Storque articles: CRAFTIVISM

National Bike to Work Day: May 16, 2008

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:49:00 -0000

Here in New York we've been having an unfortunate spring, as the past few weeks have brought us some yucky rain and surprisingly chilly temperatures. Note the discarded, busted umbrellas in the wind tunnel near the Etsy Labs:
However, we're closing in on the outdoor season and the bikes are getting pulled out of their winter hibernation.

May has been declared National Bike Month, and thanks to the League of American Bicyclists, the third Friday in May (this Friday, May 16!) has been National Bike to Work Day since 1956. Lots of major cities have events planned for Friday and the rest of the month, so if you're here in NYC with us, check out the Bike Month NYC site, or search online to see what's going on near you. So rain or shine, be ready to get on your bike and ride!

P.S. Plus, we can use the break from the gas prices...
P.P.S. Someone should invent a biodegradable umbrella...

Get ready for bike season by bringing out your bike this Friday. Here's to National Bike to Work Day!

Earth Tones: Growin' Guerilla Style

Fri, 09 May 2008 17:02:00 -0000

We've all seen that corner lot that's nothing but baked dirt and the occasional mound of trash surrounded by a guardrail. Some people pass by without a glance. Some people wonder why the city doesn't pick up the trash. Some people wish that someone would build something there. Some people think it'd be nice if they turned it into a park. Then there are the misfits...the gardening guerillas. They see that empty plot that belongs to no one and start planning. Mission: cultivate!

Guerilla gardening has been around for ages and has recently started making a comeback. People are turning abandoned, ugly plots of land into productive spaces, on the sly, all across the globe. Be it fruit trees or flowers, these plots are being reclaimed to benefit the environment and the local culture.

Studies have shown that things like litter and empty lots all negatively impact a community and that places like parks and public gardens are a positive change that can be made. A growing (pun intended) form of urban renewal happens to be planned community gardens on abandoned lots, but many areas haven't adopted the practice quite yet. A lot of times, plots stand unused and unmaintained because of red tape, ordinances, and general disbelief, but guerilla gardening bypasses those factors. A handful of sunflower seeds scattered across a muddy back corner of an abandoned parking lot creates a bit of brightness in an otherwise bleak landscape.

Possible future community garden by technicolorcavalry on flickr.

Now just think what could happen when the trash was picked up and a can of wildflower mix was sown. Imagine casually throwing a handful of watermelon seeds into that drainage ditch you walk on the way to the bus and watching someone pull out a fat melon weeks later. Fast and easy and, oh, so satisfying.

But that satisfaction can be ended in one fatal swoop of a county mower. There's nothing so heartbreaking as finding out that your plantings have been removed or destroyed, for whatever reason, but take heart! They probably didn't go unnoticed. It's the price one pays for investing their time and energy into clandestine activities, but there are ways to help ensure the survival of your plantings.

Carefully observe an area for activity. It's a good hint that, if the area hasn't been mowed and garbage isn't picked up, you've got a place that someone probably won't mind being decorated a bit.
Use plants that are native or easily naturalized so that your plantings will last without constant care. Remember that "easily naturalized" doesn't mean invasive — avoid exotic invasives.
Start little and see what you can get away with. If that plot that hasn't been mown in two years suddenly gets cut when your wildflowers start blooming, it's a pretty good bet that more involved plantings won't survive.

greenthing, a big proponent of guerrilla gardening, has this terrific sign to leave as a calling card.

Mix seeds with peat moss or potting soil to give them something to germinate in. This is best if you don't have luck with random scatterings of seeds.
Avoid areas that are carefully maintained by landscapers. (Unless there's an area that they consistently miss.)
Make others aware. If there's a person who lives across the street from an abandoned lot, either make a concerted effort to work around their time schedule to avoid confrontation or let them know that you're across from their house planting stuff. This will help you avoid neighborhood watches and possible police encounters.

Do it and own it. Guerilla gardening serves different purposes for different people, including protest against urbanization, a starvation of good ol' garden therapy or the simple desire to have fresh veggies in the summer. Whatever your purpose, make sure to own it. If someone asks what you're doing sneaking out of the apartment every night, tell them and see if they want to tag along. Build a force in your area to promote the beauty of the natural world.

To promote this subversive activity, the EtsyPHAT (Etsy Plants and Horticultural Arts Team) are going to begin a campaign to distribute seed packs randomly across the country. These seeds will be a special blend made up of seeds from our members. You might find them on park benches, outdoor eating areas, schools, and common areas by the end of May.

