the ReFab Diaries: stamps
Showing posts with label stamps

Repurpose: Playful Postage ...

in , , , , , , , , , by Candice

My dad collected stamps as a kid and I loved paging through his carefully arranged (and stored) stamp albums. But now that I think about it, why were all those beautiful stamps hidden away in heavy volumes? I know that my dad's answer would be "because they're valuable!" I wonder ... is that still true?  I mean, I'm sure there are some rare, valuable old stamps out there. But for the most part, wouldn't it be better to just show them off? (Dad - I hope you still have those stamps!) Here are 16 beautiful ways to bring to refab them and show them off! 
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Giveaway: Foxglove Accessories {Postage Stamp Pendant}

in , , , , , , , by Candice

Let's talk utterly beautiful (poetically postal?) refabbing! Foxglove Accessories is the brainchild of photographer, artist and friend Betsy Treacy Siber. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, created from postmarked vintage stamps from around the world. Each piece tells a story. Each piece preserves a little history inside a perfect pool of resin. What more can I say? Betsy inspires me as an artist, a visionary, a maker, a doer and a mom. Speaking of making and doing, take a look at the recent Apartment Therapy tour of her (and artist husband Matt's) Chicago home!  
(Pssst... sale now on at her Etsy store!)


And now, onto the giveaway! Enter for a chance to win the beautiful pendant pictured above. Here's Betsy's description:


"This is a 20mm, large sized pendant that hangs from a 17" acrylic-coated stainless steel cord. The pendant is made from a blue toned 1960s postage stamp from Indonesia. It's created by cutting a section of a postage stamp and placing it at the base of a sterling silver bezel cup onto which I've soldered a basic bail. I then pour resin on top to seal everything in and attach it to the necklace. The necklace is held together at the back with a sterling silver spring clasp."


Giveaway opens 12:01 EST Tues, 7/17 and ends Fri, 7/20 at midnight. WINNER announced Mon 7/23. It's easy to score multiple entries and increase your chances of winning - see below for details... (Open to US residents 18 and older)



a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Guest ReFab: Postage Stamp Earrings... {Foxglove Accessories}

in , , , , , , , , , , , , by Candice

Foxglove Accessories is the brainchild of photographer and artist Betsy Treacy Siber. If you're a regular at Renegade (Chicago), you've seen her beautiful work ... that's where I first encountered her a couple of years ago.  Talk about giving things a second life! Vintage postage stamps become true works of art in Betsy's hands.  I am constantly struck by her attention to detail and the GREAT color combinations in her work. All her items are lovingly handmade in her Chicago studio using found materials. Her fabulous postage collection features jewelry made with vintage postage stamps from around the world (keep reading to find out how to save 15% on her jewelry!) 

Today I get to publish a mini interview with Betsy and a tutorial for her layered teardrop earrings. Yup - she's sharing some of her secrets so you can make them yourself!  First, a little Q 'n A: 

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?  Did you always know you'd have a creative career?
A: I have known since 2nd grade that I would have a creative career. I don't think anything in particular really sparked it, but it was definitely encouraged and nurtured by my family (many kids are not so lucky). I went to school for photography, which I find incredibly useful for documenting my work and our life, but I now enjoy other mediums as a creative outlet. At the moment, I see the most potential in metals and sculpture.

Q: Why postage stamps?
A: My dad collects coins and at some point a fellow collector handed off a box of stamps to him. He didn't have much use for them, and I thought they would be a nice addition to collages (I was in high school at the time). Fast forward 8 or 9 years to 2006. I was moving and organizing my crafting supplies, including my old stamp box. I often employ the "use it or lose it" method with cleaning (I collect, not hoard), and I decided that if these stamps were going to be useful they needed a project, like right now. That afternoon I made my first pair of teardrop earrings, using the quick and dirty packing tape method mentioned in the tutorial. I loved the way they turned out and ended up basing the entire business on it. Using stamps makes every piece unique, so I find it easy to create the same type of earrings 100 times in a row. I really do take a moment to admire each stamp I'm using!

 Betsy has a great offer for my readers!  
Get 15% off everything at Foxglove Accessories and Foxglove @ Etsy 
through March 31, 2012. Scroll down for the coupon code!  
(excludes custom items)

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