Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Spin A New Tune

With up-cycling and re-cycling finally reaching mainstream consciousness, the arts and crafts community is rocking the cause with ingenuity and style.
These Etsy up-cyclers have found the right notes with their musical recreations.
(Fair warning: there will be many corny musical references in this post!)

BootsNGus gets my ultra fave award for reintroducing the mason jar as stylish speakers.  Visit this eco-chic shop to be wowed by this artist's magical up-cycled home goods.

Place the music close to your ears with these up-cycled music paper earrings by EarthChildArt.  Visit her Etsy shop to see how she transforms ordinary paper into delicate jewels.

 Who isn't in love with the romance of vintage music sheets! StayGoldMedia adds pops of whimsy and hipster images to up-cycled papers to create artwork that sings good vibes.

Old album covers are both artistic and nostalgic.  Retrograndma up-cycles album jackets into sturdy handbags that totally rock!

Mix sewing and music in the up-cycle process?  Yes please! LaurelsArt uses recycled records as her canvas. With a wide range of subject matter, this store is right on key.

Make the music last with functional assemblage art.  Made from piano keys, piano hammers and scrap wood, this Robot sculpture would be the high note of any collection! Swing into Rengaarts to view more of this artist's amazing work.

I think I'm finally out of musical puns but you can make the beat go on by searching up-cycle music on Etsy.

 

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BelaPeckHome

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Blog Party Sunday -- Show Off Your Handmades

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday. We would love to have you show us what you are crafting.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops,  post about it on your  blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.

<a href="http://www.byyourhands.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/ByYourHands/blogparty.jpg">, </a>

Today's Featured Shop -- My Lady Of Gourds

Today's featured shop is My Lady Of Gourds.

In Sue's shop you will find unique handmade gourd and glass art, jewelry and home accessories.


Rustic Gourd Bowl, Southwest Gourd Bowl, Natural Bowl, Planter Bowl

Gourd Pin, Yellow Daisy Gourd Brooch

Birdhouse Gourd Ornament, Holiday Red Gourd Bird House

Rustic Sunflower Pendant, Fused Glass Flower Pendant

Be sure and visit Sue's shop to see all her handmades.   https://www.etsy.com/shop/myladyofgourds

Merry Christmas

All of us at www.byyourhands.com would like 

to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Legend Of The Nutcracker

I think most of us are familiar with the Christmas icon of the Nutcracker. But do you know how the legend of the Nutcracker began? According to the Nutcracker's Collector's Guide this is how the legend of the Nutcracker came to be. So in the realm of the Christmas spirit here is the legend:

Long ago, in the Erzgebirge of Germany, there lived a wealthy farmer who was miserly and lonely. His heart was as hard as the walnuts on his trees! As he had no time for foolishness, the farmer was unable to crack the walnuts and enjoy their tasty meat. So he offered a reward to anyone who could find an easy way to crack the nuts. An old soldier said that he would shoot the nut. A carpenter recommended sawing through the nut. A veterinarian suggested placing the walnuts under a chicken. Surely the walnuts would hatch! Of all the unusual ideas, none were acceptable.

One day, an old puppet carver traveled from Seiffen and presented the farmer with a beautiful wooden puppet. It was painted in bright colors with a large mouth and powerful jaws-big and strong enough to easily crack the hard walnuts! Extremely grateful, the miserly farmer rewarded the entire village. Each year at Christmas, he treated everyone to German fruitcake and painted his walnuts gold to decorate the Christmas tree. And for the puppet carver, the farmer created a special workshop where he could make the most beautiful nutcrackers in the world! Because not only did the beautiful nutcracker crack the walnuts, but it also broke the hard heart of the farmer….so that kindness and generosity would come forth for all.

I have seen Nutcrackers at Christmas time all the time, but I never knew there was actually a legend about them. So now I know...and for those that didn't know before....now you know. :)

I also want to take this time to wish everyone of you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Best wishes for all of you in the new year!

Colleen :)

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries Blog