DIY Life

Etsy Star: Modern Ceramic Accessories by Mudpuppy

Alyssa Ettinger — 2010-09-23T09:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Crafter Michael McDowell makes whimsical ceramic AirPods, which turn typing hanging planters on their heads -- literally. We asked this Etsy crafter where he gets all of his unconventional ideas, and what it's like to be a full-time DIYer.

Hanging AirPlant Pod in glossy white. Photo: Mudpuppy, Etsy

Michael McDowell is the brainchild behind Mudpuppy, a popular Etsy shop filled with whimsical ceramic works, like hanging plant pods, chimes, and vases. Michael lives in Denver, where he used to do ceramic work at the Art Students League. He considered his craft a hobby -- that is, until he lost his day job as a web designer in 2008.

Instead of hunting for a new job, Michael decided to focus on his art full time. "A door opened and I decided to walk through it...to really start pushing myself with ceramics and take it more seriously. Turned out to be a great decision. " Michael says.

Michael's basic design ideas are born of own needs and space. "My home has 12-foot ceilings and skylights, so my ideas lean toward smaller vertical pieces. For years my works have strictly been white, although I've been gravitating toward black and bits of color here and there. I am a minimalist at heart, and think the most important thing for artistic success is to know when to stop."

Hanging AirPod Plant in matte Natural Morroccan Sand. Photo: Mudpuppy, Etsy

Michael's process is measured. His head brimming with designs, he goes straight to hand-crafting prototypes out clay. Most of McDowell's pieces are slip cast, a process that involves making absorbent plaster molds of his work. Once the molds have dried, he pours slip -- a form of liquid clay -- into them. The plaster sucks the moisture out of the slip and a piece is created inside the mold. A few hours later, when the slip is firm, Michael pulls it out of the mold by hand, trims it, and allows to dry naturally. At this stage, unfired pieces are called "greenware."

After lots of inspection and polishing with steel wool, Michael fires pieces for the first time (in a process called a bisque firing) in a kiln that reaches around 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. After this, Michael dips bisqued pieces in raw glaze and then re-fires them to maturity in a kiln that reaches more than 2000 degrees.

Moon chimes. Photo: Mudpuppy, Etsy

"I am addicted to those a-ha! moments when an idea and reality meet, and a piece I can hold and hang and enjoy emerges from the kiln," says Michael, whose studio is in the inspirational River North District of Denver. "The neighborhood is fantastic, filled with artists and is a real hot spot for the creative culture. It is located in an old dry ice factory building that's been lovingly restored while maintaining the original factory elements and aesthetic," he says, adding "I've only been in this space since June so I'm still getting it organized. It's filled with my plants and pods, and my faithful dog, Ennis."

The artist's faithful companion, Ennis, approves of his miniature ceramic planters. Photo: Mudpuppy, Etsy

Michael produces about 100 to 200 pieces a month, with prices averaging $26 to $65. His work stands out, he thinks, because of "the duality of both use and sculptural elements. Perhaps because I start by designing pieces for myself and my own small space, and this resonates with others living in similar urban spaces."

Why does he create so many pieces specifically for plants?, we wondered. It's because he loves how they liven up a space and become a living piece of art. Michael is also inspired by fellow artists Clare Elsaesser and Will Bryant, who once tweeted, "I make stuff because I get sad if I don't." Michael can relate. "Truly, I need to make things to live, be happy, and feel fulfilled."

Modern white baby head vase/planter. Photo: Mudpuppy, Etsy

When asked about his least favorite part of being an artist, he says, "There's nothing I dislike about making the work, but I don't enjoy packing and shipping. I would much rather focus on developing new pieces. I am drawn to the permanence of making pieces out of clay that have the potential to be around long after I am."

So why Etsy? Michael says he was initially drawn to the online marketplace because of its community aspect. "It's a one stop shop for well-made pieces by actual individuals. The site is an ideal response to the mass-produced culture we all grew up in, and really speaks to a desire to reconnect with what makes us human. " "

Spoken like a true DIYer.