Stacy, aka fluffnflowers, gardens for therapy and shares her surplus and seed-grown goodies through Etsy. She lives outside Atlanta, Georgia in high suburbia with her significant other, cat, dog, and two guinea pigs. She strives to drive the neighbors insane with her lack of hedgerows. She spends most of her time outside, except in the summer where it just gets too hot! She blogs about her gardening exploits at fluffnflowers.blogspot.com.

Plants Subcategory on Etsy | Outdoor Subcategory on Etsy | EtsyPHAT Team | Earth Tones Series

Etsy Pets: Handmade4Hounds

Wed, 07 May 2008 16:13:00 -0000

Handmade4Hounds is a team full of creative energy dedicated to inviting people to open up their hearts and homes to retired greyhounds and other sighthound breeds, such as whippets and Italian greyhounds, in need of rescue and adoption.

Greyhounds are sighthounds, which means they possess characteristics such as long legs, small heads, and a lean, streamlined body structure unique to this special family of dogs. All sighthounds possess the ability to track their prey with exceptional sight and extreme speed. Greyhounds can run up to 45 mph, reaching speed in 1.5 seconds or 3 strides! This speed is what launched greyhounds into the long-lived world of track racing dating back to the 1920’s.

“I remember when the Simpsons welcomed Santa’s Little Helper, the abandoned greyhound racer, into their home. That was my first introduction to the breed, and although the antics played out on the show were often ridiculous, one thing is true: so many greyhounds need homes (hopefully better than the Simpson household). Please consider adopting this gentle breed into your family!”
- Ellen (classichound)

About 10,000 greyhounds retire from racing each year, typically between three and five years of age. Many flunk out of racing or are forced into early retirement as a result injuries. Others retire after a successful career on the tracks, but every greyhound that retires from track life desperately needs a new home.

Despite being one of the fastest animals on land, greyhounds are known as the 45-mile-an-hour couch potato by those who know them well. Most greyhounds are gentle, quiet, and extremely laid back. With short and easy to maintain coats (which are easy on the allergies!), notable patience, and gentle acceptance of other pets and young children, this friendly breed may be the perfect companion pet!

Greyhounds are unique dogs with unique needs. The absence of an undercoat that reduces shedding and allergic reactions also means this lean athlete requires a coat to keep warm during the colder months. Sighthounds are inside only dogs — which really means more companionship for you! And remember that high-prey drive instinct to run 45 mph towards small moving objects? That includes squirrels, so a leash is required out for walks. And their smaller heads need strong cinching martingale-type collars so that they can’t slip away from their owner.

Greyhounds are strong, graceful, and striking creatures who get a lot of attention for their good looks. People love to see them depicted in beautiful art. Handmade4Hounds is happy to serve all the special needs of this special breed with crocheted sweaters and snoods, collars and leashes, comfy dog beds, and gorgeous paintings, sculptures, and jewelry that captures the elegance and charm of these well deserving hounds.

Our members support a wide variety of greyhound adoption programs in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia and Ireland. We have two primary goals: promoting the support of independent artists and to raise money to support greyhound adoption. Many programs are in desperate need of funds in order to continue serving retired racers. These programs perform medical procedures and injury repair, keep these dogs fed and housed properly, and work endlessly to find thousands of homes for these gorgeous animals.

All of the products in our Etsy shop are donated by Etsy sellers from the Handmade4Hounds Street Team. The proceeds from every purchase supports greyhound adoption groups and various whippet, saluki, and Italian greyhound rescue programs. The individual members of the Handmade4Hounds Team support Greyhound Adoption in several different ways including:

• Donating a portion of the sales of their individual Etsy shops
• Creating handmade items to be used in auctions and raffles at Greyhound Fundraising Events and Reunion Picnics
• Adopting and Fostering Greyhounds
• Attending Meet & Greet and Adoption Awareness Events
• Maintaining a Handmade4Hounds Etsy Shop where 100% of the proceeds goes to the hounds

“In 1995, I called the Greyhound Pets of America 800 number for the nearest Greyhound adoption group. I drove a ten hour’s drive to meet Sterling, a fawn-colored male who had flunked off the track before he turned two years old. Sterling graciously served as the model for many of the art works I created while earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Minnesota State University - Moorhead. It was this amazing breed with the sensitive and gentle nature that captured my imagination.”
- Sarah (greyhoundart)

Please join us in our efforts to both celebrate hounds and help these "greyt" companions find new homes all over the world! Every month a new adoption group is highlighted and selected by our members to receive the proceeds from our sales. Every donation and purchase helps! Items in the Handmade4Hounds Etsy shop need not be hound related, all donations welcome!

