Showing posts with label shop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shop. Show all posts

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Recycle vs. Upcycle

It’s all well and good to recycle, but even better to upcycle, also known as using re-claimed materials. What is upcycle you ask?
Here’s one of my favorite definitions as defined by The Urban Dictionary “the practice of taking garbage and turning it into frankenstein objects that hippies buy.”
Pretty much it’s making something un-used into a something useful.

You see recycling takes energy, fuel and more materials. Sure you are re-using materials, but you are still polluting in the process. It still takes factories, more materials and resources to make something new from that material.

Ok, so say you have an old shirt that has a hole or stain or just doesn’t fit, but most of the material is still good. Why not re-purpose that material? There are many, many things that can be re-purposed. So the best thing to do, to create a sustainable society? Number one is if you have something that’s in good shape but you no longer have a use for it give it to someone else. That’s what Goodwill and The Salvation Army are for. If the item still has useful parts or material use it for something else. If all else fails, recycle it.

Go Green!!

I also suggest this web site for loads of go green ideas www.treehugger.com.


1. The Preppy Puppy, upcycled dog sweater by The Smiling Frog Pets

2. Tubeway Armies Arm Warmers, by Gaye Adandon

3. Reused Vintage Skirt Tote, by Wordroots

4. Ruffle Paper Bead Necklace, by Hippie Kingdon

5. Recycled Denim Dog Toys, by The Smiling Frog Pets

6. Care Bears Upcycled Dog Hoodie, by The Smiling Frog Pets

7. Lover Boy Owl, by Woolcrazy

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Valentine's Inspirations





Etsy Goodness

1. Love Birds Clutch by CutOutAndCollect

2. Valentine Card - City of Love by irenesuchocki

3. Under Lock and Key by Smilingfrogs

4. Neo Victorian Heart Necklace by bionicunicorn

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Better late than never!

Well, it’s a New Year and better late then never for a new blog post!!

New things have been happening in the Etsy shop.

My friend Ashley Bickford has joined us in our crafty endeavors. We are working on a line of small to medium/large sized dog clothes as well as toys and cat toys.

Ashley and I are both proud mothers of smaller sized dogs who require warm, sensible clothing in the winter. This is Maine, little dogs get cold and wet.





Monday, October 26, 2009

Etsy Goodness



1. String Art Coil Earrings- I admire anyone who can make these earrings. I bought some of these frames and for the life of me I can't figure out how to wrap them right. Love the colors in these. $10.00 and free shipping!

2. HELLO May- Because I always love AshleyG's work.

3. Silver Bobbles- This photo looks like jellyfish in an aquarium.

4. Bobby Pin set- So cute and on sale! Only $9.60

5.Petite Rose Garden The flowers in this necklace are amazing.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Sales, Sales, Sales



And for those of you that are still following my non-existent blog I will be posting more soon. Waiting for my new laptop to arrive, which will make having an online presence so much easier. :)

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Being a smart consumer

So in my quest to become a smart, eco-conscious consumer I purchased a recycled toothbrush a few days ago.



It's made by a company called Preserve, made from Stonyfield Farms yogurt cups as well as other plastics. After you're finished with it they will send you a pre-paid mailer and you send it back to them to be recycled again into picnic tables, boardwalks and decks. It only cost $3.75, which is fairly cheap considering how much all those fancy toothbrushes cost. I feel better using it. It will be one less thing that goes into the trash can.

Think before you purchase. Can this be recycled when I'm done with it? Do I really need it? How was it made, where and by whom?

Watch The Story of Stuff on YouTube. It'll make you think next time you load up your cart with cheap stuff you don't really need at the store or that dreaded big box (Walmart).

The Story of Stuff

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Featured on Etsy's Finds!

Today I'm featured in Etsy's finds: I Wood, Wouldn't You?

My Woodgrain embroidery, which sold rather quickly :)


I have plenty of other goodies in my shop though and everything is buy 1 get 1 half off!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Bunnies, Bunnies, Bunnies

In celebration of upcoming spring, which in my opinion can’t come soon enough, I made bunnies!!

Most of them are made from vintage materials and trims. They’re kind of flat with one ear and no tails.




I’m working on more tops and bags for the shop too. I’ll be putting some things in my Dawanda shop too.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

New Stuff in Shop

NEW STUFF AND A WHOLE LOT MORE COMING EVERYDAY! :)



Sunday, February 1, 2009

Just Some Etsy Awesomeness :)

Saturday, January 17, 2009

I Heart Soap

I'm not a girly girl. I don't wear makeup, I like clothes but don't like to dress up. I like anything camouflage. My hair is usually a mess. I do love good smelling soap however. No matter how unkempt I usually look I do like to bathe!

Here are some of my favorite places to shop for soap.

Anderson Soap Company


Mini soaps! They are the perfect size for gifts and little guest soaps. I had a lot of them, but Adam got a hold of them and somehow he can use a whole bar in one shower. I'm starting to think he eats it.

