Materialistic -sustainable art exhibition

Dare I Brooch It?
I've been developing my sustainable brooch line, Dare I Brooch it?,  for the upcoming art exhibition "materialistic" at Reverse Garbage.

I will have about 20 brooches on display.

Each one is unique, each one is handmade, each one is created by up-cycling domestic and industrial materials.

Here is a sneak preview....

... and here are the details.
If you live in Brisbane I hope you can make it along.

Linking up at these sites:
Craft-O-Maniac: Monday Link Party
C.R.A.F.T- Making Monday Marvelous
Debbie Doos Blogging and Babbling - Newbie Party
Homemaker on a Dime
Homework
Sugar Bee Crafts
Keeping It Simple
Tatertots and Jello: Weekend Wrap-up Party
Day & Age Design
Serenity Now

Brooches: Upcycling symbols, materials and meanings

Is this a modern day symbol for a spin cycle on a washing machine?

OR an ancient spiral symbol of potential power?

Is it a hash key?

Actually, pharmacists of former times used to draw this symbol (minus the buttons) on prescriptions, where the basic meaning was, May this be good for you. 

Isn't it interesting how symbols can be universal and survive through time and culture .

However, they are a language and we know that language is alive and changing constantly. Ask any English teacher  or parent of a teenager... EOD (end of discussion).

Consequently this invocation cross,  spiral of life, curled cross and cosmic orbit may just be a bunch of curves upcycled to make new brooches out of old felt. 

Regardless, my humble hash key does it for me.. T+ (think positive)! 

'Dreadlock' Felt Off-cut Brooches

A Winter Equation
Coats+Brooches+Recycling = Elle and Lou Brooches

For local Brisbanites I purchased the dreadlock lengths for 30 cents each at good old Reverse Garbage.


Enjoy the curves!

Recycled Fabric Brooches

These are some fabric brooches that I have been making throughout this year. 
They are so simple to make and use up left over fabric scraps - what can be better? 


I continue to make them because they make great little pressies and cheer up a jacket no end. Here is the link : Uber Savvy Brooch Pattern and Instructions


I love this retro orange and white button given to me by my sister-in law. I only have one of them but now it finally has a use!

Button Brooches, Hair Accessory or Crafty Corsage

Swift and colourful, these brooches are also easy to make!

Allison Harris at http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/05/broach-making.html came up with the original idea, inspiring me to make some of my own. They would make great pressies for my girlfriends or mum. You just need to know their favourite colours and select fabrics accordingly.

So get together your left over fabrics, organise your layers and select a button. 

Now sew your first layer to some felt for strength. Then sew a "x" through the centre of the stack of circles for support and finally add a button and a brooch pin. 

The pink ones are for my little one and I sewed a hair tie to the back of one which can be worn on the wrist like a corsage. Or course you could also stitch one to a headband also. 

Here is the pattern, just in case you don't have a compass. Enjoy!