As I sort through remnants discarded when the upholstery manufacturer discontinued fabric patterns, I reflect upon how much my artist friends and I recycle various materials.

In my own craft, making fabric handbags of my own design, I re-use and recycle on a regular basis. I use paper grocery bags to make my patterns, and to protect tables when gluing, painting or making buttons. I cut stiffeners from discarded corrugated cardboard, and use recycled paper I get from a local retail store for stuffing when preparing the finished bags for sale. I look for old earrings and broken jewelry at garage sales and thrift stores to make buttons or other embellishments, and make "coil" buttons out of leftover twisted cord scraps..

Today, the phrase of "Green is the new black" echoes throughout the arts community. Many of my friends from Artist Alley, a Southern Pines Gallery that features the work of more than 50 North Carolina artists, re-purpose and recycle as well.

The owner, Jean Skipper, seeks out copper, brass, old teapots and other materials to make fun jewelry and one-of-a-kind windchimes. Sylvia Medlin and Gary Krajewski fuse empty wine and other decorative bottles to make cheese boards and decorative hangings.

Amy Smith creates unique paintings using newsprint, rubber erasers and other carved pieces to stamp wonderful designs onto her canvas. She also uses found objects to make interesting jewelry, such as scrabble tiles, dominoes and bottle tops.

"Reduce Re-use Recycle" seem to be the new "Three R's" in the mixed media art scene.

Multimedia fiber artist Joy Hellman makes glorious "green" bracelets which are woven from strips of discarded wallpaper, painted paper towel, plastic bags, and a gorgeous array of fiber. She also incorporates other found objects, like old jewelry parts, painted Styrofoam plates, glass chips from wine bottles, and snippets of yarn and fabric for her bracelets and other projects.

Hellman is planning a demonstration of her "Be Green Earth Art" techniques at Artist Alley on Wednesday, Sept. 10, from noon to 2 p.m. The public is welcome to join the fun, and refreshments will be served. Later this fall, she also plans to teach "Joy of Earth" art classes to increase global awareness and earth consciousness.

The Carolina Mixed Media Guild, which meets in Raleigh once a month, has a wealth of talented members who all recycle in many ways.

Roberta Morgan constantly astounds us with unique ways to re-use, such as the beautiful pendant she made from a small mint container. She also paints old train cases, shoes and other accessories with her unique, colorfully whimsical style. Jeanne Rhea uses vintage wallpaper, old jewelry pieces, upholstery trim short pieces, and many other items for her lampshades, sculptures and other creations.

During a recent creative session, led by local artist Amy Smith, someone was heard to say, "Don't worry, you can throw those eraser shavings away. It's okay."

We are all so used to re-using scraps that we can find an artistic use for almost anything. Nanette Zeller recently made some fabulous name tags for the group using a fused technique from plastic shopping bags and fiber scraps.

If we can't use a particular item personally, we probably know of an artist who can. We have regular "swap meets" to exchange unwanted items with each other.

In fact, on Saturday, Sept. 13, the group will meet at the Scrap Exchange for their quarterly "Play Day." The Scrap Exchange in Durham is a nonprofit creative re-use center whose mission is to promote creativity and enhance environmental awareness.

Any eco-friendly discussion about creative uses for discards should include the Green Goods Store, located in the Belvedere Plaza in Southern Pines. It carries organic toiletries, clothing and baby products, as well as unusual gifts made from recycled glass, paper, aluminum, inner tubes and other discarded items.

Artists often lead the way for cultural change, and as a result, we may see beauty in the mundane. We often use things, both new and old, in different ways than those for which they were originally intended.

While not everyone may see hidden beauty in these items, everyone can stretch imagination just a bit in an attempt to uncover an alternative use for at least a portion of what is typically discarded each day.

"Green is the New Black" is more than just a cute saying for a bumper sticker; it's a way of life that will help to contribute to a sustainable future for us all, and future generations to come.

For more information on the stores, events and artists mentioned above, call Jean Skipper at 692-6077.

Patti O'Day is a local artist.