Brooke Helfen

SoSheSews

650 Sales

Atlanta, United States

92

14 Following 92 Followers

SoSheSews is independently owned and operated by Brooke Helfen, and located in Atlanta, GA.

All items are handmade by me (Brooke!) using recycled, repurposed, and upcycled materials.

A little quote about WHY I do it:

"I am really interested in re-use, particularly in the garment industry and see it as an opportunity not only to save resources and avoid contributing to inhumane industries, but also to promote one-on-one trade where the buyer deals and interacts directly with the craftsman."

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Check me out in these other places!


My site!

http://www.soshesews.com


My flickr!

http://www.flickr.com/soshesews


Come follow me on Twitter!

http://www.twitter.com/soshesews


My Blog!

http://soshesews.blogspot.com/

_____________________________________________

A few things I really like to brag about:

My Eco Coffee Sleeves were featured in Barista Magazine June/July Issue (in the I Love Stuff section). For those that don't know, my husband is a professional barista!

http://www.baristamagazine.com/



My wedding (November 2009!) was quite an event... completely DIY... I made my own wedding dress! Check out the pictures!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soshesews/sets/72157622845702199/


My wedding has been featured by Green Upgrader

http://greenupgrader.com/9950/craft-recycled-brooke-and-bens-diy-wedding/

and Offbeat Brides

http://offbeatbride.com/2009/12/colored-crinoline-vintage-dresse?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OffbeatBride+(Offbeat+Bride)

---------------------------------------------


About my products:

The materials are washed or cleaned before usage. I make it a point not to use materials which are damaged to the extent of making an essentially "damaged" product.



If you have any concerns about sizing, please send me a conversation and I will be happy to answer any questions that you might have. I have nearly 10 years of costuming and fitting experience, and will do my best respectively to offer you accurate measurements and suggestions.

-----------------

PACKAGING!!!

Every single item I ship is gift-wrapped in recycled, salvaged paper (not newsprint) and is secured with a cute fabric bow made from leftover fabric scraps from my designs. I consider it just an extra little "freebie" and am glad to do it for every order. I also include a handmade card from vintage, recycled ephemera. If you are shipping your purchase from me directly to the recipient, please let me know so that I can inscribe the card accordingly (please let me know what you'd like the card to say).

Almost all of my packaging materials are recycled as well. A few years ago, I found literally hundreds of greeting cards inside a dumpster behind a major, big chain book store. I didn't have a use for hundreds of valentine cards, but I did save as many envelopes and I could and I will use those to ship my smaller items.

Also about a year ago I found about four boxes filled with hundreds of 10 x 14 envelopes outside an industrial complex. I cut the logo from that company off the end, and voila! I have delayed almost tons of paper from the landfill and have at least given it a bit of a life.

I also live in a huge loft-style apartment complex in the city with lots of younger folks moving in and out all the time and having their stuff shipped to them a lot. I'm always amazed that I can keep myself stocked on bubble wrap, craft paper, and boxes year-round without a problem FOR FREE. All I have to do is take a peek every now and then.

And the best thing is, since I really never have to pay for packaging supplies, I can pass those savings on to the customer... and pass the earth a little break at the same time.

I encourage anyone who recieves a package from me to continue to re-use those materials for projects of packaging of your own.

-------------------------


A big thanks to the following for including me in blogs and websites!

*Peekaboo Picks featured my Pencil Case in a blog about eco-friendly school supplies!

http://peekaboopicks.com/2008/08/29/eco-friendly-school-supplies/

*Shibooya featured my Recycled Fruit Bags Pouch in a blog about Recycled Handmade finds!

http://shibooya.com/2008/03/24/

*Krug's Eco Logic featured my recycled change purse in a recent blog!

http://krugsecologic.blogspot.com/2008/10/recycled-change-purse.html

*EmBellSHhairclips featured my Fleur Pink Flowers in her very pretty blog! :)

http://www.embelish.blogspot.com/

*Haute Crafttour for listing my eco-pouch in a great how-to blog about fusing plastic bags!

www.hautecraftour.blogspot.com

*Green{goody} featured my Eco Bangle Set in a blog!

http://greengoody.blogspot.com/

*Are Handmade Jewelry did a piece on recycled plastic items and featured my Pleated Black Eco Clutch!

http://arehandmadejewellery.blogspot.com/

*Meg{moir} included my Fleurs in a "Wish List" blog with some other great finds from Etsy!

http://meg-moir.blogspot.com/2009/03/etsy-wish-list-home-decor-edition.html

*Amanda from funkeyfinds (funkeyfinds.etsy.com) wrote up an awesome blog (on SheCan'tDecide) about my Eco Bangle Bracelets! :) Thank you Amanda!

http://shecantdecide.blogspot.com/2009/03/fabric-fabric-fabric.html

*Cuteable featured me in a Flickr Friday post! One of my Eco Owl Coin Purses!

http://cuteable.com/