Search results (tags) for: "environment"

Alice Waters' Edible Schoolyard

2009-08-31T15:00:00-05:00

There's one thing that makes me happier than walking by urban gardens, and that's walking by urban gardens tended by youths. The Edible Schoolyard has become a legendary success story. Founded over a decade ago by chef Alice Waters, this one-acre garden and kitchen classroom at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California has helped ignite a national dialogue on school lunch programs, health education, and sustainability for the next generation. In this Craftivism post, we're sharing Principles of Edible Education along with a group-friendly recipe from Alice's book, Edible Schoolyard. For this back to school season, Alice reminds us how much learning can happen outside of the classroom.

Purchase Edible Schoolyard

Principles of Edible Education

Food is an Academic Subject
A school garden, kitchen, and cafeteria are integral to the core academic mission of the school, so that ecology and gastronomy help bring alive every subject, from reading and writing to science and art.

School Provides Lunch for Every Child
From preschool through high school, every child is served a wholesome, delicious meal, every day. Good food is a right not a privilege. Providing it every day brings children into a positive relationship with their health, their community, and the environment.

Schools Support Farms
School cafeterias buy seasonally fresh food from local, sustainable farms and ranches, not only for reasons of health and education, but as a way of strengthening local food economies.

Children Learn by Doing
Hands-on education, in which the children themselves do the work in the vegetable beds and on the cutting boards, awakens their senses and opens their minds, both to their core academic subjects and to the world around them.

Beauty is a Language
A beautifully prepared environment, where deliberate thought has gone into everything from the garden paths to the plates on the tables, communicates to children that we care about them.

Recipe From the Edible Schoolyard Kitchen: Potato Smash With Kale

Mashing keeps many hands busy and the students like the taste and color of potato skins that are added to the "smash." It is delicious made with sweet potatoes. Serves 6-8.

Boil 4 pounds of potatoes (unpeeled), until tender. Drain. Wash 3 bunches of kale, drain, remove the stems, and chop the leaves roughly. Measure 3/4 cup of milk. Peel 7 cloves garlic and chop fine. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy skillet, add the chopped garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the kale and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add a little water if the pan gets dry and the greens start to stick. While they are still warm, smash the cooked potatoes in a ricer or with a potato masher. Put into a large bowl and add the milk and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Add the cooked kale and stir well to combine.

One of my fondest childhood memories is munching on flower petals at a Brooklyn Botanic Garden family class. Do your kids help you out in the garden? Share in the comments below!

More Craftivism Posts | Slow Food Gift Guide | Gardening and Horticulture Guide

Design for Development With HAND/EYE

2009-08-12T16:00:00-05:00

I was wandering through the craftivism blogosphere when I discovered the online and print publication, HAND/EYE. HAND/EYE explores the intersection of design, development, culture, commerce, art, craft, environment, and ethics. Featuring inspiring articles on traditional textiles and philanthropic fashion, HAND/EYE seemed like it could not be more relevant to Etsy. Founder and Editor Keith Recker kindly answered some questions for us on responsible consumerism and the future of design. Below the interview, check out "Happy Chaos," an article from their current issue that profiles a studio in Cape Town making housewares from discarded fabric scraps.

Tell us a little bit about HAND/EYE. What do you hope readers will get out of it?
HAND/EYE grew out of 20 years of volunteering, giving, and board service, and consulting with several non-profits devoted to artisan development — including Aid to Artisans, SERRV, The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, Brandaid Project, and CARE International. I learned about the cultural riches being put to gorgeous use all over the world, and was surprised at how little most North Americans knew about the handmade world. Awareness and understanding are certainly better than they were 20 years ago, but I saw an opportunity to talk about the great intersecting points between art, craft, design, philanthropy and enlightened consumption...and HAND/EYE was born.

I hope that readers will see things that inspire them to create, to learn more, and to support what they are drawn to through their charitable giving or their purchasing.

Why do you think publications like HAND/EYE are important for our society?
We are all yearning for new ways to feel connected to what we eat, what we wear, what we see and hear. Our easy-to-buy and easy-to-toss society has created a strange alienation: we are so separate from the source of what we consume that we are not satisfied by all the buying we do. Quantity and quality have parted ways on many levels. If we can reapproach the things we surround ourselves with through an understanding of the traditions and innovations they express, and of the people and processes who produce them, we will be more thoughtful about what we buy, and better appreciate what we have. On a purely cultural level, learning about how and why people make things can only enhance our own creativity — as we make things ourselves, or even as we problem-solve in our daily lives.

How do you envision the future of design, craft, and retail?
I think that in about 20 years, every discretionary purchasing decision will be accompanied by questions about who makes the goods, how they make them, the cultural and economic background behind the making, and the environmental impact of production and disposal. We will need stories to nourish us and ground us. And we will need answers to justify our purchases.

Where's the most surprisingly eco-friendly place you've visited?
Africa, without a doubt, because the concept of waste is so different from a North American point of view. Refuse becomes fertilizer. Trash becomes treasure. Creativity IS survival.

What can artists and crafters do to make their work more ethically and environmentally friendly?
Paying attention to the materials one uses is, of course, an important step. As is controlling wastes and disposal of them. Supporting other makers whose circumstances are challenging is a fantastic way to connect to other creative souls on the planet. Getting involved as a volunteer is one of the most enriching experiences I have ever had: there is no learning like that which happens side by side with someone whose know-how and perspective is different, but whose goals and desires are so similar.

What have you found to be most inspiring from your work on HAND/EYE?
The creative community, from individual crafters to "big-time" decorators and fashion designers, is hungry for ideas and information. The desire to know and understand is universally human, and it gives me hope for the future. If we reach out to learn about others and their traditions, we build a web of respect which will support deep, meaningful, lasting human progress.

Anything else you'd like to add?
HAND/EYE's most recent issue is all about art, craft, design, and philanthropy unfolding in Africa — and we still have a few copies left, though we will be sold out, at latest, by the end of September. The next issue talks about The Future of Folk — about how folk traditions and processes are evolving to address new ideas, new materials, new influences, new customers, and new relevancies. It will be out in early November 2009. After that...possibly an entire edition devoted to the ancient (yet thriving) artisanry of Central Asia.

We would love to have everyone subscribe online here.

If you have suggestions on articles for future print or online efforts, please email me at keith@handeyemagazine.com. Check us out on Twitter, too: we are about to stage a competition for best folk-influenced outfit. It should be fun.

Happy Chaos

by Karen Gibbs

Photo by Edward Addeo for HAND/EYE

"If we don’t find ways of improving people’s lives, it will affect us negatively. If we do, it gives everyone involved nourishment, learning. And purpose." — Adri Shutz

Spinning straw into gold: that’s what they do at Cape Town’s Mielie Studio. Scraps from South Africa’s fashion and textile industries become hooked rugs, handbags, pillows, and very stylish ottomans like the Fluffball shown above.

Founder Adri Shutz, who defines her style as “happy chaos,” started her business in 2002 as a way of combining her love of color, fibers and fabrics, with her awareness of the need for social change and environmental responsibility. “You can’t live in South African and not be affected by poverty — whether it’s through crime or doing something good or just seeing what’s going on around you.

“But along with the difficulties, you see right away that the most amazing traditions of beading and sewing and design are handed from generation to generation by the poorer people of our country.” Shutz dove into the idea of starting an artisan-based business without any formal business training. Seven years later Mielie now employs 50 South Africans.

The Fluffball is just one of many designs brought to fruition by Adri and the artisans she works with. Their partnership does not stop at fabric and fiber goods, however. The latest joint effort is a plentiful organic garden, whose fruits and vegetables are shared by everyone working at Mielie. “It’s a way of addressing the economic situation right now. If we can’t create demand, we can create a way of making everyone’s cash go further by putting food on the table.

“What really turns us on, though, is creating something beautiful from stuff no one wants anymore. And it really is a turn on. When you see, for example, all the yellow scraps gathered from all the gown makers who work with us, it’s like a humming bird for your eyes. They shimmer.”

