Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Fashion and Beauty: Totally Unique Treasures



I have heard that antique stores are the ultimate sustainable business...nothing new, only old stuff. Joking aside, in an age when everything is designed to be single use and disposable for convenience (another blog post for another day), there is something innately attractive about vintage and antiques. They have a presence, a history, a story. They are romantic and elegant.

I spoke with self proclaimed "Ultimate Recycler" Laura (aka Laura Da Goddess), of Totally Unique Treasures. Laura designs one-of-a-kind jewelry and accessories using vintage and reclaimed supplies. Her motto, 'Saving the Planet, One Accessory at a Time'.


'I try to use [supplies] in my creations that other people would just throw away. My absolute favorites are copper and stones. I have a large quantity of copper wire that was left over from the rebuilding of my father's church after [hurricane] Ike. They were going to throw away all this great solid copper wire, so I took it.

I combine reclaimed jewelry pieces with the copper to create affordable and Eco friendly pieces that would have otherwise been lost forever. I do add new goodies to some pieces but most of my work is done with reclaimed pieces of jewelry. I love to turn junk into jewels.'


Laura has accumulated more vintage and reclaimed supplies than she could use in two lifetimes. So, she sells these supplies to other recycle artists to keep perfectly good materials out of the landfill.

Laura also creates custom jewelry and artwork from her clients' inherited or vintage pieces.

'I have had a lot of calls lately for this type of work, as a lot of people are leaving jewelry and keepsakes to their descendants these day. Items that are of sentimental value, but things that [people] may never wear or have no clue what to do with. This is where I come in. I make a beautiful and lasting art piece so that you have something to remember your beloved relative by. [In turn] everyone can enjoy and revel in your history as well.'

Check out Laura's beautiful creations and supplies on her Etsy shop, here.
Get in touch with her via:
facebook- personal page & business page
email: tut@tutreasures.com
Or follow her on twitter

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