Book Review: Upcycled Accessories by Tracie Lampe

Upcycled Accessories: 25 Projects Using Repurposed Plastic by Tracie Lampe

Overview from the publisher:

Fused and Re-used

Whether you’re a sewing enthusiast or an eco-superhero, Upcycled Accessoriesshows you how to upcycle disposable products into fashionable must-haves! Learn the basics of fusing plastic, then sew together colorful wallets, personalized journals and collaged tote bags. Finally, incorporate creative embellishing techniques to whip up one-of-a-kind plastic projects!

Upcycled Accessories features:

• · 25 funky fused-plastic projects for all experience levels that use inexpensive, readily available materials
• · Embellishing techniques for incorporating crayon shavings, permanent markers, fabric appliqué and much more
• · Tips for incorporating more than just left-over shopping bags—everything from food packages to tablecloths can be upcycled!
• Fuse. Sew. Help save the planet!

Lots of people use recyclables to make stuff, but Tracie thinks outside the recycling box and kicks it up a notch. The projects this book not only uses recyclable plastic but also all those plastic bags and wrappers that can't be recycled! Using things like frozen food bags, candy wrappers and plastic tablecloths, Tracie fuses and embellishes them into fun and funky bags, totes and even hats!!!

The first part of the book talk about the materials and tools you need to get started. Then there is a section on the techniques used for the 25 projects in the book. Her instructions are very clear and easy to follow with great photos to show you how its done.

I really like this book and plan on making myself some cool shopping bags using the techniques in the book.  My favorite project in this book is the cowboy hat! I can see it made in bright candy wrappers for a Gothic Lolita or in black trash bags for a Death Rock Cowboy. The projects in the book are kid friendly as well, if an adult does the fusing and sewing. This would also be a great book for the eco conscience teen as well

I have a copy of this book to give away as well!!! I'll include a pair of earrings or necklace made from recycled materials with the book.

To win a copy of this great book and a piece of jewelry, please leave a comment below. I'll pick the winner by random number generator on Tuesday Aug 8th. You can get an extra chance to win by posting this contest on your Facebook, Twitter or blog.  This contest is open to international winners.

About the Author: Tracie Lampe is a self-taught mixed-media artist and fiber artist/vendor. Her work has been featured in Artist Trading Card Workshop as well as Interactive Art Workshop. Tracie has been teaching at art retreats across the country and sells at various boutiques and on her Etsy shop. 

Soft Flex Beading Contest

2011 Beading Contest for Soft Flex! Show your stuff!  

I received a message from Soft Flex about this years contest.  The grand prize of a $500 is VERY enticing!!!

Here are the details from Soft Flex:
Our 2011 Beading Contest is underway! After the success of the first and second contests we are even more excited about seeing your flex your creativity with this year's challenge. We want you to use both our beading wire and our craft wire together in a design. We can't wait to see how you might mix these two top of the line products to create something really special and unique. You know that we love color! So...don't be shy. Choose a full color palette from either product and BE COLORFUL!

Prizes: GRAND PRIZE: $500 Gift Certificate, Runner Up: $250 Gift Certificate, Honorable Mention: $100 Gift Certificate and TOP 10 WINNERS: Free 30ft spool of their choice

To see full contest details, click here: SOFT FLEX CONTEST RULES
We hope you'll like the idea as much as we do, and that even more designers will participate in it. We wish luck to all the participants, and are very eager to see the entries!"

Soft Flex Company

I hope you will all consider entering,I'm sure all the designs will be gorgeous.  Also, be sure to "like" Soft Flex on Facebook here and help spread the word about the contest on your blog, twitter and Facebook. 

Upcoming Book Reviews and Giveaways

In the midst of all this crap, I received two books to review and also to give away.  The first is New Dimensions in Bead and Wire Jewelry by the fabulously chic Margot Potter  This is a really fabulous book. I have only had a chance to do a quick glance through it but am planning to camp out in bed with a pot of tea and read it tomorrow.

The second book is by the wildly creative, Tracie Lampe called Upcycled Accessories.
This book is all about reusing all those plastic bags that aren't recyclable. Who knew old chip bags could be so cute?












Tracie will also be vending at the Detroit Maker Fair this weekend July 30/31st. Her booth is in the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn MI. She will be doing a fused plastic demo at 11am on July 31st  and will have books and other great upcycled things for sale.

I'll put up review posts about both of these crafty books with the giveaways on them this weekend, so keep your eye out for them.

What I said about coming out of the Void........