SEE ALSO:
Etsy Star: Rustic Desk Accessories by Woodtec
Etsy Star: Recycled Bike Clocks by 1.by.Liz
Etsy Star: Modern Bird Feeders by Joe Papendick

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Home Ec: 7 Tips to Make Your Mattress Last Longer

Alyssa Ettinger — 2010-09-13T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Bedrooms, Essential Skills, Know-How, Living Spaces

We all know how hard it can be to choose a new mattress (in fact, mine is more than ready for an upgrade). Will it sag in a few years? Will the springs pop out? So once you've settled on a mattress you love, you want it to last as long as possible, despite inevitable daily use.

The average life span of a typical mattress is 8-10 years, so treat the one you have with tender loving care, and you may never need to count sheep again. Here are a seven sound tips.

Corbis

1. Get a vinyl mattress cover. It protects your mattress from spills, pet stains, and all kinds of fluids -- like that coffee your spouse insists on sipping in bed! Plus it provides a barrier against bedbugs. A lot of people don't like vinyl covers, however, because they can make sheets slide out of place. But it's worth trying, just to see if you grow accustomed to it; its benefits pay off in the long run.

2. Get a padded mattress cover. Besides providing further protection for stains, it helps keep the quilted surface of your mattress from indenting where you sleep.

3. Wash the padded mattress cover often. Did you know that we sweat up to seven liters a day? Yes, we didn't want to know that either. But it's true -- dirt and sweat from your body penetrates the sheets, so don't neglect what's underneath.

4. Vacuum the mattress. The Better Sleep Council recommends doing this regularly to pick up dead skin particles and dust, which settle there, soil the surface, and encourage the type of mites that act as allergens.

5. Rotate or flip the mattress. Some mattresses are "one-sided," like a pillow-top. You should turn these mattressed around 180 degrees every few months. They're designed to last as long as a one-sided mattress without being flipped. If you have a mattress that's two-sided, on the other hand (meaning it looks the same on both sides), flip it every few months to promote even wear.

6. Don't let your children use your bed as a trampoline. Your mom was right. This crushes and misaligns the springs.

7. Use a box spring. A box spring recommended by your mattress salesman will give your particular mattress the correct support it needs in the right places. Using a metal bed frame underneath -- a heavy duty variety -- add more support and keeps your bed from bowing in the middle.

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Etsy Star: Modern Bird Feeders by Joe Papendick

Alyssa Ettinger — 2010-08-20T13:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

"Charm" bird feeder in warm yellow. Photo: joepapendick, Etsy

These works of art are for the birds -- and we mean that in the best possible way! Joe Papendick's Etsy store, "Outdoor Sculpture - For Birds and other Living Things," is filled with modern, architectural bird feeders that are as vibrantly hued as a tropical parrot.

Crafter Joe Papendick in his workspace. Photo: Joe Papendick

Joe Papendick, both a painter and metal sculptor, was first influenced to design his chic bird feeders the day his fiancée's mom discovered that her simple bird feeder had been destroyed by raccoons. "She asked if I could fix it. I told her I'd prefer to just make her a new one that would be virtually indestructible."

That was about ten years ago. Today, he makes two to three dozen birdhouses a month--all made using various types of metal, from sheets of steel to lengths of copper tubing. He sells them on Etsy at a range of prices to fit all budgets: from $65 and $400, depending on the the size and design.

Papendick was born and raised in NYC, where he studied fine art at both Parsons School of Design and Hunter College. He then moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he now resides. His studio is his 400-square-foot garage, which is jam-packed with both metal waiting to be worked and finished pieces waiting to be sold. Plus, of course, various welding machines, metal grinders, and "all the associated paraphernalia that goes along with it." Creature comforts, he says, consist of a large fan for summer, a propane heater in the winter, and his trusty iPod.