But perhaps not as much as Adri and her comrades busy at their work.

Photos by Adri Shutz

To purchase the Fluffball, contact Amaridian Gallery at www.amaridianusa.com.
For more information about Mielie Studios, visit www.mielie.com.

More Craftivism Posts | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | Shop Local Africa

10 Everyday Tips to Change the World

2009-08-05T10:30:00-05:00

Going green can often feel overwhelming. For every eco-friendly decision I make, I can't help but think of the thousands of other ways in which our society is having a negative impact on the planet. We Are What We Do's book, Change the World for Ten Bucks, is a refreshing reminder that small efforts can incite significant change, when applied globally and consistently. Focusing on what I do each day to help the environment, rather than feeling guilty for my shortcomings, is just the sort of encouragement I need for an enduring green lifestyle. I've chosen ten tips from Change the World for Ten Bucks to share with you along with items right here on Etsy to make this mission that much more feasible.

We Are What We Do is a global social change movement. We believe it is not just politicians, institutions, and big business that change the world — it is also ordinary people like you and me. Our aim is to bring people together and demonstrate how, using simple, everyday actions, we can create a global movement of doing and changing; doing small actions and changing big problems.

We started back in 2003 with a simple question, "What would you ask one million people to do to change the world?" We received thousands of suggestions from all around the world and the result was this book, first published in the UK in 2004 and now published in countries all around the world.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. You can find out more about us at our website and in this video.

Purchase Change the World for Ten Bucks

1. Decline Plastic Bags Whenever Possible
Every person in the country uses an average of 330 plastic bags each year. That's 100 billion plastic bags all together. A plastic bag can take up to 500 years to decay in the landfill. There is an alternative. It's called a shopping bag; it's reusable, and apparently in France, it's very chic.

Imperial Trellis Tote Bag

By decorativeinstincts, $80.

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Cloth Market Bag Reusable Shopping Bag

By RosyUndPosy, $25.

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2. Plant Something
Flowers, vegetables, herbs, house plants, bamboo, ferns, trees — we don't mind what it is, just get planting. You'll turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, calm your mind, relax your body, and potentially have something delicious to eat. Even being short on space is an opportunity to get creative and connect with your inner child by planting bean sprouts in an egg shell.

Aqua watering can with dots.

By vesselsandwares, $86.

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Face Flower Pot

By amyhuntpottery, $46.

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3. Shop Locally
(Editor's note: Have you tried Etsy's Shop Local tool? You may be surprised just how many Etsy sellers are in your area! Meetalls is from Argentina and MayBeMe is from South Africa. Etsy can be an invaluable way to find local artisans.)

Copper Half Moon

By Meetalls, $26.

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Stingko Trubbleton the Couchie

By MayBeMe, $25.

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4. Give Your Change to Charity
If we all put our spare change into charity donation tins, the world would be a lot better off. So, the next time you buy something and get change back, look around for the donation tin. After all, one cent per person per week adds up to $156 million per year.

Vintage Tin World Globe Bank

From RobertaGrove, $22.

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Ceramic Owl Bank

By fruitflypie, $32.

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5. Try Watching Less TV
Rearrange your pictures. Make a cocktail. File. Write a song. Apply makeup. Swim in a pond. Wear gold. Revert to childhood. Stay up all night. Change your hair color. Turn left instead of right. Streak. Massage someone. Dust. Shave something off.

human skulls book

By grimm, $34.

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avenue - pack of 4 screenprinted fabrics

By summersville, $25.50.

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6. Turn Off Unnecessary Lights

Recycle-Me Soy Candle

By nettiescrub, $14.

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The Mystery teacup Soy Wax candle

By TwilightSpells, $21.

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7. Have More Meals Together
Research has shown that children who have meals with their parents are much less likely to suffer from anxiety or stress disorders. So why not try chatting to each other?

Mist Morning, large casserole baking dish

By GREENware, $44.

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Striped Wool Felt Table Runner GB

By InboundThread, $48.

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8. Use a Mug Not a Disposable Cup
Every year Americans throw away an estimated 25 billion Styrofoam cups, which is enough to circle Earth about 400 times. Additionally, 410,000 paper cups are used every 15 minutes in the United States for hot beverages. But why not just put your coffee into a mug, not a Styrofoam or paper cup? It'll taste better, and you'll be doing your part for the planet.

Animated mug set

By maryeverett, $40.

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Cloud Cup

By scottjennings, $30.

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9. Buy Fair-Trade Products
Fair-trade products guarantee to give the people who grow them a fair share of the profits. You'll see all sorts of fair-trade products in the stores these days — from bananas to coffee.

Fair Trade Tree of Life Pendant

By ethora, $150.

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S'mores Marshmallows

By haveitconfections, $9.

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10. Write to Someone Who Inspired You

Ink Acrylic Notecard Blank Inside

By leahfelicity, $10.

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After Craft Seed Cards (4)

By GreenPost, $4.

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Inspired to learn more ways you can change the world? Chronicle Books is offering a special discount to Etsy readers! Just use the code "ETSY" at checkout on their site, and you save 20% off the price as well as free shipping.

More Craftivism Posts | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | Earth Tones Series

Don't Throw it, Grow it!

2009-07-17T11:02:00-05:00

Moving back to Brooklyn after spending four years in the Bay Area has left me wistful for public composting bins, local produce year-round, and community-supported agriculture sans waiting lists. Fortunately, when in need of consolation, I can turn to such rich resources as Don't Throw it, Grow it! by Deborah Peterson and Millicent Selsam. This portable little book is chock-full of instructions for growing windowsill plants from kitchen scraps — perfect for self-reliant urban gardening! Check out these tips for cultivating your own lemongrass, one of my favorite herbs.

You can start new plants by using various different parts of a parent plant, such as roots, tubers, bulbs, seeds, or cuttings. Different parts of the plant require different growing methods. Start large tubers or seeds and bulbs in water, over pebbles, in soil, or in a sphagnum bag. Small seeds require just one method: soil or peat. In many cases, after you have started your plants, you will transfer the sprouted plants to containers with soil. Some plants, however, are best left in pebbles with water.

Starting Plants in Water. Large tubers, pits, or roots, such as sweet potatoes, daikon, arrowhead, and water chestnuts, can be started in water. Suspend the tuber, pit, or root in water by piercing the flesh or pit with bamboo skewers. (Toothpicks are too weak to hold these plants as they start to grow.) Plants started in water should be transplanted to soil when they have 4 inches of roots. The roots are quite brittle and should be handled with care.

Arrowhead and water chestnuts can be floated in bowls of water until they develop roots that are 4 inches long. Be sure to add charcoal to their water. Use one part "activated charcoal" to four parts water. This helps to keep the water sweet. The charcoal can be purchased in garden or pet centers.

What it Looks Like. Lemongrass in an ornamental plant with long, thin, bright green leaves. The stalks are stiff and hard. It is available year-round in Asian markets and some larger supermarkets.

How to Grow it. Nothing could be simpler. Lemongrass stalks, including bulbs and the leaves, are sold in bunches. Be sure to buy a bunch that has some of the grass blades showing. Place in a tall glass with enough water to cover the bulbous end of the stalk. Put a tablespoon of activated charcoal in the water. The roots will start to grow within a week. When the stalks have 2- to 3-inch long roots, it is time to transplant them.

The supersaturated roots are brittle and should be handled carefully. Cut off the top half of each stalk; the roots are not strong enough to support the full length. Use 6-inch pots filled with very moist potting soil. Make a hole in the soil that is large and deep enough to hold the roots and bulbous end, and plant one stalk in each pot. Keep the plant moist at all times. If you have a garden, transplant the lemongrass as soon as the weather is warm. If you live in the Northern latitudes, you must bring the plant in for the winter.

Time to Taste. You can eat the entire plant. Steep finely chopped leaves to make tea. Crush the bulbous root, much as you would a garlic clove, and add to Asian and Caribbean dishes. Lemongrass is said to relieve headaches and muscle cramps, and aid digestion.

