THE ART OF UPCYCLED CREATIONS

Bev Mollberg

Waste Not, Want Not is Bev’s mantra and uses this mantra in creating feminine scarves using retired ties.

Sue Blue

Susan began collecting glass insulators, as she was attracted to their designs, shapes and colors. She did some research and found that insulators were first manufactured in the 1800’s, when the first telegraphs and telephone circuits were put into place. Smaller insulators were used on telegraph and telephone circuits and larger insulators were made for electrical, power supply, wires. The higher the voltage, the larger the insulator used.

Insulators became popular in the 1960’s, when utility and power companies began running their wires underground. There was no longer a purpose for glass insulators and they became collectibles, as they were now up to 125 years old. People collect them just to have some pretty glass sparkling in their window or garden and others collect them, in hopes of finding that rare insulator that would sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Susan thought the insulators were so beautiful, that they should be shared.

She started repurposing the insulators to add décor to her own home, by first creating an accent light with an insulator and a barn pully. Her friends encouraged her to continue her passion. Susan continued her search for insulators, and began searching for barn pulleys, lamps, light fixtures and metal pieces that were compatible, in design and size to fit the various styles and sizes of insulators collected.

Her insulators and other materials were used to create lamps, wall lights, wall sconces, mini lamp shades, candle holders and holders for various purposes. By learning to use a drill press, a grinding tool and learning to wire electric sockets and plugs to electrical cords for lighting, Susan is able to create a wide variety of insulator creations she is ready to show her work and is hoping that the public will enjoy her creations, as much as she does.