Ellie Beck recycled skateboard jewellery

Hang on - super-cool necklaces and bangles handmade from recycled/upcycled skateboard decks? I'm in! My friend Ellie Beck and her husband Sam Messina make these amazing jewellery pieces using their stash of broken skateboards in the hinterland of Murwillumbah in Northern NSW. They're bright, fun, sustainable and each piece is one-of-a-kind - totally my style.

These bangles are cut, sanded and finished by hand. Each has a coloured side and a cool scratched-graphic side to amp up the cred.

Most skateboards are made from seven-ply of Canadian Maple in a rainbow of colours.

The rainbow skateboard deck bead necklaces are incredible too. Each is strung on a vintage brass chain.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of Ellie and Sam's skateboard pieces - either for yourself or as a gift. Head over to the Ellie Beck online store to pick one up. I love them all.

Images: Ellie Beck

Danielle Stewart Design geo greeting cards

I'm still in love with triangles and have fallen hard for these geo cards by Fremantle, WA-based surface designer Danielle Stewart. I've followed Danielle's design work for years (from her days as a textile designer with her Of Paper And Thread label) and after a short break I'm excited to see Danielle designing again; this time a range of 100% post-consumer recycled greeting cards.

Danielle's colour combos are fresh and her designs are modern and punchy. I can't wait to see what comes next. You can find Danielle Stewart Designs greeting cards as well as limited edition screen-printed fabric in her etsy store.

Images: Danielle Stewart Designs

A Birthday Swap

It's my birthday today! And I'm celebrating this year. Off to dinner soon. But instead of having a party, I had a lovely Afternoon Tea and Clothes Swap with a few good girlfriends on Sunday. Have you hosted a swap before? They are ace! And you might even score a new season's wardrobe from it. Here's the lowdown:

1. You'll need a group of girls with things to give away - clothes, shoes, books, belts, kitchen things - anythingn that you're holding on to because you can't bare to give it to Goodwill, but you know you should.

2. Serve some sparkly or cocktails, and tea of course. And nibbles. Maybe everyone can bring a plate.

3. Make sure there is a mirror or two handy, and a private area in case anyone is shy about changing clothes. Provide spots for people to hang up clothes and put out their items - a clothes line works well.

4. We go by the first-come-first served rules, and we don't worry how many items each person has contributed vs taken.

5. Once everyone has had a bit of a look, get in and find some things and suggest to friends to try on. Sometimes all they need is a bit of encouragement. I like to do a cheesy sales thing on all the leftovers. Someone must surely need these divine metal chopsticks, for something??? Much hilarity ensues.

6. Give your swap a time limit, and once everyone has gone, pack up the leftovers and take them to Goodwill.

And there you have it. You might have scored something amazing (like the black silk dress and yellow wedges I'll be wearing tonight!), and purged your own wardrobe at the same time. It's fun, and gives a great focal point for an afternoon tea.

Oh, and how gorgeous are my geraniums, snipped from the forgotten bush at the side of the house? I got to use my mini bottles from the abcd soiree that Lisa wrapped with ribbon and washi tape, and plopped in individual stems of the most under-rated of flowers. So sweet!

Image: Steph Bond-Hutkin

Craft: Recycled Tissue Paper Pom Wreath Tutorial

Here is a quick and easy Christmas project that you can make at home *tonight*. I was trying to think of a craft project to make at home with my big girl using only items I had around the house. This Christmas Wreath is made using the same principles as for tissue paper poms (still a big trend) and only recycled/upcycled material. I think it looks pretty nifty.

All you need is a piece of cardboard (I used a mango tray), used tissue paper from all the presents that you have been receiving (I fished my crumbled tissue paper out of my wrapping paper stash), some old ribbon or string, scissors, a pencil and two pot lids (one big, one small). I even nicked an ornament from our tree to give it a little pizazz. Give it a go!











Images and Tutorial (c) Steph Bond 2010

Hip Products: The Owls Are Hunting lamps

I love discovering new Australian artists and designers through Twitter, and one special designer came to my attention today. Check out the great one-of-a-kind lamps made by Jo Kent from Canberra-based The Owls Are Hunting.

Each lamp uses recycled and new materials to create unique pieces of art that you won't find anywhere else, including reclaimed lamp bases from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Jo has a fantastic eye for colour and contrast and lovingly restores and recreates these lamps by hand. They are all so cool - it's hard to choose just one. Great for the Christmas wishlist!

You can find The Owls Are Hunting lamps in the MadeIt online store (Australia) as well as at stockists around Australia, at markets and online. Worldwide shipping is available upon request. You can find out more about stockists and new designs on The Owls Are Hunting blog.

Imags: The Owls Are Hunting

Stylish Kids: Miss Haidee

It's definitely swimming season again, and there are so many great togs to choose from out there, but I can't resist the cuteness (and styling) of Byron Bay-based Miss Haidee's swimsuits.

Miss Haidee uses antique, retro and vintage fabric and trims to create adorable clothes and swimsuits for boys and girls from newborn to 8 years old. You'll find the staple swimsuits (for little one and a matching suit for Mum!) and beach tote bag in various recycled fabrics as well as adorable hats, bags, hair accessories, baby slings, nappy covers, baby rompers, dresses and pants. The organic cotton Star Wars Tommy Boy pants are absolutely killer!

You can find Miss Haidee clothes for kids on MadeIt (main store), Etsy and at upcoming markets in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, including the Finders Keepers market this weekend and the Mathilda's Market this Sunday in Brisbane. And check out the Miss Haidee blog for some behind-the-scenes information.

