This Week's Featured Artist: Jenelle of TNT: TrashN2Tees!

Welcome to our weekly series on Holly&Sage!

Each week we feature a different artist or artisan of handmade items. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Today we are talking with Jenelle of TrashN2Tees.


1. What is your first name and where are you from?

Hi, I'm Jenelle and I call Kentucky home.


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

Maybe I have an odd sense of fashion, but it seems like year after year I can not seem to find cool kids clothes for my boys!? Sure, you have tons of basketballs and footballs, cheesy looking monster trucks, cute bears, and lame dinosaurs… but can you really blame me for wanting something different?

I appliqued my first t-shirt for my son using old clothing I had around the house- an outgrown onesie, a holey thermal, and a pair of (unworn) boxers!

Now I am not only creating awesome one of a kind appliqued tees, but I also make and sell pantalones (kids lounge pants), skirts, dresses, tee totes, purses, and reusable produce bags!

I only use reclaimed materials, most often ole' discarded t shirts!


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

My products can be found at TNT:TrashN2Tees on Facebook and TNT TrashN2Tees on Etsy. I also B/S/T (buy, sell and trade) on forums like ClothDiaperNation.

Still hatching, TNT is 6 months new. But don't let that fool you- I've been sewing off and on for 15 years if you count the home ec class I took in 8th grade! (more off then on)


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

Sincerely, my hope for TNT is to inspire and encourage others to consume less and recycle more! Did you know? If each person in the world bought one recycled garment each year, it would save an average of 371 million gallons of water and 480 tons of chemical dyestuffs!


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

My designs are each unique and original. Everything is hand drawn and cut by me. Materials are hand picked. No two items will ever be the same.


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

Anything discarded, trashed, worn.


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

I love seeing little ones rocking recycled threads! Not only are they mini walking advertisements for TNT but they are also advocating a Green Earth and not even knowing it!
Least, hmm... I can't say I have one.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

WAHM to 2 rascal boys and soul mate to a hunky washed up BMXer turned metal fabricator. My 4 year old loves to help design new tees and my hubby just wants me to mend his jeans. :) The little guy can't talk yet but I am pretty sure he thinks I'm pretty cool!

Thank you so much for sharing a bit about yourself, Jenelle!


To see and learn more about Jenelle's work, visit her at:

TNT TrashN2Tees

Facebook

Etsy

Announcing My New Line of Fingerless Gloves/Mittens/Wristwarmers!

I have been working on a new product line for a while now, and I am excited to say that the time has come to reveal it to my loyal fans!

I am making fingerless gloves/mittens/wrist warmers from recycled felted wool! Whatever you call them, they are awesomely cute and completely practical. Wool is very warm and the uses for these great gloves are nearly endless: keep your hands warm while retaining the use of your fingers for: typing, taking photographs, painting, texting, using your iPhone, or even hunting!

I will be adding these to my Etsy shop this week. I have seen first-hand how popular these are on Etsy and how quickly they sell, so if you have your eye on a particular pair, don't wait - they will go fast! I plan to continue to make and add more, but each one is one of a kind; there won't be any repeats.

I have a variety of styles in sizes for men as well as women. Each one is entirely hand sewn with tender loving care by yours truly!

The pair at the right will fit a man or woman size medium through extra large (modeled here by my handsome husband!)

This gray pair is my favorite! They are super soft finely woven felted wool with a mustard yellow heart and flower applique on each one. The length is long - almost up to the elbow. These will fit women small - medium.

Visit my shop this week to see more!

Here's to Handmade Holiday Success!

Etsy is sponsoring a Holiday Boot Camp to help promote handmade and vintage gift-giving this holiday season. With so many unemployed and financially troubled, it makes more sense than ever to support independent artists and craftspeople.

We at Holly&Sage pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!

To learn more about the Boot Camp, visit Etsy's blog.

Consignment and Thrift Store Shopping is Cool!

I recently saw an article talking about movie star Drew Barrymore attending a gala event in a dress that she bought for $25. at a thrift shop! That is pretty amazing when she can afford any designer dress she wants!

I have a theory that not only is there a definite trend toward a more frugal way of living, but there is also a new appreciation of all things vintage and old style. Drew's choice of dress supports both of these ideas.

Do you shop at consignment or thrift shops? If you never have, or have found it too overwhelming, find some tips at Frugal Living Now on how to make the most of your resale shopping trip. Give it a try and don't be surprised if you come home with some wonderful bargains!

This Week's Featured Artist: Audrey of Retrograndma A Blast From the Past!

Welcome to our series on handmade artists. This is my first interview in a while! I think everyone was on vacation for the summer, but this week we are back in business with Audrey of Retrograndma!

I regularly feature artists or artisans of handmade items to help promote the handmade industry. If you would like to be featured, see Would You Like to be a Featured Artist? for details.

Hi, Audrey! Thank you so much for joining us today and sharing a bit about your creative work!

1. What is your first name and where are you from?

- Audrey from Sunny Saskatchewan in Canada!


2. What type of art or craft do you create and how did you get started with it?

- I recycle books and records and create unique handbags, wallets, clocks, earring holders, hollow book safes and containers. I've been crafting for many years now...I used to do A LOT of sewing, crocheting, and plastic canvas crafts and decided I needed a change.


3. Where do you market your products? How long have you been selling your work?

- I started my Etsy shop, Retrograndma in 2007


4. What is your dream for your products or artwork? Is it a mainly a hobby, or a main source of income (or would you like for it to become a main source of income)?

- I would love it to be my main source of income. I can call it a hobby as I love creating these items - I never tire of it as each piece is unique - it's my relaxation therapy away from my daytime job. I dream of retiring soon, crafting all day and making many sales :-)


5. How are your items different from the next guy’s? What is unique about your work?

- I think it's unique to be able to recycle books and records and create handbags and other accessories.


6. What is your favorite subject matter/medium/material (whichever applies to your art form)?

- I mostly love making the book handbags - especially out of vintage books.


7. What is your favorite part of creating and selling your products or artwork? The part you like the least?

- I enjoy creating my product and then mailing it away for someone to use and enjoy. I feel good that someone is carrying my purse and leaves me awesome feedback of my craftsmanship. I do a lot of custom work and that also is a good feeling. One sale was creating custom handbags for a bride's bridesmaids !
The least thing I enjoy? I don't think there's anything that I like the least about creating and selling my products.


8. Tell us a little bit about your family and how they feel about your business or your artwork.

- When I show my family and friends - they just are amazed at what I can create out of a book or record.

Audrey, thank you for taking the time for this interview! We wish you all the greatest success.

If you’d like to learn more about Audrey or her work visit her shop, Retrograndma or her blog.

How Arabic Numbers Got Their Shape

Ever wonder how numbers got their shape? No, neither did I! But my brother sent this to me and I thought it was interesting enough to pass along.



I don't know if this is fact=based, or urban legend, but it is food for thought anyway.

Happy Wednesday!

10 Things Men Should Know about a Woman's Brain

What makes women tick? What do women want? Understanding women has been the (futile) lifelong quest of many men! If they only knew that the female brain is simply not like theirs! (It would do women good to remember these, too!)

- Women are programmed to avoid aggression and conflict

- Women's intuition is NOT a myth

- Women's appetite for adventure and risk blossoms in their later years



Read the full article at Live Science