August 29, 2011

A Soy Candle Tute~ Part 2 from Upcycled Stuff

Soy Candles in an Upcycled Jar

As promised, I have part two of my tutorial for making soy candles in upcycled jars to share with you.  If you missed my recent post on all of the benefits of soy vs. other candle waxes or part one of this tutorial please be sure to take a look before you begin. And the disclaimer:  I am a crafter who loves to play with trash, I am not a expert candle maker so please do your research before attempting to make your own candles :)

When I first started to experiment with different ways to incorporate upcycling in the candle making process, this is what my set up looked liked: 




This make shift double boiler set up worked and is fine if you're making a few candles for yourself or friends. Each of the tin cans is intended to hold a different scent wax.  I've since ditched the double boiler setup and opted for the microwave.  SO much easier!  We'll still use the individual cans when it comes time to add scent, but the wax will be melted in a larger quantities in the microwave first.

Now that you've gathered all of your supplies listed in Part 1 of this tutorial we are ready to begin, just head over to Upcycled Stuff for detailed instructions!



August 27, 2011

The Results Are In ~~Summer Fades To Fall~~

'~~Summer Fades To Fall~~ Upcyclers August Team Challenge' by collagical

Our votes are in and MelloStuff's Leaves of Change Brooch won First Place in the Industrial Category! Which is your favorite??Please note~ add'l items were added for the purpose of composition!


Leaves of Change Brooch
$25.00

Alice Book Pendant/Cha...
$15.00

Recycled China Bird Fee...
$60.00

Pair of Repurposed Vint...
$250.00

Orange 'Dreamsicle ...
$56.00

button rings in copper ...
$75.00

Flower of the Sun Ring
$33.00

Wind Chime Upcycled Win...
$18.00

Pop Tab Hobo Bag - Brow...
$150.00

agate carnelian literar...
$24.00

Recycled Paper Bead nec...
$32.99

REVAMPed Vintage Glorio...
$21.50

Repurposed Upcycled Rec...
$437.80

Statement Necklace - Ba...
$45.00

Multi-Colored delicate ...
$14.00

Table Lamp: "PEACE...
$42.99

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.


'~~Summer Fades To Fall~~ Upcyclers August Team Challenge' by collagical

Our votes are in and 4EweDesigns' Orange Ruffle Tote Purse won First Place in the Organic Category! Which is your favorite??


Recylced Vintage Chenil...
$35.00

Baby's First Paleon...
$51.00

Game Day Wallet/Pouch, ...
$12.00

Reusable Produce Bags (...
$6.50

Hows Things Growing Upc...
$25.00

Navy Plaid Upcycled Jou...
$22.00

Upcycled Felted Wool Sw...
$350.00

Orange Ruffle Tote Purs...
$50.00

August Team Challenge -...
$1.00

Orange and red tote bag...
$8.50

Sunflower Teapot Garden...
$65.00

Real Butterfly Wing Rep...
$43.78

Cardigan wrap sweater L...
$127.00

Fabric flower bouquet -...
$70.00

Fall Bee Hive Wall Art ...
$25.00

CHRISTMAS CRAFT KIT - N...
$2.49

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

August 26, 2011

Weekly Giveaway: Yellow Trailer!

No, we are not giving away a Yellow Trailer, lol! That's the whimsical and intriguing name of the Etsy shop that's sponsoring this week's giveaway! But before we reveal our fantastic item~ Let's announce last week's winner: {sound of drum roll and fanfare here}

#79~ MILA Our thanks to Random.org for choosing for us, so we don't have to!
We don't have your email, Mila~ so please contact Beth by sending a convo to her
Beach Glass Shop as soon as possible to claim your prize and provide our very kind and generous sponsor with your shipping address. Our thanks to all of you who entered~ and there were MANY of you!

And now we will show you this week's giveaway: You can win your choice of any keyboard letter handcrafted into a necklace from Yellow Trailer!


