Monthly Archives: January 2010

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life.  A day that you will remember (and hopefully cherish!) forever.  There is no better way to start your life together than by respecting the planet and going green on the big day.  It’s a great way to declare your love not just for each other but for the entire planet.

Going green(er) can also help you to cut down on some of the exorbitant costs that a wedding can sometimes entail.  There are many ways to cut costs and go green at the same time.  One easy way to cut costs and cut down on the environmental impact of your wedding is with your invitations.  This does not mean, however, that it has to look like you have cheap invitations.  You can have great quality, eco-friendly, cheap invitations that look like you spent a fortune!

Many people (maybe even most) prefer that wedding invitations are on paper so I’ll skip all the alternative, free, and extremely low impact ways that you could invite people electronically.

One of the major ways that you can save money on the invitations is to do it yourself.  There are many stores that supply 100% post consumer recycled paper of certified FSC paper products to completely hand make your invitations at home.  They are super easy to run through your home printer and even come with many design ideas if you can’t come up with one you love yourself.

Another DIY product I’ve seen lately for home computer use is seeded paper.  This paper is either tree free or made of recycled paper and is filled with flower seeds.  In this way, there is no waste at all from the invitation itself.  The receiver can simply put it into a flower bed where it will make an effective weed barrier as well as seeding a bouquet of flowers that will remind them of your wedding!

If you don’t feel craft enough to DIY or can’t stand the pressure, there are many companies available to print and design the invitations for you that will keep the environment’s needs at the top of the list.  Many companies will use tree free or recycled paper decorated with organic materials such as raffia, pressed flowers and even grass.  You can’t get much greener than that!  There are also soy and vegetable inks which are much more eco-friendly than traditional inks that your invitations can be printed with.  Remember to view the company’s green credentials — check out how their business is operated.  Do they recycle?  Are they running a green office?  Do they donate to environmental charities?  Finding out these sorts of things can assure you that your invitations are actually green instead of just using the term “green” as a marketing gimmick.

Shop with a conscious and good luck on your big day!

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Why is it that girls are soooo much easier to shop for?  Maybe it’s just because I’m a girl and I “get” it.  Girls like things that are soft, pretty, smell good, sound good or taste good.  Yup, it’s pretty much that simple!  I’ve been trying to come up with some good Valentine’s Day ideas for men that are not only things they would like but things the planet would like too!  Here’s a few ideas of what I came up with…try not to laugh at me (and my poor hubby!).

How about a nice pair of manties — you know panties for men?  These ones are made by Etsy seller Ruffeo Hearts Lil Snotty with the waistband being salvaged from an abandoned belt factory.  Yeah, I don’t know where the would have found such a thing either but I think it’s pretty cool!  The designer claims that he wore these all summer by the pool and that the ladies loved it.  The crafter says these are: ” all season clutch pair of fighting shorts. Box, kick, dance, crump, move -do the jerk”.  I’m sure my hubby would love these, right?  He’s always busting out sick moves like the guy in the photo!!  Okay, maybe not for my guy but definitely somebody’s would love these.

Perhaps tools, my hubby is always tinkering in his workshop with something or another.  Check out these vintage wrenches turned into hooks!  This is definitely more my hubby’s speed.  Would be great to help to organize that workshop of his too!

These are made by Etsy seller Freak of Metal who’s name is deftly fitting!  This artisan has a ton of very, very cool pieces made from (you guessed it!) metal.  There’s belt buckles, a dinner triangle or two and even some roses made of iron.  Pretty amazing stuff.

Okay, what else do guys like….manties, tools and well, dudes love beer right?  Check out these handmade vegan beer soaps by Etsy seller Ethically Engineered.  The listing makes it sound super manly: “This soap brings you the sensations of a stroll through the pubs of Northern Ireland in all their majesty. Using organic and vegan stout beers this bar fits squarely in the working man’s calloused hand. At the dawn of the Industrial revolution, and throughout, hearty stouts were the liquid bread and energy of the factory. Mill Workers to steelworkers clamored out of the factory doors and into their cherished pub to recharge.”  This would definitely be a hit!!

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This blog normally features one Etsy seller each Wednesday who is making a difference in this world by hand making something and using eco-friendly techniques to do so.  Hand made items are important as big box stores have lead to society wanting more of everything for less money.  This leads to cheaper products, more waste, underpaid labour, overshipping, and over consumption.  The etsy crafters chosen to feature are purely on a whim — whatever we run into that we love is what is featured.

This Wednesday will be different though.  Today, we’ll feature items from an eco-friendly Etsy seller who is going to contribute all of their proceeds for the entire month of January to the Haitian relief fund.  We must ensure that the tremendous needs of people in Haiti are met during this time as they attempt to recover from the terrible earthquake that has effected so many.  Please donate to Oxfam, Doctors without Borders or the Red Cross to help aid the suffering of people who are just like you and I and need our help.  Any amount would help and be appreciated.  Instead of eatting lunch out for this month, try brown bagging it and donate the difference to help out.

