New Year's Eve

Reflecting on 2011 with so much gratitude and looking ahead to 2012 with equal excitement.

All the best for a wonderful new year.

Happy Holidays

I know it's not a holiday tune, but I love how Alexander Chen used such simple graphic representation so elegantly and, admit it, the red background is 'festive'.

The interactive version available here

More info here

Set Sail

Ain't it the truth! Have a great week.
Found this here.

Sail Sale

Bloomspot is offering a sale on sailing!

The offer: $399 for 3-day Learn to Sail Certification Course ($895 value) though the Offshore Sailing School.

If you have any want-to-be-sailors on your holiday shopping list, this would make an adventurous and exciting gift.

OMG - OG Studios

Traditional, simple, minimal and ... modern? Yes.

These chairs are created by O & G Studios. Check 'em out on sale at Fab.

PBS Off Book: Expanding the Definition of Art

Check out the latest video installment from PBS Off Book on Etsy Art and Culture.

Reiter8 was lucky enough to be featured along side the fabulous Alyssa Zygmunt, from BROOKLYNrehab and the enlighted (couldn't help it) Allison Patrick, from zipper8lighting.

Vanessa Bertozzi, Director of Community & Education at Etsy speaks about Etsy's outlook and approach to art. She says at Etsy they don't consider there to be a hierarchy where fine artists are on a different level than those create accessible art or who craft. I do love that Etsy is not a curated site and that it's so accessible from both ends: those who create and those who are looking for creations.

I do think that there is validity and skill to expressing your creativity in any of the vast array of mediums available and that when you do that you are an artist. What do you think?

Small, Medium, Large

Recently when I photographed and listed this recycled sail cloth purse, I realized that there was another similar one in existence. And then I found another!

I kind of like the lined up looks of the same(ish) bag in small, medium and large.

Enlightening Upcycling

Small steps can make a big difference.

Summer Blogcation

Sewing and Summer leave little room for blogging.
Hope you're having a fun packed summer, too.

MIB3 - Brooklyn Filming

MIB3 has been filming in Brooklyn lately. They were in Red Hook near my studio earlier in the week. Yesterday afternoon Court Street and several of the side streets downtown were lined with vintage cars in preparation for filming that was scheduled to go throughout the night.



I thought the taxi's were great.



Especially the fares!




This little red sports car was my personal favorite. I love how the owner is lovingly doting on it making sure it's ready for its close up. And it was - every part was perfectly polished. Sure wish I had this car on a day like today!



Enjoy the long weekend - hope you get a chance to get out and play.

Nautical Wedding

Hot off the sewing machine:



It's fun to imaging the weddings that these ring bearer pillows will be attending.
With the navy and white color combo, I bet this one will be classic.

Get What You Want

I know the song says 'you can't always get what you want' but sometimes you can ... if you ask.

I'm open to customer's ideas and requests. It's fun to work on different color combinations and create one of a kind bags. Hearing their enthusiasm and excitement in the process is rewarding.


Blue instead of black? No problem! Ikat lining? Sure! Want it tomorrow? Why not! It's great to say YES!




Here's hoping you get what you want this weekend and beyond.

Fathers Day Sail Sale

Is your dad a sailor?
Was your dad a sailor?
Does your dad wish he was a sailor?

Either way, he'll love Reiter8's recycled sail messenger bag. It's sturdy, durable, eco friendly AND for a limited time on sale with free shipping here.





Best of all each bag is one of a kind just like dad.

There She Blows!

Allergy season and the whale trend collide:




Handmade by Gnome Sweeeet Gnome and available here.

Spring Cleaning

I've been doing some spring cleaning in the studio lately. I'm in the 'use it' or 'get rid of it' mode.

I came across a piece of great upholstery fabric from my fabric stash and gave it the ultimatum. Then grabbed a pair of leather topped handles that had been hanging around, too.

The result?





It's the latest addition to Reiter8's recycled sail BIG tote collection. It's so roomy and has the capacity to hold everything for a day at the beach ... and then some!

