June's Recycle/Upcycle Member Contest

The entries are in, and here's what we have for June's Recycled and Upcycled theme. We had quite a wide array of different types of items you can made using materials others would just chuck. Pat yourselves on the back, Recycling Vegas.

Naturally, I am torn between these fantastic entries. Our committee will be debating for a while on these! Recycling is really important to me, and I'm one of those nerds who brings home used paper from work and would love to drive downhill forever for the high mpg. The Contest Committee's voting will end on July 5 when the winner is announced. Happy Independence Day!

Funky Junq Kids Recycled Aluminum Soda Pop Can Art
by FunkyRecycling

Miss USA Mutant Upcyle Experiment
by FlakyFriends

Miniachair Tableau - blue umbrella, 3 chairs
by cybelesque

The MoNsTeR bOx of Madame de Strange
by Ametista

Ruffle Reconstructed Plaid Tunic Dress
by localovespirate

Upcyclery PLEASE RECYCLE Drink Can Earrings
by ChezChani

Recycled Sock Doll-Meet Gym Buddy
by vegashenna

Upcycled Floral Jewelry Box
by RandRlady

Upcycled or Recontructed Tank Top
by pinkbearfad

My upcycled entry for the current contest

When I first found out that the current contest had an "upcycled/repurposed" theme, I was enthused - because a good portion of the items in my shop Cybelesque fit the criteria. Shortly thereafter, however, my enthusiasm morphed into a purely paralyzed inability to choose a particular piece! So naturally, I felt a compulsion to create something completely different ;-p

Here's what I came up with: a "Miniachair Tableau"



Each component comprising this adorable diorama was originally intended for another purpose:

Chairs = champagne cages
Table = pizza box spacer
Umbrella = cocktail garnish
Base = aol CD
Mailing Case = recordable CD spindle (pictured in the listing)

So, aside from the glue, it's ALL upcycled!

Here's the listing in my shop: Miniachair Tableau

Our First Team Contest!

Is everyone ready to start the fun stuff?  Let's have a contest!  In order to celebrate our new Las Vegas area team, I thought it would be appropriate to create items based on our area.  The challenge is to make an item inspired by Las Vegas (be creative, think desert, gambling, local wildlife, ladies of the night, you get the point).  

Once you've created your item, list it in your Etsy shop, with a blurb in the item description telling buyers that it was created for your Las Vegas Team contest and linking to our Team Blog.  Then, post the item listing in the comments of this post.   Please only one entry per team member.  Entries will be accepted until June 3th and the winner will be announced on June 6th, getting a highlight on the team blog, and the stuffed dice you see in the photo (hopefully once we get some Etsy team grant funding, the prizes can be better!).

Now here's the part where I need some team participation.  I'd like to form a Contest Committee of 8-10 Team Members from various types of shops.  The Contest Committee will be in charge of judging the entries, picking a winner, and coming up with new contest themes.  Ideally, we'd hold a team contest every month., but it would be the decision of the Committee when to hold contests.  If you would like to be on the Committee, please email me at sarahflake@gmail.com.  I will accept members on a first-come-first serve basis, but will also have to make sure all areas of craft are represented by the committee members (not all jewelry or graphic design artists for example).  I will also need a volunteer for a Contest Committee Head who will be in charge of managing the Committee and making final decisions regarding contests.  Please only volunteer if you are able to fulfill these obligations.  But I promise, it will be a fun job!

Now get creative and start working on your Vegas-inspired art.  I can't wait to see what you come up with!