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Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Born Again Purses

Born Again Purses is a recycling shop I found on Etsy. They make the most amazing bags, coffee cozies, mittens, accessories etc. out of sweaters and ties. There are two people in Born Again Purses - Alisson and Mellissa, who live in Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada. Please check out their shop - there is an amazing selection of the coolest bags. I did notice that they have a listing for custom orders - they will make a bag for you using your favorite sweater or keepsake!! ( http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7324277 )


How did you decide on your shop name?
Our shop name was created by my co crafter's partner. He thought it would be a cute name since everything in our shop, unless it is destash, is recycled. Thus the items are Born Again.

How long have you been crafting?
We have been crafting since we were just young and I learned from my mother and went on to have a crafty mother in law who enjoyed creating items as well. It is in my blood and also in the environment.


What made you decide to use recycles materials?
We initially saw a pattern that we wanted to try in a magazine using a recycled sweater and I have to say it was far too difficult so we changed to suit our needs. Since then we have created mostly our own patterns and have increased the different items in our shop. We don't want to waste materials so we try to use every last scrap. Also my 7 year old is learning how to make things out of the wool and is using the scraps to create( it is just sweet).

What/who inspires you?
My mother was definitely an inspiration and I enjoyed doing things tremendously with my mother in law as well when she was alive. The extra money we have made from sales here and from other places is used for fun money. This past year we went on vacation with our children and part of the money came from the creation and selling of our purses so that is definitely inspiring for me. I love to travel and spend quality time with my family. They inspire me to get money saved so we can do fun things together!!!

Are there other crafts you would like to try?
I would really like to try to make a rag quilt and crochet a bit better but just have not had the time to do so. Previously I have tried knitting, stitching, and tole painting amoung other crafts.

What is the item in your shop you enjoyed making the most and why?
The fun thing about what we are using right now is that I love working with the material so I really have not one favourite item. I made a his and her Christmas sock last year which was so much fun and it went really well at the craft shows.





16 comments:

  1. Wow. Cute purses. I made purses from jeans and old t-shirts. I love these.

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  2. I love the idea of using your own sweater to make a bag. This seems like a cute idea for old baby clothing.. Then the bag could be used to hold other keepsakes as well. :)

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  4. So creative! What a great idea for an old sweater or shirt!

    ~Kim

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  5. My kind of girls! Reusing is a creative work that takes longer than using new materials, but is so much mor rewarding!

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  6. Very creative! Great interview.

    And to answer the question you commented on my blog, you can see more of the dollhouse on my flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/oohvintage/sets/72157611287224867/

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  7. Very lovely. I have to refrain from buying any more purses though... since I am running out of closet space!

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  8. That is what I call repurposing! Awesome bags!

    xo
    Sophie

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  9. I want to know where they are so I can look them up, live near enough to do this ever rewarding work with them! This is so creative and I love it! Love the recycling ideas! :) Brilliant! :D

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  10. L O V E the bottle/can cooler! Great interview...thanks for sharing!

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  11. Isn't it lovely to see items no longer wanted in their original guise, transformed into something different to be used and treasured all over again. Best wishes. Lesley

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  12. Nice! Quality crafting to repurpose potential waste is a marriage of true love!

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  13. OH! I am loving those born again purses!

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