Viewed a video or clicked on a link in a blog but not sure which one? Find it here. Brief descriptions provided. Name of blog in parenthesis after link.
Techniques
The basic idea of making a basket out of plastic bags. Shows how to make “plarn” (plastic yarn) and how to start basket. (Nothing New Under the Sun)
Review of different types of plastic and some of their qualities. (Muses and Materials)
How to change colors of your plastic by using an iron to change the length of the loops you are using. (Patterns and Designs)
Very complete tutorial about how to make patterns on coil baskets. Crafty Patti doesn’t use plastic, but her videos are high quality and easy to follow. And her products are lovely. (Patterns and Designs)
Weaving plastic rugs on a loom made with nails. This video is clear and complete. Very nicely filmed and edited. (You have to break a few pots, Working in two directions)
Another video showing how to weave on a loom. This video uses more fabric scraps than plastic, but provides some good information about looms. (You have to break a few pots)
How to construct a simple loom using lumber and nails. Another very clear and complete video. (You have to break a few pots, Working in two directions)
How to weave coffee bags. The YouTube channel Ruutupunontaa is created by an amazing Finnish artist. Her work is lovely and the videos well made and easy to follow. (Spreading my wings)
How to fuse plastic film into thicker sheets of usable plastic. Brothers Make is a YouTube channel and website created by two brothers in the UK. Their cottage industry sells items made from recycled plastic – mostly bottle tops. The production of most of their items requires special equipment, but they did a video on how to make thick, colorful sheets of usable plastic with simple household materials. (Spreading my wings)
How to locker hook (part one and part two). This tutorial demonstrates with fabric and yarn, but I have been able to successfully use plastic “plarn” for all parts of the process. (Days of Discovery)
Muses (inspirational artists, art work and organizations)
Washed Ashore website. Information on Angela Haseltine Pozzi and her organization. (Muses and Materials)
Washed Ashore movie. Beautifully filmed and inspiring story about Ms. Pozzi. (Muses and Materials)
Guernica by Pablo Picasso. This work is considered by many to be one of the strongest anti-war pieces of art created. Read what Khan Academy has to say about the piece. (Recycling Successes)
Banksy’s Raft of the Medusa. Street artist Banksy makes a statement about country’s attitudes toward immigration. (Recycling Successes)
Carl Christensen and the Lake Flora Band. My son and his band. Carl has been greatly encouraging to me as I go on this journey to make art from trash. He also was the first person to sell any of my work for me at his merch table. (For Love or Money)
Dented Brick Distillery. Owned and managed by Marc Christensen in Salt Lake City, Utah. Marc convinced me to send him some of my items to sell in his tasting room. (For Love or Money, Some Commercial Success)
Lois Greenfield. Leading dance photographer. Her work is stunning, capturing images that can’t be seen by the naked eye. Her process is inspiring. (Supply Chain Challenges)
“What if” video. Lois Greenfield talks about her process and introduces the idea of asking “what if…” when approaching her work. (Supply Chain Challenges)
“One Word” clip from The Graduate – It’s not exactly a muse. It’s more like a meme. (More Earth Day Resources)
Refugee Artisan Initiative – This organization helps refugee and immigrant women be successful in their new homes by combining recycling, upcycling, business skills and networking. Now THAT’S inspiring! (Yoda May Have Gotten It Wrong)
Recycling Resources
Ridwell – Private recycling service operating in Seattle, Portland (OR), Denver, Minneapolis and Austin. These guys are amazing. If you can sign up for them, you should! (Recycling Successes, Earth Day Focus, More Earth Day Resources)
UN Treaty to limit plastic pollution – Seattle Times article. (Recycling Successes)
National Geographic Kids Tour a Recycling Center – This article provides a fun and interesting look at what goes on in a recycling center. It also explains why contamination causes real problems for the industry. (Earth Day Focus)
The Story of Plastic (Animated Short) – This YouTube video from “The Story of Stuff Project” is both depressing and inspiring. It gives a powerful explanation of the problems with plastic. It also gives information on how to bring about change. (Earth Day Focus)
Plastic Recycling Facts – The truth about recycling plastic bags – This is on the RTS website. RTS is a waste management group on the east coast, so there’s a small element of the fox watching the hen house. But from the research I’ve been able to do, they are industry leaders in finding better ways to recycle. (Earth Day Focus)
The State of Recycling Today 2022 – Another article from RTS. This one is geared for businesses, not individuals, but it has a lot of good information and even some encouragement. (Earth Day Focus)
Wands for Wildlife – An organization that collects old mascara brushes to use in wildlife rehabilitations. (More Earth Day Resources)
Don’t Drop The Top – Started in 2014 by a high school student, this site provides information on keeping plastic out of the ocean. It also documents the creation of a mural at an elementary school using discarded plastic bottle caps. (More Earth Day Resources)
Buy Nothing Project – A social media platform to swap unneeded belongings to keep them out of the landfills. If there isn’t a Buy Nothing community near you, you can start one! (More Earth Day Resources)
Thredup – An online consignment resource. (More Earth Day Resources, Some Commercial Success)
The Tractor Tavern Makers Markets – In Ballard, this event is held every second Sunday. This is not only for recycled art, but often includes work from artists who are repurposing materials. (More Earth Day Resources)
Homemade and Homegrown Market – An annual event at Seattle’s Second Use in Soho. Second Use is a resource for reclaimed building materials. (More Earth Day Resources)
Recycled Arts Festival – This annual weekend long festival in Vancouver, WA has been around for 15 years! All items there must include no less than 75% recycled material. Unfortunately it is not going to be held this year due to COVID complications. Let’s hope they are back up and running in 2023! (More Earth Day Resources)
Seattle Recreative – Store in Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle with a mission of promoting “creativity, community, and environmental stewardship through creative reuse and arts education.” (Summertime and the Living is Easy)
Friends of North Creek Forest – Not so much of a recycling resource, but a group in charge of the stewardship of a 64 acre greenbelt in Bothell. Good resource for a small environmental group making a difference in their community. (Back after some good R&R)
Plastic Bank – an organization based in Vancouver, BC with a mission of preventing plastic from entering the ocean and empowering the communities most impacted by plastic pollution. (Back after some good R&R)
Good Reads
Where the Deer and the Antelope Play by Nick Offerman. A meandering read that covers a wide range of topics. I found Mr. Offerman’s discussion of what make for “good work” applicable to my weavings. (Labors of Love)
How to be Perfec t by Michael Schur. A discussion of moral philosophy. (Yoda may have gotten it wrong)