VictoriaE's blog

A week or so ago, I found these adorably unique creations from a great crafter in Georgia. Felicia of Fluffy Flowers makes her one-of-a-kind softies out of recycled materials. "I’ve made them from gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, and even sweaters," she states on her blog. "Saving the planet one creature at a time."

With their massive eyes and cute little smirks, it's hard to resist these creatures ... even if you don't know exactly what they are. Check out more of her nifty cuddleables in the Fluffy Flowers Etsy.com store and read more about her crafty life on the Fluffy Flowers blog.

[All images courtesy of Fluffy Flowers]

[Reposted from Victoria-E.com]

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]

Finding a workshop related to fiber crafts (knitting, sewing, crochet ... etc.) is as easy as pie, no matter the area you live in, but what about recycling those computer chips and metal hangers? Spotted recently on the ReadyMade blog, the groovy green handiworkers of the Bay Area have started the Made From Scrap company, a workshop warehouse "designed and built by artists, instructors, and students, those who want to learn, investigate, tinker, recycle, teach, meet, and have fun."

Made From Scrap's first set of workshops have been announced, which start in mid-September. Their offerings include: from plastic bags to kites, from bottle caps to coffee table, from pallets to birdhouses, and many more. You're asked to bring your own materials (a specific list is included on each workshop's registration page), and the instruction itself is affordable, ranging from $25-30 each.

Being a new establishment, they are currently looking for a variety of workshop ideas and local teachers - no matter your skills or ideas, they can be integrated into a fun, useful, and eco-based project for others to learn from. According to the organization's website, "because the only criteria we have for our workshops is that they focus on re-using objects, imagination is the only limit!" If you want people to reduce how much they purchase and reuse what they already have (or can find in second-hand stores and yard sales), you have to give them the hands-on knowledge and resources they need to learn how to do so.

Not only is this establishment a great chance for your average consumer (crafty or otherwise) to learn about the breadth of recycling options, it initiates the possibility for workshops like these to be organized and promoted all across the US, as well as the world - I could easily see these types of classes booming in Europe. With the crafty, Do It Yourself movement becoming a true staple in our society, I'm quite sure that this is a key market to be embraced if we want to have any hope of surviving on this planet for the next few centuries. Very few will doubt that our lives are far too complex and busy to be truly enjoyed, so taking the time out to nurture and preserve our resources, as well as our creative inclinations, will not only help our ecosystem, but our spirit as well.

[From Victoria-E.com] 

You just never know what you will find when browsing the web. Often times, you'll find the most unique creations that you wouldn't normally be attracted to. Rarely will you find me wearing jewelry, but after coming across the Broken Plate Pendant Co today (thanks to Tricia's favorites on flickr), that is likely to change.

On the verge of having her first baby, Juliet finds the dishes for her collection at thrift and antique shops. Using a hammer and tile clips, she breaks apart the ceramics selectively to create not only necklaces, but also brooches, earrings, cuff links, and rings.

Available at a select number of locations on the East Coast, its easiest to buy Juliet's creations from her Etsy store (already added to my favorite sellers list, of course). According to her latest upload on flickr, a new collection rings should be posted in the Broken Plate store soon (yay). Until then, check out The Broken Plate blog, which has some great online shopping finds.

I've also posted a few of my favorite current Etsy offerings from BPPC; which ones do you adore?

[From Victoria-E.com]

Tattoos, non-toxic inks, and tugboats - a uniquely crafty combination for a successful business. In my search to find San Francisco-based small businesses that use traditional letterpress machines, I stumbled upon the Tug Boat Press website. Originally, I was simply seeking out more information about the letterpress process since I wanted to give it a try myself.

With any new hobby that I hope to dive into, I ponder if there is a sustainable, eco-friendly option to embrace. To my surprise, Tug Boat Press has embraced the green aspects of printmaking by using soy inks and handmade, tree-free, and recycled papers. Started in the mid-90s, TBP has been printing custom nature- and alternative-inspired wedding invitations, business cards, and fine artistic prints in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco.

Not one to shy away from a chance to learn more about this unique business and creative art, I talked with Tug Boat Press’ founder Jonathan Palmer recently about green business, the lost art of letters, zombie greeting cards, and more - keep reading for all the juicy details!

