Natali Stoiyanna Erkaraman

At QuiteSomeTime Studio, we see waste differently. Every item thrown away carries a story, a purpose waiting to be rediscovered. By transforming discarded materials into pottery, sculptures, and other creations, we aim to change how people think about their waste before they get rid of it.

The average American throws away about 4.5 pounds (2 kilograms) of waste daily. Out of this, only 1.5 pounds (0.7 kilograms) gets recycled or composted, while the remaining 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms) becomes household waste. This waste falls into four basic categories: recyclable materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metal; food and yard waste; cleaning products; and e-waste, such as old phones and TVs. Every category offers opportunities to reduce waste and rethink its purpose.

At our studio, we’re inspired by these possibilities. Broken ceramics, used papers, and even cardboard boxes become the foundations of our creative work. Each piece we create—a vase, a sculpture, a decorative plate—is more than an object. It’s a message: before you throw something away, consider its potential for renewal.

This philosophy is at the heart of our workshops, where we teach others to transform household waste into meaningful art. By involving people in the creative process, we help them see that waste isn’t just trash—it’s material with untapped value. Imagine if every person could rethink just one item a day. Together, we could make a profound impact, reducing the environmental harm of the 164 million tons of waste Americans generate annually.

Creativity is a powerful tool for change. Through our recycled pottery and sustainable art, we hope to inspire people to pause and ask: Can this be reused? Could it tell a new story? At QuiteSomeTime Studio, we’re building a movement where waste becomes a second chance, and every discarded object holds the promise of transformation.

What’s one item you’ve saved from the trash and turned into something meaningful? Share your stories with us—together, we can turn waste into wonder!

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The data used in this post is sourced from Mary K. Pratt’s book How Can We Reduce Household Waste (Lerner).

Last weekend, I had an incredible photo shoot for QuiteSomeTime Studio with Nady Delarosa, a talented NY photographer. We captured the vibrant essence of my recent work in my secret basement studio. Initially, the space surprised Nady and her assistant, but they soon embraced its living atmosphere, creating stunning visuals that showcase my art and the studio’s unique energy. Stay tuned for the results!

Embarking on my second journey as a pop-up vendor felt like stepping into a world of both familiarity and discovery. With the QuiteSomeTime Studio booth set up at @brooklyntourpopupshop, I wasn’t just selling handcrafted art—I was taking another step toward solidifying what my studio represents.

Preparing for the Sale

With lessons from my first pop-up fresh in my mind, I approached this event with a clearer strategy. My booth featured a curated selection of sustainable creations:

• Garden Essentials Candle Collection – A crowd favorite, featuring designs inspired by nature and mythology.

• Recycled Art Pieces – Sculptures, vases, and plates made from repurposed materials, each one telling a unique story.

• Decorative and Gift Items – Perfect for the holiday season, these were designed with thoughtful sustainability in mind.

This time, I added a special Donation Corner to the booth. Here, visitors could contribute to support the senior art therapy workshops I’ve started offering. It was heartwarming to see people take an interest in not only the art but also the community initiatives that QuiteSomeTime Studio is growing into.

Learning from Fellow Vendors

One of the highlights of this pop-up was connecting with other vendors. Every conversation with them was like a mini-masterclass in creativity and business. Their unique displays, clever marketing ideas, and insights about running a small business opened my eyes to areas where I can improve.

A pivotal moment was meeting a photographer at the event. As we chatted about my work and my goals for QuiteSomeTime Studio, I realized how much professional product and marketing shoots could elevate my brand. We are already planning to set a date for a shoot, and I can’t wait to see how professional visuals will transform how my work is presented.

Beyond creating beautiful images, this step is also a significant move for my next goal: preparing my files to present to the council as part of my studio’s future plans. I know these professional photos will make my submissions look polished and intentional, helping QuiteSomeTime Studio stand out even more.

The Mystery of Connections

You can never truly know who the person buying your art is or where your creations might end up. It could be someone influential who opens unexpected doors, or simply someone who connects deeply with your work and carries it into their life.

This sense of mystery adds a magical element to every sale. It’s not just about transactions—it’s about trusting the journey your art will take, and the stories it might be part of, far beyond the pop-up booth.

Introducing Art Therapy Workshops

This pop-up marked the first time I openly shared about my senior art therapy workshops. These sessions, designed to bring creativity and connection to older adults, have become a meaningful extension of the studio’s mission. Using recycled materials, the participants explore their artistic side while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of creating.

Talking about this new venture with visitors felt like another step toward expanding QuiteSomeTime Studio’s reach. People were curious, supportive, and eager to learn how they could get involved. Some even shared stories of loved ones who could benefit from such workshops, reinforcing how art has the power to touch lives.

Looking Ahead

As I packed up at the end of the day, I felt a mix of exhaustion and excitement. This second try as a pop-up vendor reinforced that every event is an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect.

