jordy fu’s recycled cut paper lamps

this cloud series of handmade cut paper lampshades from chinese designer jordy fu is so delicate and pretty, isn’t it? jordy created them to add magic and intimacy to everyday lighting. i think she has achieved her goal.

the lamps, made of recycled paper, come flat packed and include an energy-efficient light bulb. purchase them and see more at jordy’s fun website.

via inhabitat

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recycled wool sweater rings

i think these soft embroidered wool rings, made of repurposed sweaters by my very creative friend sandra (aka etsy seller bricolagelife), are awfully comfy looking and cute. actually i ought to know — i tried them on to see for myself! and it’s true!

so sweet.

they’re $16 each, and you can find them (and other fun things) at sandra’s etsy shop.

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recycled metal fish

i am here on the hazy hot outer banks of north carolina in a rented beach house with friends this week, and i am going to do my best to see if i can find these recycled trash fish in the ocean. i probably won’t find them though, since they’re from the mind (and local dumpsters) of california artist rodney rodrigo mccoubrey.

as you can see i really like the ones with identifiable labels.

see these pieces and swim around his website here.

via haute*nature

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xs chair by nick demarco

question: if you wanted a landfill in your living room would you want it in the shape of a chair? if so, your wish can become reality now with the xs chair by california college of the arts design student nick demarco. nick says the production pieces will be made of recycled plastic mesh, and that it can be filled with anything you own in excess, such as these handy vitamin water bottles seen below.

no thank you. and i mean that sincerely.

see more on nick’s website.

via freshome

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lisaur collage art

looking through the postcard section in resale shops is one of me and my husband’s favorite pastimes. we peep at the penmanship and wonder what state of mind the senders were in when they sent their correspondence, as well as the receivers. that is part of the reason why i am drawn to this small scale mixed media art from etsy seller lisaur, made from recycled postcards and collaged on the written sides.

the rich color combinations only serve as a compliment to the mysterious torn stories told on their papers.

see lisa’s full collection here.

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la pomme sewn toys and pillows: miniview

i am back from my weekend in nola, which was lovely (more on that later). equally if not more lovely are these soft linen and cotton pillows, sachets and toys from philippines-born, french-based artist apol lejano-massebieau, aka etsy seller lapomme. many of the pieces in apol’s dreamy collection are crafted from rescued and recycled materials and stuffed them with delicious dried lavender. each and every piece also has a wonderful and quirky story behind it. i wanted to know more of apol’s personal story, so i asked just three questions…

q: where do you live, and where do you make your lovely things?
a: i live in a little village in southwestern france, and i used to sew on my dining room table, until it stopped being fun finding pieces of thread in the salad. so i recently bought myself a little mobile home and installed it on the property, beside my dry garden. i painted the walls a shade called raspberry, and from march to mid-april i have a view of flamingos feeding in the marsh in front. it is wonderful to finally have a space for all my mess!

q: do you have an art background? how did you get into making these sachets and pillows?
a: what i am, mainly, is a writer, who had always had a deep appreciation for the visual arts and the fabric arts. sewing was something that i did on-and-off, and had always wanted to do more of, except that life had always been too busy.

when i was a child, my sisters and i would prepare for christmas by making handmade toys to give to cousins, although sometimes the toys were so freaky our cousins would cry. then at university i was part of the costume department of a theater group, and i got to make fun objects like a stuffed octopus and metallic dance suits. then i stopped for more than a decade as real life and a high-pressure job happened.

after a serious rearranging of my life, finally, after a long iI am able to again handle fabric, needle, and thread. this time, i have no plans of stopping.

q: would you rather sleep with lavender or eat it?
a: lavender in food requires a light touch, otherwise you feel like you’re eating a garden. so unless i really really trust the kitchen, i’d rather just sleep with the herb.

purchase these pieces and see the full collection at apol’s etsy shop, and say hi to her on her blog too.

thank you apol!

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bike chain bowl by graham bergh

i like the looks and the history of this repurposed bike chain bowl from graham bergh for his resource revival company.

purchase the bowl and other wonderful things at his mixtgoods shop, and find out more about graham on his website.

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jennifer collier paper fashion art

look at this paper fashion collection from uk artist jennifer collier. she has mastered a multitude of techniques, including weaving, stitching and waxing, and has created a group of garments so fascinating to view. carefully crafted from bits of paper, plastic and assorted found objects and materials, these transient and disposable materials are skillfully transformed into items which have distinct and dynamic value.

see more works of art on jennifer’s website. she’s also exhibiting in well thread at the biscuit factory in newcastle from april 25th - june 1st 2008, just in case you’re in the area!

via craft

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bingo clock by margaret taylor

i love bingo, and i am not ashamed to say it. i remember my hip (read: younger) cousins telling me they used to play in the west village at a bar every week about ten years ago. at the time i thought they were nuts, but now i see the light. i can see what time it is too, with this fun bingo clock from margaret taylor, the fantastic reclaimed barnwood furniture maker who has graced this space before. these are handmade pieces, made from vintage bingo cards from st. leo’s church in pennsylvania, and mounted on reclaimed wood.

find the clock at uncommon goods, and see the hook and other wonderful things on margaret’s website.

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traffic light lamps by greenlight concepts

old stoplights normally spend their final days at the landfill as cities replace them with more modern and efficient versions. now, thanks to a savvy san francisco company called greenlight concepts, these glass beauties are being reclaimed and upcycled into striking contemporary ceiling fixtures and floor lamps.

bonus: a clear ceiling pendant option, taken from reclaimed train signal lenses.

what a great way to reduce waste and still maintain your stylish interiors!

see the full $90-$240 collection over at greenlight.

via inhabitat

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relax! planter by stefan stauffacher

just as soon as that snow melts, i am going to go outside and emulate this awesome planter by the witty swiss designer stefan stauffacher for eternit (and their us distributor greenform). it’s made of a combination of cement, limestone, fiber and water (called fiber cement), which is a durable, 100% recycled material.

contact greenform for pricing and availability.

via contemporist

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recycled book cuff bracelets

i think these bracelets, made from the spine covers of old and damaged books from young pennsylvania crafter jamie keiles are very clever. they are lined in your choice of leather or vinyl.

purchase them at jamie’s etsy shop, and see her blog for more interesting tidbits.

via craft

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