I know, AWESOME, right?? I love typewriter jewelry and was so excited when Mary offered one to our readers! Her profile is such a hoot that I realized I couldn't describe her any better than she already has, so here, in her words is "Something about Mary":

"Yellow Trailer is the result of being downsized from my employer of 20 years. I'm too young to retire, too old to hire, had both knees replaced and I'm still discovering the artist hidden in my bones. I work with silver, old typewriters, glass, copper, fabric, shovels, pvc pipe, big hammers and dirt. I make items from recycling everyday utensils and tools. The yellowtrailer hauls all my 'stuff' to markets and fairs.
I also discovered my talent for finding and selling, vintage... anything, which I also do at markets, in an antique booth at a local mall and on eBay. 
That's how I eke out a living and for the first time I actually enjoy my work. I also enjoy fishing all the Great Lakes of Michigan with my husband of 40 years.We've been best friends, forever. And of course I can't forget the cats Amos & Andy who so generously allow me to cater to their every whim, clean their poop box and live in their house. :)
All the artistic jewelry - bracelets, garden art and windchimes are made exclusively by me. I'm not looking to get rich, just an unemployed Grandma enjoying life and getting by."

Don't you just love it? I've been up to that area and can imagine how amazing her life must be, except of course I don't envy the winter, lol! Here's a little peek at her shop:







I love the upcycled Solar Powered Mason Jar lights, recharged by the sun and easily carried anywhere, they can create enchanted lighting in your garden or be used for practical purposes. Mary said they came in handy recently during a power outage!

You can order custom typewriter key jewelry and other creations from Yellow Trailer as well, so if you don't see quite what you want, just ask Mary and the two of you might just be able to conjure something up especially made for you! She will even create jewelry from your own pieces of heirloom or cherished silverware.

So now to enter~
First you must be a follower of Love 2 Upcycle to enter~ not a follower? Just look to the right and click on the 'Follow' button! But don't leave a comment for doing that!

Then you can submit up to 4 entries, each must be entered HERE in a separate comment for each entry. 
If you don't have an email listed in your profile, please leave it in one of your comments!


1. Browse, Like and Favorite YellowTrailer on Etsy!
2. Tweet or Like your favorite item in Mary's shop and tell us here which item it was.
3.  Become a fan of Upcyclers on Facebook and leave a comment with a link to Yellow Trailer on our wall!
4. 'Tweet' or 'Like' this Giveaway using our Like or Tweet button or Share a link to our Giveaway on your Facebook fan page. 
***One more option: You can pin one item from Yellow Trailer on Pinterest with the description "Yellow Trailer on Etsy"! But remember you still can only enter 4 times!

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 31st at Midnight.
The WINNER will be randomly drawn and announced with the next Giveaway!

Good Luck!
 

Would you like to Sponsor a Giveaway on Love 2 Upcycle? You don't have to be a member of Upcyclers to be a sponsor, all Etsy sellers of upcycled or eco-friendly products are welcome! But of course, we'd love for you to join the team!

August 24, 2011

A Soy Candle Tute~ from Upcycled Stuff

We're looking forward (especially me, lol!) to the return of Valerie's weekly series, 'Meet and Greet' on Sept. 7th, but for now we are very grateful to Tricia from Upcycled Stuff for her guest post!

 Preparing for Soy Candle Making

A while back, on my blog~ Upcycled Stuff,  I promised a soy candle making tutorial.  Well, I have taken my time to really find the most efficient and earth friendly way to present this overwhelming amount of information.  In fact, I find it so overwhelming that I will be presenting this tutorial in a 2-part blog.  In order to incorporate your upcycled elements you will have to do a bit of work to gather your supplies so I thought that I would start there.


Pure soy candles have a very low melting point.  That means that, unlike paraffin, the entire top of your candle becomes a pool of melted wax when the wick is burning.  For this reason, pure soy candles need to be housed in a container.  This is the fun part!

