Inspiration and Collaboration

Collaborating with other artists can be so inspiring! Take, for example, my collaboration with Canadian artist-extraordinaire Shannon Moyer-Szemenyei of Sweet Stella’s.

I’ve known Shannon for a bit now. Having her to brainstorm with has been a wonderful experience. So much so, that we’ve collaborated professionally a number of times. Our most recent collaboration is using hand sculpted buttons, which she is doing exclusively for TDD, as embellishments on my new line eco-fused clutches.

Dubai Decadence Eco-Fused Clutch

Dubai Decadence Eco-Fused Clutch

Coming Soon! A great nautical eco-fused clutch!

And, I can’t wait to get my hands on these!

Want to see more of Shan's work?

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Celebrating Eco{uture}

I had the opportunity to design a bag for Cari Cucksey from HGTV’s Cash & Cari. After messaging with Cari, I found out that she’s a “tote” girl. It was wonderful when she named her bag “The Cash & Cari Tote: A place to stash your cash while treasure hunting”.

It’s a great bag with lots of texture and a zippered pocket. Her initials are embroidered on the pocket as a special touch that she enjoyed.

I hope that she’s getting tons of use out of this special tote.

This tote will be available soon on the website.

Celebrating Eco{uture}

Having the opportunity to design something and send it to a celebrity is a great experience. I’ve been fortunate in having my designs go to a number of celebrities. This is the first in a series where I’ll take you on that journey.

It all started in 2011, when I had a display at the GBK Emmy Awards Gift Lounge. The actress, Catherine O’Hara (known for Beetlejuice and the Home Alone movies) asked if she could have my display purse because she loved it so much. Of course, I said yes!!

Catherine O'Hara

I had also made evening wristlets with vhs tape as press gifts. Nia Peeples saw them and was fascinated. She is the owner of one of the wristlets now. She was also kind enough to pose with my display purse. Penny Marshall’s eye caught the vhs wristlets as well. Turns out she also asked to keep one. I hope they are enjoying them!

Nia Peeples

Nia Peeples showing her VHS tape evening wristlet

And the late Kathryn Joosten who was known for her roles on The West Wing and Desperate Housewives. I was so sad to hear of her passing earlier this year.

Kathryn Joosten

And so it began!

Eco Monday: New Designs coming from TDD

On today's Eco Monday post, I want to introduce you to a new design from TDD! I'm very excited about this new direction (don't worry, I'm still crocheting!).

I've begun to fuse plastic to create "fabric" that can be sewn. This method will allow TDD to offer a larger selection of eco clutches and bags. I'm absolutely thrilled with the texture as it's reminiscent of leather and/or snakeskin, but is totally eco and vegan! See for yourself!

Black and silver fused plastic color block clutch -

Or how about something a little more jazzy like this Orange and lime fused color block clutch?

These new designs will be on TDD's newly revamped website (coming soon). But, if you just can't wait, email at info@tinadeandesigns.com!

Eco Monday: tropAcool

As I continue my Eco Monday series, I'm finding that I am indeed a lucky person to have met so many interesting people who also love upcycling! Laura Fischler is one of those people. Laura's company, tropAcool, caught my eye a while back because the world we live in and taking care of it is of primary importance to her.

Her Hauling Ass Bags are what I first noticed. I mean, how can you not notice a name like that? Superb! Laura's design aesthetic is awesome and her upcycling of materials and fabrics is crazy creative.

Here's one of her Hauling Ass Bags. Can you believe this was once a pair of cargo shorts?

Upcycled Army Green Cargo Tote Palm Trees Recycled Reconstructed Clothing Eco Friendly

And this Messenger Bag is stunning with the appliques. A work of upcycled art, for sure!

Appliqued Recycled Blue Jeans Messenger Bag Upcycled Denim 

Enjoy browsing! I'm sure you'll find something that you can't live without!

Find tropAcool here:
Shop tropAcool
tropAcool on Facebook

tropAcool on Twitter

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day 2012 is fast approaching! What better way to celebrate than to have these super green celebs receive a special Earth Day gift from TDD?

The celebs will be receiving an Eco iPod/Camera/Phone Case. I know that's what I named it, but I'm actually finding all kinds of uses for it! I have two in my own purse, but I digress...

