Guest Writer!

Check her out!

Green Earth Journey

Bare Tree Apparel

Check it out and don't forget to follow the new blog!

GreenEarthJourney

Chakra Pennywhistle

Etsy Seller Interview

GreenEarthJourney

Make sure to FOLLOW over there!

Cutting your energy costs and having fun!

http://greenearthjourney.blogspot.com

Green Sex is possible

http://greenearthjourney.blogspot.com

Make sure to Follow the new blog!

Yulemshop

http://greenearthjourney.blogspot.com

Winner of Giveaway has been announced!

http://greenearthjourney.blogspot.com

Organic Quilt Company

Handmade on Etsy! Beautiful baby blankets, baby burp cloths, and quilts!

Check it out HERE!

Don't forget you still have time to sign up for the giveaway!!!
Check it out HERE!

Buddha Quote

On Green Earth Journey

Green Works

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Note: Sale! Sale! Sale!
Check the bottom of this post for more details!
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Name: Maura
Shop Name: GreenWorks
Shop Link: http://www.greenworks.etsy.com
Location: Ireland enroute to USA ... am relocating next week
Ships To: Everywhere

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products?
Organic cotton, hemp, low impact water inks, recycled/re-purposed seat belts

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products?
Because they're better choices for our planet, the people on it and ourselves. There is a great Cree proverb that sums it up more eloquently than I ever could: "Only when the last tree has been cut down; Only when the last river has been poisoned; Only when the last fish has been caught; Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten".


What inspires you?
Nature and people in all their magnificence are probably the biggest inspirations.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy?
Going on for 9 months now ... which pretty much has been like a gestation period.

Is this a job for you or a hobby?
It's both although I'd love it become viable as a job.

How did you get into your craft?
I was never "good" at art at school so it wasn't until working with children and young people and running arts/crafts projects that I really discovered how enjoyable creating something could be.

Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners?
Aside from the create, promote, take good photo's, give clear descriptions, join teams I think the biggest thing is to play fair. Be nice to others and treat everyone the way you'd like to be treated. What goes around - comes around :)

Anything else you would like to add?
Never lose your imagination, hopes or dreams - they feed the child within us all.

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SHOP WIDE SALE
25% - 50% off listed prices for 1 week only all organic cotton tops 25% off, hemp/cotton t-shirts all $25, all other hemp 30% off, artwork 25% off.

Contact me first and I will reserve the listing for you and change the price OR if you buy and pay by Paypal I will issue a Paypal refund.
Please note sale does not include custom orders although I have products that are not yet listed and if I have a pre-printed top that suits I will offer it at sale price.
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Earth Friendly Giveaway!

Meredith from Merriwood's Design has graciously offered a piece from her fabulous Tater Tot Fashions line to be given away on this blog! I recently featured Merriwood's Design and you can see that interview HERE.

To enter this giveaway please visit her shop and post the link or title of your favorite item in the comments section.
Shop link: Merriwood's Design
To get a second entry please join one of the blog's following groups and post where you have joined.
Facebook
LiveJournal
Twitter
Flickr
To get a third entry please visit my Etsy shop and post the link or title of your favorite item in the comments section.
My Shop: MyFairyBabies
To get a fourth entry, blog about this giveaway on your blog and post the link in the comments section.

Make sure to post a way to contact you with your comment!

Good Luck!
~Hyla

Natural Cures

Photo is not linked and belongs to blog author.

Check out this website for natural cures for everything from a small cut to a cold and flu.

"Natural cures are less toxic than those made from chemicals so they are better for your health and for our environment. They are also convenient since many of the ingredients can be found in your kitchen or garden, especially when emergencies come up and you can't get to a store or doctor. These natural remedies will also save you money."

Apple Picking

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Note: Images are not linked and belong to the author of this blog
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Every year we look forward to October. Not only do we have 2 birthdays and our anniversary to celebrate but there is Halloween, pumpkin picking, and apple picking. Our family loves aples and for the rest of the year the store bought ones will suffice. The apples from an apple farm are sooo good though! And you can pick from a variety of different apples. The apple farm we go to in located in Elbridge, NY and it has Washington, Cortland, Macintosh, Gala, and a few others that I can't think of.


Our family's absolute favorite are the Cortland apples. They are sour when you first pick them off the tree. After you let them sit for about 24 hours they become so sweet and tasty. Cortland apples do not brown when expose to oxygen (at least not for a very long time) so they are the perfect apples to use in a fruit salad. The other thing that is great about picking apples right off the tree is that they are huge! All of the children enjoy picking apples so it is a great family outing. If you have an applr farm nar you, make sure to check it out this year!

