New Buttons Galore!

I have acquired a lot of great new buttons and am now in the process of listing many new button bracelets at Holly&Sage! 

These bracelets are a unique finishing touch for casual outfits - light-weight, and fun to wear! They are even washable!

In celebration of Spring, I have made bracelets in pretty spring colors: sweet pastels and natural earth and flower tones.

Want to make a button bracelet yourself?

If you are feeling creative and have some unused buttons laying around in a drawer somewhere (who doesnt!) learn how to make your very own button bracelet here! (If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.)

DIY Handmade Envelopes From Recycled Paper

When my Etsy shop started generating sales, I wanted to find a unique and clever way to package my items.

I  also wanted to include an invoice, business card, and a jewelry care  sheet. I thought that a sweet little envelope would be just the ticket  for enclosing these things.

I considered (for about a  minute) looking for some on Etsy  to buy, and then I stopped myself,  thinking: "Wait a minute! I can  make envelopes! Why would I buy them  from someone else!!??"

So I did.

At first I used some scrapbook paper that I had laying around (I don't scrapbook - that is one more expensive and time-consuming hobby I don't need to start!!)

Then I started noticing beautiful pictures in  catalogs and magazines that would make pretty envelopes, so I started using those, too.

That led me to the realization that pages from old children's books and road atlases would make wonderful envelopes, too, so I made some of those!

This concept of using something that would otherwise be thrown away or sit in an attic box getting dusty is a common theme in my life. I have always prided myself on my quirky creativeness. I have more ideas of things to repurpose lots of things at Frugal Living Now.

You can make these, too - it is not very hard if you know how.

All you need is:

 

• paper - something pretty with a nice 'heft' to it (not too thin); at least 8 x 11 inches 
• scissors
• permanent glue stick
• marker or pen
• an envelope to use as a pattern

Steps:

• open your pattern envelope at the seams carefully
• lay it on a piece of paper and trace around it with the pen or marker
• cut out your envelope
• fold it up and glue it
• let it dry thoroughly before using 

 
 That's it! You have transformed what was once waste into a cute envelope! 

Here are some ideas for using it:

• Send a note to a friend that hasn't heard from you in a while
• Use your computer to make a birthday card for a family member and send it in your handmade envelope
• Put a sweet little note in your kid's lunchbox to brighten his/her day
• Write a love note to your sweetheart and leave it in his briefcase/car/underwear drawer

Have fun!!

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

Introducing My New Line of Button Jewelry!

I have created a new line of jewelry made from recycled vintage buttons. I never thought I would use buttons in my jewelry, until I saw a button bracelet that was delicate and feminine. I dug out my stash of old buttons and tried making a couple of bracelets and I was hooked! The color and texture combinations are endless!

These bracelets are so fun, easy to wear, and affordable, and they look even better when you stack two or three together! (At Holly&Sage shipping is always free for a second item!)


Made from buttons and cotton or hemp woven cord, these bracelets don’t have the limitations of metal or pearl jewelry – they can be worn while swimming or playing sports and can be hand washed if they get dirty! (Please don’t put them in a clothes dryer, though!)


Many of the buttons I am using are truly antiques! The craftsmanship of these very old buttons is a wonder to behold! Today's mass-produced plastic buttons simply do not have the delicate etching and carving or interesting swirls and textures that so many of these old ones have. In some styles, I have only one button - as a result of this, every bracelet I make is one-of-a-kind. Some may be similar to others, but no two will be exactly the same .

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Down to earth and simple - like friendship bracelets - these affordable bracelets let you add some personality to even the most casual outfits or wardrobes!
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If you are interested in button jewelry of a color combination or size other than those I have listed, send me a message. I am very open to conversations about my work and will be glad to work with you to create just what you are looking for!