Further Resources:
More info on greyhounds:
www.greyhoundgang.org/adopt.php
www.snips.8m.com/pages/greyhound%20adoption.htm

Info on how and where to adopt greyhounds:
www.greyhoundpets.org
www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/directory/list.cfm

More info on h4h:
www.handmade4hounds.com
www.handmade4hounds.blogspot.com

Yahoo Group - groups.yahoo.com/group/handmade4hounds

To join, contact:
Ellen at contact@classichound.com
Lenora at amazinggreys@msn.com

To Shop, visit:
handmade4hounds.etsy.com

Etsy Pets: Worldwide Animals with EFA

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:56:00 -0000

What do a cool cat artist, a wild spinner, an ACEO painter and a queen of all things green have in common? They are all sellers who share a common mission: to give something back to animals through the Etsy for Animals Team (EFA).

EFA team members are spread around the world, and some of the team’s sellers are as exotic as the animals they love. Here’s a snapshot. Seller thefrogbag in California says, "I'm a long time crafter with a zoology degree — hence the high percentage of animals in my work! By day I work as a zoo keeper at the Playboy Mansion. I also do some writing, both fiction and non-fiction..." She loves the wonderfully strange tapirs, and donates a percentage of sales to the Tapir Preservation Fund.

ArtbySusmitha, an artist and vegan living in India, supports the Vishakha SPCA cow sanctuary, saying “...We're all children of the same Mother Nature and they need love and respect, just like us.” Jeanne of MellyrnShireShop who lives "in a small apartment near Milan, Italy, with a guy, 4 cats, 2 rabbits and 6 guinea pigs," supports Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy. All of Jeanne's animals are free to roam inside her home!

[Guinea Pig ACEO - SavageArtWorks]

[Spring chicks by VioletsNewVintage]

Not only do EFA team members have some great stores, several EFA members also run animal rescues. Amanda of Abandoned Wild Babies Animal Rescue is a wildlife rehabilitator, and Lynn of ArfArfMeowMeow helps with Priest River Animal Rescue in Idaho.

They, and many other EFA members, donate a percentage of their profits to animal charities, either one that is close to their heart, or to the EFA Charity of the Month, announced on www.etsyforanimals.com. Together these little raindrops of cash make a shower of help, with past beneficiaries receiving considerable sums. One of the biggest fundraisers for our Charity of the Month is the official EFA shop, where kind-hearted Etsy sellers donate items, with 100% of the proceeds going to animals. EFA's team leader, Michele of MVegan5, says that "the EFA shop welcomes donations of handmade items, vintage and supplies from any seller on Etsy who wants to help us raise funds." (More info here!)

[Country Poodles Cards - Hayleyshandmades]

The EFA community has a Flickr Group and a lively blog that hosts the monthly challenges, and the website run by Hayleyshandmades. Checking out the challenge entries is a great way to see a showcase of EFA members' work and, like all the organizational work at EFA, it's run by a team of volunteers. EFA members’ work — and pets — can also be seen on a YouTube video made by Diane of Woodnvisions.

[Original Painting ACEO - sharonfosterarts]

New sellers will get a warm welcome to EFA and, no, it's not essential that you donate profits to charity. EFA welcomes all sellers who care for animals. Michele says, "I love that Etsy for Animals brings together artists from all over the world, helping animals, together." Ensorcelledminds sums up the EFA ethos as such:

"Because they NEED us
To help when we can
To give what we can
And to understand"

Further Resources:
Etsyforanimals.com
Etsyforanimals.blogspot.com
flickr.com/groups/efa
AWBAR.com
Tapirback.com
Visakha Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Vrra.org

May Day Observances

Thu, 01 May 2008 21:51:00 -0000

Here in the U.S. we don't usually think of May 1st "as synonymous with International Workers' Day," as Wikipedia puts it. The U.S. celebrates Labor Day in September.

But International Workers' Day is a significant and important day to recognize. It's meant to honor people who one could call "workers," who work for others and who band together for representation in order to have their rights upheld. When you look back into history and over the centuries of grim treatment and exploitation of everyday people, it becomes clear that the labor movement's contributions have benefited us all to an amazing degree. Two day weekend! Eight hour workday! Minimum wage!

On Etsy, many of us are working to represent ourselves directly. It's a different experience to work for oneself — to be in complete control and responsible for our own mistakes. But ultimately, artists and makers who work full time on their own projects find the lifestyle fulfilling. Considering how recently in history women have had to fight for their equal rights to economic status, it's gratifying to take a moment and let the 96% female stat sink in. And yet, many of us who would like to make a living wage from our art or craft are still struggling to do so.

