Guitar string poppies

How to make recycled guitar string poppies

When my husband changes the strings out on his guitar he discards these wonderful interesting worn metal spirals. I love them. I have tried to make jewelry out of the used strings, but they have not turned out very well. I can't bear to throw them out, the metal is so intricate and beautifully worn. One day I was making paper flowers and I couldn't find anything to use for stems, until I came across the guitar string recycling bucket full of the perfect base for my handmade flora.

I love how they turned out and eagerly await for the next guitar cast offs in need of recycling! Here's how I did it:

1. Take a square piece of paper. I used a 3"x 3" piece of rice paper. Old guitar tabs or sheet music would be really great. Fold the paper in half then in half again.

2. Fold once again until you have a thick triangle. Cut the top of the triangle (still folded) in a high arch.

3. Open. Cut out one section of the flower minus a small tab section. Place a small amount of glue onto the tab and press underneath adjacent petal. Gently soften the petals by bending the

tips, or rounding the petals with your fingers.

4. To atattch the used guitar string, simply poke the end of the wire through the center of your flower and pul through till tight against the metal ring at the end of the string.

5. You could fix the flower to the wire with a small drop of hot glue, but I like the freeness of just having them float on the string.

Make a dozen or so to build a nice bouquet.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

Step Three

When you just can't make it

When all the resources are examined, and possibilities discovered and you still cannot find a homemade solution what does a consumer do? You consume, but responsibly.

There are times when things just can't be made at home, or made by others. Some things need machines, mass production, assembly lines, or artificial materials. Some things cannot be purchased used, found or up-cycled. But, we as the consumer have to power to choose items created by a company that has environmental protection policies, one that gives back to the world more than it takes. Sure, it takes time and research to discover them, it's hard to buy impulsively when you look at purchases this way; but I think that's a good thing, impulse buys are destructive. We have to power to change how companies create merchandise, we can make them change.

Recently with the fad of a "green" becoming a modern business tactic, the word green is thrown at us as with the casualness of media. Green has become a way to appear environmentally conscious. Are these businesses that claim to have a green spirit actually protecting our world, are they actually providing non-toxic product? Are these companies giving back to the world, or are they just recycling the soda cans from the employee lounge and calling themselves green? Instead of using a color for attracting conscious consumers, I want to see companies advertise with specific things they are doing. For example, what if a coffee company stated on it's packaging (which just happens to made from used and torn old coffee harvesting cloth sacks that have been re-used to prevent more waste being produced) they state that these beans have been harvested with machines running on electric power, the company headquarters use solar-voltaic power and implement rain-water catchment systems. That the plants have not been fertilized with toxic chemicals therefore resulting in a slightly smaller bean, or that 1 % of the companies yearly profits go to counteracting the pollution that the company produces. That would be a product that I would buy. Companies are doing those things, some are truly "green". Others are claiming to be green, but not doing all that they can. It's our responsible to make companies liable for how they create their product.

An excellent example of a company, that I will continue to buy from, is Patagonia. They excel at recycling materials, using alternative power, and giving back to the world some of the resources it consumes. When you buy a product from them it is made from quality materials that endure. My husband owns a Patagonia rain jacket shell that he has owned since high school, that he actually bought used then, and it is still awesome. It has dealt with serious outdoor adventures, countless possible destructive circumstances, and over 10 years of wear. It has outlived numerous North Face jackets that have either been thrown out, or given away, fleeces from other outdoor apparel companies have deceased during 'ol Red's lifespan. The point is, it is a quality item, and it is made by an outstanding company. Patagonia is a company that I will consume from.

Now, when I must consume, when all my other options won't work, I will research all available sources and choose to buy a quality item that will last a long time, that has good design and classic purpose and style from a company that is more than green, it's non-existent in the eyes of mother nature.

Step two

Making

So much is lost between production and purchase. We never meet the person or people, or machine, who make our goods. There is a massive disconnect that is hurting us all. The quality of materials has depleted, customer service is so rare that it is nearly obsolete, prices of goods have sky rocketed. Pollution and the use of fuels stains the things we own or eat. No one claims responsibility for these things, it's simply past on to the closest scape goat and forgotten. It's so much easier not to think about it, to close our eyes and consume.