Thanks to Deborah Peterson, Millicent Selsam, and all the folks at Storey Publishing for sharing this inspiring project with us. Looking for more Craftivism posts? Check out our archive here.

Earth Tones Series | Gardening and Horticulture Gift Guide

Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | Plants and Edibles Category

How-Tuesday: The Naturally Clean Kitchen

2009-07-14T16:13:00-05:00

Mainstream cleaning products have always made me uneasy. I never understand why detergents have to be electric blue or disinfectants must smell like green apple lollipops. The artificiality of most products leaves me feeling anything but clean. Natural methods, which are safer for our planet and our families, get me downright giddy about doing household chores. For this week's How-Tuesday, we have some refreshingly simple tips for cleaning your kitchen without those harsh chemical abrasives, courtesy of The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier.

To me, the kitchen is the hub and heart of a home. This room is more than a storage receptacle for culinary sundries; it's where we gather with cherished family and friends for mealtime celebrations. Unfortunately, it's also the room where the garbage is usually kept, where a bare floor endures the patter of muddy feet, and where the odor of grease and last night's fish stubbornly linger. In other words, it's a haven for germs.

Save for the loo, the kitchen is probably the most frequented room in the house and is most in need of daily cleaning. It's a pity that most of us grew up to think a clean kitchen is only evidenced by the overwhelming and pungent smell of a pine solvent. And little did we realize that our nervous systems were being treated to an assault of toxins. But you can create your own cost-effective, healthy alternatives to all the kitchen cleaners you're accustomed to using.

Buy a copy of The Naturally Clean Home

Helpful Hints for the Kitchen:

Wipe up food spills in the oven as soon as possible. Better yet, line your oven with aluminum foil to prevent spills from caking on in the first place. Enamel stove tops can sometimes get those hard-to-wipe-off stains that only get worse as time goes on. But if you sprinkle a few drops of your favorite essential oil the stain will wipe clean.

Essential oils are readily available in health food stores and by mail order. Make sure that you're buying a pure, undiluted essential oil and not one that has been diluted in a carrier oil (such as aromatherapy or massage oils). Always practice caution when handling essential oils, and never allow children to handle the pure oils.

Sprinkle fresh grease spills in the oven with salt. When the oven has cooled, wipe clean with a soft cloth. Baking soda will also soak up the grease when applied this way.

Sanitize wooden cutting boards by rubbing with half of a freshly cut lemon, lime, or grapefruit. Or soak the board in a solution of 2 cups of water and 15 drops of a citrus essential oil. Then wash with a mild soap and hot water.

Electric can openers can collect a lot of gunk. Who wants to open a can of tuna for lunch after opening Fluffy and Fido's dinner the night before? Use an old, soft toothbrush dampened with 2 or 3 drops of any essential oil to clean in and between those small parts. Rinse, and the gunk is gone.

Keep garbage disposals smelling fresh by tossing in the remains of a lemon, grapefruit, or lime when available.

How about some ready-when-you-need-'em kitchen wipes? Instead of using paper towels to wipe up spills or to clean off countertops, store multiple squares of soft cotton cloth or cellulose sponge in a container filled with a mixture of 1 cup water, 1 ounce liquid castile soap, and 6 to 8 drops of your favorite essential oil. The cloths, made from old t-shirts or pajamas, can be washed and returned to the jar for reuse. Be sure to cap the jar between uses.

Keep a supply of 100 percent cotton cloths and towels on hand to use instead of paper towels.

Use cloth napkins and placemats whenever possible, to reduce your consumption of paper napkins.

Plastic storage containers can get heavily stained from foods such as tomato sauce, especially if they're frequently microwaved to reheat leftovers. For these stains, let the containers soak in a strong infusion of lemon balm, mint, or sage and a tablespoon of baking soda. After soaking for an hour or so, scrub the container with a little more baking soda if needed. The stains may not disappear entirely, but they're bound to look better than before.

Reduce your use of plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and brown paper bags by using plastic containers to tote lunches to work or school. That goes for plastic tableware as well. All are dishwasher safe; with proper care they can last for years. And plastic containers can always be used to store other materials when they are retired from kitchen service.

Thanks to Karyn Siegel-Maier and the good people at Storey Publishing for sharing these useful tips with us! Looking for more How-Tuesday posts? Check out our archive here.

Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide | Earth Tones Series | Slow Food Gift Guide

Etsy Finds: Everybody Wants to Save the World

2009-07-02T12:00:00-05:00

Shopping with the planet in mind can make a big impact on the well-being of our environment and health. Today's eco-conscious Etsy Finds highlight the four responsible steps that we as consumers can take to preserve the beauty of our planet. For more eco-friendly suggestions, be sure to check out Etsy's Environmentally Friendly Gift Guide.

Reuse

Eliminate unnecessary waste from our landfills with reusable products.

Lemon Drop Organic Linen Lunch Bag

By countrylifenaturals, $20.50.

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balsam hemp/soy dragonflies wrap

By persimmonandpine, $27.50.

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Snack Bag and Sandwich Set

By JulieMeyer, $12.

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you pick 3 - Bold Collection

By raggedyowl, $10.

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Reusable Vegetable Bags in Blue

By wonderthunder, $20.

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Eco friendly dryer sachets

By ReFabulous, $8.

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MONKEY Reusable Coffee Sleeve

By MonkeyTravelClub, $15.

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Green Way Wool Soaker, size XL

By GreenWayBabywear, $42.

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Get Down with Upcycling

Purchasing items that have been upcycled or repurposed is another easy way to eliminate waste. Look for products that have been created using otherwise disposable materials that are now useful (and desirable!).

Pogo - Gemma

By pogoshop, $33.

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Mason Jar Wall Vase Organizer

By postroadvintage, $35.

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JUGGLER JANE vintage carnival babe

By Artsy, $124.

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Art work 'old barn and recycled wood'

By Chalecco, $55.

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Hoop Dreams

By wonderwear, $52.

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Layered Vintage Zipper Jar

By AmaliaVersaci, $45.

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Vroom - Eco fashion for your little tyke

By allthenumbers, $56.

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Custom NECKTIE Cocktail Dress

By glamarita, $175.

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Animal Alternatives

You don't have to sacrifice style in order to be eco and animal friendly. The following finds are but a few examples of the wide variety of stylish animal alternatives on Etsy.

Faux brown leather paper bag journal

By suebleiweiss, $65.

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Monarch Burgundy Wine Hobo

By CrystalynKae, $165.

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Fake Won't Kill - Fox Fur Tee

By designerplayground, $12.

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Sigmund the Rabbit Faux Fur Plushie

By Zygopsyche, $33.

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Furry Kitty Ear Bonnet Hat

By Ladykonnyaku, $50.

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The Wanderer handbag - faux leather

By galitik, $59.

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Black Faux leather Belt Cinch

By MissMabe, $20.

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bird brooch green crown

By squirrellicious, $20.

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Spread the Word

The easiest way to guarantee a beautiful tomorrow is by helping to spread awareness about the environment. Making those around you recognize what you are doing to help contribute to the cause is an important step toward saving our planet.

badge 'buy ethical' yellow plaid

By heidiandseek, $4.

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GO GREEN Shabby Cottage Sign

By thebackporchshoppe, $34.95.

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Love to Recycle Organic Cotton Tee

By rctees, $20.

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Save Our Planet Tile Saying

By RememberMeEmily, $14.

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Walk Lightly On The Earth Necklace

By lisahopkins, $47.

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Sterling Silver World Guitar Pick

By AndrosCreations, $60.

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save some for me baby and kids tee

By circlesandsquares, $20.

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Live green modern cross stitch

By wallwork, $40.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Environmentally Friendly Gift Ideas | Earth Tones Series | Search for More Eco-Friendly Items

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VOTE! Which Eco-Friendly Item is Your Favorite?

2009-04-14T12:03:00-05:00

We asked you for your suggestions and you delivered! Now it's time to decide which eco-friendly item will win the popular vote. Use our snazzy Voter and let your voice be heard.

