T.G.I.S. ~ Inspiration

Upcycled T-shirt Yarn from bellaflower

I am fond of using materials in my jewelry that are refashioned, recycled, repurposed and renewed. I have been using chain from broken or "unwanted" vintage pieces in my necklaces and earrings but I wanted to try something new. I have been intrigued by etsy sellers who recycle old T-shirts into tote bags, quilts, rugs and scarves and I have found a wonderful Canadian seller of recycled T-shirt yarn, bellaflower. Instead of knitting with it, I am using it as necklace cord. The "yarn" is heavy enough to support my bead arrangements, a bit stretchy, so I can still create necklaces without clasps and it has a modern, edgy look that I think sets off the vintage beads beautifully. Here are the first two necklaces I created...and I just ordered more yarn from bellaflower. The necklaces will be in my shop after Labor Day.

ETT Shop of the Week ~ tamdoll (SILVER Mountain Originals)

Tammy Gross, of tamdoll.etsy.com (also known as SILVER Mountain Originals), creates “an eclectic mix of unique fabric jewelry, purses, totes and wallets – from repurposed fabrics.” She also has a few woven ribbons for sale that are quite unique.

What inspires her to create?
“So many things inspire me to create - a color, a scrap of fabric, a funny story even - there isn’t anything that doesn’t inspire me, my brain never rests, and I can’t predict what I’ll come up with next. Seriously, sometimes it’s almost a disadvantage. I have scribbled ideas EVERYWHERE. My purse is filled with ideas written on scraps of paper along with the notepad that I always carry. My desk has piles of half-filled notebooks. Even when my mind is winding down, right before I fall asleep... I’ll see a color combination or shape in my mind and remember it for the next day. The problem begins when I start all these projects. I start so many, get inspired again and begin another before the first is finished. The excitement of something new keeps me going and going. And keeps my workroom a mess."