Everyday Inspired: Artists Inspiration

4.08.2011

Artists Inspiration - Colorstorydesigns

I am part of an Etsy team called Upcyclers. It's a team with artists that reuse, repurpose, recycle, and upcycle . Today I am featuring a member of the team. They create amazing pieces with recycled magazines, stop by their shop and see all of their must have items.
Amy and Andrea thanks for taking the time to talk with us!

Pixel flower vase made from recycled magazines

Colorstorydesigns

Tell us a little about yourself and what you sell.
Why and how did you decide to work with upcycled/recycled/repurposed materials?

Hi there- we are Amy Gibson and Andrea Read and I (Amy) live outside of Seattle on Bainbridge Island, with my husband and my golden retriever/ large hairy first child - named Koa. We moved out here (from Tulsa) after collage and have since bought our first house and have begun making a life for ourselves. After architecture school (where I met my husband) I began the process of working in various architecture offices in the Seattle area. Andrea and I met while working at a large firm, and immediately became great friends. Soon after meeting, the economy began slowing and we put our heads together and came up with what is now… colorstory designs. Initially, we began working with magazines because of their color and we are able to get them donated to us from our local library system. Andrea and I both believe that recycling and repurposing materials is important and we love that these used magazines would otherwise be taken to the landfill. So we began coming up with ideas based on these very simple and abundant magazines.

Burst of brights picture frame

What inspires you to create/sell what you do?

I’ve always been drawn to color and texture and I find inspiration from everything in life. Nature is a beautiful place to look for color and texture. I never create anything that I can't imagine displaying in my own house. Also, I find very simple and clean shapes classic and beautiful and I think that colorstory designs reflects that perfectly.

Flutterby wings right side shadowbox

What is your favorite thing about creating/designing?

My favorite thing about creating/designing is knowing that something that I have created and put my heart in will now bring joy to someone else's family. I love making things with my hands and I never get tired of the fact that everything single item that I create is unique- it's like every piece is new every time! That also means that every customer gets to enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind piece of art and that is exciting.