Outer case - 100% hand crocheted plarn (upcycled plastic bags)
Magnetic snap closure, acrylic button

So the big deal? Here they are:

(Top row: Adrian Grenier, Alicia Silverstone, Barbra Streisand, Bill Maher, Cameron Diaz, Courteney Cox.
2nd row: Daryl Hannah, Dave Matthews, Drew Barrymore, Edward Norton, Ellen DeGeneres, Jake Gyllenhaal.
3rd row: KT Tunstall, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Orlando Bloom, P!nk, Rosario Dawson.
4th row: Jeremy Piven, Josh Hartnett, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kate Bosworth.
5th row: Sting, Tom Hanks, Woody Harrelson.)

Let's hope they all enjoy their small sampling of TDD product this Earth Day. :)

TDD is Bringing Hand Crocheted Eco to the Oscars!

Well, actually, TDD products are Oscar-bound! On February 24-25, TDD will have a display piece and swag bag gifts at the GBK Academy Awards Gift Lounge. I will, again, be represented by The Artisan Group, which had a very successful showing at the GBK Golden Globes Gift Lounge (where TDD gifted the press baskets with a bar of Summerfield Soaps' Buttermilk and Carrot Complexion Soap).

I'm very excited that the newly designed eco-friendly Occoquan Tote Purse will be featured as my display piece! Hand crocheted from upcycled/repurposed plastic grocery bags; it's lined and has a zippered pocket. After receiving customer feedback, models after this design will include a snap closure.

The Occoquan Eco Friendly Tote/Purse

The celebrity swag bags will include an Eco Petite Pocket Purse. These little numbers are hand crocheted from upcycled/repurposed plastic grocery bags and have a magnetic snap and a little bling as a button. They are perfect for keeping coins, lipstick/lip balm, and other small items from cluttering the bottom of your handbag.

And so the excitement for my fellow artisans and I will begin in a couple of weeks! Fingers crossed that we all receive some great photos.

600 Facebook Fan Celebration Giveaway

What a great morning! I woke up this morning to over 600 likes! Time to do a celebration giveaway this weekend for a VHS wristlet clutch! I've decided to let the winner choose the lining from those shown in the album of wristlets on FB.

This is the same wristlet that was designed for the GBK Emmy Gift Lounge and also sent to Jessica Alba and Zooey Deschanel.

Follow my blog and comment below to enter. Giveaway closes on Sunday, 11/20 (tomorrow) at 5pm Eastern. Winner will be randomly chosen soon thereafter. Good luck!

UPDATE:
Congrats to our winner!

Jessica Alba and Zooey Deschanel to Receive TDD Eco Evening Wristlets!

To say I'm excited to be included in this special celebrity gifting opportunity via The Artisan Group is putting it mildly. The VHS/yarn eco evening wristlets will be headed to California for inclusion in the bag this week and will be headed to these two fabulous actresses the week of December 1st.

As excited as I am to gift to both ladies, I'm really so thrilled to be gifting Jessica Alba, a fellow Air Force Brat.

Jessica Alba (left) - actress, film and tv
Zooey Deschanel (rt)- actress/singer, currently of "New Girl" on FOX

These wristlets were initially designed as press gifts for the 2011 GBK Emmy Gift Lounge. Both Penny Marshall and Nia Peeples spied them and asked to take one home.

Here are the wristlets, with cotton cheetah print lining, that are going into these two special bags:

I hope they enjoy!

Help My Eco Business get a Grant to Expand

I decided to post about my trying to win a $25,000 grant from Intuit's Love a Local Business Program. The grant is given every month, but the voting goes in three month cycles, so businesses can expand on their votes. The ending date for this cycle is December 31, 2011. There's no sign up to vote, and you only need to vote once. If you vote, you should put your name or business name in the space provided before your comment (otherwise it looks like I'm voting for myself multiple times and the votes are kicked out).

So what would I use this grant for? I could pay more people to make plarn for me which, in turn, would free up crazy amounts of time to crochet and design and enable me to make more product available. Having multiple people making plarn would also benefit them, as they will be making extra money AND make a small dent in the number of plastic bags floating around in landfills. I would also be able to pay a seamstress in order to offer more bags that are lined.

So, with all that said, I'd so appreciate your vote for my business. Here's the direct link:
http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/pages/fan?b_id=293352

Thanks so much!

Emmy Gift Lounge Excitement Wrap-Up -- Part 2

As promised, here's Part 2 of my wrap-up. Better late than never!

The Gift Lounge wasn't just a ball of excitement for me, but also for my fellow artisans. Here are some of their shots. :)

Jeff Probst w/ Sweet Stellas

Rico Rodriguez w/ AJ Sweet Soap

Maria Canals-Barrera w/ Atutudes

Wes Ramsey w/ Fancy Designs

Beverley Mitchell w/ Bellaroma

The Artisan Group table at the 2011 GBK Emmy Gift Lounge

View all the pictures on The Artisan Group Facebook page.

