Denim Dahlias

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About Amber Ladley

Amber Ladley is a creative entreprenuer who seeks meaningful projects that light up her soul. Her specialties are talking trash, seeing potential in everyday waste, and igniting creativity in others.

She currently spends her days crafting, computing, and being a mom to two amazing teenagers. Her passion for creative reuse bleeds into everything she does from teaching upcycling workshops, to making handmade gifts and notecards.

View her artist portfolio at happilyupcycled.com.

@amberladley on Instagram

DIY Pumpkin Kits??!! Hmmm...so for me "patiently waiting" (see previous post) means getting my hands on some paper and crafting 😍 i find the art of paper craft to be relaxing and stress relieving. Fortunately my amazing test group hasn't made me wait too long for feedback 😊❤ive received phone calls and texts and emails and photos and a couple surveys returned via 🐌 mail -- I'm still digesting it all and need to hear from a few more voices before figuring out what my DIY postcard subscription product looks like, BUT one thing is very clear -- everyone LOVES the kits and I LOVE making the kits YAY!!! . . So, back to those pumpkins...I've taught many book page pumpkin workshops over the past few years at libraries and Craftworking events. It's an easy, well loved and satisfying project and i have sooo much great paper to make these kits with (including maps/atlases, children's books, music pages -- all materials I've rescued from the landfill) and they will make GORGEOUS PAPER PUMPKINS!!!!! . . WANT ONE?? DM me your email address or send me a note at happilyupcycled@gmail.com. When all the info is ready I'll send you the link and you can decide whether or not to purchase a kit. Need more info.... . . Here's where I'm at with putting the DIY Book Page Pumpkin Kits together: ✔ prototype complete = kit includes material to make 3 pumpkins (sm, med, lg). Written instructions + access to a video tutorial. Maybe even a virtual craft date if there is interest in that...lmk if that's something you'd want to do. . 📦 ship date = late Sept/early Oct . Limited quantity will be available. I have enough time and materials to make between 25-50 kits over the next four weeks. . . WANT ONE?? DM me your email address or send me a note at happilyupcycled@gmail.com. Have questions? Please comment below or send me a message. Thanks! . . #creativereuse #iwantcraftsinthemail #DIYcreativityKit #paperpumpkins #DIYpumpkin

To the post office! 17 DIY test kits went out today 💕 I had so much fun making these 😊 Thanks to all who signed up to receive one...Now I just need to practice patience while I wait for feedback 😂#iwantcraftsinthemail

Sometimes an idea comes to me and it doesn't go away...this one has been brewing for a few weeks and I'm thrilled to be working on a new creative project 🎉 @happilyupcycled I'm developing a monthly craft kit that will inspire your creativity + sense of connection...WANT TO GIVE IT A TRY?! Test kits are being mailed this Tuesday...if you promise to send me honest feedback, I'll send you a prototype 😊❤ to participate either DM me your mailing address or email your name and contact info to: happilyupcycled@gmail.com #creativereuse #monthlyDIY #upcycled #papercraft #happilyupcycled

Want to learn how to make these paper flowers? You can! Join me Tuesday night in Whately, MA 😊❤️SIGN UP REQUIRED. CALL 413-665-2170 to register. Library is open Sat 10-3 and Mon 10-5. More info below: #Repost @whatelypubliclibrary with @get_repost ・・・ Upcycled Book Page Flowers workshop! SIGN-UP REQUIRED. Tuesday 10/16, 6-8 pm. AGES 13 & UP. Learn how to repurpose discarded book pages into paper flowers using the Kusudama technique. All materials provided, but feel free to bring your own decorative accents for the center of your flowers (buttons, small sea shells, bottle caps, etc. work well for this). Workshop taught by Amber Ladley, founder of Knack: Creative Reuse in Easthampton. LIMITED TO 10 STUDENTS. PLEASE STOP BY OR CALL 665-2170 TO SIGN UP. #creativityworkshop #upcycledbouquet #handmadegift #handmadegiftidea #creativeteuse #whately #whattodoinwhately

Happy Earth Day! #sunrisetimelapse #SpeakUpTour2018

Working from home on a not so snowy snow day #ilovemyjob also AMAZING things are happening over at @speakersisterhood check us out ❤️😊

What a great way to kickoff the weekend! I spent the morning with these amazing & courageous women of the @speakersisterhood who showed up and spoke up. It was awesome and I am extremely grateful ❤️😊Happy Friday!!!