That said, even if you're not "Etsying" full time, taking time to work on your own projects outside of your day job is important for the soul. Perhaps there are some among us who feel that work should be kept separate from our creative pursuits because we don't want to ruin it by "making it job." I can see both sides.

Personally, I think an important aspect of Etsy is the way it is drawing together so many self-workers. I am inspired by the labor movement and the power they achieved together. Here's to May Day! Who knows what we will achieve together!

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Etsy Pets: Cruelty Free Etsy — Your Source for Animal Friendly Goods

Thu, 01 May 2008 19:50:00 -0000

There’s something new for animal lovers on Etsy! Founded in February 2008, Cruelty Free Etsy is a spankin’ new Team for those who make cruelty free products! Cruelty free means no animal testing was used to create or produce the material, and that the item itself is free of animal products or byproducts, including honey, silk, wool, gelatin, beeswax, lanolin, leather, milk, etc.

Members are not required to be vegan or vegetarian themselves, nor do all items in their shops have to be vegan. Founder Jennifer of JAKRandomArt explains, “We wanted to create an inclusive group to complement some of the other great vegan/vegetarian groups on Etsy. There are many artists creating cruelty-free items and we wanted to create a group for them that would also help those searching for cruelty-free products.”

There’s Vegan Etsy for vegans who offer only 100% vegan products on Etsy. There’s EtsyVeg for anyone who’s vegan or vegetarian with an Etsy shop. And, there’s EtsyForAnimals for shops to donate part of store profits to animal-friendly charities. Cruelty Free Etsy, while it shares many members with the other animal-friendly groups, is its own entity; members can tag any 100% cruelty free item with CFE (for “Cruelty Free Etsy”) for ease in shopping and creating team treasuries.

[Woolie Handknit Scarf by Cricketscreations]

Co-moderator Celeste of Cricketscreations chimes in, “Hardly anyone is a born vegan: becoming more conscious of lifestyle is a continuum and a process. We want Etsians to be rewarded for the items they create that are free of animal products, without having to adhere to the sometimes daunting amount of restrictions that go along with being a full on vegan.”

CricketsCreations features nearly 100 humane, originally designed scarves in her online boutique, all handcrafted in the heart of Canyon Country, USA near the Grand Canyon.

[Peace Dove Necklace by mvegan5]

Member mvegan5 said her shop is animal-friendly, both in using only animal-free materials, and in giving 10% of profits to a different animal charity each month. She creates art and jewelry inspired by "my love of animals and nature, and use vintage/recycled materials whenever I can."

[Paper Crane Recycled Vinyl Cuff by JaKrandomArt]

JaKrandomArt creates unique, cruelty free, eco-friendly, handmade jewelry. Made from recycled vinyl records and found materials, each handmade piece of jewelry is a one-of-a-kind, wearable work of art.

Cruelty Free Etsy welcomes new members! For information please visit the Cruelty Free Etsy Team page or read interviews of members at CrueltyFreeEtsy.blogspot.com.

Resources:
Cruelty Free Etsy on IndiePublic
Cruelty Free Etsy Yahoo Group
Crueltyfreeetsy.blogspot.com
EtsyVeg Team

Etsian Videos: Vanishing of the Bees

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:17:00 -0000

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

Earth Tones: Make Like a Tree, Part 2

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:26:00 -0000

In her first post in our Earth Tones series, Autumn aka stringtheory revealed a troubling and often unrecognized issue in the modern crafting movement's efforts to be eco-friendly: mass-produced supplies. In this second post, she offers some solutions to the latent harm many of our craft supplies have on the environment. We have an opportunity to lead the way by innovating new methods of reusing and upcycling. One of our strengths is our community... we have a massive network of creative and eco-conscious people. Autumn dares to offer some utopian visions that we should make reality.

Indie crafters have become notable participants in the history of making things, but have a unique opportunity to pioneer social change as well. Since the Industrial Revolution, consumers have been diverted by the science of sales, and derive pleasure largely through conspicuous consumption. I feel that we modern makers seek to lift them out of the doldrums through individual acts of creativity. Yet, as materialism tips nature's balance, our noble pursuit of culture questions its own validity. There is increasing unrest amongst crafters who feel their creations only add to the clutter on this Earth, but what if we could actually save the world by making things?

