall decorated as a package and tag. Wrapped in patterned paper with recycling symbols.

This weekend Dec. 11th & 12th: UNIQUE LA Holiday Show

If you are in the Los Angeles Area this weekend there is one event that is a must to attend!  UNIQUE Los Angeles is the LARGEST Independent Design & Gift Show in the Country!

We will be showing in booth #223 which is on the corner across from the Eco Lounge :)

It has been so busy trying to get as much decorations and product ready for the big day!   

There is a ton (Over 300) of local vendors to shop from- So do your part by shopping LOCAL this weekend at the hottest shopping destination this Holidays.

 Tomorrow/ Cyber Monday *SALE* 

We are offering to our customers, friends & fans a 15% Discount on ALL purchases on Cyber Monday! 

Just use Coupon Code: CYBERMONDAY2010

Coming Up This Week: Nov. 15th- 21st *PATCHWORK SHOW*

This week is our last week before our first HOLIDAY show.  Where did the time go??? Last week we got some great sales and traffic on our Etsy site.  The free shipping on REINBEERS went amazingly well and depending on how the Patchwork Indie Arts & Craft Festival goes we are scheming a fun Black Friday/ Cyber Monday Sale .

Kevin went back to work yesterday on a new project and I am super excited that we had that nice break together.  We had the best time.  Kevin put together some new furniture together for our Living Room/ Dining Area that is finally free of my "chair"- we'll have to get pictures up soon.  Right now my main priority is to make as much stuff as possible to have ready for these shows.  Kevin has been busy at night getting record stands ready.  Hopefully next week we will get a ton of items up on Etsy before Thanksgiving.

Back to work- XOXO, 

KC

Paper Decorations for UNIQUE LA

As you may or may not already know we try to feature a How-To or a Tutorial section on our blog on Tuesdays.  Todays segment is going to feature more behind the scenes as well as making a re-purposed staple for fun Eco-crafting.  

Here is the details on some pretty paper rosettes-

One treat I am really looking forward to for our UNIQUE LA display this Holiday season are these re-purposed paper rosettes we are making as part of our reused paper decorations.

We really love these Mrs. Meyer's Dryer Sheets. They smell super great and are biodegradable versus whatever dryer sheets are made of. Does anyone really know???  They smell super good and hold up as perforated dotted paper after used.  

I have realized my niche is re-using things.  I am pretty sure I would be classified as a "consumer" still. I just make most of my purchases with a unique set of requirements. I feel super smart about making decisions and purchases around how many times I can continue using "the raw product" of each item I purchase. This item especially is one product that excites me to use fully.

These sheets make a great decoration for their second life, and I have been collecting them for months getting ready to utilize them for decorations. At UNIQUE LA's 2010 Holiday Event we are going to deck the decor with these awesome Paper Rosettes made from these used dryer sheets.

Here is the basics.  You save the sheets.  Cut them in half where they are perforated so that one sheet is now two.  Then accordion fold the sheet lengthwise wide enough to accommodate the staple in the middle to bound.

  These bunches are super fun looking all together.  

I can't wait until they are all glued and expanded. They are going to be fantastic!!!

This picture kinda illustrates the finished stapled bunches as of now... I am sure we will collect some more and I will post a finished count for the ridiculous amount above soon. 

***Prize for the person who guesses the right amount of rosettes we have in our booth at UNIQUE LA***

Now we spread each side of the sheet to meet each other and hot glue together. And whala! Beautiful paper rosettes that are super fun and pretty.

Flavors and Styles

The REINBEER Sale is going GREAT so far!!!  We have already started shipping out these wonderful ornaments for this upcoming Holiday Season.  

Here is the "Menu" of cans we have made this year so far-

Beers:
PBR- Pabst Blue Ribbon
Budwiser
Modelo
Icehouse
Oranjeboom (Dutch)
3 Horses (Germany)
Henninger (Germany)
"Old Speckled Hen"
Olde English
Simple Times Pilsner
Simple Times Lager
Natural Ice

SODA:
Coca Cola
Dr. Pepper
Dr. Pepper Holiday
Vernor Ginger Ale


We have just sold this amazing 12-pack below.  It is a "Beer Lovers" assortment and highlights the range of cans we have saved and collected.  I think I will start getting together pictures of a similar assortment and post them on Etsy to help ease the confusion of what we have in stock. 

 Well, back to the grind.  And glitter...

UNIQUE LA Holiday Show 2010

Super excited that we just found out that we were accepted into UNIQUE LA's 2010 Holiday Show!!! Come check it out and enjoy the fun, December 11th and 12th at the California Market Center- Downtown, LA.

UNIQUE LA is always our favorite Holiday Show!!! Check out info on the show on their website here. We will keep unveiling the updates here on the blog, on Facebook, and Twitter. 

Holiday Show Applications

We've been busy enjoying visits from our Family.  My Dad came while I had my surgery and then Kevin's mom has been here until tomorrow.  Between all the excitement of seeing them and doing all of my Physical Therapy exercises suddenly the days have past...

One thing we can't over look in these busy times is the importance of Holiday Sales in relation to becoming a strong small arts & crafts business.  This is not only the best time for sales, but also the exposure in getting the word out at all of these events is an absolute must. The Holiday Show Applications periods are almost wrapped- up and we look forward to reporting back on our Holiday Schedule as soon as we get results :)

Here is a quick collage I sent out with some of the applications I thought might be nice to share on the blog too.  It has a range of most of our "staples" you can check out even more great products on our Flickr Photostream.