Finding a use for all that tacky costume jewelry your grandmother had seems impossible ... or is it? All it takes is a little creative ingenuity to turn an old accessory into an eye-grabbing piece for the center of your wardrobe. Michelle Kendrick, founder of the Strong Girl Inc non-profit, recently started a new side project, called Recycled Rings. Reusing old pieces of jewelry, she hand-sews and embroiders unique "gems" from thread, beads, and wire.

Would anyone really wear something like that? Apparently so, since her first collection sold out in a matter of days. Not only a testament to the beauty of recycling vintage materials, Recycled Rings is also proof that taking a risk and following your curiosities is more than worth the personal investment of time and money. Read on to find out more about the approach behind Recycled Rings, its environmental message, and what the future holds for the brand.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE! 

I’m a knowledge dork and I openly admit it. As a kid, the most likely place to find me would be a) the library or b) the bookstore. While I am no Stephen Hawking, I can’t help but delve into the hows, whys, and what-ifs of the world. As my concern for the environment has flourished in the past ten years, I can’t help but feel a bit of a shiver when I walk into my favorite book seller these days - where did all the paper for those books come from? 

Though I would like to believe that a large chunk of publishers use post-consumer recycled content for their releases, I’ve found that just isn’t the case. There are over 80,000 different book publishers in the United States, yet only 140 of them (for the math fans, that’s .18%) have signed a treatise to improve their eco-footprint. Let’s not forget that some publishers already use a percentage of post-consumer recycled paper for the printing of their materials, but it is clear that it is not nearly enough. Factoring in all of the US publishers, a total of 5% of all paper used in production is made with some percentage of recycled material.

As consumers, it is our job to help speak out and make a difference … but if that means not buying books, I’m going to have some serious mental issues. Thankfully, a company has recently been established to help the plight of the book industry - Eco-Libris. For every five books that you read and offset via the company’s website, five trees will be planted in developing countries to help maximum the impact. In turn, you will be sent five stickers to put on the books you have offset, letting the world know you have made a positive impact. Let me guess - you are already wondering what the stickers are made of, no? Do not fret, they are made with recycled paper, along with non-toxic inks and glues.

I was recently honored with the opportunity to speak with both Eco-Libris CEO, Raz Godelnik, and Head of Business Development, Eylon Israely. Read on to find out more about Eco-Libris, how they are helping to change the world of books, and how three unique non-profits factor in to their business plan.

READ THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW HERE! 

Pasta sauce, wine, toothpaste — no matter what you get on your favorite white shirt, a dry cleaner can get it out. With such strong stain-fighting power, have you ever wondered just how safe those chemicals are? Pretty hazardous actually, but there are alternatives.

Unsafe Hydrocarbons
The main solvent used in dry cleaning is called perchloroethylene, also known as PERC. While commonly known as a cleaning agent, it is also used as a metal degreaser and appears in consumer paint strippers. It’s a chemical heavily regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) due to environmental concerns. A manufactured chlorinated hydrocarbon, PERC is a known hazardous air pollutant linked to increased risks of certain cancers. Other possible side effects include skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation; reduced fertility; headache; dizziness and nausea.

Dry cleaning employees suffer the most with severe reactions but there has also been documented minor, long-term irritation in customers who use dry cleaning regularly. By simply bringing clothing home from being cleaned, you release PERC into the air, making your indoor air all the more toxic. Runoff from dry cleaning businesses has also resulted in PERC mixing in with local water sources, but so far not much contamination has been linked to this.

Cleaner Choices
A few less toxic options are available to consumers. One of the most widely used alternatives is GreenEarth, which uses a silicone-based solvent that carries detergent to the clothes and rinses away trapped dirt and oil. No chemicals are brought to the clothing. Colours stay vibrant and the fabric remains soft with little wrinkling.

After many local and regional awards, the company was presented with the EPA Environmental Achievement Award for all their hard work. Big names like General Electric and Proctor & Gamble recently partnered with GreenEarth to help make this new cleaning option available worldwide.