Cradle to Cradle: Industry that Benefits Nature
I was awestruck when I saw this Ted Talk (a conference dedicated to innovation in Technology, Entertainment, Design) by William McDonough explaining Cradle to Cradle, a manufacturing standard that promises to "love all children of all species for all time." I had heard this term and "upcycling" thrown around, but never truly examined the concept. TeenAngster wrote a Stroque article explaining the background of C2C, and how it relates to crafters and makers. What amazes me most is that you don't need to read the book to be enlightened by the idea. Just take a look around you. Natural systems metabolize their nourishment to sustain themselves and their environment. Humans breath in oxygen that is exhaled as carbon dioxide, which is inhaled by trees and then exhaled as oxygen. Even the most violent explosions in the universe — supernovas — disperse vital elements needed to form new stars and solar systems. During the last one hundred years, humans have excelled at benefiting from nature with little reciprocal effort...all powered by burning the remains of extinct giant lizards and plants aka fossil fuels. Amid alarming changes in our climate, visible pollution, and wide spread health effects, few deny the importance of becoming eco-conscious.

A lot of perfectly useful raw materials get thrown in the trash every day. Reclaiming items after they have fulfilled their usefulness has never been a factor in design until now. The idea is for our customers put new intentions on belongings, and we can give them motivation to do so.The cradle to cradle philosophy indicates that all man-made materials should be circulated through one of two closed systems in a world without waste. It involves rethinking the way things are assembled, so they may be disassembled. Parts designated as "technical nutrients," replenish industry infinitely through upcycling or re-purposing, without degrading or emitting harmful toxins. Biological nutrients on the other hand, are derived from sustainable natural resources. They can be thrown on the ground, not only without concern, but to the benefit of the soil.

Amazing, but a pipe dream at best? On the contrary, some large corporations have been embracing the idea, applying it to their architecture, and creating products that fit within C2C certification standards. Ford recently built a prototype vehicle, the Model U, which not only runs on clean hydrogen fuel, but is designed with a basis of technical and biological nutrients. The U.S. Postal Service has taken rigorous steps to certify its Priority & Express mail packaging, and numerous other companies and communities are making bold changes to become "hyper green."

[photo by jhritz]

Upcycled Crafts: Industrial Nutrients 1.0
We know that most microbrands strive on aesthetic consistency. A lucky few have been able to create solid designs out of waste materials that are abundantly saved, such as old electronics. They are actually introducing the nutrient concept right under everyone's noses. DebbyAremDesigns has been successfully selling her circuit board creations in boutiques across the continent, including the museum shops at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and the Boston Computer Museum. It proves that consumers are beginning to place added value on creative reuse.

[clock by DebbyAremDesigns]

A New Buyer/Seller Cycle
It's important to expect green and humane practices from our suppliers, but in this scenario, exponentially more importance is placed on new ideas. There is unmatched resourcefulness within the indie craft movement, so here's an idea for you... Turning trash into treasure often involves scouring through what others have thrown "away." Sellers, why not create a direct relationship with consumers to promote participation in upcycling, and have materials we want essentially brought to us?

Certainly, it may take a little while to catch on, but we are in for a long-term incremental transition to non-toxic manufacturing and alternative fuels. While incubating these ideas, I realized that many of them involve little more effort than we invest now to promote our creations.

Here a sketch that should make sense for Etsy members:
The basic format involves sellers having a centralized list of materials they need. They should specify reasonable parameters, such as felt or corduroy instead of just fabric, whenever possible, or indicate other specifics. The list should always provide access to a profile of the artist and what they make. The idea is for our customers to put new intentions on belongings, and we can give them incentive to do so. Each maker would dictate their own system of coupons, give-aways, or other incentives, such as a reduced price if the buyer provides the raw materials. The more generous you are, the more materials you will get, and finding a happy balance may be an interesting challenge.

Local networks and events would be epicenters for this concept. Vanessa coined the possibility of creating a reverse Alchemy/Shop Local/Supplies section on Etsy to facilitate this. I would also love to see Teams introduce the idea of "craftcycle bins" in their communities through promotions and events. Add to that outreach programs for crafters outside the indie realm, and we could significantly reduce the consumption of commercial supplies.

[supplies bundled by whimsiedots]

This would open up an entirely new market for indie entrepreneurs as well. By utilizing the abundance of these resources, they could build vast inventories of refurbished, beautifully consistent supplies and kits. I've seen a handful of shops such as claudiascreations and whimsiedots with great examples of creatively reclaimed craft supplies.

Sellers could even offer to take back their creations to be refurbished, in return for a discount on something "new."

