Monday, June 30, 2014

UpCycling - Who invented the word?


Well, first of all, since I used this picture from the internet, let me introduce the blog/site from which I borrowed.  http://www.upcycling.co.uk/   I haven't read too many posts, however, love the diversity and the promotion of upcycling.

Now, while I borrowed the logo/picture, you may be surprised to know that I didn't borrow the word from her site or any other site.  Some years back, I decided to advertise my costumes online and wondered what word or words would properly describe such endeavors.  I was chatting to my good friend Danielle D. and she suggested marketing it as recycling or upcycling.

I asked her - "What is upcycling?"  I still remember the little laugh she gave as she admitted she didn't know if it was a word, but that it made sense.  I wasn't recycling used item such as a thrift shop, but taking something old, new, or traditional and changing it.  Changing it to something more exciting.

So, I googled it. What else would one do?  I googled the word "upcycle".  NOTHING was to be found on about 5 pages.  Miss spelled words, and related content, and of course recycling.  But nothing on upcycling.  So, I thought to myself, "Well, it might be cheesy to advertise with a homemade word, but I'll try it.   And I did.

Now, the word is everwhere.  Why didn't I trade mark it? Could it really be that I was the first one to use it online?  Did Danielle actually invent the word for one of the biggest trends hitting the planet?  I like to think so. Wikipedia says Etsy has been trending it since 2010, also that it was first coined in 1997, but I still think she coined it herself as well.

Now, I told her this, and she couldn't remember having said it.  Laughingly asked me if she really had.  So, maybe she heard it somewhere.  But I truly think, we started the trend on the internet!  At least according to my first google search we did!

Love to hear how others stumbled upon the concept.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Alice In Wonderland times two




~ A Sweet Reminiscent Creation by Ash Tree Meadow Designs ~

Photography credit to N a Wink Expressions Photography
https://www.facebook.com/nawinkphoto?fref=ts

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Exciting Development on the Payment Front

We are very pleased to announce that we are now accepting MasterCard, Visa, and Debit in payment for goods in our online Etsy store!  This new development should make it easier for customers to buy - and hopefully faster too!

Check out our new merchandise!