KID independent - handmade for kids » repurposed

Sustainable Sunday – Upcycled Dresses by Reborn

{MS} indi — Sat, 28 May 2011 19:00:50 +0000

Today’s feature is a celebration of rich winter colours, adorable dress patterns, old fashioned box pleating, and a healthy appreciation for the environment in which we live. These sweet petites are handmade by reborn in Hawkes Bay, NZ and are a lovely place to start on your hunt for adorable winter frocks.

The reborn collection is made from 100% recycled fabrics with a least five different patterns in each dress. Each creation is a one-of-a-kind and features box pleats on the front and a three button closure on the back. Shipping to Australia is available for around $5 {or $3 within New Zealand}, and designer Odette is happy to make custom styles upon request.

Collecting Feathers – Vintage Pillows

{MS} indi — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:00:07 +0000

If you’re a sucker for a vintage illustration, like me, you’ll love these cute creations by Collecting Feathers. Each groovy pillow that you see below is upcycled from an authentic vintage tea towel {just like the ones Nana used to have} and the designs are retro-tastic!

Collecting Feathers is the crafty creation of designer Nicole Zupanovich. Nicole collects vintage ephemera including papers, linen tea towels, fabrics and books and re-purposes them into bunting, garlands, banners and my favourite, the Nana Pillows!

Each of the Collecting Feathers Nana Pillows feature an adorable printed design on a 100% linen unused vintage tea towel. The tea towels are re-purposed with 100% cotton backing and either pom-pom or tassel trim to create a cool pillow to be adored by a new generation. They make a fab addition to kids room, or a sun room for that matter.

Due to the nature of vintage finds, each Collecting Feathers Nana Pillow is a one-of-a-kind; so if you’d like to see one adorning your home, you’ll have to get in quick before they all vamoose {I love that word!}.

Nini & Wink.. De Ja Vu Dollies

{MS} indi — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:00:14 +0000

When I was a small tyke, we had a lovely neighbour who would make us rag dolls and handmade toys from scrap fabrics every year on our birthday. This was in the early 80s and I still remember them as fondly as though it was yesterday. This week when I discovered Nini & Wink those memories came flooding back…

Nini & Wink {named after Nini and her little sister Wink} is a Melbourne based label who create dolls and toys from recycled materials such as corduroy and denim. Given the nature of the recycled fabrics, each doll is unique in colour and pattern. I quite adore the friendly grins on each of their faces, and their neat little corduroy piggy tails.

This week, a new range of “dress up friends” were introduced to the Nini & Wink collection. Introducing Leo the lion and Penny the hen, you can view them and their friends on the Nini & Wink facebook page.

Nini & Wink handmade dolls are available online through Etsy as well as a selected range of local handmade markets.

Greenie Favourites… in Pink!

{MS} indi — Wed, 26 May 2010 19:00:28 +0000

Happy Thursday! I think it’s about time we had another post to celebrate the work of crafty designers with their eye on the environment. After yesterday’s post, my head is swimming with pretty colours so I decided to blend both together… presenting my current greenie favourites… in pink!

This winter I’m very fond of repurposed wool. It’s such a cool concept to make something new and beautiful from something with a rich history. One of my favourite pieces is the Cashmere Baby Dress by Kellie Noelle Designs. Pair this with tights and a long sleeve tee and top it off with a pair of boots or mary-janes for a classic winter look.

I also adore the Pink Elephant from Vintage Chenille… there is something about chenille that gives me childhood bedspread flashbacks… and makes me feel all warm and gooey inside.

1. Pink + Beige Scallop Cap by Three Fish Shop … 2. Cashmere Baby Dress by Kellie Noelle Designs … 3. Upcycled Lambswool Sweater Pants by Snuggle Pants … 4. Recycled Felt Tooth Fairy Cushion by Pipoca Handmade … 5. Ballerina Ruffle Bodysuit by Gaia Organic Cotton … 6. Organic Chandelier Onesie by Billy Mac … 7. Vintage Button Hair Accessories by Sheeps Clothing … 8. Jenny the Plush Elephant by Vintage Chenille

Little Miss Upcycle + The Healthy Planet

{MS} indi — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:00:33 +0000

Repurposed… recycled… reclaimed… the art of taking something old and unwanted and turning it into something new and treasured! If you have a few sewing skills and a bit of imagination, then why not hit your own wardrobe in search possibilities? If sewing just ain’t your thing, then perhaps you might like to follow my lead and turn to the experts… here’s a taste of what you might find!

The initial inspiration behind this post came from a range of custom recycled dresses that I found recently by indie designer Lillipops. This is a service where you can send in one of Dad’s {or Grandpa’s} old shirts and have it restyled into a gorgeous dress {see image above on the top right hand side for an example}. I think this is such a lovely idea, and it captures the true essence of upcycling; bringing together old memories with new experiences.

Are you a recycling expert? We’d love to hear from you… shoot us an email!

1. Holly Hobbie Dress by Sami Bop … 2. Reclaimed Fabric Hair Bands by Calamity Bolt … 3. Recycled Handmade Dress by Lillipops … 4. Upcycled Rag Doll by Beeper Bebe … 5. Recycled Ruffle Shirt by Dress Me … 6. Recycled and Vintage Pocket Skirt by Little Overcoat … 7. Reversible Baby Shoes by Katt Paws … 8. Upcycled Plush Rabbit by The Fairies Nest