Recycling T-shirts

I have found another amazing shop that uses recycled materials to make their amazing items! JDStar uses recycled t-shirts to make coasters, pillow covers, scarves and more!

* Where are you from? Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
I come from a middle-class, union-joining down to earth family. I am mostly an introvert that loves being at home and when I’m out, I mostly enjoy listening to others talk. That said, I am a very friendly person and I enjoy talking one on one with people about ideas and making things (anything) better than it already is. I have obsessive spells where I feel the need to make or create. I find that when this happens, it’s best to just go with the flow once I have identified what it is that I want to do. Seeing the colors come together in new patterns is especially satisfying for me which is why I don’t like to recreate or copy previous patterns when I weave.

*How did you decide on your shop name? Why did you start your business?
My shop name is JDStar.Etsy.com. The JD part comes from my name. My first two initials. The Star part just comes from a lifetime obsession with stars. I started my business because I like making things and I was at a loss for what to do with all of the things I made. Starting my business has been a learning experience and I am very glad I did it! I’m still learning and this year I have set my sights WAY high! You know what they say about shooting for the moon. Even if you don’t make it, you’ll land among the stars.

*What got you started in recycling?
I started recycling t-shirts to satisfy my need to group things. I started by collecting t-shirts that fit into a theme and making a blanket out of them. I sold them at craft shows for a while until I was inundated with custom orders. Scarves, bags, coasters and pillow covers later, I’m still recycling to satisfy an urge.

*What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
I have a hard time turning down anything that could possibly be used as an art or craft supply. Probably my biggest downfall is storage. I have a hard time letting go of boxes. I really want to buy plastic tubs and drawers every time I shop, but I know I’ve got more than I need already. What I really need to do is get rid of some of the supplies I no longer use. Things left over from a one-time experiment in crafting…I think we’ve all got them.

*What motivates or inspires you to create?
Obsessive thoughts sometimes. Sometimes it’s the colors I see in the world, sometimes it’s the way the clothes wave on the clothes line. It almost always feels very compulsive though. I feel like I *NEED* to make something.

*Which item in your shop did you enjoy making the most and why?
Probably the one you see the least of, my silk bracelets. It’s therapeutic for me to pull apart the sweaters, spin two colors together and weave the bands. The fiber is so nice to work with and wear it just makes me happy to work with it. It’s just very time consuming and I don’t feel like they are perfect yet so I don’t put it out there much yet. I’m wearing a silk bracelet daily right now to help me think on it and soon I will figure out what will make it seem right.

*Do you have a blog?
I tried blogging but I’m just not a writer. I switched it over to a web site where I could have some static information on where to find me and how to order custom work.
www.JDStar.net

*What is your favorite shop that uses recycled materials, and/or your favorite blog about recycling?
My favorite shop that uses recycled materials is Saralynnmo.etsy.com Yes, this is my BFF, but I love her recycled robot plushies!