The first featured item (with all proceeds going to the Haiti via Partners in Health) is this adorable bracelet made from vintage European dominos.  It’s absolutely adorable and would make a great Valentine’s day gift for someone on your list while making a difference in Haiti at the same time.  This great item is made by etsy seller equalityuberalles who is a lawyer who believes in equality and social justice for everyone.

This unusual bracelet is made up of vintage silver pieces from 3 old pieces of jewellery.  The artisan simply took apart some old pieces that were not being used to remake them into a piece that is very fashionable, up to date and wearable.  Perfect little something, something for your significant other this Valentine’s day!

Last, but certainly not least, equalityuberalles has these cute repurposed record crafts that are popular but still worth mentioning.  The one featured below is a Dr. Zhivago record made into a snack bowl.  For only $9, you might as well have her ship it or one of her other record crafts along with a piece or two of jewellery.  She also has coasters made out of records that are worth checking out.

Thanks to equalityuberalles and all of the other Etsy crafters who are pitching in to do what they can to help the victims of the earthquake.  There are quite a few who are donating at least a portion of the proceeds of their sales to the relief efforts.  Only a few such as the crafter featured here are donating all of their proceeds so be sure to see what percentage is being donated.  When looking for these charitable sellers, type Haiti in the search.

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What a perfect way to declare your love for her and the planet at the same time on Valentine’s day!  These gorgeous crocheted necklaces are all made from upcycled yarn by Etsy seller meekssandygirl.  Her degree in design and fine arts shows through in her work.  She has everything from extremely fashion forward designs such as this rose necklace with a fringe to cute baby toques and everything in between!  The most amazing part is that all of these creations are crafted from upcycled yarn!!  This etsy crafter takes discarded cashmere sweaters and turns them into pieces that can be loved and treasured anew.

I thought I’d focus on her necklaces in this post because they’d make such great Valentine’s gifts for any girls on your list regardless of how old they are.  The fringed necklace would be great for the fashionistas on your list — trust me guys, girls would love this!  But there are a huge range of designs from which to choose.

I think most girls and women would love the styling of these pink cashmere roses on the necklace pictured below.  The necklace is so soft and feminine and comes in a huge range of colors.  Some necklaces have the heart as pictured below while others have only flowers along the entire length of the necklace.

If you really want a necklace that says “Valentine’s Day”, is super green, handcrafted and unique, I’d suggest getting the crocheted necklace which will circle your neck with hearts.  I think this one would look especially cute on any little girls in your life.

Remember when you’re shopping this Valentine’s day that you are essentially voting for the business practices that you support with your wallet.  Think of the environment before buying another made in china box of chocolates this year.  Be original, creative and show you care by purchasing something out of the ordinary — buy something extraordinary instead!

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Etsy crafters JJEvensen live by the motto: “Anything to keep our world green! Reuse! Recycle! Have Fun!”.  Having fun is definitely what seems to be missing in the process of living green-er some days.  It’s great to see someone bringing fun back into the mix along with their creative and whimsical designs.

The reincarnated kitchen utensils used in their pieces come from a variety of places — estate sales, online purchases, antique sales and donations.  The pieces are always well used and turned into some pretty surprising objects after the team of Jeremy and Jennifer Evensen are done with them.

One of my favorites is these forks turned into hooks called Peace x Fork You x Rock On.  I love how the tines become tiny fingers which are easily reconisable as the symbols they represent, coat hooks and their previous lives of forks.  Items that maintain their original look so that viewers are forced to reconsider how they look at items they consider trash are definitely my favorite.  How better to start a conversations with someone about green living than to have them ask about a recycled piece.

These Etsy crafters make a huge variety of hooks out of silverware.  Some of the hooks are mounted on boards which are recycled as well.  One of the designs makes the forks look like they’re having a terribly bad hair day with spiralled and bent tines shooting off in every direction.  The coat rack pictured here is called the Go Green Stained Funky Forks Coat Rack.

Hooks is only the beginning of what this Etsy store has to offer though.  There are also windchimes made of previously enjoyed utensils, rings, earrings, necklaces, hair barrettes, business card holders, bookmarks, display stands, pot rack hooks and even fork tine nails.

I especially love their line of bracelets made from hammered spoons that literally wrap around the wrist.  Gorgeous, simple, stylish, recycled, fashionable and green.  All of my favorite things all rolled into one!  The one pictured below is made from the handles of two spoons while other bracelets available on their site are made up of one spoon with the bowl hammered flat.  These need to be seen to be appreciated.  My description is not giving them any justice at all!

