interview

Time-tested, skill-based careers are diminshing faster than plans for new nuclear power plants. Woodworking, painting, tailoring ... these are just a few examples of hundreds of specialized jobs that, in our modern one-stop-shop world, are starting to join black and white television in the graveyard of the good ole days.

Not everyone has abandoned these traditions, most of which are passed down through decades upon decades of a family's heritage. Going back five generations, Shiloh Painting in North Carolina is an exterior and interior painting business that is actively taking on the role of going green.

Starting on the cheap in 2000 by Ohio-born Isaac Klepac, Shiloh Painting got a boost in 2006 when Isaac's father, Mark, moved to North Carolina to join his son's business - bringing over 30 years of professional painting experience with him. "We know that many of our customers are interested in how products used on their home impact the environment. We share that concern and only use the finest, environmentally-friendly products on all of our jobs," says the Shiloh Painting website.

In the following interview, we speak with Shiloh Painting founder Isaac Klepac about the role of painting in the green building movement, how he educates his customers about the important of sustainable products, and what is next in the world of eco-building trends.

Still dreaming of a solar powered house but think you can't afford it? Even with State and Federal assistance, installing a full solar system on your house can run you upwards of $10,000, depending on your location.

A new collection of companies are taking a lesson from the auto industry and are renting solar panels to consumers. Based out of San Francisco, Sun Run is one of the key companies in this new solar trend.

But just how does it work? Sun Run's solution is the first all-inclusive residential solar electricity package, offered for less than your current electric bill. You will lock in a below-market rate for the electricity the panels generate on your roof, and you can relax knowing that Sun Run will optimize, monitor, and maintain the system they install at no extra cost.

Such a sustainable and affordable option was one we couldn't resist investigating. Sun Run President Nat Kreamer was nice enough to take some time to chat with Building Green TV about his unique company and everything they offer for customers. Keep reading for details about Sun Run's beginnings, actual customer savings, expansion plans, and solar misconceptions. This is one interview you won't want to miss!

Exploring the most popular online crafty blogs will quickly bring you to the work of Kirin & Co., run by Australia’s one and only Lara Cameron. Kirin & Co.’s fabrics, featuring beautifully simple nature-inspired prints in an array of colors, easily remind me of more detailed version of Lotta Jansdotter’s work.

A new batch of hand-printed textiles will be soon be available in Lara’s Etsy.com shop, which currently offers an attractive collection of her hand-draw and computer-created art prints. Last but not least, Lara also enjoys dabbling in the world of jewelry making, selling her creations in her Etsy shop, as well as on ModaMuse.

All of Kirin & Co.’s creations are actually just a side endeavor for Lara, who has been running her own graphic design business out of her home office for nearly four years. Though her visual design talents have been embraced mostly by smaller businesses, larger corporations, such as Lonely Planet Publications and Toyota Australia, have hired Lara for her relaxed and open creative process.

Having just returned from a “crazy, diverse and exhausting” two-week vacation in Japan, I had the pleasure of speaking with one of my favorite crafty visual artists taking over the online design world. Read on for the exclusive interview with Lara Cameron, including details about her eco-aspirations, love for the Gocco printing machine, and a soon-to-be-released limited edition collaboration.

[READ THE FULL INTERVIEW AND SEE IMAGES OF HER WORK ON VICTORIA-E.COM]