Artists repurpose old items for fashion

Local businesswomen, artists, friends, and "Dumpster divas," Tracy Curtis and Debra Smith-Stephens have collaborated for a trunk show during the 34th Annual Sisters Harvest Faire.

"We're just out digging through the rubble of other people's castoffs," said Smith-Stephens.

While most of their raw materials do not actually come from dumpsters, their inventories of essential ingredients were definitely headed in the direction of the landfills.

Their businesses, Ballokai and Wisteria Chic, continue to birth great ideas. The origins of these great ideas were conceived within the parameters of getting "more good out of used stuff." Being green comes as natural as breathing to these entrepreneurs.

"Debra inspires my creativity, she's fearless and she has such cool stuff in her shop," said Curtis as she left Wisteria Chic with her new treasure, a book on repurposing sweaters.

Already known for her reuse of Sisters Coffee Company's burlap coffee bean sacks into trendy and essential specialty bags, Curtis has imagined yet another delightful creation: the transformation of retired instrument strings into jewelry. She will be introducing her new line of wearable art at the trunk show.

"I got the idea while watching my daughter, Laura, change out strings on her guitar," Curtis said. "Being a singer-songwriter, she goes through the strings. I thought, 'those are too good to throw away.'"

Gleaming copper, zinc, nickel and even stainless steel (typically used for the high E string on a guitar) imaginatively come together into uniquely crafted wearable art that Curtis features in the original string packaging.

After inheriting her father's 12-string guitar when he passed away years ago, Curtis has decided what she'll do with the strings his fingers last touched.

"I've had it restrung and will make wearable art for his four granddaughters with the retired strings," she said.

Heather Wester saw Curtis' collection at the recent Sisters Folk Festival.

"I love her bracelets!" she said. "I thought it would be so cool to have something fashioned from the strings of the two musicians in my family; Jeff plays the banjo and Jessica the guitar. Tracy is so artistic and creative. I can hardly wait to have their strings come back as a unique piece of jewelry."

Like her friend with the repurposed coffee bags, Smith-Stephens has ventured into her own unique line of bags. Recycled, reversible vintage fabric satchel bags. Each one is a limited print.

These limited-edition prints are from repurposed draperies. The next set will come from vintage coats and blankets. The last set will be created out of needlepoint of another era.

"Kay, at The Elder Sister, inspired me with her vintage fabrics," said Smith-Stephens. "I got the idea of the satchel bag because it's pretty specific to the Northwest."

Both fabricators have found a treasure in Sue Yocum, owner of Black Crater Clothing, who manufactures their bags.

"We are so grateful to have Sue here. She's a great problem solver. She'll tackle anything and her work always turns out fabulous," said Curtis. "She's more than fair and works from a heart of integrity. Sue is an undiscovered gem."

Sisters Harvest Faire will be held on Hood Avenue Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11. Wisteria Chic is located at 183 E. Hood Ave. Call 549-8363 for information.