I recommend stopping by this shop to pick up some unique and interesting items for around your home that will challenge viewers to find new purposes for their cast off goods.  If you have a couple pieces of your family’s old silverware that is never used and missing the rest of the set, don’t get rid of it.  Try sending it to this couple of Etsy crafters instead and having a new item made that can continued to be cherished and passed down through the generations in a new form!

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These gorgeous lights are made by creative artist Anke Weiss based in Amsterdam.  Using little more than garbage, a craft knife and some electrical parts, this eco-artist has created some amazing table lights that are works of art all on their own.  This kind of project really inspires the DIY in viewers to look at what they previously imagined as junk in a whole new way.

My favorite light is the apple juice box shown below on the right hand side of the picture with the apple traced in tiny holes and the girl looking off in the distance.  In the light of day, the girl is just an ordinary blonde girl with a pony tail but after Weiss’ creative processing, becomes an art deco silhouette who would grace any shelf or table top while looking at the waterfall in the distance.  Stunning and eye catching!!

This has seriously got me digging through my recycling boxes with a completely different vision in mind…  See what this kind of altered mindset can inspire you to create!!

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Bengt Brummer is a design student in Stockholm who has come up with a great concept for a new disposable plate.  The name for this sustainable disposable is “ufo” which is very indicative of the appearance of the plate.  It may just be responsible for some of those fuzzy images of space crafts floating across the sky.  Maybe it was someone who tossed the plate when they were done eatting.  That is exactly what you are supposed to do with it!

The plate is made of guar gum, agar agar, potato starch and bird seed.  You can pack these plates to go for a picnic in the forest, eat your lunch and then throw it into the forest where it will fulfill it’s second purpose as a bird feeder.

The plate is made to withstand stand use so you don’t have to worry about the acidity of your balsamic vinegar dressing on your salad eatting through the plate while you’re using it.  At the same time, it will easily break up and be eatten by birds once you’re done with it.

Great concept for disposable plates by a student who uses his education in both culinary skills and design skills to create viable links between the two.  I think that up and comers such as Brummer really need to be kept an eye on for their fresh, innovative and creative design ideas that could really make a difference.

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Etsy is hands down one of my favorite places to shop.  By shopping at Etsy, you are supporting small businesses instead of big box stores and their wasteful ways.  There is a huge variety of goods available and it’s easy to find sustainable products.  If you haven’t shopped there yet, definitely check it out.

I haven’t done a hump day (every Wednesday) featured crafter for a while but when I ran into seedandsprout‘s products, I knew what I’d be writing about.  This shop is run by a stay at home mom with a toddler who inspires all of her work.  She has a Fine Arts degree which definitely shows through in her designs.

Check out this cute and punky girls tie tee.  It’s hand screened onto unbleached organic onesies or tees for kids up to size 4T.  If you’re tired of dressing your princess like, well, a princess then this is the shirt for you.  You can be sure that every other girl in her preschool class is not going to be rocking out the skinny tie like her in this unique and adorable tee.  Are you blessed with a little boy??  Not to worry, she prints the shirts with black ties as well which are more suited to the tiny rock star prince in your life.

The adorable “i’m this many” tee is great for their birthdays and throughout the entire year.  It’s a cute and graphic kids language answer to the question that so many people ask them in their day to day life.  “How old are you cutie?”.  These shirts are also organic and come in a range of ages from 1 to 3.  As each shirt is custom made, she can make one for you in a variety of ink and tee colors.  The ink used in all of her shirts is hand mixed in custom colors that are water based and completely non toxic.  This means no harmful chemicals are used making the shirts better for both your kids and the planet!

Seedandsprout also has a range of shirts that are more inspired by nature such as this Growin’ Like a Weed shirt.  Cute, eco-friendly, unique and a reminder to cherish the time that your wee ones are still wee for the days fly by.  Before you know it, they’re heading off to high school on their own while in your mind, they are still those little babes that you held so tenderly in your arms.  My son would kick me if he read that but I find myself missing those days when he was smaller as he closes in on his 16th birthday and my daughter nears 4.  *sigh*

Seedandsprout’s designs are definitely worth checking out if you are looking for eco-friendly clothes that are as unique as your kids are themselves.  Shopping while keeping the environment in mind not only reduces your impact on the world around you, it also encourages other companies and crafters to go green.  It is also very important to note that a percentage of the proceeds from this shop go towards the March of Dimes which is a cause very close to my heart.

There are also hair pins made from recycled fabrics and eco-friendly felt made from pop bottles that would make a great addition to the shirts to finish off the eco-chic look.  If your kids are into dress-up, there are some very cute felt crowns also available at her store made from eco-felt that are worth checking out.

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