Make It Your Own: Customize!

I was so inspired at the last Portobello West . Gorgeous creations abounded, many made with recycled and reworked materials. So inspiring! I was thrilled to find Nap. I bought a beautiful one of a kind dress from Nap a couple of years back but have not been lucky enough to encounter this local Vancouver designer since. I love her incredible use of fabric paint, especially the beautiful blue and green bird featured on many of her recycled creations. One adorns my own Nap dress. It's perched on my right shoulder above a daring neckline and wide black and white sequined belt.

All these gorgeous products have me thinking about the idea of customization. So often an item in our home and closet is just not quite right for our current style and taste. In richer times we donate and replace these faded treasures, but with more awareness of our economic and environmental situation it seems more realistic to me to instead make the old new again.

Bracelets and necklaces can be twisted together and secured with a sparkly brooch to create a unique and eclectic new piece of jewelery. Necklines can be cut and altered with ribbon and rickrack. Patches and applique made from felt, painted canvas and buttons are fabulous to adorn purses and jackets we are bored with. A little fabric paint and a sense of humor goes a long way.

If you must buy new and are on a budget, consider purchasing a basic item and making it unique. A wonderful example is this oh so cute gift from my lovely and skilled friend Jennifer. She is a talented writer, crafter and future guest blogger here at Ding dong, who sent me a set of awesome customized potholders recently. They are a reminder of all the fun and tipsy cooking and dinner party times we have had.

How wonderful to create something so cute and special out of a basic household item! And you can do it too. Get out there and recycle and customize!