I also love their Anise soap, smells like licorice. While I hate licorice I love the smell and you smell like licorice after you use it. I bought Adam some PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon Soap), which may have not been a good idea. Now his breath and skin smells like cheap beer, bleh!


Adoration Soap

You need to try the Moroccan Fig Soap. Smelled so good I almost ate it!


Ok, this is shampoo not soap, but it's the best shampoo ever! I don't have anymore which is why my hair looks worse than usual.
Gudonya Salty DAWG Creme Shampoo from Gudonya Soap and Spa, LLC



Trillium Soaps

Trillium is a local soap company. They sell their soaps in a lot of local stores and have a store in Rockland.

68 Crescent Street
Rockland, Maine
207-594-5003

At their store you can get bags of soap ends. Last time I knew it was $5 a bag and you get quite a bit of soap. If you don't care how pretty your soap is that is.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Made some sweet new earrings :)

I got some one part resin or craft lacquer. Anyway last night I made a bunch of earrings with it. They came out so great. I've been scared of using real resin and I really just wanted it to do some little things. This stuff works great. I dreamt all night of things I could do with it. Is that sad?



A few pairs are up in the shop now, the rest will be up later today. :)

Saturday, November 29, 2008



Free shipping in the Etsy shop plus buy 2 get 1 free earrings until the 4th! :)

Plus I am marking everything down to $1 in my supplies shop and lowered the shipping. After everything ends I'm going to start listing any supplies I have in my regular shop. The supplies shop just isn't worth the bother. I'd rather focus on making things.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Promos in the shop!


Earring Promo
Originally uploaded by the_smiling_frog
Promos are now in the Etsy shop. In it are a few business cards to share and a free shipping coupon good on both of our Etsy shops. They're only $1 and free shipping. I'll be adding more later.

Also new stuff! We will be adding new jewelry, belts, clothes, bags and more every week!

Free shipping, get it while it lasts!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

new goodies coming


new goodies coming
Originally uploaded by the_smiling_frog
Lots of new goodies coming I promise. I'm trying to get back into the swing of crafting. I hope I can get sewing again too. My summer gardening job is slowing down, it was a busy summer. I've also been working hard on my house. I have to say I will miss summer, but it will be good to make stuff again and concentrate more on my house.

I will be having some contests to win goodies too so check back :)

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Etsy Shop iadornu

I should have posted this a long time ago, but I've been slacking a lot lately.

Quite a few months ago I traded some supplies from my supply shop with idornu (aka Mary Beth).

She sent me this necklace and one with a robin in it, which I don't have a picture of and another pretty pendant. Her stuff is so gorgeous and creative. I use the same findings I sell and I always find it so interesting to see what others do with the same findings.

So check out her shop, here's a sampling.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Pouches & More! :)


pouches
Originally uploaded by the_smiling_frog




Matryoshka Pouch

This was my first attempt at this style pouch and it came out perfect. My first attempt at this machine embroidered applique too. I will change the colors next time. I running pretty low on rayon thread colors though, so that doesn't help.


This one is made from a curtain weight fabric that I think I got from Goodwill. It's so vintage looking, not sure if it is though. I lined this one with a floral print and added a bunch of vintage buttons to one side.


I added awesome vintage embroidered ribbon to this one and a birdie applique. I love the background fabric. I've had it for years and haven't wanted to cut into it. I think the birds a little dark, but I still like it.


This is more fabric that I think I got from Goodwill. I will cry when this is gone. It has birds on it. I added some vintage twill tape. I think this is my fave.


Here's the inside. I'll be nice and share where I found the instructions to make these. It's such an easy method and looks so professional.

http://www.splityarn.com/split_yarn/2007/06/sew_a_zippered_.html

I have a bizilion 8" zippers so mine are sized a little different. Just adjust it to whatever size zipper you have.

Oh, and here is a hat with some super awesome vintage, printed, Goodwill corduroy.



And Leo sporting some too big leg warmers :)


The pouches will eventually be in the shop. Putting everything on sale now to clean out :)

Monday, July 21, 2008

Trade from paperwaits

I traded some earrings for these goodies from paperwaits (aka Too Many Trinkets)




Two beautiful pendants and two gorgeous pairs of earrings. I have been admiring her shrink plastic work for a while and her artwork of course. Check her out!








Here's what I traded


Sunday, July 13, 2008

Some Lovelies From Etsy and More

Well, I've been working for the past few days. Working my gardening job that is. I made a few new things for the shop. I hope it rains at some point so I can have a craft day and the plants really need it.

Anyway I'm back off to work this afternoon. Still having BOGO earrings in the shop so don't miss out.

Here are some lovelies that I wish I could purchase!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

The Key To The Secret Garden

We're adding a whole lot more to the shop this week. Check out some of the vintage goodies we found!

There's more than you see here too.

I found some sweet vintage fabric I plan to make at least 1 hat out of too and hopefully some grocery bags. :)







The Smiling Frog