Colorstory Designs: Recycled Magazine Paper Art

They call this, "Bar Code Wall Art" because all of the magazine snippets, once assembled, look like a giant bar code!

On Etsy, hidden quietly in millions of listings, lies the makings of the next best museum worthy artists.  Out of Seattle, Washington (home to good coffee and great music) emerged Colorstory Designs. This is the collaborative work of designers Amy Gibson and Andrea Read. Their goal? They say, "To create a positive environmental impact with our work, we have developed a unique method of collecting and repurposing discarded magazines and other paper products. Since its conception in late 2008, we have continued to generate an ever-evolving collection of art and products which by their very nature insist each piece be one of a kind."

Love, love, love the colors. This can adorn your wall for only $225.

They have been been featured on several sites and blogs, and even the Fox 2 News,  and in Zest Magazine.  Perhaps what captivates the onlooker is the fact the items don't resemble old magazines, do they? Instead, they strike the onlooker as modern, unique, intense works of collage art!

This gradiant picture frame is made from recycled magazines, a steal at $32!

Gorgeous Shadow Box, comes in a variety of colors, a variety here, for only $39.

They put the romance back in paper. Magazines, transformed before your very eyes. Each has a story, history, and has been artfully repurposed for the modern diva.  If you are looking for great gift ideas, this shop is loaded with them. From earrings to holiday goodies, a fine eclectic mix of everything. Don't delay, check them out today. Find ways to connect with them, below.

Glass ornaments, $12.

Friend them on Facebook.

Check out their website.


Visit their Etsy Shop!

Eco Friendly Metal Art : Fire Bowls , Fireplaces and Pits Handcrafted in the USA

Check this out! Functional and reclaimed!

Where I come from, sitting around the fire pit at night is a good way to unwind and spend time with loved ones. What better way to have it than a "fire bowl" made from upcycled and recycled metal products?  If you look closely, you will see these are welded from outstretched cable wire! 

About the Artist: Erik Hendrickson has been an apprentice at the Trenton Atelier under the direction of former Johnson Atelier artist Peter Abrams since 2010. He finds the wire rope material a challenge and calling to work with; he studied Civil Engineering at The College of New Jersey prior to uncovering his inner artist. A sense of industrial architecture pervades his engineer-inspired creations, composed of predominantly found objects and materials.

According to Erik,  "Each FireBowl by Modern Metal Work® is truly a functional work of art. Unlike mass produced products from volume manufacturers, our FireBowls are individually hand-crafted by skilled artisans at our Trenton Atelier, located in the heart of Trenton, New Jersey, USA.  Our FireBowls are unique, lasting and eco-conscious. If you are concerned about the conservation of our planet’s limited resources, you will be pleased to know that most all of the materials used to create our FireBowls are reclaimed from industrial sources."

 What's not to love? In case you are wondering, he also does custom fire screens, too.  

All photos courtesy of Modern Metal Work &  Erik Hendrickson.

Connect with Erik or Read More About Him: 

Etsy Shop

Website

See his video!

Helping Students Upcycle

Modern Metal Work Facebook Page

Related:  Learn how Trenton Atelier is transforming Trenton, NJ into an Arts Hub, or connect with them on Facebook!

License Plate Art and Jewelry : Eco Friendly Mixed Media Artists



Recycled Art Co Use Plenty of License Plates in their Work.

 Old License plates used to be collected, scrapped or hung on the wall of garages or homes. Now, they are sought after by artists who have taken their art to the next step--mixed media mixed with spunk.   The Recycled Art Company on Etsy uses license plates in a whisical style, piecing them together to make Eco Friendly works of art. 

 

Recycled Art Co does custom work, too!

 Perhaps my favorite use of license plate is in the fashion industry, from Little Earth Productions out of Pittsburgh, PA.   Makers of the "original" Little Earth Purses, I still carry mine proudly today.

Author's purse.

The handmade marketplace has turned license plates into fashionista's dreams. These wearable statements will make you stand out, and have a OOAK item no matter what you do, no two are alike. License Plate Necklaces can be a great topic of conversation!


Make a Statement, from The Right Route!

If you dare to walk on the wild side, why not try a license plate braclet to make a bold fashion statement?  This one has to be my absolute favorite:

This cool cuff is being offered by Etcetrix!



Werewolf offers these great earrings!

 If you are curious, you can view old license plates here.  If you love the idea of owning a piece of license plate art, why not go for a giant wall mural, or large piece of artwork such as ones that incorporate lots of plates?



Wall Art License Plate Map on Barn Wood $800, by the WoodenHinge on Etsy.

 Although many artists are using these mediums, there are certainly no two exactly alike -- giving the collector a saavy option of owning their own upscale artwork.

Recycled Art Co, Funky Monkey

Jean Luc' recently said, "If someone can't afford the original artwork from an artist, many artists are selling prints of their original mixed media work." I found that to be true at the RecycledArtCo, who offers this wonderful alternative to spending hundreds of dollars on an original:

20x30 Print from RecycledArtCo will run you $65 and look lovely on your wall!