VOTE HERE!

This group of 60 items represents just some of the talented and Earth-conscious sellers on Etsy. Check out these links for more:

Handpicked Environmentally Friendly Items | Earth Tones

Explore Etsy Vintage | Search Items Tagged "Eco"

More Voting Posts

Join in next week's round: stunning jewelry for Mother's Day gifts. Paste links to your recommendations in the comments below.

Etsy Finds: Crafting an Eco-Friendly Wedding

2009-04-13T10:00:00-05:00

Lately, I've been daydreaming about the challenge of pulling off an entire wedding with an eco twist. With this idea in mind, I turned to Etsy, and I realized it's a breeze to find unique items to craft a memorable event that's also easy on the earth. I think each of the items below would make a great start to pulling off the perfect environmentally friendly wedding all the way from the invitations to the favors. To find more items like these try the search term eco wedding.

14k Diamond Wave Band

Kristin only uses diamonds in her work that are conflict-free and purchased in compliance with the Kimberley Process. The ring above would make a great option for an engagement ring, wedding band, or combination of the two. By kristincoffin, $685.

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Couture Eco-Friendly Wedding Dress

Make a stunning appearance while remaining comfortable in this dress made with the eco-friendly materials bamboo and organic cotton jersey. It also incorporates handmade organic linen flowers and hemp/silk Charmeuse details. By NaturalBridals, $6800.

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Eco-friendly linen invitations - Green, set of 25

Stand out from the crowd and send your wedding invitations in linen. They will not only make an impression, but will last for years to come. By ArtfulBeginnings, $60.

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Violet paisley freestyle bow tie

Dressing your groom and groomsmen just got easier (and a lot more fun) with these rare bow ties made from repurposed vintage neck ties. By xoelle, $36.

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Dear doves cake topper

The top of your wedding cake couldn't look better with one of these nest cake toppers. Mosey incorporates vintage millinery flowers from Germany into her pieces. By mosey, $32.

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vintage LOS ANGELES transit cufflinks

These cufflinks made from vintage 1950's Los Angeles MTA transit tokens would make a great addition to the groom's attire or a great gift in multiples for his groomsmen. By dustDesignCo, $26.

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Ivory and Taupe butterfly bloom, hair clip or brooch

Touch up any dress, clutch, pair of shoes, or hair style with one of these delicate looking flower accessories, assembled with a vintage butterfly brooch and recycled fabrics. By Cultivar, $22.

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PlantableTags Favors Set of 10

Leave your guests with a lasting memory of your celebration when you give these plantable flower tags as your favors! Once your guests get home, they can plant the tag, do something healthy for the earth, and think of you while watching the flowers grow. By GreetingsthatGrow, $5.

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Set of 4 Tumblers made from recycled wine bottles

These clever little tumblers were made using recycled glass from wine bottles and are so versatile. They'd make the perfect toasting glasses, create a unique table setting as your guests' wineglases, or if used as a vase, they'd dress up a table with a cool green glow. By bodhicitta, $35.

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Looking for more Etsy Finds? Try these links:

Handpicked Wedding Items | Environmentally Friendly Items
Handmade Weddings Posts | Earth Tones, Our Eco-Series

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The Art of Slow: A Celebration of the Handmade

2009-04-07T14:18:00-05:00

Today Lou Sagar, Etsy's resident merchandising consultant and Slow Movement devotee, will tell us a bit of the history behind this growing shift. Slow Food creates a thoughtful intersection between planting, harvesting and preparing an artisanal meal and the craftsmanship behind a thrown ceramic bowl, a roughly hewn oak table and the woven tablecloth that covers it. The end result is a mindful meal that is eco-friendly, sustainable, delicious and distinctly memorable. Here's Lou.

The Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity was initially formed in partnership with the Italian region of Tuscany to recognize that the appreciation of cooking and fine foods must include the safeguarding of local farms and the preservation of cultural traditions. What began as a movement focused upon a concern for “terra-verde” (Mother Earth) is now emerging as a global mindset promoting a healthier approach to contemporary living and sustainable values. At its core there is deep admiration for the handmade. In fact, it’s notable that the birthing of this movement took place in Italy, a country which, during the Renaissance, made the artisan noble. The crafting of handmade objects was celebrated. Ceramicists, glassblowers, metalworkers, woodworkers, and goldsmiths were honored, just like we do here at Etsy.

As opposed to the culture of fast food, the sub-movement known as Slow Food celebrates the process of growing and making things as much as it does the end product. This process is an essential part of the story, which enhances the experience. There is respect for materials, techniques, and presentation. Often misunderstood, the first impression of “Slow” is the idea that we one should “slow down,” which is certainly not the intent at all. It’s the added pleasure and wisdom we enjoy when we practice the “art of slow,” which is how I have come to appreciate and share it.

As we all know, the responsibilities associated with our busy lives and work are often hectic and overwhelming. As we move towards spring (in the Northern Hemisphere, at least!), keep “the art of slow” in mind as you celebrate the Easter and Passover holidays later this month. Think global but shop local. Ask local growers to tell you their stories. Use small dishes for tastings. Get the kids out into the garden to feel the soil. Spend a night outside looking at the stars. Most of all, encourage handmade gifts for friends, family, and associates.

Happy spring.

Further Resources:
Green By Design
SlowPlanet
Slow Retail

Slow Food Gifts | Gardening and Horticulture Gifts | Plants and Edibles Category

More Food Posts | More Cooking Posts | More Gardening Posts

Meet some eco-minded Italian artists in our Shop Local Italy post!

Earth Tones: Eco Ego Game for Kids, via Inhabitat

2008-08-13T18:48:00-05:00

Videogames have huge educational potential — not only do they teach kids strategy but the content can be thought-provoking too. Take for example Eco Ego, a free online game that lets kids (and adults) roleplay a sweet little creature living in a tree stump. The goal is a Sims-like equilibrium with the natural environment.

Thanks to Inhabitat, a great website to check out if you're into greener living and good design. They've launched a sister site for kids too, www.inhabitots.com.

More Earth Tones posts.

Handmade Kids: Eco-Friendly Gear for Toddler Boys

2008-07-15T12:23:00-05:00

When we started brainstorming ideas for the Handmade Kids Series, there were two ideas that came through loud and clear: eco-friendly items and finds for little boys. There is so much cute stuff for girls, so we decided to share the love! cloud9designstudio, an Etsy seller with an eco-mission and a lil' boy of her own, stepped up to the plate.

The eco-movement, with regards to clothing, is a conscious effort to shift the public's thought process from buying at mainstream big box stores toward buying local, organic and earth friendly items. This effort to save our planet is important because it helps reduce our carbon footprint, brings awareness to global warming and helps us tread a little lighter on this earth. The future is in our hands. What will the world be like for our children if we don't start making greener choices?

From Organic Consumers:

"Just 2.4% of the world's arable land is planted with cotton, yet it accounts for 24% of the world's insecticide market and 11% of sale of global pesticides, making it the most pesticide-intensive crop grown on the planet. $2.6 Billion worth of pesticides are used on cotton worldwide each year."

The health of our planet has also been adversely affected by pesticides. The pesticides and synthetic fertilizers used on cotton routinely contaminate groundwater, surface water and pollute the water we drink. Fish, birds and other wildlife are also affected by the movement of these chemicals through the ecosystem. Many of these problems have been documented by the Pesticide Action Network North America.

[Cotton ball photographed by that owl]

Here's how you can get involved in the eco movement: You can support local farmers and workers and cut down on pollution caused by shipping, support fair wage labor practices (fair trade), and buy recycled or upcycled items.

Here’s what to look for:
1) Organic or fair trade clothing
2) USA made, local or sweatshop free clothing
3) Recycled, upcycled, thrifted or reused clothing

As a mom to a 2 and a 1/2 year old toddler boy, I know how hard it is to find cute clothes for little boys, much less eco-friendly clothes. So I scoured Etsy to bring you the very best eco-gear for boys. I found some cool handmade items sure to look hip on your eco-tot while he's out there huggin' trees!

