Time Travel Thursdays – Grab These Bags

I love all things vintage, retro, and kitsch… which is why I dedicated Thursday’s blog posts to a bit of a wander down memory lane. Today’s post is in the bag, so to speak. I found a bevvy of beautiful handbags, totes, clutches, and purses made with re-purposed, re-cycles, and up-cycled items from the past, that makes them not only fabulously chic and fun, but truly one of kind scene-stealers. I am a bag lady, I collect bags and purses, more than I could ever use. Here are some of my favorite bags, all found on Etsy, that tell a story all by themselves.

Alice in Wonderland Book Purse by Kelly Mitchell, The Write Stuff Design on Etsy.

1950s Chic Cocktail Handbag – Upcycled Vinyl Record Bag, Retro Fabric and Lucite Handles by Charlotte Dymock, Tuppence Ha’penny Vintage on Etsy.

VHS Case Handbag – Retro, upcycled. Many Titles by Robyn, Red Zebra Designs on Etsy.

DAMASK – 100% Recycled Upcycled Suit Tote Bag by Dandy Florence, Dandy on Etsy.

Chutes & Ladders Gameboard Handbag by Mugwump on Etsy.

Recycled vinyl banner – Shoulder Tote – Retro Doctors Bag – Diaper Bag – Eco Purse – Pop Art by seen1 on Etsy.

Record Album Purse featuring Madonna, Pink Patent Leather by Brinda Kay, Vindicated Vinyl on Etsy.

Pink & Blue XL Tape Measure Wallet – Upcycled Vinyl/Metal by David, Home Made Karma on Etsy.

Vanity Case – Vintage Upcycled Fifties Style Luggage – Alternative Handbag or Purse by Emily Holmes, Love. Mimo on Etsy.

Brown Herringbone Wristlet Upcycled from a Suit by Groundsel on Etsy.

Retro Record Tote by Sophie Blanc, My Little Gumnut on Etsy.

Necktie Bag: An Eco-friendly and Upcycled Purse in Brown and Royal Blue by Josée, Cul de Sac on Etsy.

Billy Joel Glass Houses Record Album Purse by Tracey, Reinvented Vinyl on Etsy.

Handmade Purse Made With Recycled Caribou Coffee Bags Upcycled Repurposed by Lisa Z., Green Designs by Lisa on Etsy.

I choose to highlight these bags in particular because they are lovely, colourful, imaginative, and really unique. Each of the highlighted shops offers so many versions and options on this theme, you really need to take a closer look. Bags really are an accessory that you just can’t go wrong with. Bags fit anyone, no matter their dress size, and they can add pizzazz to any look. No gal would ever say no to a great purse from their Valentine Sweetheart, so get shopping! Shop for yourself, shop for a friend, or just “window” shop and see what’s out there in the fabulous community of artist on Etsy.

Sweetness Sundays – Huggable Lunch

Today’s featured “Sweet” items are truly appetizing, delicious, and absolutely calorie free. What, you may ask could possibly be all that and a bag of chips? Food themed Pillows and Plush, toys, and trinkets, of course. These are the gastronomic delights you can set down on the couch and take into the bed, no mess, no spills, no crumbs, all fun. All of these sweet, sour, and savory treats are handmade with love by some very special artists and available to “Nom” on in their Etsy Shops.

The first pillows I pounced on are by diffraction FIBER, how could I resist the yummy factor of the adorable Made for Each Other Pillow Set featuring everybody’s favorite dynamic lunch duo, PB&J. These pillows are constructed from Eco-Felt which is created entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Maybe you are more of a savory fan? Grab a stack of these pillow and you can turn your humble sofa or couch into the Deli of your dreams. The BLT Five Pillow Set includes the must have Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato one two slices of bread.

Don’t forget the condiments, yes diffraction FIBER has thought of everything, offering you your Ketchup and Mustard Packet Pillows to go along with a sandwich or as stand alone scene stealers. If you are a sushi fan, you can even get your Soy Sauce fix.

Don’t worry if you are more the “Breakfast for Lunch” type, you can get your Sunny Side Ups with a side of silly with the Blue Plate Special Pillow Set. Beth Cummings, proprietress of diffraction FIBER includes washing and care instructions, dimensions of each items, and other details with each listing. Each pillow or pillow set is sold separately, combined shipping is available for multiple items.

There is no shortage of edible pillows, plush, and other items on Etsy, and here is a little round-up of some of my other favorites that are ready to eat. I suppose that makes them all “pret a manger”, how very fabulous! Check them out below, Etay Shop details follow each image. For more pillow sized items;

Deluxe Pillow, Yummy Fries created by mymimi, check out this item and more in the mymimi Etsy Shop.

Pickle Pillow Plush, Made To Order by Higginstuff, The Higgenstuff Shop on Etsy.

