TrashTag is a startup jewelry company that focuses on creating a second life for things that might otherwise end up in the trash. Seeking beauty and potential in our everyday surroundings, TrashTag uses everything from plastic bottles to outgrown clothing to thrifted findings to polymer clay to make striking wearable art.
I source materials from local Denver businesses, including secondhand shops like the Arc, Goodwill and Recreative. I also pull from my own trash and recycle bins to make the packaging and the art itself.
Each piece has a story. Look out for the #hashtags on the #trashtag to get a glimpse of its sourcing and inspiration.
Made from fabric scraps and secondhand beads
Did you know you can buy gallon-sized bags of fabric scraps at some of your local thrift stores? Seeing this fabric made me buy the whole bag of mishmashed scraps for only a few dollars (Saturdays are half-off day at The Arc!). I loved the colors, texture and pattern. What do you think it was used for by its first owner? A summer dress? Curtains?
Materials: Upcycled Fabric Scraps from the Arc, Secondhand Beads from Recreative, Recycled Cardboard, Polymer Clay
SHAPED WITH AN ALUMINUM CUP CUTOUT
These asymmetrical, globular earrings were inspired by other talented jewelry artists from the Cool and Brown Shop. Follow their Instagram for cool, abstract creations.
Materials: These abstract blob earrings were made from polymer clay but created with a cutout made from a recycled aluminum cup.
Made From a McDonald's Straw
The yellow cylindrical pieces of this piece are made from a McDonald's plastic straw. The polymer clay is left over from my pandemic hobby.
Bodacious beads from Re-Creative
The majority of these beads were purchased from a secondhand art supply store in Denver - Recreative. This is a really cool option for arts and craft supplies. I actually got the wallpaper that's in my son's nursery.
made from thrift store fabric scraps
Made from a Secondhand blouse
If you are a voluptuous person, you know what it's like to try to fit in a button-down blouse. This thrift store top didn't fit quite right, but I loved the pattern and wanted to use it for something. Voilà!
All of TrashTag's backings are made from cardboard food boxes - cereal, crackers my husband's "hungry man" lunches.
The TrashTag logo is stamped on each cutout. This allows me to reuse recyclable items and avoid purchasing things new, contributing to the "making of things" (reference Al Goore's book).