This tie from redpajamas is adorable.

Like this hand dyed block printed and appliquéd Owl long sleeve shirt from 1girl1boy.

Or these darling upcycled wide leg pants from earthbabyee that are made from a man’s dress shirt.

How cute is this lightening bolt appliqued shirt from trustysidekick.

And MaryZoom has a cute art smock made from a repurposed 100% cotton shirt.

This upcycled shirt from SarahBird is so colorful.

This organic hoodie by SweetMemoriesQuilts is too sweet.

Here’s a bright blue organic dragonfly shirt from inkyspider.

An organic “strong” tee from littlegorganics.

Sandcookies has this precious set.

And this “I’m like totally organic” tee from ninaandtom says it all.

For More Info on Being an Eco-Friendly Parent...

Healthy Child
Simple Steps
Green Mom Finds
Organic Consumers
Sustainable Cotton
Environmental Working Group's Advice for Parents
Treehugger
Green Living Online
Green Mom
Green Hour
Organic Cotton Association
Friends of the Earth
Climate Crisis
Stop Global Warming
Team EcoEtsy
Team EtsyKids
Team EtsyMoms
Trailer for Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth

For more information on being a friend of the environment, check out the Storque's Earth Tones series. For more child related content, continue reading the Handmade Kids series!

Handmade Kids Series | Special Kids Showcase | Baby Gift Guide | Children Gift Guide

Teams Go Green: April Teams Digest

2008-04-25T16:39:00-05:00

In the spirit of the Earth Tones series in the Storque, we asked Teams what they did to celebrate Earth Day, how they're being more environmentally responsible, and what they're doing to bring awareness to being green. For other ideas on how you can incorporate more eco-friendly practices into your Team, check out this Team Tip.

In celebration of World Book Day on April 23rd, the Bookbinding Etsy Street Team created books for a fun Team Challenge and members are also holding a sale in its honor until the 26th. Check out their Team Blog to see the Challenge entries and find out which shops are participating in the sale! The Team's charity drive for H.E.L.P. International finished this past Monday. They are very proud of their members and what they have contributed toward literacy, and can't wait for their next charity drive. Keep on searching for the team tag "bookbindingteam" on Etsy and check out their Flickr Group to see all of the fantastic new books their members are making, especially their many eco-friendly upcycled books (hooray for Earth Day!).

Procyonidae does some woodcarving at the SW Ohio Team's Hobby Night (photo by NancyGamon)

A new team is currently growing to celebrate the unique craft of horticulture arts on Etsy, called EtsyPHAT (Etsy Plants and Horticultural Arts Team). They're aiming to provide plants, seeds, bulbs, and ornaments that embetter our earth and impart beauty to even the smallest corner. Check the shops of the members of EtsyPHAT to find listings of plants, seeds, and related things. Plant sellers that are interested are also encouraged to check it out, and consider joining! The EtsyPHAT is going to do a Kitchen Garden Challenge in honor of Earth Day. These kits will help make fruits, veggies, herbs, and other kitchen grown plants available to fellow Etsians.

Members of the EtsyTrashion Team in the New England area banded together to hold a show with more than ten upcycling Etsians! When looking to organize the show, organizer and Trashion member NatureMadeScents said, "When it came time to find amazing artists and artisans working with recycled materials, I knew just where to look... Shop Local on Etsy!"

The NYC-based {NewNew} Etsy Team will be using their blog during the entire month of April to celebrate Spring and Earth Day by highlighting projects, products and organizations that help you live a greener life.

NewNew Swap Night (photo by JoanneTracyDesigns of the NewNew Etsy Team)

For more information on the Etsy Teams, check out http://team.etsy.com, and check here for more information on how to join an Etsy Team! Leave a note about your Team's green events in the comments!

Etsian Videos: Vanishing of the Bees

2008-04-24T17:17:00-05:00

Etsy seller OSSMedicineJewelry is making a documentary about honey bees and the environmental effects that may be damaging their habitats and physiology. See her website www.vanishingbees.com for more info. For now, here's a clip from the movie:

Please subscribe to Etsy's Youtube channel. Let us know if you have a video you'd like to share on the Storque by tagging it with "Etsy" and/or sending us an email to storque@etsy.com!

EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Etsy Finds: Market Fresh!

2008-04-15T11:25:00-05:00

The only things better than making dinner from locally-grown veggies in the summer (mmm...grilled corn on the cob, steamed greens or really red, fresh tomatoes in a salad) are unbelievably awesome handmade veggies. I searched to see what types of handmade vegetables I could find and was extremely pleased with the results!

Who doesn't love anthropomorphic vegetables? This angry carrot (seen above) from Bittersweets doesn't look like he's having such a great day. He's probably afraid of how delicious he'd taste steamed and topped with a little brown sugar.

If you're heading to your local market to pick up some veggies, do be sure to bring a reusable bag, of course. (Plastic bags are so 1987.) I love these breathe-able produce bags from remarket.

This is the first year I have a suitable space outdoors to grow some vegetables of my own, and this seed book from theothersister would be the perfect place to record my own almanac-type information, Ben Franklin style.

Or, if you'd rather make your own inedible fruits and vegetables, check out these patterns from Umecraft.

Don't forget two important things when it comes to getting your five-a-day this summer: eat locally grown produce and when you're tired of eating your greens, there's a whole lot of super fun vegetable finds on Etsy. Enjoy!

Need a daily fix of Etsy Finds? Sign up for the Etsy Finds e-mail! Conveniently delivered to your inbox on the daily!

EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Earth Tones: Why We're Green

2008-04-14T11:59:00-05:00

There are many reasons to become more eco-conscious. As we approach Earth Day (and beyond), it's important to take time to reflect on what your individual impact is on the environment, and to think about why it's important to get involved in the green movement. EcoKate, a member of the Eco Etsy Team, is our first contributor for the Earth Tones series, with some insight on why Etsians have chosen to go green.

You can't just talk about ways to green the earth without knowing why we should want it to be clean and healthy to begin with. Well, you could, but then you’d probably be missing the point…

When I ask Etsy sellers why they’re green, I find that different people care about our environment for many different reasons, ranging from the logical, to the emotional, and everything in between!

Etsy seller Yin of Yinsouciant, originally from Singapore but now living in New Jersey with her husband, expressed her green roots to me. Singapore’s culture is oriented towards cleanliness and reuse, so it’s a no-brainer for Yin to continue living in that manner in the States, and it certainly shows in her creations, such as her Pandora Purse, shown at right.

Visualizations of the environmental impacts we have on the planet are another strong way of communicating a need for consumer change. Sarah of Sanguinaria points to works from the photographer Chris Jordan, exclaiming that "[he] makes the most concise and powerful life size images of our ecological impact in terms of the vast numbers of things we, as a society, waste. I think it is very important to get this information out into as much of the world as possible."

This photo from Chris Jordan's "Intolerable Beauty" series is a great example of how well his pictures can communicate the waste generated by humans, perhaps even more effectively than words ever could.

Words speak volumes for some people, as is the case with one Etsy seller, Ruth of RSSDesignsinFiber. She chose this quote from Aldo Leopold's "Land Ethic” to make a point:

"To sum up: a system of conservation based solely on economic self-interest is hopelessly lopsided. It tends to ignore, and thus eventually to eliminate, many elements in the land community that lack commercial value, but that are (as far as we know) essential to its healthy functioning. It assumes falsely, I think, that economic parts of the biotic clock will function without the uneconomic parts."

Ruth relates Leopold’s message back to Etsy, saying that, "[as] makers of hand-made goods in a 'Do It Yourself' environment, we are those private owners at Etsy — we need to take responsibility for our whole community including the planet, in how we conduct our lives and our businesses."

[Sustainable wallet by rikrak]

For Etsy sellers like Kristal of rikrak and Kae of kae1crafts, reusing items and being less wasteful has been a way of life since birth, it seems. They both came from families who taught, by example, the importance of reusing and repurposing everyday items, and it has certainly rubbed off on them, as is reflected in their shops. Kae has also expressed the simple fact that economically, reusing saves you money! And what could be more enticing a reason to go green than that?