For a custom made desert experience, head over to Whymsies! by Marjorie Dade on Etsy, where you can order up custom Ice Cream Cone and Cupcake Pillows in a variety of colours and, er, flavors.

For something a little smaller, try this hilarious Spanish Green Olive Plush Food, he will certainly shake up your next martini party. Jacki of Kamloops, B.C. Canada has created some of the most brilliant play food friends I have ever seen, all available in her cheekily named Etsy Shop, Plush Off. Beyond this savory little pal, Jacki also offers a selection of fruit, veggies, and sweets for you cuddling pleasure.

Bartlett Pear Plush Food by Plush Off on Etsy.

Pink Candy Ball Plush Food by Plush Off on Etsy.

My final touch of Sweet this Sunday comes in the form a a very functional and whimsical pin-cushion for all you sewing enthusiasts out there. The Sunny Side Up Pin Cushion is offered at Elizabeth Gray’s Felty Forest on Etsy [Note: the frying pan part of the display and is not included]. Now you are all set to stitch up your own huggable lunch. So go ahead and play with your food, cuddle it at bedtime, and give it a hug every now and then. You get to have your Sweetness and you don’t have to worry about cleaning up messy plates!

Strange Stuff Saturdays – Kooky Creatures

It’s hard to define what makes something truly strange, or at least strange enough for a Strange Stuff Saturdays post. What I might think of as strange may be quite ordinary to someone else, and knowing when something goes beyond strange and into disturbing territory is similarly a personal perspective. I am willing to bet, however, that we can all agree on the items in today’s showcase. These are truly odd in the most fabulous sense; they are whimsical, creative, upcycled items that rarely are found outside a child’s toy box. The circus has come to town, so to speak.

Decorative figure Boxer – The Strange Planet created by The Good Machinery, in Rimini, Emilia Romagna, Italy. These bright and whimsical animals will bring a punch of color to any room or work-space. Check out this Etsy Shop for some truly stunning upcycled toy animals and collect a menagerie of fabulosity.

Bring the prehistoric back to life by snagging yourself a Run 2 The Wild Live Dinoterrarium. These uniquely upcycled dinosaur toys feature glass mini-terrariums with live Kentucky Moss inside. They can be opened for watering and include full care instructions. Berea, Kentucky resident and Etsy Shop owner Kourtney has created a truly Green use for these colourful dinosaurs.

Even though it is just past the holidays, some ornaments can be displayed year-round and this shimmering hippo is one of the above. Meant to adorn your festive tree, and tied with a ribbon, yarn, jingle bell, and star charm Little Plastic Menace offers this Bronze Plastic Hippo Ornament and other wonderful decorative beasts. Just one of Barbara Hart’s Etsy Shops, you just have to see what this Buffalo, New York artist is up to.

LizAArt, another Etsy Shop, offers necklaces, wall-hangings, scarves, folk art and more in a variety of styles from the ridiculous to the sublime. This Leaping Lizard Necklace features three plastic wrigglers, and a bounty of beads in Jasper, Unakite, and Howlite. Definitely a statement necklace if I ever saw one. I am just not certain what that statement is exactly. And speaking of Jewelry, check out the images and shop lists below to spot more of this quirky wearable strange stuff.

Gold Fishey Go Earrings by Pussycat [Hot Chick Psychics] on Etsy.

Gold Crush Dinosaur Necklace by Lapineau on Etsy.

Camel Brooch by Plum August on Etsy.

Puppy Necklace by Ultra Horse on Etsy.

Purple Turtle Ring by PURPLEGUN on Etsy.

Half a Bandit Earrings by Uncle Fun on Etsy.

The final fab item for this Saturday is really attractive, and that is a scientific fact considering it uses magnets. Upcycled plastic animals become magnetic photo or memento holders with the help of Gallivanting Girls Vintage Home on Etsy. Check out this The Wolf Vintage Animal Magnet Photo Holder and others like it and bring new meaning to the term “Animal Magnetism”.

While we have all likely all spotted a little boy walking his toy dinosaur through his mother’s garden or been *cough* entertained by the little girl trotting her rubber horses up the arm of your chair as you wait in for your doctors appointment. Maybe you have watched your own children toss around plastic sea creatures in the tub. The genius here is turning these items from toss-away plastic or rubber toys and thinking fabulously outside the box, instead turning them into sculptural art, functional and funny terrariums, or terrific and whimsical wearables. It may just make you think twice about passing up that 25 cent plastic giraffe at the next yard sale or swap meet, and there is nothing strange about that at all.

