Recycling at it's best!

Last year I did a whole series on Recycling/Upcycling and have been fascinated ever since. So whenever I come a cross a shop that does one or both - I have to check it out. Plastique Recreations recycles and makes bags!! How much better could it get?


*Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a air force military brat born in San Antonio, TX. I learned how to crochet at the age of 9. My mom paid a neighbor girl to teach me as a means to keep me out of trouble. After 23 years in the military and tired of traveling, my father retired in Kokomo, IN. I have lived there since my high school sophomore year and lived there for approx 33 years. During this I met and married my husband of 29 years and raised 3 fantastic kids. In June of 2007, my husband and I relocated to Lake City, FL.

*How did you decide on your shop name?
Since our minds visually interpret the written word I wanted individuals to perceive plastic creations in an upscale manner. So I figured the best way to describe plastic in an attractive manner was to not just call it plastic which is when I came up with 'plastique'. And since the plastic is being recreated from it's original form, hence 'recreations'.

Why did you start your business?
For years I have crocheted and knitted plarn items for family, friends and co-workers as gifts, charities, etc.. While living in Kokomo, I developed a clientele whom I designed and created crocheted and knitted items for throughout the years. This provided me with extra spending money. This became non-existent when I moved to FL. By the urging of family and friends, I was encouraged to begin selling my creations online. After extensive googling and research, I discovered Etsy.

*Do you have a blog?
Yes I do - www.plastiqrecreation.blogspot.com

*When did you start crafting?
When I learned to crochet at age 9. I've been crafting for 40 years. I self taught myself how to knit.

*Where do you craft? what does it look like?
I have a sewing room that houses my Janome sewing machine which is my pride and joy together with all my material and acrylic yarn (which hasn't been used for a very long time). My sewing room also houses my organized piles of plastic.

*What would you love to add to your crafting space?
I would luv shelves.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up
My addiction is to rummage through recycle boxes and containers looking for different colors of plastic bags. Most of my supply currently is dominated by brown w/black and brown w/green from Publix and white w/blue from WalMart and Food Lion. So I would luv to receive and gather other colors.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
This market bag/tote: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32760668 means a lot to me because it was the first bag that I made and listed in my shop.

Over the years crafting with plastic, I have learned the harmful affects plastic has on the environment mainly land and sea animals. I have also seen the horrible saturation of plastic bags in the landfill. Both reasons continue to fuel my motivation and drive to do whatever necessary to keep the plastic bags out of the landfill.

I am very much in favor to the banning of plastic bags. However, until this is accomplished, Plastique Recreations will continue to design and create.