Joker by @willbotic ❤️😊

I'm teaching one of my favorite upcycling projects this Saturday at the Sunderland Public Library! Join me for a lovely crafternoon!! Call the library to register: (413) 665-2642. Hope to see you there!! ❤️😊

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Press + Praise

Happily Upcycling in South Hadley (Going Green)
Oxford library classes create beauty out of rubbish (The Webster Times)
Thank You! (Email from Library Patron)
Glenmeadow Learning Participants Got Crafty
Your Time: Kusudama workshop, Westhampton Public Library (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Craftworking Works (BeetlePress)
Web Designer’s Interest Sparked in Girlhood (The Creative)
Awarded Top Woman in Web/Graphic Design 2014 (Western Mass Women’s Magazine)

@happilyupcycled on Instagram

#iwantcraftsinthemail DO YOU?! . . I've got some exciting news to share 📰 📣 I turned my book page pumpkin workshop into a DIY Craft Kit you can order via 🐌 mail 🎉 . . If you'd like to feel more connected to your creativity + create your own paper pumpkin patch this fall, check out on my Etsy shop: link in profile at @happilyupcycled . . . #paperpumpkins #upcycledbooks #halloweencrafts #DIYcraftkit #creativereuse

New project in the works = pure happiness!! 😊😊😊 Who else ❤'s upcycling maps? #paperupcycling #mapart #upcycledmaps #atlasart

Soooo. Much. FUN!!! Thanks to everyone who came out Tuesday night to make a denim dahlia! Special thanks to the team at @artesanastyle for providing us with a beautiful creative space + extra denim :) We had a great turnout and I'm looking forward to setting up the next one...What upcycling project would you like to make? . . #upcycledjeans #diydahlias #holyokema #westernmass #creativityworkshop #denimflower

I know what I'm doing TOMORROW NIGHT & I can't wait!! What about you? Want to spend some time with your creativity and our crafty community? If so, I hope you'll join me (@amberladley) at @artesanastyle in #HolyokeMA! Sign up on Eventbrite.com (search for 'Make a Denim Dahlia at Artesana'). ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ p.s. I'll be serving few of my favorite @yogitea and cookies in case that is helpful in making your decision ;)⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #upcycling #denimdahlia #amberladley #creativereuse #vintagebutton #DIYdenim #upcyclejeans #creativityheals

Did you know it's #NationalCerealDay today? What's your favorite cereal? And most importantly what creative reuse projects have you made with the boxes/bags?! ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ My favorite cereals are not too sweet and are definitely crunchy vs. soggy. Bonus points if it contains granola chunks -- YUM! I'm a big fan of this @TraderJoes Coconut Cranberry Granola...and of course, I always love #traderjoes packaging...not only is it colorful with fun words and designs, but it's often filled with lots of reuse potential! ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ Recently I started creating my own business cards and I'm having a blast handing them out. I love watching people pick the envelope that appeals to them, watch them open it and then share the words bestowed on them by a creatively reused fortune. Yes, this is a legit collection acquired over many years 🙂⠀ .⠀ .⠀ Check out this 45 second video to see my process in making them. Special thanks to bensound.com for the royalty free music.⠀ .⠀ #upcycling #traderjoeslove #papercrafts #cereallovers #creativereuse #upcycledcerealboxes #handmadebusinesscards #DIYmarketing #cerealboxart

So excited to be teaming up with @artesanastyle in Holyoke, MA for my latest upcycling workshop! If you're craving some time with your creativity AND our crafty community -- I hope you'll join us! Make a Denim Dahlia at Artesana on Tues. March 12, 6-8pm $30. Registration is required. Space is limited. Tickets available at @Eventbrite.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ Artesana is providing us with a cozy space in their weaving studio which is already buzzing with creative energy. They are located in Holyoke’s Innovation District, just one block from Gateway City Arts. There is plenty of free on-street parking on Dwight and Race St. and the sidewalks are well-lit…maybe the sun will even be setting over the canal for us that evening.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ Workshop led by @amberladley of Happily Upcycled.⠀ Amber Ladley is a lifelong crafter and creative entrepreneur. She finds tremendous joy in crafting with others while sharing innovative ways to reduce waste for our planet. Join her, along with members of your crafty community, for an inspirational evening and leave with a denim dahlia handmade by you!⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #HolyokeMA #ThingsToDoInWesternMass #PioneerValley #CreativeReuse #Upcylingworkshop #upcycledenim #denimdahlia #handmade #wallart

A book page pumpkin patch handmade at @westhamptonpubliclibrary last night! Thanks to Lynn and Friends of the Westhampton Library for funding my workshop! It was so much fun 😊#creativereuse #upcycled #paperpumpkins #ilovelibraries #papercrafts #upcycledbooks

Call the @whatelypubliclibrary to sign up: 413-665-2170, they’re open until 3pm today 😊 I hope to see you on Tuesday night for some crafty fun!! #Repost @whatelypubliclibrary with @get_repost ・・・ Upcycled Book Page Flowers workshop! SIGN-UP REQUIRED. Tuesday 10/16, 6-8 pm. AGES 13 & UP. Learn how to repurpose discarded book pages into paper flowers using the Kusudama technique. All materials provided, but feel free to bring your own decorative accents for the center of your flowers (buttons, small sea shells, bottle caps, etc. work well for this). Workshop taught by Amber Ladley, founder of Knack: Creative Reuse in Easthampton. LIMITED TO 10 STUDENTS. PLEASE STOP BY OR CALL 665-2170 TO SIGN UP. #upcycledbooks #upcycledart #librarycrafts #creativereuse #pioneervalley #westernmass #whately #whattodoinwhately

How cool would that be?! Anyone else applying for Season 2 of Making It? #makingit

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