"Plus" bird feeder. Photo: joepapendick, Etsy

When Papendick is ready to make a new feeder, he first considers the materials he currently has on hand, which consist of both new pieces of steel and scraps from previous projects. How does he choose where to start? "Sometimes {I might start with} a piece of copper that looks like a roof element; other times it's a steel rod {that might work as a perch}. Once I know where I want to go, artistically, those pieces are welded into trays which will hold bird seed, and perches. There's always the central point from which the other elements spring."

Metal in hand, Papendick sometimes starts by sketching ideas. Other times he picks up a piece of metal with a shape or patina he likes and just starts cutting. The larger steel pieces are cut at the steel yard, then either bent into curves by hand, or scored slightly with a handheld grinder. From that point on, everything is welded together with a Miller MIG welder.

Left: "Chirpie" bird feeder in Mango; Right: "Cubist" bird feeder in Aqua. Photos: joepapendick, Etsy

And what about his unexpectedly clean-lined designs? "At first, the large feeders I made were very architectural. As the ideas for the designs advanced, they gradually became more abstract," he says. Asked if he was an architecture fan he waves off the question, simply saying, "I'm really just indifferent to architecture. Aesthetically I'm more likely to find inspiration from looking at a spoon or a fork."

Papendick had never thought "big" enough to try selling pieces outside of St. Louis -- and then HGTV called. One of their shows, "I Want That," featured his work in 2006, and inquiries from across the country started pouring in. "I figured out how to modify the designs in order to be able to ship pieces affordably; I began constructing new work so that the top and bottom portions easily pull apart, allowing them to be shipped in two smaller boxes. Once I realized that approach would work, deciding to list pieces on Etsy seemed like a given."

While his "Charm" feeder (see lead image above) is his most popular piece, Papendick says he can't choose a favorite for himself. "My favorite is always that new design I'm still trying to figure out." Like the rest of us, Papendick says his biggest challenge is not with design but income. But, he says happily, "I love not actually having to 'go to work'." Sounds like a true artist to us!

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Etsy Star: DIY Furniture Plans by PlanCanvas

Alyssa Ettinger — 2010-06-09T09:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Etsy crafter Christian Schoeneman of PlanCanvas. Photo: Christian Schoeneman

Designer Christian Schoeneman isn't like most Etsy sellers -- and his virtual store, PlanCanvas, isn't like most Etsy shops. Instead of making items to sell, he makes and sells the plans so you can DIY your own furniture.

Schoeneman's original idea came from his own lack of funds. Now a mechanical engineer, he was finishing his MBA at the University of Michigan at the time, and dreaming of living in the perfect apartment. "It was all modern, cool lighting, leather sofas -- almost like a martini bar/lounge." Soon enough, he found out just what these things cost -- and they were more than his modest budget could afford.

Modern coffee table. Photo: PlanCanvas, Etsy

Undefeated, he started dreaming of DIYing his way to a dream pad. "I knew my self-taught carpentry skills could be used to build nice things. That's how it all started: design furniture, make plans to build it, and make it easy to build and affordable." Once Schoeneman had finished all of his own pieces, he kept on designing, eventually selling his plans to the public on Etsy. "It's so rewarding when others like your designs enough to buy them," he says. His store includes everything from side and dining tables to chairs and shelving.

Modern side table. Photo: PlanCanvas, Etsy

Schoeneman's process starts with the mere inspiration to start making something new. His design sense is influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Craftsman design movement. Once he's decided what piece he wants to create, he uses his mechanical engineering skills to build a computer-generated prototype in CAD. (CAD stands for Computer Aided Design, a type of program that allows users to design objects, or spaces, on the computer.) He then troubleshoots ways to use as few tools and materials as possible; the fewer things needed to make the furniture, the easier (and less expensive) it is to build. He wants to make sure that his plans can be followed by most laymen using the most basic of materials: plywood and solid planks and posts (which can be cut at a home improvement store) and basic screws, nails, and paint. When he thinks the design is complete, he mocks up the piece, then writes the how-to directions he sells on PlanCanvas.

