Featuring... Garbagebag

In Etsy there is a lot more handmade stuff than just jewelry, bags for example. One of the bag shops is Garbagebag.

How did Garbagebag start, Anne?

About 20 years ago I managed to put together my first “garbagebag”. I was studying in a handicraft-school and as exercise I had to manufacture “a gift that reflects recipient’s personality”. I was short of money and therefore had problem of getting together the material. Luckily I then visited my mother while she was cleaning her wardrobe. There I saw a solution to my problem. My mother got rid of her “garbage”, I finished my exercise for the school and my friend received “a gift that reflected her personality”.

A couple of years ago I was going through my things when I realised what a wasteful way of life I was living. I had handbags and not worn out clothes all over the place. To my opinion it is sometimes necessary to cheer up everyday life with a new garment or a piece of accessory. However I wouldn´t want to be the worst case of dissipation of natural resources. At that point I remembered my experiment of recycling my mothers “garbage” and I had the idea of putting up Garbagebag. People who buy my bags are concerned about the recources of nature but don't feel like everything is hopeless.

Please introduce some of your unique bags:

1. Bleeding Strawberries by the Time of a Sunset Glow is the first creation in my Art-aud collection. It's made of corduroy with a lining and handles of artificial leather and decorations made of recycled leather.
2. Metropolis 1 bag is made of silver and black fabrics and decorated with recycled pieces of metal. The strap is padded so it's very comfortable to carry on the shoulder.
3. Neubauten bag is made of leather jacket, electric wire and computer parts.

Could you reveal us where you get the inspiration?

It usually comes from music, movies, books and art. Items evolve from the materials I find from flea market, thrift shops and my friend's attics. Outsapop has also collected a great deal of ideas to start working on.

Thank you Anne!

All bagladies (and not just me), go and find yours at Garbagebag.fi

Featuring... gbkoru

You can find all kinds of jewelries in Etsy and my guest Gunilla from gbkoru makes amazing statement necklaces and earrings. Welcome Gunilla and let's begin with a short introductiory of your work:

1) Desert Canyon,  is made of ceramic pieces and lampwork from other artisans, glass beads, crystals, seed beads, copper and brass beads.

2) Agate Leaf of seed beads, crystals, poppy jasper cubes, freshwater pearl sticks, agate rectangles and sterling silver.

3) Faux Cinnabar of jasper, faux cinnabar and copper.

Where does the inspiration come from?

From nature, books, mags, fabric samples, pots and plates, anywhere! 

I usually start out with the neclace and just combine different materials. Sometimes it forms itself just like that, sometimes it takes weeks before I'm satisfied. I use a lot of material from other artisans and seem to return to jasper, acate, copper and brass over and over again. Every piece of mine is completely unique.

I've done all kinds of handwork since I was a child, knitting, sewing, crocheting. Jewelries I've made about six years now. My dayjob is boring office work and this is my way of relaxing and getting my mind off of everything. And I get something concrete done meanwhile. I really enjoy that! 

I could say my Etsy shop is a really enjoyable hobby.

I think every woman deserves a beautiful piece of jewelry! They cheer you up every day and make your party outfit special. I hope my pieces could be worn every single day.

How about sharing some web links with us?

I have a list of my favourite links in my blog. I would especially want to point out   Jane Myrsky's fabulous glass beads and Beads of Clay & ABS blogs for great ideas and tips for shopping.

Thank you Gunilla for visiting my blog, really gorgeous pieces you have in your shop! 

Featuring... Mishibu

Mishibulla sells delicates on Etsy and the best news is, that anyone -even on low carb diet- can enjoy these with no limitations! 

Let's have a tasting first, Mishibu recommends 

Little blueberry banana cake earrings, 

Featuring... Tuuni

I love decorating my home with old stuff and lace and I even have sewn a cover for the couch using sheets from the 50's and 60's that my Mom gave me. Back then the fabrics were really thick and durable, unlike these days. My this week's guest Tuuni uses such materials in her work, too.  

Featuring... Stella Kim

»»» In Finnish

I came up with an idea of featuring some other bloggers and Etsy-artisans and I was really lucky to get an interview from an Etsy artisan Stella Kim, thank you so much for your time!