This week’s Etsy finds give a whole new meaning to the term “Hump Day!”. Check out the repurposing of bicycle inner tubes by Etsy crafter The Inner Works. This crafter describes herself as a “forest-loving, ocean-swimming, bread-baking, rubber-playing, sewing-machine-cursing, houseplant-coddling, bicycle-riding, anti-authoritarian, pro-community, leatherpunch-wielding, sometime-gardener who lives in the Santa Cruz Mountains”. That’s a pretty darn thorough bio, if you asked me! lol Sounds like alot of fun. She clearly loves repurposing, recycling and creativity. She also runs her own blog and facebook fanpage. Click the links for further info.
This Etsy crafter clearly loves finding new life for leftover bike parts that she mostly collects from a community bike shop called the Bike Church in Santa Cruz, CA. She’s come up with some pretty dirty stuff from the rubber that has been well cleaned and sanitized. I love the look of the “eco-flogger” that she has crafted. The largest version in the first picture is made entirely of two complete innertubes that have no glue or tape included in the design at all. This prevents the toy from getting sticky (lol) or cracking over time. The innertubes show off their previous life in some of the designs by having slightly raised numbers or white manufacturer’s marks.
The Inner Works describes the eco-flogger as having a delightfully stinging edge with a good size grip for hands of any size. The tail ends of the rubber apparently feel silky and soft when lightly trailed over the skin but pack a hefty punch when whipped. I swear I’m not speaking from personal experience as I have not reviewed this particular product! I think this would make an awesome gift for all those eco-bikers out there from trail riders to hardcore Harley enthusiasts. A love of being dirty and cleaning the earth all at the same time!!
She also makes a variety of other products from the innertubes and spokes of leftover bike parts such as this eco-garter featured here. She claims that the rubber is soft and flexible and warms up to body temperature quite quickly. This garter is made from inner tubes and has a flower that uses some of the rings from a bike chain in it. She suggests that this garter would be a perfect fit for an eco-wedding. Maybe you could wear this garter under one of the eco-chic wedding dresses that I blogged about here! She also makes a range of jewelery like bracelets, earrings, rings, cuffs and hair pins as well that are sure to have people asking where you got that.
More From mbentley
- Hump Day Etsy Find — Repurposed T-Shirts
- Hump Day Etsy Find: Recycled X-Ray Notebooks
- Hump Day Etsy Find: Overall Aprons
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