While all of these individuals were inspired in different ways to care about our environment, they all share the ability to recognize that the earth needs our assistance, and that they as individuals can help in their own ways to bring about a greater change.

Further Resources:

More of Chris Jordan’s works can be found at ChrisJordan.com
You can learn more about Aldo Leopold and his writings by visiting AldoLeopold.org
Find out more about Earth Day by visiting ww2.earthday.net
You can learn more about the Trashion and Eco Etsy street teams by visiting EtsyTrashion.blogspot.com and EcoEtsy.com

EcoKate (ecokate.etsy.com) is a self-taught knitter/crocheter living in central New Jersey. When she's not crafting she's busy finishing up a degree in Environmental Policies, Institutions and Behaviors, blogging (http://www.knitstorm.com), and planning an Eco-friendly wedding (http://www.njgreenwedding.com) for August! Her concern for the environment stems from her knowledge of environmental issues, and the simple sentiment that "Once you know, you can't not know."

What has inspired you to care for and protect our precious environment? Share your stories in the comments!

EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Introducing a New Featured Column: Earth Tones

2008-04-10T13:12:00-05:00

So, the Earth: we live here! It's a great place to live, and I think we're all pretty fond of it. However, in order for humans and cute polar bears and all the other adorable species to keep co-existing on this ol' spinning ball, we're going to have to start rethinking our approach or be prepared to go elsewhere.

Thinking about the environment is no longer an optional past time: in order for us to maintain a way of life, we have to seriously think about where our trash goes, the effects of plastic bags, global warming, polar ice caps, oil...it's a lot to wrap your head around. However, there are many ways to start small and do your part at a grassroots level, and we're interested in fostering this line of thinking.

Thus, The Storque is introducing a new Featured Column devoted to this very topic: Earth Tones. We've written articles on upcycling and living green in the past, and this series will umbrella over our past coverage and more, as we lead up to Earth Day and beyond. We've got an amazing series of articles on living green by the EcoEtsy and Trashion Teams, lots of How-tos and tips on shopping green and being eco-conscious. Now is the time to get involved!

Join us today in our Storque office hours at 4pm (Eastern time) and comment below with your ideas!

EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Etsy Find: Vanessa Recommends Buying Handmade from Reiter8

2007-11-16T06:44:00-05:00

Night before last, I was trolling Etsy for that something special for my little sister. She's a down-to-earth young lady, environmentally-minded, and remarkably, she has sailed around the world on sailboats while working for a semester at sea program. Now she's pretty much landlocked and still yearning for those open vistas and the salt air. What is the perfect holiday gift for an ocean lover?

Well, I sure found it: a bag from reiter8. reiter8 makes bags and pillows from recycled sails from sailboats. The bag has clean lines and subtle detailing, with lots of pockets on its organic fabric-lined inside. Even her cardboard hang-tags are eco-friendly: they're made out of upcycled cereal boxes. I snapped one up and made good on my Buy Handmade Pledge. Very pleased with myself, I sat back from my computer and started the wait for the shipment to arrive by mail.

BUT... yesterday, while working away at the Etsy Labs, I had a visitor! Katherine aka reiter8 showed up in person with my purchase. Imagine my surprise! When I'd clicked the buy button the night before, I hadn't realized that she is based in Brooklyn, just a neighborhood away. It was one of those great moments where Etsy popped into 3D. It was so fun to meet her in person and hear a bit about her process and her experience on Etsy. She told us about how she gets people to donate their used sails in exchange for a free bag. Apparently, hardcore racing sailboats only use a sail for about 100 hours of sail time and then, like racecars with their tires, they have to swap out the sails. Katherine's apartment is completely filled up with sails, and as she said with a wry smile, "It's kinda an issue with the family!"

So help out reiter8 and get one of her items! She makes bags and pillows. Help out the environment by buying eco-friendly items! And help out independent artists by signing the Buy Handmade Pledge.

Gift Ideas: Eco Conscious Loved One

2007-11-15T05:40:00-05:00

This holiday season we're stressing the importance of buying handmade. However, another important idea to keep in mind as you prepare for the holidays is the concept of buying green. All of these gifts are eco friendly, vegan, recycled or upcycled: perfect for your eco conscious loved one. (Also perfect for converting your loved ones into eco conscious consumers!)

As you can see, doing the right thing for the environment can be a very stylish endeavor.

Happy shopping!

Eco Etsy Team Announces the Tree Huggin Photo Contest

2007-09-25T10:15:00-05:00

A new Street Team is on the rise called Eco Etsy. The team concentrates on reducing, reusing and recycling. Members of the team work together to practice good environmental habits by way of recycled packaging, literature and other materials and raising awareness in their craft and personal lives as well.

"We strive everyday to raise awareness about the health of our planet. We like to share tips and information with each other about what we can do each day to reduce waste," says the Street team's leader, Tara , from Project Felt.

The team recently announced its first contest open to ALL Etsy sellers called the Tree Huggin Photo Contest. Participants will photograph themselves hugging a tree. The goal is to use our creative minds to raise awareness about the severity of our earth's severe health condition. We can never take for granted the supply and demand when it comes to all things made from trees. It's time to take a few minutes out of our day, hug a tree and tell that tree how much you appreciate its existence. All photographs will be uploaded to the Eco Etsy Flickr group page created specifically for this contest. Everyone will be able to view all the photography submitted. The Contest began on September 17 th and runs till October 7th at 12 am EST.

All entries will be judged by three Eco Etsy members, Kateseyeview, Walkonthemoon, Julesmaeclothing . What will the winner receive, you ask? A surprise gift box filled with handmade goodies donated by the Eco Team members. A feature on the team's blog and a feature on the Eco monthly newsletter created by the team leader, Tara. This contest is a great way to for all of us to put down the needles and glue and get outside to do something fun and creative.

To learn more details about the contest , photo suggestions, and for entry requirements, please refer to the Team Blog. If you are a seller who makes a conscious effort to reduce waste and likes to recycle, you may want to consider joining the team. We have monthly chats and newsletters were the members get to offer coupons, get tips and facts about the environment, discuss promotions and learn more about each other. Promos swaps, monthly challenges, and other activities are in the works for the team. Please contact Tara if you would like to be a member of this exciting up and coming team.

You can also find all the doings and such of Eco Etsy on their Myspace Page.

Upcycling for Greener Living

2007-09-07T10:00:00-05:00

In the year 2007, being concerned about the environment is not a new or revolutionary idea. The general public has accepted that we’re standing at the crux of an ecological crossroads, and that in order for people to maintain their current way of life, major changes will have to take place in how we raise food, utilize energy, consume products and think about our waste. Just considering the changes necessary for the future can lead many to be intimidated, confused and apathetic about where to start when facing problems as varied as global warming, deforestation, pollution and waste.

Upcycling brings hope as a fresh concept and solution for the many environmental dilemmas the earth currently faces. The idea of taking would-be garbage and reimagining, reusing and reinventing its significance is really quite a novel idea: the materials are free and in frightening abundance, there are (hypothetically) no unhealthy aftereffects for the earth, and consumers gain the satisfaction of reusing something potentially wasteful in a new and exciting context, again and again.

In order to further understand this theory, we must look at its history. The term “upcycling” was coined by William McDonough and Michael Braugart in their groundbreaking book on ecologically-intelligent design, Cradle to Cradle, published in 2002. In the simplest terms, upcycling is the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value. It’s a question of designing new products that are intended to be reused again and again and yet again with a minimal amount of harmful byproducts, effectively working as a “cradle-to-cradle” model of production. Here's an example from Cradle to Cradle of the upcycling designer's new intentions: imagine a world where people casually discard used bottles designed to eventually biodegrade into food for the plant seeds embedded in their bases.