I was wrong.. The proverbial rug was not only pulled out from under me today, I was wrapped in it and thrown back into the Void.  

I'm really tired of it all, to say the least.

CHA Wrap Up

I could probably spend a week writing about CHA because there is so much going on there.  I think for me, the best thing about it all is reconnecting with friends you haven't seen in a while, meeting online friends in person and networking with new people.  Throw in all the craft inspiration, camaraderie and support and its just adds to the fun of it all. 


I came home and realized I didn't' take near as many photos with my own phone as I thought.  I really hate having my own photo taken, so i was the first to offer to snap the pics for others.  I was so busy taking photos with everyone else's phone that I bare took any of my own.  I'll be sure to remedy that at the winter show. Luckily I can snag my friends to show you some of the fun captured on film.


The Gang from left to right, Jen Cushman ,Me Tracie Lampe, Jen Osborn,  Bernie Bernie,  and Belinda Spiwak 

Bernie Berlin with the always smiling Cathie and Steve.

Hanging at the Ranger booth with Claudine

Pretty Fiskateer ladies in paper dresses!

 Claudine Hellmuth and Jen Cushman's mixed media dress for the Crafty Couture display. It won a prize, congrats girls!

Being the rebels we are, we just had to crash the Martha Stewart party and took pics.

I was also a surprise guest for a live webcast interview with Charity Wings, a fantastic organization that raises money for non-profits doing important work. 

Jen Cushman , Elena Lai Etcheverry, Tracie Lampe, Bernie Bernie, Me!, Jen Osborn

I hope you enjoyed vicariously attending CHA with me!

CHA Afterglow

Summer CHA has come and gone. I met and talked to so many people I really didn't see all the great stuff that was there.  There was so many beautiful things it was hard to focus.  A few of the things I really fell in love with there were Wescott Scissors. 

photo courtesy Wescott©

These are non stick, which mean no glue or resin is going to stick to them. AWESOME!!!!! I have ruined so many scissors, cutting paper with wet glue/resin.  I can't wait to put these babies to work!

On my "MUST BUY!!!!!" list is this Vintaj Sizzix metal embosser SWOOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

photo via Vintaj blog copyright Vintaj.

Vintaj is releasing a new Vintaj BIGkick machine with Sizzix, along with some gorgeous DecoEmboss folders & DecoEtch plates.   Can you say OMG!!!!! I can not WAIT to get my hands on this. I have so many ideas already about things to do with it.  I don't know when it will be available but will let you all know when it is.

In the "Would love to have" catagory, Impress Art Metal stamps had a booth and they have so many metal stamps I want/need

photo courtesy of  PJ Tools©

 You can buy them online at the PJ Tool Site.  I wanted the Wonderland set but it was gone by the time I got over there, so I got the Royal Crest Letter set and the Jeanie numbers set. I really really really want the Jeannie letter set but in a larger size. I'm hoping they will offer it soon!

Another "Would love to have" product was the new Sillouhette 12" Cutting Machine.  They have a 9" version but I think the 12" will be more versatile.  I got to try it out and make a vinyl rose iron on totebag.  It connects to your computer and you can use their designs or create your own. Another WOW product. I thought of a 100 things I could make with it.  The 12" version will be $299 and will be available sometime in October.  

I have photos I need to take off my phone to do another post. I'm already looking forward to the Winter show!

CHA Fun

Day 2 of CHA. Having so much fun I haven't had a chance to blog!! I've been doing a few Facebook updates here and there. Having a great time hanging out with my girls being surrounded by craft supplies!!!

Below is my new friend Marissa, isn't she a doll?





And Tiffany from the Faber Castell demo team



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Location:Balmoral Ave,Rosemont,United States

Coming out of the Void

I feel like I'm finally starting to make progress and come out of the Void.  So many things got turned upside down and inside out the last year but there was no visible movement forward. There was a lot of tearing down, clearing out and getting rid off' with no indication of growth. .  In particular,  the last two months have been a time of loss for me.  The family and friends I moved here to get to know better and build relationships with have all but disappeared from my life. It was like a light switch-people in your life one week, gone the next.  That personal connection loss has been hard on many levels to deal with especially seeing how people's actions contradict the words/promises that come out of their mouths   Why lie or tell half truths?   I can feel it starting to move, very slowly though.  I know now its all part of a long line of painful lessons learned over the past year.  Rejection and loss are hard no matter how much you can see why its a part of the "bigger picture".  Its all part of the void, the necessary and often painful change that needs to happen before a new cycle can begin. 