Modern arm chair. Photo: PlanCanvas, Etsy

Although fulfilling, his work can be challenging. "It's so hard to balance form, function, and the use of materials. Lots of problems need to be solved for a plan to actually work. For example, how do you make a complete dining table set from 3 sheets of plywood? And make it look good, and easy for anyone to make using standard-size materials and as few [tools and materials] as possible? That's a neat challenge and creative outlet." But it's also a labor of love, says Schoeneman, to "be able to make something of beauty out of something as basic as plywood."

His studio is either a workshop in his basement (that's where he makes all of his prototypes) or in the living room when his two sons are sleeping. "There are very few [places] to work without the kids around," he happily laments.

Prices for Shoeneman's plans range from $5 to $10. "Many customers who buy my plans are where I was 10 years ago -- just out of school and wanting nice things [for their homes]." He tries to create one new plan every month, but concedes that these days it's more like every other month. "Carving out the time is challenging. I have a ton of sketches just waiting to be either made or turned into plans. Between my day job as a mechanical engineer, and the family at home, there isn't a lot of time to devote to the furniture plans."

The fruits of his labor are thoughtfully green: "If you're making it in the US, you're only shipping materials within the country. Far cheaper than shipping pre-cut pieces from across the globe."

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Etsy Star: Annie Two Braids

Alyssa Ettinger — 2010-05-05T11:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Modern Spice Jars. Photo: AnnieTwoBraids, Etsy

To say we like Annie Walters' etched glassware would be an understatement; we adore them.

The whimsical pieces in Walters' Etsy shop, Annie Two Braids, marries elegant, often vintage glassware with etched words and phrases -- some inspirational, others just plain fun.

Vintage cut glass cake plate. Photo: AnnieTwoBraids; Etsy

The "Happy" champagne goblets are perfect for a wedding toast; "Drink Me" martini glasses fit right into a fun-loving get-together; and "Eat Me" cake plates fit right in at a picnic. The latter two pieces are inspired by the whimsy of Alice in Wonderland. Other pieces -- like goblets branded with the words "Protection" and "Armor" -- are inspired by ancient medicinal rituals.

Walters, a landscape architect living in Seattle, began her artistic journey as many artists do: quite by accident. "I was cooking a meal for friends in my kitchen. Looking at my spices, I realized how uninspired I was by the store-bought jars they came in. Paper labels hid the beauty of the contents within. All the tiny writing and words seemed distracting and unnecessary," she says.

So she began her hunt for the perfect containers. From upscale housewares stores to gourmet kitchen supply markets, nothing suited her fancy. Undaunted, she decided to create her own unique vessels by etching words and phrases into blank jars. "After making my first set of jars," Walters says, "I thought they looked so pretty and that other people might like them too."

That's when she decided to open an Etsy shop.

Vintage champagne/martini glass. Photo: AnnieTwoBraids, Etsy

Each of Walters' pieces begins with what she refers to as a "glimmer of an idea." she spends a great deal of time mulling over and sketching possibilities. "The incubation period of my designs is long and thoughtful; This process is precious to me."

Modern oil and vinegar set. Photo: AnnieTwoBraids, Etsy

Walters' actual process involves hunting for vessels in thrift and home stores, then etching the words into them by applying stick-on letters and a special chemical cream to the surface of the glass. In fact, she taught herself the fairly simple process of etching glass -- and you can too. Martha Stewart has a great article on how to etch glass.

As her work has grown, Walters has added oil and vinegar containers, a honey pot, stemware, and more to her collection. Additionally, she does a lot of custom orders for people who know exactly what they want inscribed in glass.

Her very small studio is a tiny office alcove in her home -- a challenge for someone like Walters who wants to create with abandon. But when she can, she likes to "spread out and take advantage of the space. After a day of etching, it looks like a tornado hit! I like it best when the weather is just right and I can bring my work outside on my deck with the birds and the trees."