Lizzie Caye : Eco Friendly Purses and Handbags

Made from a tablecloth!

For the fashion industry, green and eco friendly designs are making their way to boutiques and stores worldwide.  For Elizabeth Patel, designer of LizzieCaye , this is old news.  Having had trunk shows and boutique orders, using upcycled materials in her treasures is a must. 

Another tablecloth !

Her handbags are unique in design, you can find everything from a sweater clutch to a tablecloth handbag.  Custom designs are featured and special orders can be bought though her Etsy shop.  Even her signature lines (below) contain hints of upcycled elements!

Signature Lizzie bag!

Kudos to LizzieCaye for being as green as she can be!

Connect with Elizabeth:

On Etsy
On her Site
On Facebook

Tracy Melton's Reclaimed Tree Rings : Decor and More

GOT WOOD?
I happened across this artist , Tracy Melton from Indianapolis on Etsy, whose shop is Focus Line Art.  His medium is reclaimed wood, and paintings upon which are modern and unique in fashion. The colors are strikingly beautiful and somehow seem to accentuate the natural wood, keeping a fine balance between Man-Made beauty and Mother Nature.

How lovely a collection of these look on the wall in your modern home.  Each one is hand painted and glazed, with no two alike, although all are stunning!  Clients including Mcgraw- Hill Publishing, Hilton Hospitality, Therese Virserius Interior Design, Memphis Children's Hospital and The Martha Stewart Show must think so too.  Tracy has sold thousands of paintings over the years. 

Tracy says, "My work is an expression of what I see while hiking and camping in the Appalachian Mountains. It is based on how nature develops, grows, dies, and is born again. I like to engage in a nonverbal conversation about nature with the public through my paintings. My work allows me to think abstractly about the natural cycle of life."

Not only do you have a wonderful opportunity to buy a collection of wall art, but you are purchasing something made with greener items and processes! Kudos to Tracy for keeping the beauty of Mother Nature in his work and going greener as an artist!

Further Reading & Connections :


Tracy's Twitter
Apartment Therapy on Tracy Melton
Tracy Melton's Tree Rings on Grass Roots Modern
Design Mind on Tracy Melton

Upcycled Vintage Buttons Make Eco Friendy Jewelry Pendants and More

Sweet Blue Octagon upcycled button pendant , $30.

Michelle Arensberg from Singing Blackbird loves to turn the old and forgotten into the new and lovely.  She explains, "There is something I deeply appreciate about the choice to make something both utilitarian and beautiful. Such care, design, inspiration, love and thought went into the making of buttons- from the tiny Victorian twinkle buttons to the large celluloid coat buttons- I love seeing these buttons make their way out into the world instead of languishing in a box somewhere. They were made to be seen, worn, and admired!"

Flower Medallion Pendant, $40.

Her designs are functional and elegant, yet all incorporate vintage buttons. One would not know these would have otherwise been lost objects--left in a tin to be forgotten forever. You can find pendants, hair pins, and rings here. 

Hair Pin Button Set, $22.

Michelle is happy to inform us that her designs are featured in two boutiques in Portland, Oregon:

* The Salty Teacup (St. Johns)
* Mag-Big (Hawthorne District)

Additionally, her necklaces, rings, and hairpins are also being used on the set of IFC's series "Portlandia", filming season two September 2011. Look for them when the show airs!

Cocktail Ring, $15.

Catch up with Michelle:

On Facebook
In her Etsy shop

Into the Trees Etsy Shop Prove Florida Palm Fronds Make for Eco Friendly Art

Janet Craig of Into the Trees shop on Etsy has proven natural elements and nature made beauty transforms into eco friendly works of art.  Out of her "Palm Frond Studios" in Lakeland & Miami Florida, Janet searches for the best elements in making her lovely home and wall decor sculptures.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so with that we will highlight her works and why we love them so. Today, we salute you Janet!

Mediums:  Original Painting mixed with Nature Made Palm Fronds

Beautiful colors to fit most any decor range in price, some averaging around $55 and look like fish.  Janet calls these, "Painted Ladies." See more offerings at IntoTheTrees

Each shape is different, and choice of color is amazing. This one $55, here.

Three Foot Long Fish, $65!

Fun Mermaid and More HERE.

Nature Inspired. Santa Dude Palm Frond Art: Not just for Christmas Anymore Whopping five feet high , $120, IntoTheTrees. ARTIST PROFILE & FURTHER READING: "I incorporate nature into my art. To relax, I hunt for my found palm fronds to recycle into my art, never knowing what I'll find. Each is unique in it's own way." ~Janet Craig, 2009 "Brilliantly Colored Palm Branch Art" ~ Article, Environmental Graffiti, 2010

Janet Craig                  Palm Frond Studio