Refuse Remover: Bend’s Makers District

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Rubbish Renewed

The Rubbish Renewed mission embraces actions to lower our impact on the planet. Whether you rethink your use of waste, support businesses who put sustainability and equity at the forefront of there work, or use your consumer dollars to shop locally, each of these actions improves the sustainability of our community. Our new headline sponsor, Bend’s Makers District, fits this mission perfectly.

Located at the center of our Bend universe, on First and Second streets between Greenwood and Olney avenues, Bend’s Makers District is a collection of eclectic local enterprises in a semi-industrial but accessible city neighborhood. This up and coming district has everything to meet your sustainable, creative consumer needs.

Bend Hoops is dedicated to providing access for anyone (especially youth) to come and find a pick-up game or a path to competitive basketball.

Bend Velo is a unique bike shop, geared towards building and providing practical bikes for the general public, including repurposed rebuilds.

Central Oregon Trophies is a family owned business that puts community at the center of service.

Far Afield Cider was born from having enough of the corporate world and a desire to create something locally in the best place, Bend.

At the heart of Humm Kombucha is a calling “to care for their community and spread health, love and joy to all things they touch.”

Locavore educates, and improve access for, the Central Oregon community, about the health and social benefits of fresh, nutritious food that is sustainably produced locally.

Natural Edge Furniture makes natural edge peices from salvaged, recovered and recycled materials.

Rack-N-Roll offers easy access to Bend’s local adventures with all types of gear carrying storage.

Sara Bella Upcycled creates upcycled, stylish products from handbags to fashion wear made from plastic bags that would otherwise have been thrown in the trash.

Soul Bowl makes a whole foods lunch that is satisfying, filling, easily digested and nourishes your mind, body, and soul.

utilitu sewing & design Allison Murphy employs innovation, efficiency, and relevant design skills to alter, repair, create, and design.

Check out ‘Maker’s March’ during the month of March, which will be a series of DIY events scattered throughout the district, hosts paired with artists and people invited to participate in a hands on activity.

Bend’s Makers District will also by vying for the Coveted Trash Trophy in our 4th Business Challenge!

Local Libations, food carts, and mason jars for beverages this year!

Posted on January 10, 2015 by Rubbish Renewed

Graphic Design: Allison Murphy Printing by Dan Wellisch; Owner of Flash Ink

Rubbish Renewed is a truly local event! A fundraiser for a local charter school rooted in Bend since 2001, REALMS Charter School, artists and models from Central Oregon, local food carts (The Pizza Cart, Bethyln’s Global Fusion, Shred Town), and even down to our beverage service, beverage choices and newly branded Rubbish Renewed mason jars printed by a local company, Flash Ink. When it comes to beverages, we know that everyone has their loyalties and favorites. We can ensure, with the diversity of local businesses supporting this event, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

We are thrilled and thankful to welcome back many businesses that have supported this grassroots endeavor since 2010. We have Velvet back for the 5th year, providing our drink service for both shows. They will be serving Boneyard Beer, cocktails made from the finest vodka, Crater Lake Vodka produced by Bend Distillery , wine from Naked Winery, Far Afield Cider, the newest Bend cidery, and Humm Kombucha.

As we continue to work towards “zero waste” with the help of Rethink Waste, we have Rubbish Renewed branded mason jars to purchase for $8 at the event. People will get $1 off each drink with a jar purchase. From the talent behind the show, the artist’s marketplace, the local food and drink, we sought a local company to brand our new drinking jars and couldn’t be happier working with Dan at Flash Ink. His responsiveness and desire to beat any online company made it an easy sell for us to once again go local.

So why local? We all know that it has become increasingly cheaper to buy distantly produced goods, despite the increased costs of packaging and transport. Here are some shocking stats & quick facts about buying local goods.

Aircraft transport has greater fuel consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions per mile than any other mode of transport.
Transportation by shipping produces emissions of 1 billion metric tons of CO2 and uses 11 billion gallons of fuel per year internationally.
The EPA reports that trucks spend 3,221 of their 6,816 hours on the road each year at an idle. 1.2 billion gallons of fuel and about 200,000 tons of nitrous oxides are expended each year by transport trucks idling at rest stops.

