Inspiring Skulls

My Stepson Made This!

I've been making leather cell phone cases for the last few weeks. My 8-year-old stepson loves skulls and was my inspiration for putting them on some of the cases I have made. He LOVES them. Every time I show him my latest skull creation, he wants to keep it.

Today he made his own! He did such a great job, I'm super proud of him. This is only his second sewing project ever. I still have to guide him every step of the way and help with the more complicated sewing but he really did most of it on his own.

He sold this one to his papa for $15. I think that is like a million dollars to a kid. He went straight to amazon to find the Deadpool action figure he has been talking about for weeks. I have no idea what that is but apparently it is REALLY COOL.

We both used upcycled designer fabric that we picked up at FabMo to make our cases. That was another exciting outing for him. I took him to FabMo for the first time last week. He loved looking at all the fabrics, he scored some awesome leather and a sample of jeans that he made into a little tote bag. He now has his own little sewing area set up in the dinning room.

I don't think he will sew forever, but I do think it is an excellent way to get his brain thinking mechanically and to improve his dexterity. I have my fingers crossed that no one will tell him that sewing is for girls. Maybe he will inspire more boys to try it when he tells them he is making money with it!

He is taking orders if you want to purchase one of his creations. Only $20 each ($15 for the iPhone case and $5 for shipping) email us at upcycledbyash@gmail.com to place an order!

My skull and his side by side

My Skull iPhone Case

Upcycled Kids Projects

Rock Ladybugs

A few weeks ago I had a table at an In Home Show. My stepkids were intrigued by what I was doing, this was their first time seeing me get everything together to go sell. I told them that if they wanted to paint some rocks, I would take them to the next show I am in and sell their creations for them. Well, the idea kept growing. The kids have now decided that they would like to make more than just painted rocks. They want to start their own online upcycled craft business. We now have the neighbor kids involved too! I think this is a fantastic opportunity for the children to learn about money and business.

Full Set of Rock Dominos

They are in the process of brainstorming, trying out products and coming up with a name for their business. I am in the process of letting go and not telling them what to do, how to do it or what to name the business. That is not easy for me! Right now I think they are planning to go with the name 8th Ave Kids (yes, I influenced that heavily).

Baseball Card Wallet

One of the biggest challenges for them is not keeping everything they make. I'm not sure we have actually managed to make any items for the business yet. This isn't so bad, quite honestly they could use a little practice before they make for sale versions of their crafts. We are getting really good at the baseball card wallets now. The first "prototypes" were not quite up to par.

Bottle Cap Necklace

When we meet our next door neighbors we asked the 10 year old what she was planning to do with the huge collection of bottle caps she had. She wasn't sure. We went on Pinterest and found a bunch of cool ideas, now both houses are collecting bottle caps for necklaces, bracelets and magnets.

Water Bottle Bracelet

Over the weekend we went to visit my parents in Redding, CA. I bought Smart Water for the car ride. I like that it has electrolytes in it. Redding is hot and dry, we needed to be well hydrated. The kids' dad doesn't quite understand my logic. All he can see is "really expensive water". Yesterday I was finishing off the last bottle when inspiration struck, we can make this "really expensive water" pay for itself! Armed with scissors and yarn the kids and I went to work.

I love seeing the kids get excited about upcycling and having their own business. They are always coming up to me with another crazy thought about what they can make. We are also working on a lego man necklace and comic book coasters. So far they have remained focused on the whole idea and motivated to make their items. Yesterday the oldest (9) told me he was going to eat breakfast and then head to the office, and he did.

Stay tuned for more on the kids products and the opening of their 8th Ave store!