Through initiatives like these, we could begin to demonstrate a closed system that sustains itself on waste...technical nutrients in action! This concept is being realized from the top down by industry. What if we could create awareness from the bottom up, and meet them in the middle?

Petition the Retailers!
Of course, not all supplies could be sourced this way. Over at Crafting a Green World, we are taking suggestions for an Eco-Crafters List of Demands that will be part of a petition to get the attention of retailers. We want to make it clear to them that we have educated ourselves on environmental matters, and greenwashing will not be tolerated. I should also add that most independent eco-conscious suppliers make genuine efforts at progress towards C2C standards. With all the money we are saving from upcycling, we should be able to patronize them even more.

Eco-Exhibit
I'd also like to propose a craft exhibit that brings awareness to biological nutrients. Artists could contribute signature wares created entirely from non-toxic biodegradable materials, with blue ribbons going to those that make an effort for their item not only to be safe for the ground, but additionally benefit the Earth. For instance, by incorporating seeds or natural plant foods into biodegradable items. Research and outreach will be required to help crafters pinpoint proper materials. Items would be displayed and photographed for a short time, then ceremoniously thrown into a contained garden. The process of disintegration should be documented, taking pictures when any plants bloom that were a part of the wares.

On a final note...
I am continually amazed by what people in this community are making, no matter what their products are made of. My hope is that the information and ideas presented here will only expand our opportunities for creativity and profitability while bringing awareness to more harmonious manufacturing methods. Handmade has its charm, but more importantly, we are striving for a culture abundant with individual expression, respect for our planet...and each other.

Further Resources:
TED Talk: Janine Benyus - 12 Sustainable Designs Ideas from Nature

The Sustainable Textile Standard

InHabitat.com/2007/11/22/cohda-recycling-factory-at-dott-07/

Climatex Lifecycle Fabrics

www.mbdc.com

SustainableStyle.org

I.D.'s Umbrella Inside Out Competition

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

Earth Tones: Make Like a Tree, Part 1

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:23:00 -0000

Autumn Wiggins aka stringtheory is head writer for CraftingAGreenWorld.com, and founder of the Strange Folk Festival. If you pull her leg just slightly, she will build a website for your noble crafty cause. Recent projects include EtsyLou.org and CraftCon.org. We recently saw Autumn's talk on sustainability in crafting at the Craft Congress and we invited her to write a two-part Storque article for our Earth Tones series.

There is general consensus within the DIY community that what we do has a uniquely positive effect on the world. Our universal philosophy suggests that embracing methods to handmake your own belongings is fulfilling and thought provoking. Yet, quiet debate continues as to the long-term advantages of buying handmade. Is it a truly effective way to bypass corporate interests and consumerism? Ironically, the modern craft movement relies on technology only made possible by mass production. Not necessarily the crafts themselves, but at very least, the internet, thus computers, have been essential for popularizing our community, small business growth, and inspiration. Broad claims of environmental friendliness must be examined. And what is at the heart of many of our creations? Commercially manufactured supplies. After all, spindles of thread and jewelry findings don't grow on trees... and paper is made from trees.

To gain a clearer perspective of how we obtain supplies, I ran an anonymous survey which was linked through Etsy and various indie event mailing lists. One hundred crafters from across the U.S. and Canada responded.

Of those surveyed:

77% sell their items.
68% spend $50 or more a month on supplies.
33% shop at thrift/consignment stores often, 42% rarely or never get supplies there.

When asked: "How would you describe your knowledge of how commercial craft supplies are produced?"

28% have "never really thought about it."
48% are "curious, but tend to look the other way due to lack of alternatives and budget restraints."

When asked: "Would you be willing to pay more for commercial supplies that are guaranteed to be ethically created with earth friendly materials?"

Only 8% answered they would not pay more since they use only free and inexpensive reclaimed materials.
88% are willing to pay a reasonable amount more for eco-friendly supplies.
Only 16% answered "I already do! Supplies that I use offer a wide variety of options for eco-conscious crafters."

Let me just say that I am one of those 48% that has, until recently, swept my reservations about retail supplies under the latch hook rug. I live in the suburbs, where second-hand stores dwindle in numbers, and decent selection is limited mostly to children's clothing. Even though upcycling is widely promoted on Etsy, it doesn't seem to be put into practice as much as it should.

Thrifting and salvaging are a hobby for some and a headache for others. Often, crafters are faced with the day-to-day reality that upcycling is an inconsistent, and inefficient way to gather materials for microbrands that desire to have solid designs with consistent aesthetics. In many cases of upcycling, additional materials are needed to finish whatever our imagination is compelling us to create. The bottom line is that 92% of crafters surveyed admit they use commercial craft supplies to some extent, and 75% aren't completely aware of their environmental footprint. The intentions of crafters are good and the act of crafting is positive, but if we don't keep challenging ourselves to be more green, we run the risk of slipping into complacency. We cannot assume that handmade = environmentally friendly.