Annie Walters of AnnieTwoBraids. Photo: Kaitlin Goddard

When she's in the right mood for creating, Walters loses herself in the process, often working until the wee hours.

Each piece takes about an hour to create, and she makes 15-20 pieces a week. Her prices are exceptionally affordable; the average is about $15. And she takes a great deal of care to the packaging of each piece she makes."I try to keep my packaging fairly rustic and am a huge fan of simple twine. I enjoy spending some special time with the wrapping, so when the buyer opens their package they feel as if they are receiving a personal gift, complete with a personalized card and bow they can untie to reach the new treasure that has entered their life."

Alyssa Ettinger is a ceramicist and freelance writer. Shop her handmade porcelain wares at her Etsy Store, alyssa ettinger design.

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Etsy Star: Rustic Desk Accessories by Woodtec

Alyssa Ettinger — 2010-04-14T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Will Salley of Woodtec (Etsy)

When Will Salley creates one of his curious, wooden iPod docking stations, desk organizers or USB sticks, he begins by strolling into his woodland backyard, a cedar forest, seeking interesting pieces of wood.

Dual iPhone/iPod Docking Station. Photo: Woodtec, Etsy

Salley, a self-taught woodworker, launched his Etsy shop, Woodtec, nearly a year ago. "I love working with my hands and making something new out of almost nothing," he says.

Salley's foray into wood crafts began when he and his wife, Rachel, took a huge leap of faith two years ago. They left art-centric NYC with their son, Lundon, for New York's Hudson Valley. Both work in wood (she has two Etsy shops herself: Woodrootlings, where she makes cedar children's toys, and Woodroots, a shop filled with organic fabric totes and artwork) and wanted to live amidst calm of nature and surrounded -- naturally -- by trees.

Considering his medium, it may be surprising to discover that Salley brainstorms many of his designs not while exploring his woodsy surroundings, but while driving solo in his car. He spends these silent drives "thinking, dreaming and planning."

All-in-One Desk Organizer. Photo: Woodtec, Etsy

It's very important to Salley they his customers know the cedar he uses is sustainable, cut from pieces of dead trees on his land. A true outdoorsman, he can barely wait for warmer weather so he can work outside in the sunshine.

Once he's chosen a piece of wood, Salley brings it to his shop -- a cozy 8'x10' work space is in his backyard. He begins his process by selecting and cutting a section of wood that that has best combination of knots. Then, he planes one side of the log to give it a flat bottom that can serve as a stable surface. He then shapes the top slot for the iPod/iPhone docking station using a router, does a whole lot of hand sanding with different two grades of sand paper, and drills the holes in the wooden unit to accommodate electronic cables.

Then, the more complicated work begins: gluing the cable(s) inside the routed holes, gluing on a bottom panel (not in view in these pictures), and then clamping it so the glue dries evenly. Then, Salley uses wood putty on the seams, and then more hand sanding. Finally, he applies several coats of Howard Orange Oil with Beeswax finish to the whole piece.

Salley never paints his wooden works or attempts to alter their raw, organic looks. He remains constantly amazed at the uniqueness of each piece. "I hope that these natural designs serve as a daily reminder of our connection to nature. It is so easy to forget [this] in our busy lives, especially when we are surrounded by technology all day. Marrying that technology with raw nature helps us find balance within our lives," says Salley. In speaking with him, his love for his work becomes wholly obvious. And enviable.

Salley loves that each piece of wood is different and reveals its own magical beauty during the process. "It takes a lot of sanding to get through what remains of the bark and get to the spalted wood within." He makes about 20 pieces a week, with prices that average about $88, with the larger dual docks costing more.

His favorite design, hands down, is a docking station that was crafted from the "largest forked branch I have found," he says. "When I first finished the piece I kept it next to my computer for about a month admiring it before I put it up for sale."