This idea comes in stark opposition to the “cradle-to-grave” view of manufacturing originally conceived during the Industrial Revolution, which is still primarily in practice to this day. As McDonough and Braugart put it, the cradle-to-grave model is one where “resources are extracted, shaped into products, sold and eventually disposed of in a ‘grave’ of some kind, usually a landfill or incinerator...What most people see in their garbage cans is just the tip of the material iceberg; the product itself contains on average only 5 percent of the raw materials involved in the process of making and delivering it.”

You may ask what the difference is between upcycling and recycling, as they seem quite similar. According to Cradle to Cradle, recycling is actually an example of "downcycling," whereby unrecoverable and unusable by-products are created in the recycling process. By recycling items toward uses that were never intended during their original production process (example: soda bottles into carpeting), they are effectively “wrestled” into a form that requires as much energy (or moreso) to produce than manufacturing a new carpet. In the end, the rug is ultimately still on its way to a landfill, creating “eventual waste.”

Ultimately, if upcycling proponents had their way, it wouldn’t be enough to merely reprocess trash into new products: there would simply be no trash to repurpose. Any product could be continually reused and upcycled into something useful. It’s a noble goal, and one that inspired Etsy in our recent Upcycling contest, where we challenged Etsy users to create an upcycled object to sell on Etsy.

Etsy is not alone in attempting to promote “green awareness.” Embracing a green lifestyle and expressing environmental concern has recently been embraced by the mainstream. A variety of ecologically-friendly and markedly stylish products have hit the market as trendy alternatives to the typical. A recent New York Times article by Alex Williams on the nature of green consumerism and its consequences, entitled "Buying into the Green Movement," stated that the “vision of an eco-sensitive life as a series of choices about what to buy appeals to millions of consumers and arguably defines the current environmental movement as equal parts concern for the earth and for making a stylish statement. Some 35 million Americans regularly buy products that claim to be earth-friendly, according to one report, everything from organic beeswax lipstick from the west Zambian rain forest to Toyota Priuses.”

Matthew Sparkes, a writer for prominent sustainability website TreeHugger.com, commented that the green movement's rising popularity is due to the fact that “people are far more aware of environmental issues now. There [are] also a lot of very cool green products, which is tremendously important. Buying green doesn't mean sacrificing style or quality. Companies like Freitag are making products from recycled materials that are actually desirable. It's things like that which have helped take environmentalism to where it is now, in the mainstream, teetering on the tipping point.”

While buying “earth friendly” products is a commendable choice, the question remains: are these products really helping any existing environmental problems, or are they merely a trendy option that will soon die out? And what of "greenwashing," wherein companies simply present an environmentally positive image to appeal to green consumers, while making no effort to back up their environmental claims? The Times article points out that green consumerism, while a considerate alternative to conventional buying habits, is still just that — consumerism. Buying more stuff, even if it’s eco-friendly, still produces waste, be it in the production process or the after-effects. “Consumers have embraced living green, and for the most part the mainstream green movement has embraced green consumerism. But even at this moment of high visibility and impact for environmental activists, a splinter wing of the movement has begun to critique what it sometimes calls ‘light greens.’”

Williams continues to say that “critics question the notion that we can avert global warming by buying so-called earth-friendly products, from clothing and cars to homes and vacations, when the cumulative effect of our consumption remains enormous and hazardous.”

The sad truth is that we live in a culture of consumption, where buying products to facilitate our lifestyle is a fact of life. However, true greens are asking us to change that mindset. The moral of the story is to think before you buy, and to buy in moderation. Conservation is as important, if not more so, than recycling, reusing or upcycling. With all of the options available to the savvy consumer, the simple act of choosing a brand of toilet paper to buy can really become something to think about.

Maureen O'Connor, publisher of green-savvy lifestyle site AlternativeConsumer.com, has the following tips for eco-conscious consumers: “I think it’s important for people not to get overwhelmed by the need to become more eco-conscious. Most of us lead hectic, fast-paced lives. We should do our best to make changes as quickly as possible, but realize that we can’t change our entire life, overnight. Sometimes we just need to step back, slow down and take a deep breath. Appreciate what’s around us, and clear our minds.”

“Start by making simple changes, and being more conscious of our surroundings. Replace the light-bulbs with LED’s in your home and office; use re-chargeable batteries, conserve tap water, and my personal pet peeve — bring your own re-usable shopping bag when you go to the store. Support local farms and businesses (to save energy/transportation costs) and buy organic whenever possible. Lose the Hummer.”

“Most importantly, think about the total life cycle of a product before you buy something: consider how it was created, and what you can do with it or where it will end up when you’re through with it. Recycling, upcycling, conserving and bio-degradability are all key issues today.”

So where does this leave us? Ultimately, it’s all a question of choices. When presented with an opportunity to conserve resources, take it When purchasing products, think about their life span, regardless of how green they may claim to be. It will be a long process to change the way the world thinks about the environment, but with a little forethought and awareness, things can change for the better.

FURTHER RESOURCES

William McDonough, co-author of Cradle to Cradle, has a blog!

To purchase Cradle to Cradle

TreeHugger

Subscribe to "Green Headlines from the Blogosphere"

Alternative Consumer

Etsy Trashion Team

For more Earth friendly content, check out our continued coverage of the Earth Tones series.

EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Etsy Contest: Interviews with Upcycling Winners

2007-09-03T16:00:00-05:00

The Upcycling contest revealed Etsy to be a place where people can go full throttle into new creative territory. We had over a thousand entries! It quickly became clear that we had to raise the bar with our judging process, so we started poring through the items in search of something truly remarkable.

The winners spoke to us on many levels. Of course, there's the environmentally-friendly aspect of upcycling, but we were also looking for a unique vision and a creative process that would tell a story and have a social impact.

1st Place: JackRabbit

The first place winner, JackRabbit's "Wiener Bench," caught our eye because of its striking design. Christine Domanic (aka JackRabbit) posted a description detailing her creative efforts that was both hilarious (picking through the Philly trash for bits of furniture) and socially collaborative (posting a call for dumpster-bound sweaters on Craigslist). The Wiener Bench took materials headed for the trash and transforms them into something completely unexpected — a strange cross between furniture and art installation that emerged from interactions with strangers and their discarded waste. After she finished the piece, Christine got in touch with the sweater donors to show them the full-circle metamorphosis of their redyed yarn into 369 pink wieners.

The Wiener Bench is truly an amusing curiosity. It wasn't until we spoke with Christine that we got the full picture. The inquiring minds here at Etsy HQ had to ask the question everyone was wondering: "Are the 369 wieners REALLY, as your tagline reads, 'rock hard?'" ...To which she replied, "No, they're soft to sit on, and the bench is really comfortable!" So form and function can coincide!

As a student at the Philadelphia University of the Arts, Christine's work utilizes a "childlike sense of humor" to play with the status quo. Christine reveals the ridiculous in our culture's day-to-day acceptance of sexual exploitation and violence by means of a Third Wave Feminist twist. As Chrstine put it, "I like to take a taboo topic and bring it out in the open in a fun kind of way in order to get people talking about issues that really shouldn’t be any big deal to discuss at all."

Inspired by the crassness of back-of-the-newpaper sex worker ads, Christine "advertised" her Wiener Bench around school, posting strange and vaguely illicit flyers around campus. "Everyone is curious about sex and what goes on in those ads in the back of the city’s papers. Would my ads pique people’s curiosity enough to check out my work, and once they saw it, how would it meet their expectations?"

However, the school's interest was not adequately piqued, so to say. "I was postering for the Wiener Bench really obnoxiously. The school kept taking them down!"

If the campus powers-that-be weren't amused, Etsians have been laughing up a storm. "Making people laugh" was Christine's intention in the first place, but sometimes it's an unsettled laughter. Her other work includes a series of crocheted coffee mugs with the faces of sexual predators living in her city and handguns coated with hand-woven, brightly colored fabrics. Like the jackalope emblem Christine uses, her work is simultaneously lighthearted and disturbing.