The satisfaction that comes from making something ourselves is so fulfilling for us. It's therapeutic and rewarding. There are few things better, or easier than homemade bread for example. When we make something instead of buying it it becomes instantly special, unique and we become aware at the time, energy and materials it takes to create. We suddenly are reconnected to the source of what we need, aware that it takes cotton to make fabric, yeast to make bread, dirt to make food, and time to enjoy the process. We are forced to slow down, and use our brains, creative energy and relationships to arrive at a solution to achieve what we need, or want.

Making things is not easy though. It eagerly consumes time. Lots of it. We feel it is worth the reward of slowing down our world, examining our purchases and protecting the things that can not protect themselves from humans harm. It also takes skill, practice and sometimes tools. There are many things that we cannot make, we don't have the appropriate tools or training. But, someone out there does. We want to find them, and buy a product that they make, appreciating the skill behind it. We cannot make a glass vase, but we can find someone who blows glass and when we purchase a vase from that person we establish a relationship, an appreciation for the work and skill. It will not be something we re-sell or throw out, we will treasure that handmade item because we have reconnected to the source of it.

We have so much to learn about making things. But we can't wait to learn!

Step One

Buying

First we are re-examining how we buy things. Everything from toothpaste to carrots, socks to light bulbs. We have come up with some questions that we ask ourselves each time we are thinking about buying something.

1. Can we make it?

2. Can we buy it from someone who has made it? ( www.etsy.com )

3. Do we really need it?

4. Do we love it and will it still be something we use in the years to come or even pass on to our kids?

5. Can it be re-used or recycled?

So far, food has been the easiest transition. We buy only whole foods, no processed foods, with some exceptions. 90 % of our food comes in the form of fresh produce. We bake our own bread, and crackers, when available we shop at the local farmer's market and buy local produce. We use raw sugar, whole wheat flour and whole grains whenever possible. We don't eat meat, so that makes not buying meat easy. We use butter not margarine, and Extra virgin Olive oil for all our oil needs. We love to eat well, so we spend a great deal on quality, fresh ingredients, and enjoy the extra time it takes to prepare food from scratch. We don't feel like we are missing out, or reducing the quality of food in our house, in fact we have never eaten better.

There are certain things though, which we have not been able to give up, chocolate for me, and tortilla chips for my husband. Our kids are able to pick out their treat as well. Although the last time we went shopping, my three year old daughter chose a mango for her treat, I unfortunately do not have her discipline and couldn't wait to eat my German made dark chocolate!

Consuming Excess

Consumption. Consumption. Over Consumption.

Why is their such a love affair with stuff? Stuff we need, stuff we want, stuff we can't function without. Most of us buy everything from a chain store, a large box store full of enough surplus to fill all our homes with the necessities of life. We buy a pretty little packages and inexpensive plastic wonders. We aren't really sure where it was made, who or what made it, or sometimes even what it is made of. We bring them home in plastic bags and remove their plastic covers and sell it a season later at a garage sale for pennies. The high of finding a good deal, a sale, the excitement that comes from something new, is undeniable. People love to shop. People work hard to achieve to money to purchase things that they feel will improve their life or validate their existence. But does it really? What happens when the high wears off and we have a smaller bank account, and just one more thing to put away? Excess is what happens, it encompasses us all in a vicious blind consumption battle.

We are tired of buying things that we have no relationship with. We are disgusted by the amount of packaging that is used to entice. We are sad that most things that we buy will not withstand time and just add to our worlds waste. We are tired of buying food that has been made with giant machines, tired of eating things that have ingredients that belong in a chemistry lab and not our bodies. We want to know where things come from, who made or grew them. We want to become active consumers with responsible purchases, and informed products. We want to re-form our relationship with possessions.

We are beginning with some small changes and hopefully we will learn and grow and become better protectors of our world, all while sustaining and improving our quality of life. We don't want to go without, or deprive ourselves of the joys in life and wonderful modern accomplishments. We want to live richly and healthy and most importantly take responsibility for the world that we consume in.

This is our handmade journey.