And following his dream to live in the woods and produce art turned out to be fulfilling for Salley not just creatively, but also personally. He says, "It is a real gift to be able to work from home and spend more time with my family."

SEE ALSO:
The Ultimate Log Cabin (ShelterPop)

Alyssa Ettinger is a ceramicist and freelance writer. Shop her handmade porcelain wares at her Etsy Store, alyssa ettinger design.

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Etsy Star: Wooden Jewelry Boxes by Jim Jenkins Designs

Alyssa Ettinger — 2010-03-29T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Jim Jenkins

Online marketplace Etsy is home to some of the most unique handmade items in the world -- and some of the most intriguing crafters. Case in point: Jim Jenkins, a former theater designer and custom furniture maker who is now the sculptor behind the eye-catching wooden jewelry boxes on sale at Jim Jenkins Designs.

The idea for Jenkins' handcarved masterpieces came about by accident a couple of years ago. While between furniture projects in his workshop, Jenkins started playing around with some materials. He ended up with a rather unconventional jewelry box that resembled a miniature piece of furniture.

A short while later, a friend came across Jenkins' new work, loved it, and bought it on the spot. So Jenkins decided to make another. And another.

Eventually, he began churning out the one-of-a-kind jewelry boxes in his spare time, and Jenkins' mother-in-law suggested that Etsy might be a good venue for his uncommon works. Jim Jenkins Designs opened its virtual doors a couple years ago, and has been a popular store on the site ever since. Jenkins makes and sells about ten boxes per month, ranging in price from $150 to $450.

Alfalfa (left) and Jersey jewelry boxes. Photos: Jim Jenkins Design, Etsy

Jim Jenkins' Process
Jenkins first sketches a jewelry box on a blank piece of wood. "I wait for the pencil to create a design I like," he says. Sometimes the grain of the wood leads the way. Other times, just a line he's drawn suddenly demands what the rest of the box's shape will be. When he's not feeling any inspiration, he'll set aside the wood and do something else until he's feeling creative again.

Each curiously shaped box can take three to five days to produce, depending on how intricate the detailing. Some of the boxes have simple, symmetrical shapes with three or four drawers; others are a labyrinth of twists and curves with up to eight compartments for rings, earrings and more. One of Jenkins' more complicated projects was an Eiffel Tower jewelry box that needed to be constructed out of three different boxes that he first built, then attached together.

John Marshall jewelry box. Photo: Jim Jenkins Design, Etsy

Sanding is the most time-consuming step of the process, says Jenkins. The more intricate the design, the more surface area there is to sand. But he knows the shiny surface of these gems is one of their most exceptional details. "In my dreams, I would have a platoon of elves that would arrive in the darkest hours of the night to sand all the projects that I have left for them on the work bench," he jokes.

When Jenkins first began, his jewelry boxes were smaller and simpler. Over time he's challenged himself to create works that are larger and more elaborate. By experimenting he realizes that many of the more ambitious patterns that he initially thought he couldn't achieve actually came out beautifully. "Don't say you can't do something until you've tried to," he says. "That's the best lesson I've ever learned."

Jenkins understands that he's working with precious natural resources, so he tries to be as green as possible. His one-of-a-kind pieces are made primarily from domestic hardwoods harvested from sustainable forests; Black Walnut, Cherry, Poplar, and Bird's Eye Maple typically make the cut. Occasionally, he'll use more exotic woods like Eucalyptus; the shades help complement each piece.

Asked if he has a favorite jewelry box, Jenkins says, "Ask me today, and I'll give you one answer. Ask me tomorrow, and it will probably be different." How many boxes has he created so far in this new career? "I've actually lost track. I'm not making any furniture right now simply because the jewelry boxes are working for me. I guess I found my niche."

His pieces, he says, are like his children. He keeps track of where his "kids" end up, and keeps a map of the world with dots on the cities he has boxes in. So far, his family is in Spain, Russian, Australia and more.

