One mans trash ... nets national award

Using imagination, creativity and a bit of garbage, Marina Ellis created a work of fashion art.
Ellis, a 2009 Vanier Collegiate graduate, entered her vinegar bottle and button necklace and earring set in the 14th annual Canadian High School Design Competition and received a second place award.
She was also honoured with the George J. Klein Medal. This medal is presented to a competitor who shows the most productive and innovative thinking with the design.
"I was shocked when I found out that I had won. I was also excited but really surprised. The school just announced it during the morning announcements."
The Canadian High School Design competition is a national event open to all high school students. There are two levels, junior, for those students in Grades 9 and 10 and senior for students in Grade 11 and above.
The competition's website says the purpose of the competition is to promote the study and awareness of various design disciplines in schools across Canada.
As for Ellis's category, fashion design: reclaimed jewelry, the challenge for the students was to create a collection of jewelry pieces using materials that might otherwise end up in the landfill.
Ellis decided she would use an old plastic vinegar bottle and reused buttons to create her layered flower-like necklace and matching dangle earrings.
Ellis said the set was inspired by a necklace her grandmother used to wear.
She said although her piece isn't a replica of her grandmother's jewels, her grandmother would be honoured and proud to know it was the inspiration.
"She had a lot of jewelry, but this one stood out and it was just what came to mind when I was designing my piece. It really was very pretty."
According to an e-mail announcing the winners of the competition, Ellis was one of only two competitors outside of Ontario to win an award.
Ellis will be taking her talents to a new level next year as she continues her studies at Medicine Hat College, studying visual communications.

Lyndsay McCready can be reached at 691-1256.