Available here.

Simply Positive and Inspiring

Enjoy.

More of Pascal Perich's video portraits here.

And more of Greg Beauchamp's work here.

The Perfect Beach Bag

The Perfect Beach Bag? Really? Well, yes! That's what people say over and over when they see this roomy light weight durable tote.




Bonus: Not only is it eco friendly for the outside material: upcycled dacron sailboat sails. But the inside, too! A lovely combo of hemp and organic cotton muslin blend with a wave pattern.



Available exclusively here

(Recycled Sail) Pillow Talk

New: Reiter8's Recycled Sail Pillows now available with Ikat backing!







More color combos and the above pillow available here.

Summer Shimmer

Introducing (drum roll please) 3 new Recycled Sail bags:
The Big Dipper Tote:



Guess I'm dreaming about warm summer nights spent star gazing.

The Silver Streak:


And The Prefect Beach Tote (Because that's what people kept saying when they saw it.)



All available in my shop on Etsy!

Earth Day 2011

Happy Earth Day!

Mark today as the first day you will take a small step (or big step!) to do something for the environment. All the earth saving tips are out there - especially today. Pick something you can do and start doing it today. You have the power to make an impact.

Reiter8's Earth friendly step starting today is to participate in UPS's carbon neutral shipping option with each UPS shipment. This means that through UPS, I will be supporting emissions reduction projects that help mitigate the climate impact of shipping of my parcels. More detailed info here.

Further, SHIPPING IS FREE on all orders placed today!

Happy Earth Day!

(image via UPS.com)

You're invited!

Celebrate EarthCare Week 2011 in style! Sip organic cocktails and shop New York-based eco-friendly products and designers, including:

CANOPY VERDE
KERSTIN FLORIAN
MANGO TREE FITTED BANGLES
REITER8 (that's me!)
RELAX & REJUVENATE and
VASKA

Wednesday, April 20 5-7 PM $15 at the door, includes one organic cocktail

Send me an email or DM on twitter and I'll get put you on the guest list!

Proceeds will benefit The Trust for Public Land – an organization dedicated to conserving land, parks and gardens for generations to come.

location: The Muse New York 130 W. 46th Street

Green is Universal

NBC is celebrating Earth Day all month and, along with Etsy, holding an Art of ReUse contest.

When you register and vote for your favorite upcycled project, you could win a $500 Etsy shopping spree!

I have entered my upcycled sail pillows here and would love your vote TODAY as it is the last day to vote. Top 10 items in each category will be featured on the today show.

Hoist the Flag!

Feeling a little stuck? Slowed? Lost contact? Having a hard time being heard? Need to send out an alert? Hoist a flag.

Visit Bexpert's shop on Etsy where you can find these and more.

Have a safe, smooth sailing day.

Nautical Wedding: Sail Ring Pillow

I do!

Ah, it's almost that time again. The wedding season is just around the corner!

A recycled sail ring pillow is the ultimate detail for a nautical themed wedding. They are available all white or with the wedding date embroidered on a stripe of green, red, blue, green, black or yellow insignia cloth. I love the richness of the yellow. Available here and here.

Reclaimed and Upcycled

Here's another 'new' tote.





The handle material was reclaimed form a local belt factory that went out of business. The same place where the red patent leather bands on the 'Look at Me' tote came from in the previous post. Both totes are available here.

Good news, the old belt factory building was reclaimed and upcycled, too. It's been restored and revamped into The Invisible Dog Art Center. They always have interesting events going on: art openings, plays, open studios. Definitely worth a visit if your in the neighborhood.

Have a great weekend!

Look At Me!

Say hello to my latest addition. It''s a kind of 'Cat in the Hat' don't take me too seriously tote.

Look at me!
Look at me!
Look at me NOW!
It is fun to have fun
But you have to know how.
-Dr. Seuss from The Cat in the Hat

More details on this recycled sail tote here.