Alyssa Ettinger is a ceramicist and freelance writer. Shop her handmade porcelain wares at her Etsy Store, alyssa ettinger design.

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Etsy Star: Recycled Bicycle Clocks by 1.by.liz

Alyssa Ettinger — 2010-03-17T15:17:00 00:00

Filed under: Crafts, Crafts & Celebrations

Liz Dickey

We're always cruising online marketplace Etsy for cutting-edge crafters. This week, we discovered teacher and artist Liz Dickey, whose shop 1.by.liz features curious clocks crafted from parts of old bicycle gears and reclaimed textiles. They're so innovative we just had to learn more.

Canary yellow recylced bike clock. 1.by.liz, Etsy

We recently talked to Liz and discovered she lives in Oakland, CA, where she teaches online at Oregon's Portland State University. Seeking new opportunities, she left full-time teaching in 2007 to pursue more creative endeavors.

She made her first clock quite by accident: her boyfriend had lots of bike gears hanging around and she was fascinated by their shapes. She, herself, had a plethora of fabric on hand and happened to need a new clock. She found a way to put them together and created her first timepiece. She began selling her crafty clocks and magnets on Etsy almost immediately.

Simply blue recycled bike clock. 1.by.liz, Etsy

To find materials for her timepieces, Liz gets to do one of her favorite things: rummaging through thrift stores, estate sales, and junkyards. Many of her bike pieces come from friends and local bike shops, but she also got a good deal of them once she began volunteering at a non-profit community bike shop called Cycles of Change, which strives to empower the local community (specifically low-income youth) through bike education programs. "They hook me up with used and worn out parts in exchange for my volunteer hours," says Liz.

Her least favorite thing about making her one-of-a-kind bike clocks? "I wish the bike parts were easier to clean -- especially the teeth around the edges. Although, I must say it is satisfying to see what is revealed once all the grease and grime is removed."

The method she uses to clean the bike parts? Non-toxic, grease-fighting cleansers and plenty of elbow grease. At first, Liz's clock's designs were simpler than the ones she creates now. But her work has evolved over the years, and she's finding more and more pieces of the old bikes to play with. She's even taken a welding class recently, and is trying to become more experimental with her repurposed pieces.

Clock backgrounds consist of fabric scraps or other textile remnants. Deciding which fabric to partner with which bike gear is a process of trial and error. Liz digs through her bins and plays around by holding up the metal pieces to the various fabrics, seeing which look right together. Her favorite color combinations change weekly, but her most recent obsessions are gray/yellow and light blue/red/orange.

Liz finds inspiration, she says, wherever she looks. "I see potential clock designs in fashion, upholstered furniture, architecture, and nature."

Wood recycled bike clock. l.by.liz, Etsy

While her work is extremely detailed, Liz assures us that she loves, "the art of imperfection." With this in mind, each gear she chooses shows a different amount of wear and tear, making for truly unique pieces.

The Charlotte recycled bike clock. 1.by.liz, Etsy

Liz admires a lot of her fellow artists, but she says that children are her favorites artists of all. "Children are imaginative by nature and I love the way they interpret the world around them. When given access to open- ended materials, there's no telling exactly what they'll do."

Liz's home studio has three large windows, tons of natural light -- and lots and lots of metal bike pieces. While listening to everything from Ella Fitzgerald to Jerry Garcia, she makes crafts about 30 clocks per month. The clocks range in price from about $32 to $48 apiece -- a reasonable deal, considering the amount of work involved.

Some of her most curious pieces are made of a a specific fabric: red with white circles and an image of a pig. Liz says, "Someone recently bought one after telling me how he was really into pork -- and even went into detail about how he had made his own sausages, pork rinds and bacon!"

Alyssa Ettinger is a ceramicist and freelance writer. Shop her handmade porcelain wares at her Etsy Store, alyssa ettinger design.

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