new arrivals at uncovered artistry nonprofit boutique

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Sarah S.

I’ve got some excellent news! Uncovered Artistry— the nonprofit I founded with my sister five years ago that sells the work of domestic abuse survivors– has NEW ARRIVALS! They’re a while in the making, but I am so proud of the new styles we have up. Our products– all handmade items– are made by domestic abuse survivors… with the exception of these newest additions.

The new arrivals were actually made by volunteers at various events the Uncovered Artistry Project has hosted throughout the years. Participants made the designs using new and recycled jewelry pieces and graciously donated them to the online boutique. And now, I am very happy to say that many of them are up for sale online.

And keep your eye out…there’s more on the way, too!

So what is the Uncovered Artistry Project and boutique?

It started with a simple equation.

Art + Entrepreneurship = Empowerment. Add a couple business-savvy ladies and a serendipitous grant from Projects for Peace, and you’ve got yourself Uncovered Artistry Boutique. We’re a little shop built on the belief that business fosters empowerment in all its flavors (financial, personal, emotional, et al.). Our little piece of this cyber world sells the creative work of domestic and sexual abuse survivors, individuals who, more than most, benefit from the uplifting effects of art and business. Our roots are planted deep in Midwest soil, yet our reach extends to all those with an Internet connection and a penchant for joyful shopping. Shop the boutique today.

Cheers!

Sarah

This post is #82 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima

Why I Started Uncovered Artistry

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vintage (german) handmade scrunchies

Posted on June 20, 2015 by Sarah S.

Gibbson Girl Vintage Scrunchies #100DaysofMiaPrima 2

I made a point of visiting Berlin’s Humana (similar to a US GoodWill) when in the German city a couple days ago. I love to see the different vintage styles that each European city has. Amsterdam is saturated in hip, bright 90s vintage, and Berlin doesn’t seem to be too different. However, what I found particularly interesting about Berlin vintage is that a portion of it belonged to East Berlin, which was dominated by DDR-sponsored fashion. Which meant cheap, plastic fabrics and styles that tended to run behind Western Germany’s trends. But this unique fashion history makes Berlin that much more interesting while shopping for vintage.

Gibbson Girl Vintage Scrunchies #100DaysofMiaPrima

The Humana I visited in Berlin just happens to be the largest one in all of Europe, and I spent a number of hours diligently scouring each of the four floors for great vintage finds to add to my Etsy shop, The Gibbson Girl.

Gibbson Girl Vintage Scrunchies #100DaysofMiaPrima 3

To my luck, I discovered five handmade vintage scrunchies and snatched them up immediately. What a unique find that seems to me to represent the 80s/90s vintage vibe of Berlin today and the ingenuity of East Berliners who strove to reflect their individuality in a stifling society.

Check back soon on The Gibbson Girl to see these scrunchies again!

bis später!

Sarah

This post is #59 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima.

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Recycled Packing for My Etsy Shop

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recycled packaging for my etsy shop

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Sarah S.

I love to shop. Especially online. As a result, I end up with (an embarrassing amount of) used packaging. Thankfully, I had enough foresight to save two years worth of packing material, so when it came time to develop the packaging for my new vintage clothing Etsy shop, The Gibbson Girl, I had lots to work with.

To me, using recycled packaging is an obvious choice: it’s free, I have lots of it, and it’s friendlier to the environment. Instead of spending money creating new branded packaging, I went to my local resale craft store (Pittsburgh Center for Create Reuse) and picked up vintage wall paper and library catalog cards. The result is unique branded packing material with homemade character.

I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I was hesitant to handwrite my package inserts. But just the other day I received an encouraging compliment: “Library catalog cards! And I love that these are handwritten. They feel…so authentic.” So there you have it. I’m sticking with inexpensive, easy to make, recycled packaging for my Etsy shop!

Tot ziens!

Sarah

This post is #27 of the #The100DayProject. For more updates on my progress, be sure to follow me on Instagram and look for the hashtage, #100DaysofMiaPrima.

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pearls, crystals, gems: handmade by abuse survivors

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Sarah S.

I spent one afternoon a couple weekends ago snapping shots of beautiful handmade jewelry for the nonprofit The Uncovered Artistry Project (i.e. the nonprofit I founded five years ago with my sister!). The nonprofit, which boasts an online boutique, sells the artisan work of domestic and sexual abuse survivors. Because we believe art and entrepreneurship are pretty darn empowering.

Below are some of my favorite shots of some of the stunning jewelry we are currently selling in the boutique.