["Bummer" by drexel]

Crafters and makers have rerouted the act of assembly from factories to the individual's home or studio. But many of us remain blissfully unaware of the origins of our raw materials. On May 13th, The US Consumer Product Safety Commission will be holding a free round table discussion on the use of lead in "paints and coatings, toys, plastics, jewelry, electronics, batteries and textiles, etc" in Bethesda, Maryland. I just have one question, "Is it in my craft supplies"? According to Consumer's Union, "Consumer Reports notes that there is no federal standard for lead in plastics, but the amount of lead detected in the glue stick caps was more than three times the 600 parts per million allowable for paint in the U.S. Consumers who own any of those items are advised to remove them from use."

If you are concerned about lead contamination in your crafts, there are numerous testing kits now available for home use. Of course, these will not take measure of other heavy metals and carcinogens commonly found in consumer products. (Read more about California's lead law here).

Our rapidly growing sub-culture is spending large chunks of cash at retail stores that barely cater to our interests, contribute little to our community projects, and carelessly market unsafe products. As a writer for Crafting a Green World, I am always on the lookout for earth conscious suppliers, but few options exist in many categories. For most of us, craft stores offer little to no innovation of their merchandise, and aren't held accountable for pollution.

And to make matters worse, many businesses have blindly jumped on the green bandwagon. We have every reason to be suspicious of new products that appear eco-friendly, especially from large corporations. Greenwashing is already a rampant practice which misleads consumers with trendy "green" imagery and wordplay. The irony of this situation is that they sell things so the community can make stuff, yet you would never dream of stocking their shelves with things that were made in the community.

It's easy to forget that our enormous environmental problems have been inherited. Current solutions are largely a matter of personal responsibility, and constitute options that are thus far misleading, inefficient, and/or expensive. Why am I suddenly guilt stricken when I forget to bring my reusable bags to the store? Whose idea was it to make disposable bags out of toxic polymers in the first place? They are simply a product immature design. The current focus of conserving fossil fuels and misconceptions about recycling serve to prolong our complacency. Alternative energy sources and organically grown crops are a beacon for nursing the planet back to health. When we make conscious purchases, it decreases our ecological footprint, but what if we have been walking in the wrong direction all along?

We don't have enough space in this article to go into all the facts, so here are some links to information related to the business practices and manufacturing methods of big-name retail craft outlets:

DIY Guide to Drawing Your Own Conclusions about the Craft Supply Industry:

      Leading National Retailers:
      clnonline.com/newsbriefs.html
      investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?symbol=JAS
      americanuniversities.suite101.com/article.cfm/billionaire_supports_doomed_school
      www.hobbylobby.com/customs/General%20Information.pdf
      www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/149976417

      Helpful Wikipedia Entries:
      Hobby_Lobby
      Michaels
      Private_equity_firm
      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bain_Capital
      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackstone_Group

      Materials Manufacturing:
      www.panna.org/files/conventionalCotton.dv.html
      www.madehow.com/Volume-7/Felt.html
      www.alibaba.com/manufacturers/32899/Other_Garment_Accessories.html
      www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=375
      news.mongabay.com/2007/0822-wsj.html
      www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/01/the-last-empire.html
      www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=187
      www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-8562919.html
      www.autexrj.org/No1/old1_2.pdf
      extras.sltrib.com/china/
      www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33912.asp
      www.lenntech.com/Polyvinyl-Chloride-PVC.htm
      www.cwac.net/paper_industry/
      www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html
      www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/12/21/the_6+_synthetic_fabrics_you_most_want_to_avoid_and_why.htm
      walmartwatch.com/blog/archives/textile_industry_takes_a_toll_on_the_environment_in_china/
      www.ecologycenter.org/factsheets/plastichealtheffects.html

      Recalls and Lead/Chemical Contamination:
      www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05127.html
      www.ecocenter.org/press/releases/20071205.php
      www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08091.html
      www.hobbylobby.com/recall/home.cfm?page=0&menu=0
      www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/3218231
      oeconline.org/press_releases/2007/pollutioninpeople

      Related EPA Studies:
      www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/area/clayceramics_fs092007.pdf
      www.epa.gov/epaoswer/other/mining/minedock/damage/damage.pdf

As a community coming to terms with dire consequences, what steps can we take to provide not just immediate, but long term solutions? I believe the creativity and enthusiasm within the modern craft movement can be a vehicle to demonstrate how the world can eliminate pollution and waste once and for all... Stay tuned for tomorrow's "Make Like a Tree: Part 2."