Images: Miss Haidee

Stylish Kids: Jetta's Nest art and craft

I first met artist Samantha from Jetta's Nest at our Brown Owls group in Brisbane where she wowed us all with an incredible doll she had made with an intricately-painted sassy face. Since then, Sam's gorgeous faces have gone on to adorn button badges, as well as a range of soft toys, prints, art cards and gorgeous clothes for kids.

I particularly adore the range of Jetta's Nest appliqued children's clothes that incorporate Sam's art along with recycled/vintage materials. I have proudly collected a few pieces for little Sophie (both above) including the one-of-a-kind toadstool top and the gorgeous Flutterby top made from a recycled Holly Hobbie quilt cover, recycled doily and recycled buttons. Both destined for the "keep me" pile of special clothes.

October is a really important month for us to all do our small part for Breast Cancer Awareness and Sam is generously donating 50% of the proceeds of her limited edition pink Lola Buttonhead brooches to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

You can find the crafty art of Jetta's Nest (and you can also put in a custom order) on Etsy and MadeIt (Australia) as well as various markets (including the upcoming BrisStyle handmade market in Deceomber). Check out the Jetta's Nest blog for a sneak peek on upcoming designs.

Images: top - Steph Bond and others - Jetta's Nest

Hip Products: Rebecca Ward Jewellery

As you know, there are a lot of fun and interesting blog names out there. I've always thought the name Rebecca the Wrecker was intriguing, and today took the time out to find out who this demolition-sounding person might be.

Lo and behold, the alias belongs to Rebecca Ward Jewellery. And wow, it's all pretty fabulous. Born in New Zealand and now based in Brisbane, Rebecca creates an incredibly creative range of jewellery based on recycled materials and found objects such as pebbles and glass. And if you like the images above, just wait until you see her "Nana glasses" brooches, sea glass jewellery and squashed plastic toy soldiers.

You can find Rebecca Ward Jewellery in the online store as well as stockists across Australia and online. Of course you can also find out more about Rebecca at the Rebecca The Wrecker blog.

And if that hasn't satisfied your appetite, check out her cool collaboration with ceramicist Shannon Garson (who I wrote about a few weeks ago here) - Swamp Cartography - research of the wallum swamps of South East Qld to produce a body of work illuminating this beautiful and fast disappearing ecosystem (supported by an Arts Queensland grant).

Images: Rebecca Ward Jewellery

Hip Products: Old Yarns antique linen

Sometimes you spot a product that you just want to touch. That's exactly how my Mum and I felt when we found Old Yarns at the Brisbane Stitches and Craft show this year. Old Yarns - full name [oldyarns. reclaimed linens.] - sells fine linens and accessories made by hand in their small local atelier from vintage textiles, papers and found objects gathered from all over the world.

The range changes from time-to-time, but you can find linen blankets, pillowcases, cushion covers, tablecloths, purses and pockets, and vintage paper garlands and mobiles when in stock. Pieces are created from reclaimed textiles like an irish damask linen hand cloth, antique french linen tea towel and pure linen mangle cloth and repurposed for modern use, retaining that gorgeous old-world look. Eco-friendly, stylish, and charming to boot.

You can find Old Yarns in the Old Yarns Etsy store online and at stockists in Brisbane - Coming Up Roses in Balmoral and du Monde in Paddington, QLD. Check out more information about the team at The Bowerbird Stories blog.

Images: Old Yarns

Hip Products: Kuber recycled tin decorations

Here's something a little different for the home. Graphic Designer Em from Brisbane uses old metals and plaster to create cool mobiles and decorations for interiors. Her Etsy store Kuber stocks tin "beastie" animals and letters cut from plaster (as well as wire and paper baskets from time to time).

I love the natural corrosion of the tin, making each piece unique. And those beasties are full of character. It's also great to see another local artist using material that is no longer useful for its original purpose - the ultimate in recycling. In fact, most materials used in Em's products have had a previous life. The beasties are made from old flattened corrugated iron, which used to be on top of her chicken coop.

You can find Kuber beasties, letters and baskets in the Kuber Etsy Store. Check out the Kuber blog for behind-the-scenes details and new designs.

Images: Kuber

Hip Products: iamfish eco-friendly stationery

Another great addition to the eco-friendly marketplace is passionate paper goods company iamfish. Based in northern New South Wales, the team at iamfish live and breath their 'fishosophy': Think. Explore. Choose.

Think about the impact of your decisions. Explore the possibilities. Choose to make a difference.

With a desire to bring environmentally friendly products to market, they have launched a great line of stationery including greeting cards, bookmarks and gift tags. All printed on post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based inks using a waterless printing process. And with hip designs to boot, it becomes very easy to choose iamfish for your paper goods needs.

You can find iamfish stationery products at stockists around Australia and online.

Image: iamfish

Hip Products: haul recycled accessories

Made in Victoria and Tasmania, Scott Kilmartin creates cool accessories with plenty of street cred under the haul brand. The beauty of Scott's products are that they are almost entirely constructed from recycled materials including used billboard vinyl, inner tubes and license plates.

You'll find a whole range of hip recycled products including messenger bags, satchels, journals, photo albums, CD holders, aprons, dog collars, notebook covers and sleeves for your MacBook. Look out for the eco-friendly bags and bean bags which have been certified by the Good Environmental Choice Australia. The bean bags are so cool that they grace the bottoms of Google employees in Sydney.

I'm pretty sure that the guy in your life would love something from this range.

You can find haul products on the online store.

Image: haul