Meeting the photographer and learning from fellow vendors have sparked so many ideas for the future. With professional photos in the works, I’m excited to move forward with presenting my studio to the council, ensuring every detail reflects the care and creativity that QuiteSomeTime Studio represents.

For now, I’m grateful for another step forward in QuiteSomeTime Studio’s journey. With each passing day, it feels more real, more meaningful, and more connected to the people who appreciate it.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m thrilled to share a special project with you—the Adonis’ Gardens Essentials candle collection, inspired by nature, mythology, and a deep love for creative reuse. ♻️ By QuiteSomeTime Studio

The idea for Adonis’ Garden Essentials blossomed from a journey through ancient beliefs, sacred trees, and the power of light to renew and transform. Inspired by the myth of Adonis—a god symbolizing life, death, and rebirth—I wanted to create a candle line that captures this cycle of nature’s renewal.

Each scent in the collection aims to rekindle the essence of a timeless garden, an homage to Adonis and the enduring cycles of the natural world.

The Essence of Nature in Every Candle

Our Adobis’ Garden Essentials collection was crafted to bring that sense of calm and warmth into your home, making it the perfect backdrop for Thanksgiving and other gatherings. Each candle is hand-poured with a unique, earthy scent profile that captures the beauty and grounding energy of nature:

🌲 Blue Woods – Fresh and calming, inspired by a quiet forest walk.

🍃 Moss & Apple – A crisp, grounding aroma that evokes a blend of orchard and earth.

🍁 Maple Bourbon – Warm and cozy, with a touch of autumn sweetness.

🍇 Cranberry Prosecco – Bright, bubbly, and subtly sweet, a celebration in a jar.

Each candle is poured into recycled glass jars.

Embrace the Season with Adonis’ Garden

As Adonis, the mythical figure, is linked with trees and rejuvenation, these candles are a tribute to nature’s endless ability to renew itself—and hopefully, a small way to bring a bit of that renewal into your space.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Whether for your Thanksgiving table or any quiet moment at home, I hope these candles light up your space and create a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere for all who gather.

As Halloween approaches, pumpkins are everywhere—on porches, store shelves, and even in our lattes 🎃 But how many pumpkin decorations do we really need, and what can we do to make Halloween more sustainable?

The Pumpkin Craze

Americans spent over $3 billion on Halloween decorations in 2022, much of it on pumpkins—both real and artificial. While real pumpkins are biodegradable, many end up in landfills, producing methane gas. Artificial pumpkins, often made from plastic or foam, add to waste since they are typically not recyclable.

Sustainable Solutions for Halloween

Instead of buying new decorations every year, consider recycling and upcycling for a more eco-friendly celebration. Here are a few ideas:

1. DIY Recycled Pumpkins: Use cardboard, newspapers, and plastic bottles to create pumpkin decorations. Paper mache or plastic bottle pumpkins are easy, unique, and sustainable

2. Upcycle Old Décor: Repaint or revamp last year’s pumpkins or combine materials like fabric or lights to refresh your decorations.

3. Compost Real Pumpkins: Rather than tossing your pumpkins, compost them to enrich your soil.

Cardboard Box Costumes for Kids

Kids’ costumes can be made from cardboard boxes, fulfilling their Halloween wishes without waste. Transform boxes into superhero armor, animals, or fantasy characters. Add interactive features like LED lights or movable parts, and reuse or adapt costumes for future Halloweens.

A Greener Halloween

By embracing recycled and upcycled materials for decorations and costumes, you reduce waste while creating unique, personalized items. Whether it’s crafting your own pumpkins or making costumes from cardboard, small changes can make Halloween fun and sustainable. Celebrate creatively—and sustainably—this Halloween!

I said my bye to İstanbul and kicked start the fall. New semester starts with house walls.

Recycled wall arts to cover up the basement walls from outside of the houses .

The challenge is to make the product be flat and durable for water 💦 🏠 that’s what all Jersey’s houses need.

I have sckached one art on my house’s rooftop. Which came out pretty nice. Now I’m doing it with recycled materials.

This will be the first semester of 2024-2025 class.

Good luck 🍀 for everyone.

A pop idea 💡 has started as a women’s collaboration that is manufacturing fabulous handmade products.

Textile – The best cotton fabric from Turkey 🇹🇷 Hand decorated by women

Vase 🏺 Handmade out of trash 🗑️ ♻️ Recycling art pieces you can actually use.

Wall art 🖼️ Embossed, hand painted art pieces for wall.

Sales on Etsy

Gardening 🧑‍🌾

Flowers 💐 Pots 🪴 Birdbaths, bird feeders🦜

Solar lightings 💡 Stump chairs 🪑 are on project.

Follow;

@pophomegood in instagram to see where it goes 👣 🍀 🌈