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

Earth Tones: Shopping Green

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:55:00 -0000

Dear shoppers: this edition of the Earth Tones series reflects on what you can do to be a smarter green shopper, on Etsy and elsewhere. Take it to heart!

Everything you buy has an effect on the environment. It’s your job to make sure that the footprint you leave on the Earth is as minimal as possible. It’s my hope with this article to raise awareness and educate the Etsy community on better, smarter ways to shop.

Eco-friendly products are more accessible and affordable then ever before. However, it’s not just about recycling after you buy: it’s about buying smart and thinking before you make that purchase in the first place. This is a highly underrated concept. The object is not to fill the recycle bin as much as possible, but to minimize what we buy to prevent us from having to recycle in the first place. The quicker we can understand this concept, the better off we'll be.

In order to become a more educated, green savvy shopper, there are a few things you need to know, like how your item is packaged, what materials are used, if it’s recyclable, and how long will it last. With simple tips and smart planning, anyone can do their part to help conserve our resources.

Here are a couple questions to ask yourself before you hand over the cash…

- Do you really need this product?
- Is this product going to get its full use?
- How is the product manufactured?
- What will you do with the product when you’re finished?

To elaborate on the questions above, I’ve outlined a few things below to keep in mind on your next shopping trip.

- Buy in bulk as much as possible. Non-perishable goods such as canned vegetables, toilet paper, cleaning supplies and detergent are all things you can buy in the largest available quantity. This will not only save wasted packaging, but will also save you some cash and the resourses used to create the product.

- Don’t use those plastic produce bags the grocery store offers. There are so many alternatives to reusable bags that it just doesn’t make sense to waste the plastic.

[Ready for Market Tote with 3 Reusable Shopping Bags by kootsac, at right]

kootsac and remarket make a great produce bag to take along with you to the market. You can also use them for whole dry foods such as nuts, dried fruits and candies that are becoming more popular at your local grocer.

While you’re at it, say no to paper and plastic. Buy a tote bag and take it along with you next time you shop. I’m particularly fond of this plastic blows tote from jpharris or these cute little wristlets made from recycled t-shirt arms by zJayne. I’m most fond of the color selection that niccocjm has to offer on her eco-friendly shopping bags. What fun to carry around! Buy one of each color to match your outfit.

- Buy used. Carolyn from Cowgirlrosie says it best: "Our throwaway society is creating garbage we may never fully get rid of and using recourses we will never be able to duplicate."

By purchasing used, you are not only preserving the landfills, but also saving those valuable resources that would otherwise be used if you bought something new from the store. I have this fabulous table lamp I purchased for $2 at my local Goodwill and I’m damn proud of it. You are saving that product from being dumped in our already overcrowded landfills and giving new life to something old.

Etsy has a substantial vintage category where you can find all sorts of lovelies found by your very own Etsy friends. Seller thatsswell has some gorgeous vintage pyrex bowls in her shop right now, seen at left.

- Buy recycled packaging. Look for items that are made from materials that can be easily recycled, as not all packaging can be recycled everywhere: some towns only accept glass or certain plastics. It’s important to know what your town recycles before you buy. Earth911 is a great site to go visit to find out the recycling rules in your area.

- Stop buying paper towels. With all the crocheted dishcloths and tea towels our Etsy peers have to offer, how can you resist? Families waste $260 a year on paper towels and napkins. That’s huge! I’ve grown found of EcoKate’s crocheted dish cloths, and boxwoodgood’s hemp napkins.

Jayne Pierce from zJayne says, "More and more we are seeing smart, fun, creative, artsy creations for everything! Handmade items extending the life of a product makes a difference a little at a time." Thanks for those words of wisdom, Jayne.

We live in such a throw away society that it’s more important now than ever to be a conscious buyer. Do the planet a favor and think before you buy.

Further Resources:
2moderneco.com
BuyGreen.com
Greatgreengoods.com
ActGreen.com
Ibuydifferent.org
GreenPages.org

Projectfelt is shop of all things colorful and felted. Her passion for design, form and color is what makes her business successful. Born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, she loves to take nature walks and gather tree droppings to stuff in her little felted bowls. Her passion for the environment carries over to her blog at Projectfelt.blogspot.com, where she talks about eco-friendly topics and also features Etsy sellers weekly.

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