Featured Member: SparrowsSalvage

Shop: www.sparrowsalvage.etsy.com


How did you get started in your chosen craft?
I've always been crafty, growing up poor with two grandmothers who both lived through the depression, you learn to get creative! In addition I was a reclusive teenager; I watched a lot of fantasy films while doing art and gradually the two combined and I became interested in costumes. Then around the early 90s I invited a group of travelers to stay with me who wore costume as everyday clothes, and made a lot themselves. They taught me immense amounts of techniques and ideas (not just about art and costume but about life, the planet and self-reliance), and that combined with my art style.

How do you make your craft or etsy store eco friendly?
Almost everything I use is secondhand in some way. The influence of my thrifty grandmothers combined with my love of antique things means my shop makes use of what already exists in the world. All I've really had to do is make sure my 'new' supplies are either sourced from de-stash or vintage.

Why did you join the EcoEtsy Team?
I was looking to be part of a street team and wanted one where my ideals would be best represented rather than my geographical position or the fact that I'm an Aries and so are 3493 other Etsians.

Where do you get your ideas/inspiration?
I have a mysterious fascination with Dickensian stuff, especially ragged characters like Fagin and Miss Havisham and the general scene Dickens sets of muddy, foggy, bleak London. Lately though I've been inspired by 1960s and 70s sci fi movies and 40s Wartime design. My newest interest is combining opposites, so I'm getting things like 'burlesque chimney sweep' and 'Interstellar highwaymen' - you get all sorts of ideas from that!

Which piece in your shop is your current favorite?
Goodness! Such a hard choice, I think though it would have to be the space princess wrist cuff- it was great to get all these antique materials and combine them in a way that looked very modern.


What are you currently working on?
I'm finally doing some clothing reconstruction, and I'm working on fingerless gloves and hats because most of the world is entering a cold weather period, the lucky bunnies!

What steps have you taken to lead a green life style?
I think having a thrifty mindset that's been there since childhood, I've not really had to change my life much as it's always been low-impact. Shopping is where you can make the biggest difference, I'm lucky to live in Australia where we produce enough of a variety of food that I can buy pretty much anything local, though I'm currently trying to move into a more seasonal diet as it's more environmentally sound. I only shower every second day, I only do a laundry load once a fortnight, I walk as much as I can (I don't own a car), and I don't buy new things unless it's unavoidable. I'm not a 'crazy' eco-freak though - I like to find a middle ground where you can still have a perfectly ordinary life as well as being of low impact, it's a better role model for people who have yet to live green and need to know that it's easy.

Is your art/craft your full time job? If not what do you do to pay the bills?
In so far as where my day goes, it's definitely full time. My house mate commented the other day that I never seem to stop working, which is probably true! I get my main income from welfare with Etsy earnings going straight back into the business. I'm lucky that my life doesn't cost a whole lot to run!

What do you do when you are not crafting?
Sleep! I've also been known to write fantasy novels, play bluegrass guitar and spend a lot of time cooking good food.

What is the most eco-friendly purchase you have made?
I haven't really...I think the most environmental thing you can buy is not to buy at all.