Time Travel Thursdays – Smashing Plates

Thursdays here at Foraging For Fab celebrate everything Retro and Vintage, gathering great memories from our own past and the iconic era’s that preceded us. This week I asked the question, “Where do old License Plates go to die?”. I imagine some are hung on the walls of random garages, some are reclaimed and recycled, others just get lost along the roadside. But when you think about it, they are pieces of history, they tell us about car culture and the places we have lived, and they are treasured memories of past Car Loves to some. When it comes to License Plates, it seems an awful shame to send them all to the scrap pile to be turned into yet another metal something or other, that’s why I was thrilled to spot these shining examples of upcycled art by the Recycled Art Company of Niceville, Florida.

In their Etsy Shop, the Recycled Art Company has no less than 200 examples of how old License Plates can be not only useful, but also beautiful and functional. There are smashing works of art, whimsical ornaments, functional pieces of furniture, and wonderful word blocks. You can deck out your cottage or vacation home, spruce up your place of business, or add a personal touch to a baby’s room. There is no better gift for the Car Enthusiast in your life, and prices range from under $20 USD to over just over $1800.00 USD for the most intricate and large items, such as this amazing “Original United States Map” where each State shape is actually made out of the License Plate that it represents.

So definitely add this Etsy Shop destination to your trip-tick or GPS, and stop to check out all the fab work by this upcycling upstart. And before you ask, they do take custom consignments, all you have to do is drop them a line with a request and they will work with you on creating the perfect one-of-a-kind personal “Smashing Plate” art piece you desire.

Motley Mode Mondays – Go Berserk!

I have always loved my city, I am proudly Canadian and equally proudly Torontonian, or as the kids say, being from the T.Dot. One of the things I love about Toronto, especially Downtown Toronto, is that is has the feel of New York City, but the friendliness of a small town. It also has the one-of-a-kind unique spots that make it something more. When I lived and worked in the heart of the city, I spent oodles of time walking around and exploring the shopping districts, from the high-end Fashionista draw of Bloor Street, to the Hipster fabulous Queen Street West.

It is on Queen Street West that one of my most favorite shops of all time resides, and it has been there for as long as I can remember venturing into the City. It is about 25 years fabulous, and that is largely due to Owner Kingi Carpenter’s brilliance. Peach Berserk is the place to go if you are a one-of-a-kind girl living in a one-of-a-kind World. Why is this dress shop so fabulous, why is it still the most amazing destination for gals looking to stand out from the crowd? Simple, it’s one of a kind wearable art that you can have a hand in creating, literally.

Peach Berserk offers hand silk-screen printed fabrics with fabulous original prints designed by the ingenious Ms. Carpenter, turned into amazing dresses and separates, also original designs and patterns created at Peach Berserk. That was a mouthful, but I think it captures the full flavor of the “Peach”. Not only can you buy items in-store, but you can order custom created items by selecting the colors, prints, and style of your choice. With over 200 unique prints available, the options are endless. Printed on Cotton or Silk with Earth friendly inks, the store has always been Eco-Friendly. Never a place of waste, Peach Berserk has never handed shoppers yet another land-fill destined plastic bag, instead packaging up your prized purchase in a fabric bag made from scraps and remnants.

The online Peach Berserk “Dress Designer” is the ultimate in geek meets chic. The tool reminds me of playing with my Fashion Plates toy back in the late 70s and early 80s. Pick a top, a sleeve, a skirt style, a print or two, and a colour palate, and presto – you have the ultimate in Funky Couture Joy that won’t leave you bankrupt. Although Peach Berserk is the go-to destination for the perfect Prom Dress for the Funky Diva, it also offers styles that women of all ages going to all sorts of places can adore. Sizes range from XXS to XXL, and the shop also offers some specific customization options on selected items, for instance this super “Happening Hoodie” can be made in shorter or longer versions.

Unique items, handmade by people who care about the environment usually has me “at hello”, but make those items bright, beautiful and personal and you have my heart forever. Located at 507 Queen Street West, near Spadina Avenue in the grungier area of the “Fashion District”, you can walk into the original “Peach Pit” and get a gander at the fabulousness in person. If you aren’t lucky enough to live in Toronto, and can’t plan a trip fast enough, the online store offers just as much if not more eye-candy. But the fab doesn’t stop there, Peach Berserk also offers a workshop in silk-screening, so you can not only learn the craft from the best, but also learn to truly appreciate the art and skill involved.

Check out the original Peach Berserk in Toronto, or online at Peach Berserk. You can also get a load of the personality and latest news on the Peach Berserk Blog. Hot of the presses is the news that our nations capitol has gone “Berserk” with a Peachy offerings now available at Funk Your Junk located at 110 Parent St at Murray, in Byward Market, Ottawa, Ontario. Below you can see just a small sample of a few favorite Kingi Carpenter prints in just a few of the dozens of colour options, to check out all the 100+ options simply grab this link to Fab!

Links:

Peach Berserk Online Store

Peach Berserk Blog

Location:

Peach Berserk – Fabric & Fashion Design

507 Queen St. W.

Toronto, ON

M5V 2B4

CANADA

Phone: 416-504-1711