Today is the final day for entries in Etsy’s Upcycling contest, and I just completed my own final entry for the contest earlier today.
It’s a bustier, skirt, and flower choker made from recycled FEMA blue tarp. Last year around Mardi Gras, I participated in a fashion show fundraiser charity auction to benefit the America’s Wetland organization. The only rule for the auction was that all of the outfits had to be made using blue tarp as the primary material.
My dress made the front page of the Times-Picayune Living section that week and prompted requests for me to make some simple dresses out of this FEMA blue tarp material. A lady had found a big pile of it on the side of the road, and I made her and her friend dresses out of it for them to wear on Mardi Gras. I had a TON left over though, and the Upcycle contest finally gave me an excuse to use up some more of it.
My fellow New Orleans Craft Mafia member Heather of Unique Products makes messenger bags out of blue tarp, and she’s submitted them as an entry into the contest as well.
Here are ten of my favorite Upcycle entries I’ve seen so far, in no particular order:
1. recycled sweater “weiner bench”
3. plastic bag rain jacket (seen here)
5. vintage camera spy girl purse
6. antique typewriter desk organizer
7. reclaimed teapot electric lamp
8. Priority Mail envelope wallet
9. recycled paper shower curtain
10. flashlight purse
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Holy shit, babe!
This is incredible. (Eric agrees with me.)
If I had $250 (and could fit into it), I’d snatch that up in a heart beat. The lines on it are great, the design is cute, functional, funky, and recycled.
I love it.
(Plus, your legs are like 32904890 million miles long in that first picture.)
wonderful creation.
Thanks ladies! I’m very pleased with how it turned out, and glad I was able to get it done before the deadline.
Simply stunning! I hope you win! Good luck, and thank you for sharing those other great entrys.
Yo, you got on Boing Boing girl.
http://www.boingboing.net/2007/01/15/evening_gown_made_fr.html
Off the hook!
Hahah, wow. That’s crazy…making Boing Boing is pretty impressive! I really don’t even care if I win the contest at this point, just the response I’ve had so far is enough to keep me smiling for days!
I love that rain coat!!!
However, I think I would’ve been more impressed with the address file if Lovely Design hadn’t created it eons ago.
http://www.lovelydesign.com/lovely_products_new.html
Can’t wait to see the winners…
Wow, I need to have that raincoat! I’d choose it over a store bought one any day.
You are totally clever and talented. And smokin’ hot. You remind me that I need to get back to La. sometime.
Bless your heart.
I love the raincoat…it’s just too cool!
Hobgoblin: Aww, thank you so much, you’re too sweet!
I’ve seen this on CRAFT and Boing Boing, but just realized who made it! Congrats! I really like the fleur-de-lis detail.
Thanks Betty! I was checking out your blog earlier and really digging all of the links to different opinions about upcoming trends for spring. I find the turban trend very interesting as a dear friend and huge inspiration to me has often been spotted sporting turbans.
Love, love, love the dress. And what a saucy pose. This post also served as a reminder to me (via that great address box) that I need to make a mail/receipt/odds & ends organizer–shoe box, here I come!
Beautiful, Mal…..you are so talented and creative. (((hugs)))
Thanks ambika and TM!
Thanks for including my address box!
No problem!
Wow .. What an amazing dress! Great design!!
Learn how they recycle in Sweden!
Recycling in Sweden
Thanks Bejeweled!
Mark, that’s pretty interesting. Sadly enough, where I live we’re sorely lacking in any sort of formal recycling programs. I think some of the local universities have programs, and there are private centers, but that’s about it. It was bad even before Hurricane Katrina, but now recycling is definitely at the bottom of the city’s priority list. We’re just now finally getting a new garbage pickup program worked out, a year and a half after the storm!
Wow, congrats! I find your use of the FEMA tarp to be particularly poignant. It elegantly reminds us all of both the resilience and ingenuity of Gulf Coast residents still in emotional and physical recovery from both hurricanes a year ago.
Just adding my amazement at that dress. It really is brilliant
Awesome article! Do you enjoy papermaking?
- John
Super-Duper site! I am loving it!!!! Will come back again – taking your feeds also. Thanks.
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