Custom Works from Unusual Repurposed Objects

How are you spending Christmas Eve?  I started my morning by wheeling out a broken grill to the alley for bulk trash pick up day.  Later, I thought of that clinking, clanking, clattering collection of caliginous junk (for we did share some wonderful times) and was reminded that many amazing custom projects have incorporated recycled and reclaimed materials and given new life to objects that otherwise would have likely wound up sitting by an alley on a cold Christmas Eve.  (I had second thoughts about the grill, but it was gone when I went back).  Have an obsolete object you don’t want to part with? Interested in purchasing or commissioning pieces with a storied past that are both whimsically charming and eco-friendly? Here are a few works by CustomMade artisans created from some rather unusual repurposed items.

Are you a parent looking for a way to create a unique record of your child’s athletic accomplishments from their outgrown uniforms?  Perhaps you’re having trouble getting your significant other to part with their old T-shirts? Artisan Julie Moss of Moss Quilts & Embroidery can help you.  Julie’s mantra is “repurpose the shirts instead of leaving them to gather dust in drawers and boxes,” and her pieces “are one-of-a-kind creations with the customer’s unique personality at center.”  She can take your T-shirts and create pillows or memory quilts from them, like this vacation T-shirt quilt with a soft anti-pill fleece backing.  Check out Julie’s CustomMade portfolio for more examples of her work.  Contact Julie and have her give your memories a new, comfy form.

Vacation T-shirt Quilt by Moss Quilts & Embroidery at CustomMade.com

Looking for a storytelling chair that has a story to tell, too?  This wheat back chair by Jerry Van Vleet of Legendary Heirloom “will make Grandpa’s job easier.”  Made from a salvaged thrashing machine and featuring embroidered wheat grain designs on the seat and a steel penny embedded in the armrest, this chair is truly a unique and eclectic combination of styles and modes: rural and industrial, work and comfort, outdoors and indoors.  Contact Jerry if you have questions about this piece or other unique furnishings in Jerry’s CustomMade portfolio.

Wheat Back Chair by Legendary Heirloom at CustomMade.com

What goes up must come down.  True for space debris and airplane parts (though hopefully with a softer landing).  Alex Henderson, sculptor and CEO of Monumental Fabrication of America, made this aeronautical jet engine coffee table with a glass tabletop from reclaimed stainless steel jet engine parts.  Take a look at more of Alex’s metal creations featured in his CustomMade portfolio.  If you’re interested in this piece or would like to commission a similar work, contact the artisan.

Aeronautical Jet Engine Coffee Table by Monumental Fabrication of America at CustomMade.com

And for something a little more down to earth: the spoon ring by Anita DiPietro Jewelry Designs.  Artisan Anita DiPietro writes:

My customer had silverware that was her grandmother’s and wanted to have a piece of jewelry made from it.  She chose a ring out of one of the spoon handles.  We added aventurine as the accent stone.

If you have an object of sentimental value you’d like to turn into “handcrafted wearable art jewelry,” contact Anita and discuss your ideas.  To appreciate the range of materials she can include in your piece, from metals and gems to fossils, found objects, and natural materials, browse through her CustomMade portfolio.

Spoon Ring by Anita DiPietro Jewelry Designs at CustomMade.com

If you have a new life in mind for repurposed objects or would like to include recycled materials in your next custom project, include your requests and specifications when you submit your idea to our “Get it Made” job board.

Have a Merry Christmas.