The other two commonly mentioned eco-conscious options are liquid carbon dioxide (used in high-pressure cleaning machines) and wet cleaning using regular water in computer-controlled washing machines. According to a study done by Consumer Reports, both the liquid carbon dioxide and GreenEarth recently proved to be more effective on cleaning clothes as well as more enviro-friendly than traditional dry cleaning. In the same experiment, wet cleaning did not fair so well and hasn’t become very popular among businesses or consumers.

Substitute Solutions
Green dry cleaners are still difficult to find. The Canadian Centre for Pollution National is working with Environment Canada on the Green Dry Cleaners Survey, a project to expand the existing green dry cleaners network in Canada. They have an interactive map to help you find a green dry cleaner in your area. GreenEarth also has a listing of their cleaners for both Canada and the USA.

Just down on your laundry
No matter the method you use to clean your clothing, reducing the number of times you do the wash will help preserve our planet’s resources. Consumer Reports suggests the following two tips:

- Hang up clothes immediately after you’ve worn them, give them a day off between wearings, and air them out before returning them to the closet. Use a clothes brush occasionally to remove surface dust.

- Treat spills quickly to prevent staining. And don’t iron stained garments; heat sets stains.

[from Green Living Online, via Victoria-E.com]

My favorite eco-fashion brand, Vancouver-based Twice Shy, has a preview of its Fall 2007 collection featured on TreeHugger.com today.

Twice Shy's signature screen prints are at play once more for leaf-raking weather; autumnal tones of chocolate and mellow rose contrast against bold teal and defiant ochre, while classic lines are punched up by subtle details: a handkerchief hem on a dress, puffed sleeves on a blouse, or ruffles on a skirt.

This will truly be a collection like no other they have released. I just heard from Jen & Michael over at Twice Shy that the line will be in stores/available online in October - I'll keep you posted on when it goes live in their official online store. Til then, enjoy the images from the TreeHugger post - well, the first 6 are from TreeHugger ... all the others are Victoria-E.com exclusives! :)

SEE THE REST OF THE PREVIEW HERE!

Am I the only one who is getting sick of hearing about small, homegrown eco-brands being bought by big corporations and investment groups? By no means am I against the development of a just and planet-friendly company, but this is getting ridiculous. Is it impossible for a company to be profitable without "submitting" to the bigwigs who harvested the problems with our current marketplace?

Odwalla and Tom's of Maine are two of the most notable acquisitions in recent years. December 2006 brought the announcement of two more: Avalon being bought by Hain Celestial and Van's Foods being bought by Healthy Food Holdings. Thanks to the linked article, I was also informed that Naked Juice, Jason, and Zia have all been bought by these types of mega-groups; no wonder it is so easy to find them on store shelves!

While these changeovers do help to get natural and organic brands the attention they deserve, are the companies buying them doing it for the right reasons? The wording in the NFM article leads me to believe that they are way off base. The growing eco-market is one that should not be ignored in terms of profits, but there are reasons why it is so popular with consumers: safer, healthier, better for the planet ... etc. Making money is vital to a company's success, but these buyers need to remember why people started these businesses in the first place: to help make a difference for their families and mother Earth. As Avalon and Van's are marketed to stores and regions they wouldn't normally have been able to reach on their own, will their values suffer to help them fit in? Being different is what made them stand out in the first place.

In the last 2006 issue of VegNews, a great article was featured on this topic, though with a different spin. From a vegetarian (and concerned citizen) aspect, can you justifying buying items from these brands after they have been acquired? For example, Tom's of Maine was purchased by Colgate, which is known to do animal testing. As a forward-thinking, eco-concerned individual, would you continue to get your toothpaste and shave cream from Tom's, knowing that you are also funneling money to a company that does such cruel and needless actions? Or, in turn, how about Odwalla being bought by Coca Cola? Why buy healthy fruit drinks from a company that sells needless sugary beverages to kids and adults, adding to the obesity problem in this country?

Though a number of new opportunities to expand business present themselves upon being purchased by a larger company, the ethical and eco-market implications need to be studied as well. I think I'll stick to my Dr. Bronner's, Aubrey Organics, and Amy's dinners for now :)

(Image courtesy of Rob Lee)

[Reposted from Victoria-E.com]