Re:Boutique -- Done for Now!

As we focus on the fun and exciting experiment that has been our Re:Boutique, here now is a look at the artists and goods -- including our fab pegboard -- not yet discussed. This lovely white board came to us, as much of our "scrap" does, thru freecycle. Then, one of our sweet volunteers offered to take it to Jed Dinger Design (14650 Southlawn Lane in Rockville, MD), where the guys in the shop cut down the huge piece and attached it to this frame (another donation to us). Thanks, all!
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Christa McDermott [FreedFromTheTrash (at) gmail (dot) com] is one of SCRAP's devoted Advisory Board members and makes these beautiful coat racks. An environmental psychologist by day, she's also a trash refurbisher by night, using as much salvaged material as possible -- including paint and hardware. When a factory in Brentwood closed, all of the plaster was headed for the dump. Of all that Christa rescued, she still has many different trim styles available. Custom orders welcome!

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KLK Studios [klkstudios (at) mac (dot) com] has made jewelry for over two decades, originally using beads, metals, and -- eventually -- kiln-formed glass. But after owner Karen L. Klein started incorporating recycled materials into her projects, she stumbled upon the existence of SCRAP in Portland, OR, and felt that DC would support its own creative reuse resource, too. More than 2 years later, SCRAP DC is going strong, so you can also reach her at karen (at) scrapdc (dot) org. [For the rest of our "creation" story, including how we came to be TWO co-directors, go on over to this link.]

As seen above, Karen's earrings come on interior design laminate samples, with some made from the same material. It's one of SCRAP's most affordable items, at just 25¢ per inch! [This photo shows how we measure that inch.]

Getting back to the jewelry display cards: when customers return them to SCRAP for another use, they'll get 10% off that visit's purchase. Or they can try making their own project, since the labels are easily removed. Either way, it's less junk going into local waste streams.
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The remaining categories of stuff on the board are by artists we've already presented; the bottle cap earrings and key rings are provided by Judith Capen, while Bahari Deco Crafts folds the small gift bags from pieces of newspaper. There are still more Re:Boutique items to see aside from those photographed for this blog series, so come by this and every Thursday and check them out!

Re:Boutique Re:Visited

Happy 2013, folks! The Re:Boutique will be open again tomorrow -- and every Thursday -- noon to 8. Here's a further look at our artists and some of their excellent work. Whether you come to buy or just marvel at the ingenuity on display, let us know what you think!

 

Like so many of the people we meet, artist Judith Capen [judith (dot) capen (at) architravepc (dot) com] doesn't restrict herself to a single medium. For our September art show, we displayed her quilt and 3-D sculptures. Now she's crocheting these fun clutches out of a mix of VHS tape and yarn. The tape gives them strength, the yarn makes them soft (especially when it's of the eyelash variety, as above), and the aesthetic is somehow chic and elegant.

 

Judith has also done some beautiful paintings of the flowers she grows. These were turned into lovely cards that she puts together with those flowers' seeds -- so you can buy her art and do some planting of your own.

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Rebecca Kallem [rebeccamarion (at) gmail (dot) com] makes jewelry from scrap fabric and leather, paper, and abandoned game remnants like stray dominoes and puzzle pieces. Every now and then, she'll take apart old bracelets and necklaces that are missing some hardware or are just plain outdated. They, too, get incorporated into something new and unique.

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The artists at Bahari Deco Crafts use the scraps generated from the totes and other products they make to create eye-catching note and gift cards. We love the bold graphics and think you will, too. In fact, once you narrow down which one/s to buy, will you really send them along to others or just keep them for yourself?

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One more in this series is on the way!

Re:Boutique, Part 2

Now, a peek at some of the stuff our Re:Boutique has for sale, and the artists who make them. And remember, the boutique is open whenever SCRAP is: every Thursday, noon-8; First Fridays, 5-9; Third Saturdays, 10-1. With additional hours as we pick up more volunteers! (Want to help make that happen AND get 20% off your SCRAP purchases? Start by signing up to attend one of our intro sessions.)

Ann Marie Koshuta [amkstudio (at) aol (dot) com] takes mismatched jewelry pieces, old clothing, and fashion design samples of all sorts, and incorporates them into wearable art accessories that get noticed. She makes her own felted fabric and even uses previously-steeped linen teabags, among other things, truly seeing extra potential in items that are usually tossed in the trash.

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Think Outside the Store's artist Sarah Gingold [skgingold (at) gmail (dot) com] runs and hosts workshops in her Silver Spring, MD, studio. We're carrying tote bags and scarves she's made from goodies she saved OR bought from the SCRAPpy side of our store.

 

In addition, she and a friend have created Monkey Shorts birthday cards, featuring little characters they made, clothed, then posed, photographed and captioned with some hilarious comments. Come in and enjoy the whole set.

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Redemption Glassworks takes used wine and water bottles and turns them into functional glassware. Then their proceeds from our sales go straight to GSI Haiti, a nonprofit that develops academic initiatives in rural Haiti. A bottle that's been cut in half is just plain cool, but don't take our word for it; see their designs -- etched and unetched -- for yourself.

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Still more to come!