What some see as a closet filled with hopelessly outdated clothes, Clarkston artists Stina Wurgil and Tami Latoni see lots of potential.
‘We make purses, handbags, and flowers out of recycled materials,? Latoni said.
‘We turn donations into cool art,? Wurgil said. ‘They’re all 100 percent post-consumer recyclables.?
Best friends since high school, graduating from Holly High School in 2003, they hope to build an eco-friendly business, Juja and Stone.
‘Our dream is to open a shop and work for each other,? Wurgil said. ‘That would be a great job.?
They offer handcrafted products, intricately beaded, colorful handbags and fabric flowers, all unique.
‘They’re inexpensive and cute, great little gift ideas,? Wurgil said. ‘They’re perfect for Mother’s Day.?
Latoni, who studied at the International Academy of Design and Technology, got the idea this past October when, going through some ex-boyfriends? old clothes, she decided to use them in her art.
‘Instead of throwing it out, I made it into a bag,? she said.
She also works with fabric from old curtains and sheets.
‘We ask for donations, and people clean out their closets,? Wurgil said. ‘We dye and cut them.?
Wurgil, who works in retail management, provides business experience, while Latoni offers artistic ideas.
‘Tami designs them, and I help in marketing and selling,? Wurgil said.
‘I don’t use any patterns,? Latoni said. ‘It’s all stored in my brain.?
Pieces are on display at Cranberries Caf?, 10250 Hegel Road in Goodrich through May.
‘We’ve had a very good response,? Latoni said. ‘We’ve been described as ‘eco chic.? It’s Earth friendly, which I like a lot, especially now, with global warming and everything.?
‘We’re doing our part to help the environment, recycling old clothes into fashionable items,? Wurgil said.
Launch party is set for 7-10 p.m., Thursday, May 7. They offer handbags for $50-$120, and flowers, $2.50-$5. Discounts are available for those who donate items.
For more information, check www.myspace.com/jujaandstone or email jujaandstone@peacemail.com.