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Book Review: Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe

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Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe by
Martena Dusss and Sissi Holleis is a really fun and inspiring book. It most definitely has the “Paris” look. Which I totally loved as someone who craves other culture’s creative spirit! The style of the projects are mostly of the alternative hip style while the tutorials and how-tos are solid fundamentals. This also happens to be my favorite style of craft book, one that covers lots of different mediums, materials and projects from clothing to home decor, a totally buffet of fun. In addition to all that great project content you get fun stories and back ground about the designers which can be equally inspiring. Oh and if all that crafty goodness makes you hungry you can whip up one of the yummy recipes featured in Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe. My favorite thing to recycle currently are shoes and featured in  Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe is just such a topic. See what the book inspired me to do to an old pair of shoes over at the blog Sweater Surgery.

More about the book from the publisher Andrews McMeel Universal:

“Sweat Shop Paris: Lessons from a Sewing Cafe brings the namesake Paris Sweat Shop founded by Martena Duss and Sissi Holleis to North America with more than 50 DIY fashion and home projects, including instructions and more than 200 helpful, inspiring full-color photographs. The first “cafe couture” sewing shop in Paris, the Sweat Shop was named to highlight the questionable nature in which store-bought clothing is sometimes made. Instead of rewarding dubious labor practices, the Sweat Shop and The Sweat Shop Bookinspire crafters to make something unique with their own sweat equity and creativity.Crafters meet at the cafe and share ideas while renting equipment by the hour. In addition, classes teach novices how to sew, knit, crochet, and much more.

In March 2010, Martena Duss and Sissi Holleis opened the Sweat Shop, the first sewing cafe in Paris, near the trendy boutiques of Canal St. Martin. Duss is a Swiss makeup artist. Holleis is from Austria, where she had her own fashion store and label. In addition to carving a niche in Parisian society, the Sweat Shop has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Elle, the New York Times, Le Monde, the Guardian, and Marie Claire. “

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Handmade with a Past: Tuesday’s Top Recycled Etsy Find

Art can speak volumes, but it doesn’t have to cost the earth—literally. This recycled artwork, framed and ready to hang, is a perfect example of how beauty can emerge from the unexpected. It’s made from upcycled materials, bringing new life to discarded objects in the most artistic way possible.

This piece has that effortlessly cool, modern feel that I just adore. It reminds me of the kind of art I used to make as a kid—finding bits and bobs around the house and combining them into something that just worked. Only now, this work is polished, framed, and ready to elevate your home decor. It’s sustainable art with a story to tell.

What’s really great about this kind of art is that it adds character, depth, and meaning to a space. It’s not just a pretty picture; it’s a reminder that beauty can come from reuse and recycling, and it’s a nod to those of us who want to surround ourselves with eco-friendly treasures.

Why we love it:

  • Made from recycled materials

  • Each piece is completely unique and crafted with care

  • A conversation starter for your sustainable home decor or eco-conscious gallery wall

If you’ve been looking to add a touch of meaningful, eco-friendly style to your walls, this recycled artwork is definitely the way to go.