We hope to see you at the show next week! Remember to come early to grab a seat, drink, food from local food carts, shop in our local marketplace, and enjoy our eco-silent auction.

PHOTO SHOOT SNEAK PEAK

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

Thursday, December 18th, Rubbish Renewed gathered 15 garments at Tambi Lane Photography for our pre-show photo shoot. We invited Business Challenge participants, live auction item designers, and had a lottery of students for our final few spots. 2 of our 10 Business Challenge garments came, and 7 of 9 auction items. We filled the final spots with a lottery selection of completed student submissions. Thank you Bishops Barbershop for the exquisite hair, Kimberly Harwood for the makeup glow and Tambi Lane Photography, our Rubbish Renewed official photographer, for your masterful vision and photo execution! Here is a sneak peak of what is to come at the show on Thursday, January 15^th.

AUCTION GARMENTS – Click on the photo to link to the auction garments

Auction Item
Designer: Paula Bullwinkel
Materials: Old Curtain & photo photocopies

BUSINESS CHALLENGE – Click on the photo to link to the Business Challenge

Business Challenge: Stringsoil
Designer: NSpekktor
Materials:

STUDENT GARMENTS – Click on the photo to link to the student garments

Student Designer: Sydney Phillips
Materials:

Sustainable Holiday Tip

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

More waste is created between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than any other time. Give experiences, not stuff. #rubbishrenewed #sustainableholidaytip

RR Student Designers in Action

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

Friday I captured this time-lapse in the REALMS Rubbish Renewed Elective. Look closely in this 30 second video to see 5 different students using these 2 sewing machines to complete garments! Check out their quotes below to see what a few students learned while creating garments to submit to the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show.

I learned:

How to use a sewing machine.
When something falls apart, cry for a minute, then get back up and keep working.
To see shapes differently. I can make 2-D pieces fit 3-D people.
That good design takes time.
How to go from nothing into something.
Fashion can be sustainable.
To really look at materials to see what they can become.
That through my actions, I can make a difference for the earth.

(Sewing machines were purchased 2 years ago from Rubbish Renewed fundraising proceeds. All 6th graders now have a chance to learn to use a sewing machine)!

Sustainable Holiday Tips

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

We believe that small choices do add up. Consider making 2-3 changes this season and remember, it’s not about the stuff.

More tips to come.

Refuse Remover ReStore Re-opening

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

Business Challenge: ReStore 2014

Even with their move imminent and planning their GRAND RE-OPENING, Restore jumped on board as one of our headline sponsors for the Rubbish Renewed Eco-Fashion Show for their 5^th year in a row. This like-minded, community organization has shown unwavering support for our mission of transforming trash and inspiring community for a more sustainable earth!

ReStore Grand Re-opening Schedule

This week marks the ReStore GRAND RE-OPENING! The celebration includes: a Habitat Style “ribbon cutting;” enter for the grand drawing once a day; live piano music on a grand piano that’s for sale; liv-mic radio broadcast; plus the Doors to the Future Art Show & Fundraiser. Each day from December 9^th to 13^th honors a different aspect of our community. Come shop for used and surplus home improvement supplies, or donate yours, and celebrate the GRAND RE-OPENING of ReStore! All proceeds benefit Bend Area Habitat for Humanity, providing home ownership, home repair & weatherization services for hard working low income local families and individuals in Bend and Crook County.

“What one action can I take to lower my impact on the planet?”

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

First Friday, Community Garment Creation

44,000

The number of miles of new ribbon (more than enough to wrap around the planet – and tie a decorative bow, of course) that shoppers wouldn’t have to buy if every family in the country reused just two feet of trimmings from previous years. To keep the ribbon of Christmases past from getting creased, wrap them around a paper towel tube and secure with masking tape.

2011 Community Garment
Materials: Surgical Drape & Soda can bottoms

The Rubbish Renewed Community Garment offers a place to take a personal step towards walking more lightly on the planet. What will you do to generate less waste? Consume less? Ask yourself, “What one action can I take to lower my impact on the planet?” Make a pledge. Start today.

You can help create the 2014/15 Community Garment at the Rubbish Renewed table at December’s First Friday (December 5th) at Hot Box Betty, (903 NW Wall St). Write your pledge for action directly on the tin can lids. Your pledge along with all the pledges collected in Bend will be featured prominently on the 2014 Community Garment at the January 15^th Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show at The Bend Armory. Rubbish Renewed Community Garment 2014/5 By the Bend Community That’s YOU!

