A critical mass of crafters and artists who create functional art from salvaged materials has inspired an unusual new Missoula boutique.

It's called Upcycled, a shop that sells items made from reclaimed materials. But it's not recycled merchandise; instead, said Donovan Peterson, proprietor of the new shop, the goods are "upcycled."

Unlike recycling, which usually involves a downgrade in an original item - turning a worn out T-shirt into rags, for instance - "upcycling" transforms waste materials into something of better quality.

For instance? Peterson uses worn-out bicycle innertubes and old billboards to make streamlined, artful wallets and handbags.

"Every piece has a different story," Peterson said while showing off one of his folding wallets. "This one is decorated with pieces from five different billboards. One of them used be a Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich advertisement, one of them was a billboard for a clinic in Havre and another one was for a day spa in Missoula.

"I make a point of featuring the unique qualities of the piece and telling customers the story behind each one."

Although Peterson's name is on the lease for the Hip Strip business, Home Resources, a nonprofit building reuse center, is a stakeholder in Upcycled. And dozens of artists are helping to stock the shelves with their own merchandise and to help work the floor.

"The requirement to sell things here is that the merchandise must be made in Montana and be made from at least 50 percent reused materials," Peterson explained. "But 90 percent of what we are selling is 90 percent reused - and 100 percent made in Montana."

On Saturday, Upcycled celebrates its grand opening and proudly shows off the second life it has given junk and waste in the form of imaginative and desirable jewelry, furniture, toys, clothing, art and fashionable accessories.

"It's really fun to do this and I love to see what I can do with an old sweater," said Jackie Priess, who makes hats from second-hand sweaters and used clothing.

Jax Hats is her business, and Priess explained her mission as, "Saving the world from ugly sweaters."

Priess' husband, Paul, helps with the design, sewing and selling of the hats, and has been doing so since he got laid off from work a few years ago.

"The work is great," Paul said. "And I think this shop is a great idea. I think it is really important to try and keep some of this stuff out of the landfill and show people what can be done with materials that might have otherwise been otherwise thrown out."

Given Missoula's rising consciousness about living lightly, the timing seems right for Upcycled on the Hip Strip, Peterson said.

"There are now enough artists in Montana who are using salvaged materials in their work to make a shop like this viable," Peterson said. "It's pretty exciting. And people will see that every month, we will have more and more artists on display here.

"We are opening with 15 to 20 artists, and next month we will have 40 to 50 artists being represented here."