My MiscellAni

From fighting tooth decay to fighting toothbrush decay, these retirees found their repurpose in life. “Why be garbage when you can be gARTbage?”

(please scroll down for a few more pics)

To flowers every one!

Baggie Flowers are good for the environment, don’t need to be watered, and for better or worse, will never die. Watch my garden grow!

These eco-conversation pieces can decorate gift packages, be made into leis, wreaths, garlands, corsages, and boutonnieres. They’re easy to make, and a great (supervised) craft project with kids.

Over 1,000 plastic bags were kept out of the ocean and landfill in the making of 15 wreaths! I know that’s a drop in the ocean, but at least it’s a drop…

Other materials used: wire coat hanger for the frame, a cup of coffee, and zen.

I have been collecting plastic bread bag ties for years because they can’t be recycled, and I never had the heart to throw them out. Eventually, I came up with a few fun ways to use them (you’ll have to scroll a bit to see a pic of each item).

My latest idea is the Eco-Rattle. I filled empty vitamin jars with bread bag ties and other plastic trash, covered them in fabric, and added handles. Ready for shaking!

I also made a few belts with bread bag ties sewn into each segment (and later converted two of the belts into ukulele straps). Please see my blog if you are interested in making your own belts or straps.

“Baglets” are bracelets for bags, and a cute, practical way to close up a snack bag, or wrap a gift.

“Heart tags” literally represent turning something I hate (unrecylable plastic) into something I love. Aside from using a bread bag tie sewn inside each heart, I used old ukulele strings for the loops.

3 more Plasticraft ideas:

Plastic lids + fabric scraps + card sleeves = Cold drink coasters!

Do you doodle while you’re on the phone? Me too. Greeting card sleeves + phone art = ??? Maybe I’ll sew these pieces onto fabric and make polyptych wall hangings. When I figure it out, I will update the gallery. I’m just happy I found a purpose all those plastic greeting card sleeves…

Video: what can ya do with a weird piece of plastic?

When we found out our local recycling place had stopped taking styrofoam, I saved all the pieces that came in the packaging of our new bench. Since throwing out those white, puffy, pieces of ick was out of the question, I had to come up with a solution. This was it! Easy to make, with fabric, ribbon, and tacky glue!

can become ornaments. Imagine what classrooms full of kids could do with them!

Love Balm Ornaments carry the message to "Balm The World With Love." This world would be much better off with balms instead of bombs!

Each ornament is sewn from leftover pieces of fabric, buttons or beads, and cord. The tag on the back is hand-printed with a homemade rubber stamp. Each one comes with it's own matching pouch.

Some time after moving to Portland, my sister told me about her idea for fairy greeting cards, and asked if I would do the illustrations. I was immersed in the Ungoddess series at the time, so I said no. But she persisted. At some point I decided it wouldn’t hurt to sit down and doodle a pair of wings… Needless to say, a spell was cast on me as one fairy sketch led to another (please scroll down).

Fairies remind us to be kind, to care for the world, and to reclaim a sense of innocence, inspiration and wonder.

Fairy Seasons Coloring Calendar has 13 original pen and ink drawings (including the cover) depicting the sweet, magical world of fairies. Each black and white sketch is ready for you to enliven with your creative touch! The calendar page is a blank template, so you may start your year any time you'd like. The calendar won't expire until you complete all twelve drawings at your own sweet pace, and in your own magical time… (please scroll down)

No longer for sale

After spending many years following one spiritual path after another, I ended up having a "material awakening.” Out of a sense of cosmic humor and irony, I was inspired to draw the Ungoddess Series (please scroll down to see all twelve).

Lyrics, liner notes, and artwork! I still love holding the physical object of a CD in my hands!

Just for the record, I ordered This Sweet Day in wallet style without plastic wrapping to avoid as much unrecyclable stuff as possible.

https://ani-trina.com

This is a tiny sample of my mother’s work. I always thought her paintings were poetic in gesture, and lush in color. She was active on the Art Advisory Council in Port Washington, NY for many years, and sold her work in galleries on Long Island. I loved being raised by an artist.