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: Ostlund Custom Works

I love meeting new artists, whether it’s online or in person. I’m also fortunate that most of the artisans I meet are just really nice people. I have to thank Shannon of Sweet Stella’s for introducing me to Ron Ostlund, Jr. and his amazing work.

Ostlund Custom Works is where Ron takes junk and turns it into functional art, home décor and high fashion jewelry. He repurposes and transforms scrap metal into some of the most impressive designs I’ve seen.

Statement Necklace - Currently on display at an art gallery  before being shipped to a celebrity stylist

Ron gets most of his jewelry metals from old engraved plates from engraving shops - metals that were on plaques, trophies and discarded pieces that had mistakes or were cut-offs. These metals are mostly aluminum and brass that he is able to sand down to the bare metal to design into earrings. His cuffs are made from metal that he finds in the scrap yard. Only a small portion of the metal he uses is actually new.

Rear Curving Oval Leaf Earrings

Ron is self-taught. He definitely has an eye for fashion, and says that most of what he does actually works like he wants it to! His dream was to start a jewelry line that was perfect for every woman and every style, hence his G2G “Gothic to Glamorous” line.

In his words:
“I knew I needed to do something different to stand out from the crowd so I decided to make scrap metal high fashion. I decided that before I really knew what I was doing! I just decided that’s what was going to happen so I set out to do it.”

I do believe Ron has succeeded!

1.5”Hammered Brass Cuff 

Find Ostlund Custom Works here:
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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!