And then I lost the last of my kitty family.  This past Monday, my little grey guy got ill and had to be put to sleep. Silver (also known as Sliver because he was always so skinny) was the last of  our seven cat herd..   Silver was a charmer and was the first cat to greet anyone who knocked on the door. The apt feels empty again and Bettie misses her brother.  We want to get another rescue cat or two but have decided to wait until after we move. It will be less stressful for both the cats and us to just wait until we get settled. 

Which brings me to the moving situation, that also symbolizes moving forward in life.  There is finally a shift happening with finding a new place to live. I was getting really discouraged with all the rental scams, people not returning calls, or saying "its rented" whenever they did bother to reply.  I got to the end of my rope and said to hell with it all.  So we shifted focus and things are falling into place in a quick & positive direction...FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keeping quiet about it until it all pans out and is finalized.  I have put so many things on hold until moving-setting up my studio, the videos, finding new places to sell at, online classes, etc...... that I'm really anxious for it to happen sooner than later. I feel its happening, I just need to be patient a little while longer.

In the midst of all this, I remembered I had an airline voucher that was about to expire. With no vacation plans in sight, I decided to go to CHA very last minute! It will be a much needed mini vacation.   Jen and I are rooming together and it will be nice to hang out with girls I haven't seen in forever like Bernie and Tracie.I also can't wait to walk the aisles and see whats new.   I have the mobile blogging app, so hopefully I'll remember to use it as I'm walking around the convention hall.  

Happy 4th of July and a fantastic Art is YOU coupon!!!!

Happy 4th everyone!!!! Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend watching fireworks and celebrating our Nation's independence.  It's been extra "sultry" here the past few day, I'm hoping its nicer tonight so we can go enjoy the local fireworks. They set them off about a block from our back deck but there is a giant tree that obscures most of the view. On one hand its a pity we can sit there and watch them, but on the other its REALLY loud out there!  I prefer having hearing, so we'll just walk down to the bridge and watch them.

Also to celebrate the holiday, the wonderful ladies at Art is YOU have offered up a generous $50 off registration coupon for the Fall Danbury, CT retreat. But you need to act quick, its good TODAY ONLY!!!!

 I'm teaching 3 wonderful classes there. First is Jewelry Alchemy.  This fun class that was a big hit at last years CREATE retreat in Chicago.

The second is "Scents and Sensibilities-a perfumed Locket" 

And lastly is the "Steampunk Goddess Art Doll" class.

 To get this fantastic deal, you just have to sign up for one my classes TODAY, so hurry!!!!! You can use the special discount code JULY4.  The event is October 6th thru the 11th.  If you can't attend, please feel free to pass this along to your friends but remember you have to register by the end of today!!!

Spinning Silver Scrap into Rio Grande Credit

Did you know you can send your scrap sterling and PMC/Art Clay Silver to Rio Grande and get $$$ or credit?? Neither did I, and you can take cash or get higher percentage in store credit!  

I have a small jar that I've been putting in bits of wire, tiny scraps of sterling sheet, etc...into for years..... With silver being high, I decided it was a good time to cash it in.  I went on Google to look for a place and saw that Rio Grande has a scrap recycling program. They take sterling, as well as fired PMC, fine silver, gold, gold plate, palladium and platinum.  I had a a bunch of really ugly PMC beads I made years ago at classes thru Shepardess.  I as much as I wanted to love working with it, I have no talent for it. Seriously, my work was BAD!!!! I couldn't use 80% of the things I made with it and had a nice bag of that to send in as well.   Well lemme tell you - all those TINY bits of wire really added up!  I got store credit and was able to get myself this lovely new Pepe Dapping set!

I really wanted to get a new disc cutter, but they didn't have the one I REALLY wanted so new dapping punches it was.  I've put my old and well loved smaller set on Etsy  for cheap. I hope a new jewelry maker or metal worker will continue to use them for many more years to come.    I need to get busy and put more into my destash shop. I have truly got lazy with it!

Other good news, I 'found' an airline voucher I got last year for getting bumped on a flight. I had TOTALLY forgotten about it!  It was about to expire so I decided to use it to go to CHA in a couple of weeks! Now I just have to line up sleeping arrangements and I"m set LOL.  So if any of your are going to be there, lemme know!

Mobile blogging

After lamenting about wanting to write blog posts with my phone, I finally found an app that works with blogspot. Blogging on the go now-wheeeee!!!



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Location:National Rd,Wheeling,United States