Designer: The Bend Community Materials: Bicycle Tubes,

2013/14 Community Garment
Materials: Bicycle Tubes, Minty Blaster holes (a manufacturing by-product)

At First Friday also witness the first Rubbish Renewed past trash fashion live wax museum. Learn how some artists are inspired to lessen their waste by reconsidering the value of trash and transforming rubbish into wearable art.

2012 Community Garment
Materials: Sun Umbrella, Tyvek snowflakes & packaging

Behind the Scene Designer Series: Artist 3 – N Spekktor

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

Our third artist in the Behind the Scene Designer Series, N Spekktor, has participated in Rubbish Renewed every year since 2010. N Spekktor is one of the few Rubbish Renewed artists who works as a fashion designer, in real life, outside of her passion for trash fashion. Each year she’s produced a spectacular piece for our 21 and older show. Last year N Spekktor generously donated her piece, Bags to Ballroom, for our live auction. We can’t wait to see what N Spekktor has in store for this year’s event that is transforming trash and inspiring community for a more sustainable earth.

(link to 1^st post of the series) (link to 2nd post of the series)

Designer: N. Spekktor
Materials: Plastic grocery bags

Artist 3 – N Spekktor

RR: What do you do in real life when you’re not designing and creating trash fashion?

N Spekktor: I’m a Fashion/Graphic Designer, Event Coordinator, and Co-Producer of Beat Lab 92.9 FM. Over the past year I have traveled throughout the west coast showcasing my first ever swimsuit line and taking on collaborative projects with other designers such as Burning Artist Collective in Reno, NV.

RR: What hooked you on our Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show event?

N Spekktor: I heard about this wonderful show from a friend and loved the cause. Not only do I get to play a part in Eco Fashion, but I get to support an amazing school.

Designer: N Spekktor
Materials: Newspaper & plastic garbage bags

RR: What inspires your creations?

N Spekktor: Each year I have created a different look using a variety of materials. This year I will be collaborating with a local business to create something that has never been on the Rubbish Renewed Runway.

RR: What is one thing you want to say to all the aspiring young designers?

N Spekktor: No matter how much they bully you or try to hold you back, please remember only you know what you are truly capable of. Don’t ever let anyone stop you. I did it and so can you.

The 5^th annual Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show welcomes N Spekktor into the Business Challenge competition as the designer for Stringsoil garment this season! Thanks N Spekktor for your dedication to sustainability through your creative fashion vision. We can’t wait to see what you pull out of the midden.

Student Designers at the heart of Rubbish Renewed – Gallery Posted

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Rubbish Renewed

Designer: Ashlie Jackson
Materials: vhs tape & discarded cash register tape cores
Quote: “Through the many challenges of the design process I have learned perseverance.”

Rubbish Renewed started as a brainchild of two REALMS teachers. It makes sense then, that student designers are the heart of this event. For these young designers, Rubbish Renewed starts months before the show. It’s a time of creativity, determination and grit. The Rubbish Renewed tagline declares: transforming trash and inspiring community for a more sustainable earth, so inspiring students to rethink waste and learn life skills like perseverance is the perfect indicator of success for Rubbish Renewed. Here are a few quotes from last year’s talented student designers:

“I learned that trash is never gone, but with some creativity we can make magic happen!” Olivia Rose Barnes

“I really had to think outside the box, because finding useful trash materials is harder than using store bought materials.” Jessica Browning

“I learned that it is harder to make a dress for a person then for a doll.” Lilah Beck

“Inspiration can be found in almost anything, and once you find it anything can become something beautiful.” Soleil Haskell

“Through the many challenges of the design process I have learned perseverance.” Ashlie Jackson

“Creating is like a house of cards. It might fall down at first, but then you rethink it a second time.” Sydney Scott

“Through constructing my garment I learned that to create something you find beautiful you must mind meld with those who see its potential.” Isabella Robles

“Trash fashion can be just as cute as store bought clothes, plus it saves our planet.” Joanna Browning

“Turning garbage into fashion is like a bud turning into a rose, it may look like nothing at first, but it will blossom into something beautiful.” Denali Heinlen