Making people laugh and reminding them of the absurdity of modern life is a great way to use Etsy as a source of social commentary. Christine used to operate a brick and mortar store in Pittsburgh before returning to school to finish her degree in crafts (focusing on fibers and mixed media). The shop doubled as a gallery on Fridays, providing a convenient forum to sell her handmade items. However, since going back to a university setting, Christine has forged a community in school and on Etsy, where there's "an open critique." Since it took Christine 6-8 hours a day for a month to make the Wiener Bench, much of the advice she got from other Etsians centered on how to make more benches efficiently. However, Christine isn't interested in making more of the famous Wiener Bench — she simply wants to keep trying out new ideas. At the Bazaar Bizarre, she brought her show-stopper: a crocheted Atari Pitfall system.

2nd Place: Thimblescratch

Thimblescratch's Technofabulous PLASTICOAT TRASHION won second place in the Upcycling contest. We immediately coveted her jacket.

Tammy Lyons, aka Thimblescratch, discovered a new and revolutionary technique when she heat-fused the trash bags onto an old white blanket ("cigarette burns and all!"). The heat melted the plastic giving it a cool, semi-translucent watercolor effect.

At the time, Tammy was working as a SysAdmin, and pined about juggling a day job and sewing clothing, "you have to save up a bunch of money so can make the junk!" But she has since quit her dayjob to work fulltime on her designs.

Based out of Columbus, IN, Tammy designs and sews all handmade clothing, often with recycled materials and repurposed garments. She describes her living room/workspace as "totally trashed" during her preparation and production for the Upcycling contest. Tammy's coworkers were willing helpers for her Upcycling project, donating their trash for weeks as material for her undertaking. Tammy's home quickly filled up with what some might regard as garbage — but her cats enjoyed as their personal playground.

While having such lively cats is great companionship, Tammy sometimes feels alone in her area because she doesn't "know anybody around here who sews." On the other hand, space is relatively cheap and Tammy and a friend dream about "finding an abandoned factory and starting a workshop." For now, Etsy serves as a place where Tammy can seek out like-minded individuals. However, she'd also like to get the message out to mainstream America. She auditioned for Project Runway, a reality television show in which fashion designers compete for the chance to start their own clothing lines. She was not chosen [note: we are trying to get her to write a piece for The Storque about the experience!]

Because Tammy couldn't sew faster than she can sell and still find time to prepare for Project Runway, she graciously decided to donate her prize, a free booth at the Bazaar Bizarre, to the third place winner.

3rd Place: dismantled

Mallory, aka dismantled, won third place for her Fema dress. Based in New Orleans, Mallory made her first blue tarp dress for a post-Katrina charity event to raise awareness and funds for American wetlands. She says that a year ago "you would see blue tarps everywhere," which translated into an eye-catching and memorable theme for the fashion show portion of the charity. Mallory's offering was a Gone with the Wind-inspired blue tarp dress, which was auctioned off. One of Mallory's day jobs is working at the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans, and "ever since the charity show, the curators started asking me to make another blue tarp dress" for an upcoming Katrina exhibit.

The Upcycling contest dress is made from an actual Fema tarp given to Mallory with a bundle of others after the charity show. "At first it took some time to figure out how to sew tarp material," she states. A self-taught seamstress, Mallory usually "just deconstruct[s] stuff. I like it when I can have rough edges."

Mallory pooled resources with the rest of the New Orleans Craft Mafia in order to attend the Bazaar Bizarre in May. "In the past, the members of the New Orleans Craft Mafia have talked about applying for out-of-town shows as a group and sending one or two representatives to set up. They'd bring along selected goods from each of the interested members, as well as their own products, of course."

While talking to some members of the New Orleans Craft Mafia, we came to understand that more than anything — more than money or supplies or equipment — the crafters, makers and artists of New Orleans need to get their message out. In a way, Mallory and the New Orleans Craft Mafia's presence at the Bazaar Bizarre could be "a mini-boutique bringing NOLA art to these out-of-town events ... We've been talking about how to get the word out about the NOCM to people in other areas, and this could be a good way to do it."

As Mallory explained, "a year and a half after Katrina, a lot of people in other parts of the country still have a really skewed vision of what things are like down here, both in NOLA and along the Gulf Coast (I'm originally from Gulfport, MS, which was also hit very hard by Katrina). The thing is, when I hear stories about people in other parts of the country, it seems like most people think either one of two things about the way things are down here now: that either everything is still completely and utterly decimated, in every part of the city and throughout this area, that we're not getting anywhere with rebuilding, etc, or they think that all of the work is over and things are back to normal. The reality is somewhere in between, and the amount of work left to be done really varies greatly from area to area, neighborhood to neighborhood. I think many of us though, myself included, are past the point of wanting or needing charity for charity's sake. Small business loans or grants and the like are fine, but I'm not sure that I want to encourage people just sending supplies as charity handouts and thinking that is all it takes to help this area's recovery (or even just the recovery of the artists in this area). I think most of us have recovered or replaced whatever supplies were lost and were immediately needed during the last year or so. I think now we're at the point where what we really need down here is the economic recovery that will be brought on in large part by the return of more tourism and more people patronizing locally owned businesses."

Honorable Mention: Inklude

We gave an honorable mention to Inklude for their cardboard chair. According to their Etsy shop description, Inklude Studio is a division of Little Friends, Inc. — currently operating as a side project of ColorBurst Screen Printing.

We spoke with April, a manager at Inklude, who explained that the studio provides an outlet for intuitive artists who are developmentally disabled. The artists work at ColorBurst filling orders for clients, and at Inklude, they turn their focus to their own creative projects. The artists collected leaves from outside and designed the pattern in order to screen print the Upholstered Cardboard Chair's white fabric with a green foliage design. The cushions are made from an old table cloth.

(photo from Nomadic Classroom credit: Michael Cataldi)

Rosten Woo, one of our guest judges who voted for the Upholstered Cardboard Chair, remarked, "I like that it's a replicable design." Hopefully, the Upholstered Cardboard Chair will inspire others to give cardboard a shot as a material. Rosten, an educator at the Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP), works with students to develops programs and exhibits for kids to learn about "places and how they change." One of CUP's projects was the Nomadic Classroom, an innovative project where students from the Academy for Urban Planning to design and construct "components of a classroom that could be assembled, disassembled, and re-assembled to 'house' the students anywhere they wanted to go. The furniture was made entirely of salvaged materials, manipulated with basic tools, and attached with simple mechanical connections."

For another project, "Garbage Problems," CUP worked with New York youth to design and exhibit their research and video documentary — an examination of New York City's waste management system after the closing of Fresh Kills Landfill. Check out the website for more info.

Above all else, the Upcycling contest winners and all of the entrants have inspired the Etsy community — as well as those who helped collect trash, who blogged about their favorite items and read about the contest in other press. As Tammy from Thimblescratch said, "The fact that you can buy non-sweatshop clothing" (and handmade just-about-anything-else, we might add) is the very thing we need "to educate the public about." We just need to let the world know there's a better way.

Further Resources:
CurrentTV piece on trashion

Trashion Street Team

Citysol: Fun in the Sun

2007-07-15T20:00:00-05:00

On Saturday, Etsy's Tim and Alison ventured to the shore of the East River to check out the Citysol 2007 solar-powered music festival. (Les Savy Fav is pictured above, thanks to Forklift on Flickr!) In addition to the stage, there was a puzzle-piece looking "beer dome" where you could change your Con Edison energy plan to a green-friendly alternative, and get free Brooklyn Brewery beer for doing so.

In addition to the many music acts that performed via solar power, there was also a Green Marketplace with many varied vendors and organizations spreading the good word about going green, including the Peace Corps, paper arts vendors, Solar One representatives, and a biodiesel booth with tricked out Rascals and kiddie wheels.

Watch the Video

All in all, it was a great festival! Check out the interviews with Melissa of Solar One and Debbie of Resourceful Design.

P.S. The guy pumping his fist with the mask on stage? Dj OCDJ, who is rad, btw!

Note: This was originally posted in the Etsy Garden.