Eliu Hernandez is a master of upcycled denim creativity, as the Instagram account for his shop @madeorremade makes clear.

Scrolling through the Made or Remade feed, you quickly notice that Eliu’s finished pieces are true works of textile art. Firstly, they’re gorgeous and demonstrate high-quality craftsmanship. Furthermore, the artist has an incredible flair for thinking outside the box. His work includes some unique departures from typical denim upcycling products and techniques.

One example of Eliu’s ingenuity is his practice of harvesting usable thread for future projects! There’s an instructional video for this process if you’d like to try it at home. Don’t you just love how upcycling entrepreneurs so willingly share their “secrets” with one and all??

Additionally, Eliu’s commitment to sustainability in denim upcycling shines through in his goal of one day creating products where every single element, including thread, is upcycled.

Furthermore, like many of us, he is committed to using as many parts of his raw material items as he can…and make money doing it! In one Instagram post, he publicly brainstorms ideas for products to create from his large collection of salvaged belt loops. 

Made or Remade is definitely a shop to follow for inspiration, ideas, and tips on creative upcycling.

Get comfy and curl up with Episode 38 of Rags to Riches. Eliu and Crispina get right into the thick of texile alchemy as a business, and finding the unique beauty in the reclaimed raw materials that they both use in their craft.

Are you ready to feel inspired, energized, and supported? Get comfy and dive right in!

This is the Rags to Riches Textile Upcycling Podcast with Crispina ffrench!