Start collecting glass containers from anywhere you can find.  In the picture to the right you'll see that I have a B&M baked bean jar, sake cups, water goblets and some miscellaneous heart shaped containers.  Most of these were yard sale items and many mismatched pieces that wouldn't find much use elsewhere.  A word of caution when selecting your containers:  If you pick clear glass, I recommend selecting glass that is textured.  Why? Wet spots will happen, even in soy candles sold in retail stores.  Don't worry, there is nothing wrong with your candle and it isn't actually wet, it will just look like the wax didn't ever dry in one spot.  It isn't very pretty and it will bug you, the texture disguises it.

You'll also want to start collecting containers for mixing and melting your wax.  Soy wax is super easy to melt in the microwave....yes, the microwave!  So hit the thrift shops and yard sales in pursuit of large glass measuring cups.  You can not only melt your wax in these but they are easy to pour from as well.  Plastic will start to deform as it holds that hot liquid so definitely stick with the glass.


I found it easiest (after trying many different methods) to melt all of my wax in one container and then pour it and any essential oils in separate containers.  The containers that I chose were upcycled as well.  I saved coffee cans and other large tin food containers.  Be very careful that you take a minute to file down the sharp point that is formed at the location where you snapped the lid off.  It is really sharp and you'll feel it when you're cleaning up.  The cans are also really easy to tap with a hammer to form a pouring spout, kind of like the one on the coffee can to the left.

What else will you need? Head over to 'Upcycled Stuff' to find your "shopping list"! 

Tricia promises to meet us back here this weekend for Part 2, so get your supplies together and we'll see you soon!

August 19, 2011

Weekly Giveaway: Beach Glass Shop!

I am so excited about this week's Giveaway~ not just because I am back and actually online, lol~ but also because this giveaway is AMAZING! August is one of our stormiest months so I have resolved myself to "Go with the FLOW!" and not worry, but I probably need to attribute that to my unexpected and necessary visit to my Dad's, who just so happens to live in Key Largo!! Woohoo!

All that said...

Beach Glass Shop is sponsoring a beautiful piece for YOU to win!


 
Beth from Beach Glass Shop calls this creation: Beach Bliss!
Found on the shores of Lake Erie, this is a beautiful piece of frosted white beach glass measuring 1 1/2" from the top of the wire bail. It has been delicately wrapped with non-tarnish artistic wire, with stunning blue AB Swarovski crystals and sterling silver spacer beads added. An 18" sterling silver plated necklace is included.

Beth spends the summer months walking the beaches of Lake Erie, looking for beach glass, porcelain and shoreline findings. These pieces become fabulous beach glass jewelry, lamps, trays and anything else Beth's imagination comes up with! She also prides herself in being well versed in the historical lore of beach glass and the mystery of it's origin. Drilling the pieces is part of Beth's skills and she offers that service to anyone lucky enough to find their own Beach Glass treasures! All you have to do is contact her for a quote on your custom creation. But first, be sure to browse her shop because she has SO many OOAK creations ready for you to choose from!











 So by now, I have no doubt you are in love with Beth's creations and you just want to enter!

SO...First you must be a follower of Love 2 Upcycle to enter~ not a follower? Just look to the right and click on the 'Follow' button! But don't leave a comment for doing that!

Then you can submit up to 4 entries, each must be entered HERE in a separate comment for each entry.


1. Browse, Like and Favorite BeachGlassShop on Etsy and favorite an item then tell us here which one!
3.  Follow Beth's Blog! ~ Beach Glass Shop
4. 'Tweet' or 'Like' this Giveaway using our Like or Tweet button or Share a link to our Giveaway on your Facebook fan page.

Deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 24th at midnight.
The WINNER will be randomly drawn and announced with the next Giveaway!

Good Luck!
 

Would you like to Sponsor a Giveaway on Love 2 Upcycle? You don't have to be a member of Upcyclers to be a sponsor, all Etsy sellers of upcycled or eco-friendly products are welcome! But of course, we'd love for you to join the team!