Here's a list of all the display participants where you should consider doing some of your holiday shopping from: :)
http://www.zazzle.com/beezkneez
http://www.13blackcatsdesigns.com/
http://www.makeitmineparties.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlefreeradical
http://www.zazzle.com/fancybelle
http://www.autumnbradley.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ajsweetsoap
http://www.bellaromaboutique.com/
http://www.doodlehouse.com/
http://www.rezipit.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/IlenePriceDesign
http://www.etsy.com/shop/atutudes
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LCVintageJewelry
http://www.thelonelypixel.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ellemoss
http://www.etsy.com/shop/thelightfantastic
http://www.ocstylescreations.etsy.com/
http://www.aromatichealthshop.ca/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/papermusedesigns
http://www.seeingisbelieving.etsy.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetstellas
http://www.strandedtreasures.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wagsandwiggles
http://www.honeyprint.com/

Saving Some Money on Detergent

One of the things that I've done for my family to save money is make my own laundry detergent and dishwasher detergent.  Now, I have tried making my own liquid soap (which looked quite gelatinous - read more practice needed), and also toothpaste which I got way too much salt in, so more practice needed there, too.  BUT, the two things that are a major savings to the family are the detergents.

There are a number of recipes on the web, but I'll share the ones that I find the easiest (both are powder).

Laundry Detergent
2 cups grated soap (I use Ivory)
1 cup washing soda (You can find Arm & Hammer Washing Soda in some grocery stores)
1 cup borax

Easy peasy - Use a couple of tablespoons for a load, or more if you've got a large load washer like me.  I also like to triple the recipe so I don't have to make it as often.  I've got two boys and a husband who create lots of laundry.

I store the detergent in a large plastic container, the kind you put left-overs in.

Cost: About $.03/load vs. about $.30/load of commercial detergent.

Dishwasher Detergent
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup citric acid

Use 1 Tbsp per load.

Ok, I cheat on this one and skip the citric acid.  I put vinegar in the compartment where the JetDry goes instead.

I store this in an old large peanut butter jar, and keep it handy under the sink.

I hope these little things help!  You'll notice a difference in your pocket, for sure.

Cost: You'll get double the loads and save around $.05/load for a few minutes of work.

Want more money saving ideas?  Click the icon below!

Emmy's Blog to Blog Giveaway!

There's a huge blog-to-blog giveaway happening right now!

If you want a chance to win $950 worth of swag, get the details on Fancy Designs blog!

Have fun!

Emmy Gift Lounge Excitement Wrap-Up -- Part 1

The excitement of being in the GBK Emmy Gift Lounge was unbelievable. Of course, when I wanted to do this post, I wound up catching some creeping crud from Andrew (my 12 year old). I'm still trying to recover, but wanted to congratulate my fellow artisans for a job well done! Our table was quite impressive, and we received great feedback.

I was particularly enthused, not only about hearing that Penny Marshall took home a clutch and Catherine O'Hara took home the display purse, but also that Nia Peeples took home a clutch as well. I am also loving the photographer assigned to The Artisan Group for capturing some great posed photos and some great candid shots as well.

Catherine O'Hara loved the eco purse so much, she took it home!

Nia Peeples - currently of Pretty Little Liars

Kathryn Joosten - of Desperate Housewives & The West Wing

Nia Peeples decked out in TDD's purse, AJ Sweet Soap's Banana Split Sundae (and you can see Atutudes tutu in the background).

The Artisan Group Founder Valerie Guerrero explains to Nia Peeples that the clutches are made of vhs tape & yarn.

Nia Peeples showing a friend the clutch.

Beverley Mitchell - of 7th Heaven - finds out that the purse is made of plarn.

Here are some quotes I received on my product:

"That's amazing! Out of grocery bags? Whole Foods, I see." -- Jennifer Carpenter (of Dexter)

"Oh, my God! That's incredible!" -- Cloris Leachman
"This is awesome! This is fantastic! Look at this! Can you believe it's made out of bags?!" -- Nia Peeples
"Oh, I love that!" -- Jason Isaacs (of the Harry Potter films & the upcoming film Abduction)

So that wraps up an amazing ride that was the GBK Emmy Gift Lounge. My next post will focus on my fellow artisans who were there, too. :)