Swarovski pearl earrings…our bestseller

Swarovski pearl drop necklace…this one always reminds me of Jane from Pride and Prejudice.

domestic violence awareness bracelet…my personal favorite- it’s such a pretty touch to every outfit!

true blue rhinestone earrings…are you feeling like royalty today?

Don’t forget to shop the boutique and support the nonprofit at uncoveredartistry.com.

Cheers!

Sarah

fork + spoon

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Sarah S.

+ a new tattoo

fork + spoon rings #miaprimacasa

{ring 1} apple orchard in Mt.Horeb, Wisconsin

{ring 2} Madison Farmer’s Market (the best in the world)

fork + spoon rings #miaprimacasa

“be bold”

Wearing Strength & Courage

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Sarah S.

For some reason, I don’t wear the jewelry we sell at Uncovered Artistry as much as you’d expect. Maybe it’s because I spend so much time photographing it, describing it, and otherwise trying to convince my family and friends to buy it, that I just sort of forget to don the pieces myself. But this week, I made an extra effort to pull out some of my favorite Uncovered Artistry pieces.

The bright spring colors of this neon flower necklace made for a breath of fresh springtime spirit to my otherwise (still) sweater-filled outfits.

And this purple ribbon bracelet, which I wore just about everyday this week, reminded me of the Uncovered Artistry Project and amazing women behind our jewelry every time I glanced at my watch. To me, wearing one of our pieces is like, in some small way, wearing the strength and courage of our artisans, who battled through (and survived fearlessly) domestic and sexual abuse.

That’s some pretty powerful jewelry.

Cheers!

Sarah

The Uncovered Artistry Project and boutique is a non-profit that sells the art of domestic and sexual abuse survivors. Learn more about us at our website: www.uncoveredartistry.com.

Fall Mix Tape 2013

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Sarah S.

Fall Mix Tape Art #miaprimacasa
Every season, I ask my friends to think about the sights, sounds, and feelings that remind them of the season. For me at autumn, I think of sweaters, hot chocolate, football games, and burning leaves. Then, I ask them to send me any songs that conjure up that imagery. When everyone has submitted, I compile the music together into three curated albums and create cover art. In 2013, we are celebrating the anniversary of the mix tape! (And also celebrating the season and the joy that comes along with sharing music you love and getting to know your friends a bit better on a new level). So I thought I’d share the first album with you all today. The first album, titled “State”, might be my favorite and probably sums up the feeling of the complete mix tape best. Enjoy and happy fall!

Fall Mix Tape Art #miaprimacasa

State of Independence, 2013, mixed media: packing tape, recycled bubble mailers, pen and ink

Great Finds: Handmade Silver “Amare” Bracelet

Posted on September 15, 2013 by Sarah S.

As much of a hassle unpacking is, sometimes it does give one the opportunity to rediscover long forgotten treasures. A couple days ago I ran across this simple silver bracelet I made in high school (my public high school had a very robust arts program!). It wasn’t until I was wearing it for sometime that I noticed the stamped word, “amare” on the inside of the piece. “Amare” is Latin (and also Italian) for “to love” or, as I suspect I might have first intended it to read, the imperative command, “love.”

Great Finds: Antique Bullet Crystal Necklace

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Sarah S.

Usually, I stick to buying coffee and veggies at the Madison Farmer’s Market, but a couple weeks ago, I ran across this antique bullet and crystal necklace at RocksNsoul‘s market booth and had to purchase it. I’d hate to get too hippy, but isn’t the dichotomy just lovely?

You can purchase your own unique necklace on her Etsy shop. Another favorite of mine that I saw at her booth was this amazing cuff bracelet. Maybe I’ll save that for my next trip to the Farmer’s Market!

Photo courtesy of RocksNSoul.com

Unique Holiday Gifts You Can Feel Good About Buying!

Posted on December 9, 2012 by Sarah S.

Still looking for a holiday gift? Want something unique, beautiful, and handmade? My non-profit, The Uncovered Artistry Project and Boutique, has a new goal to reach $1000 in sales this holiday season. We sell all sorts of handmade products including candles, jewelry, ornaments, and home goods, which are all made by domestic and sexual abuse survivors or generously donated by artists. And we just added a slew of new items! Help us reach our goal and find a unique gift that you can feel good about buying.

Happy Holidays!

Sarah

the gibbson girl: travel, entrepreneurship, & vintage style for the adventurous woman

Tag Archives: handmade

vintage (german) handmade scrunchies

recycled packaging for my etsy shop

fork + spoon

Fall Mix Tape 2013

Great Finds: Handmade Silver “Amare” Bracelet

Great Finds: Antique Bullet Crystal Necklace

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