New Year, New Giveaway! Featuring UpcycledStuff!

Happy 2011 everyone! Want to celebrate by winning something cool? Of course you do! 

Elegant Yellow Pages Bracelet

To kick off the New Year, The Frog Bag is having a giveaway featuring UpcycledStuff, a fabulous new Etsy artist who, you guessed it, upcycles stuff.

Her name is Tricia, and she has agreed to do talk with us a bit and give away some pretty nifty swag. So, before we get into the nitty-gritty of the contest, let's hear from the artist:


Why the passion for upcycling?


In 1996 I took a zoology course at the local community college with the most amazing instructor, Cassie Carter. It was all quite by accident, but what a happy accident it was! This course got me involved in volunteering at the local zoo. I was quickly sucked in by "all this conservation stuff" they were all talking about. I had no idea the profound impact it would have on my life. I've spent the next twelve years working for zoos and aquariums. While I recently left the field, I still carry the most important lessons with me. Perhaps the biggest lesson is that we are all connected. What I do today really does impact the future of the environment and the animals that I so deeply treasure. While I may not have the hands on contact that I once had with wildlife, upcycling gives me the feeling that I am contributing to their well being.

Newspaper Bracelet

Do you draw a distinction between upcycling and recycling?

Absolutely! Both are important, but even recycling has energy costs associated with it. So how great is it that we can take once virgin materials and reuse them once or twice before recycling them? Some of my favorite upcycled items to work with are those that can be tossed strait in the recycling bin once their usefulness has come to an end.

I know you've rescued quite a few animals. Tell us your favorite animal rescue story?

Teeshirt Reusable Shopping Bag

I have so many animal rescue stories that mean so much to me personally, but I would have to go back to my first, Destiny, the wild and chatty cat who still shares my home with me today. She was my first rescue and at that time I thought that I would one day run a rescue shelter, hence the name. She sat outside the window of my apartment howling one night; it was loud enough to wake the dead. So I jumped out of bed and opened the door only to see that she did not look well at all. There was goo coming out of every orifice, she was dirty and coughing. Yet, when I opened the door she walked right in. With two other cats in the house I knew I couldn't let her roam around until she had a vet visit. Together we spent the rest of the night on the bathroom floor. As she lay curled up on my lap I kept thinking "it can't be this easy to rescue a cat". I learned that it isn't easy, but Destiny is one in a million.

Tell us an interesting fact about you, the artist behind Upcycled Stuff?

The fact that I saved this question for last and then fell asleep trying to think of something worthy should tell you something.

Okay then, how about a boring fact?

I've lived in seven different states and made two cross country treks in my 38 years. I won't even tell you how many times I've moved in each of those states!

Magazine Wallet/ Business Card Holder

Anything else we should know?

Perhaps it's because I'm a Scorpio, but I love a good challenge. Some call it stubbornness, I just call it determined. So if you're looking for a way to upcycle something in your home, drop me a line. I would love to help you turn your trash into an upcycled treasure!

Thanks so much for your time, Tricia, and for telling us a bit about your new upcycling venture!



Now, how about that contest? And what do you win?

You can win either the Elegant Daily News Bracelet, pictured below:

Or the Elegant Daily News Necklace, your choice!

Entering is easy!

1. Leave a comment saying what you like best from UpcycledStuff's etsy shop.
2. Or "like" her facebook fan page.
3. Or share this blog link.

Just be sure to leave a separate comment for each of the ways you've entered, and a way to get in contact with you if you're the winner. A random number generator will be used on Sunday, January 9th, 2011 to pick the winner. Thanks so much for entering, and Happy New Year!