Buddha Quote

Art by Etsy seller tamra

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become. ~Buddha

Little Elf’s Toyshop

Name: Kelley Zdziarski
Shop Name: Little Elf’s Toyshop
Shop Link: http://www.LittleElfsToyshop.etsy.com
Location: Oregon
Ships To: Worldwide

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products?
Cotton and wool mostly, though I do use some wood as well.

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products?
I love the feel of natural materials and knowing that there is no threat of lead poisoning or some other terrible thing lurking in them is a great advantage, as well. I use wool stuffing because it retains the body heat, so my dolls are very cuddly, and it has a wonderful firmness that just doesn’t feel the same with polyfill. I believe it’s better for our children and the environment.


What inspires you?
Old fairy tales, nature and even some video games.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy?
Going on two years now.

Is this a job for you or a hobby?
It’s a bit of both. I love what I do, so it doesn’t ever feel like a job that I have to do. It’s more like a hobby in that respect, but it does bring in some extra income as a job would.



How did you get into your craft?
On my seventeenth birthday, my parents got me a doll making kit and book. From then on, I’ve been making and selling dolls and toys.

Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners?
Just keep at it, even when things seem terribly slow; just keep making and listing things. The more variety you have, the more chances something will find a home. Always try and have a sunny disposition. People love a happy seller. ^_^

Anything else you would like to add?
You can do anything if you put your mind to it. If you put a lot of love and effort in what you do, it’s bound to show through in your work.

Endangered Animal -Beluga Whale

From Wikipedia;

"The Beluga or White Whale (Delphinapterus leucas) is an Arctic and sub-Arctic species of cetacean. It is one of two members of the family Monodontidae, along with the Narwhal. This marine mammal is commonly referred to simply as the Beluga or Sea Canary due to its high-pitched twitter.^[3] It is up to 5 m (15 ft) in length and an unmistakable all white in color with a distinctive melon-shaped head. Belugas from the Cook Inlet in Alaska have been placed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. federal government.<sup>[4]"




Palin's war on the Beluga Whale</sup>

Abeego

Name:Toni Desrosiers
Etsy Shop:Abeego
Shop Address:www.abeego.etsy.com
Location:Victoria, British Columbia
Ships to:Canada, US

What materials do you use in your products, that makes them eco friendly?Materials: 55% hemp/ 45% cotton blended fabric infused with a blend of beeswax and plant extracts, hemp cording and reclaimed beads

Why do you make eco friendly products?I have many reasons for making these products, style, convenience, and eliminating the need for single use plastic wrap and wax paper mainly. I noticed around my own home how much wasted was being generated using plastic. As a holistic nutritionist I am mostly concerned about plastic and food contact, it just made sense to come up with an alternative.

What inspires you?I am inspired by simplicity. Plastic has only truly been ingrained in our lives for approximately 50 years, before that we used other things. It is surprising to me how quickly we have forgotten that that plastic food wrap was a luxury not a necessity. I consider my product to be a rebirth of tradition.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy?I have had my shop on Etsy since July 2008 but have only begun listing my product recently.

Is this a job or hobby for you?This is quickly becoming my job.


How did you learn your craft?My craft found me. It started with a basic idea and has evolved what is now is.

Do you have any advice for your fellow Etsy shop owners?I have no advice for Etsy shop owners, I am still figuring it out for myself. There are many resources that will help new shop owners and I use them all the time!

Buddha Quote

By Etsy seller ricksbigart

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. Buddha

Merriwood's Designs

Name: Meredith
Shop Name: Merriwood's Designs
Shop Link: www.MerriwoodDesigns.etsy.com
Location: North Carolina
Ships To: Everywhere!

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products? recycled fabric scraps (100% cotton), organic cotton & bamboo blended batting, I also prefer to buy my supplies from etsy shops that recycle their packaging & of course I recycle packaging as well.

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products? I'm a big believer in diversity and that is not limited to human culture, but bio-diversity as well. I think that preserving the environment has a HUGE influence over how many species are able to co-exist on one planet. it also gives me the warm and fuzzy feeling knowing I'm protecting the world my son is inheriting.


What inspires you? children, my son specifically. he's such a happy kid I love being around him. He's a big part of why I even sew. I hope that by making natural parenting products like slings, carriers, nursing gear.. that other people will experience the same kind of bonds with their own children.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy? Since Spring '08

Is this a job for you or a hobby? hobby

How did you get into your craft? my mother let me play with her sewing machine when I was a child, I've always been creative but I love the freedom that sewing gives me.


Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners? Not advise per say, I do encourage people to be environmentally responsible in their selling practices though.

Anything else you would like to add? Etsy is just the beginning for my shop. I have recently attended some local craft shows, added new products, am launching a new website SOON! (www.MerriwoodsDesigns.com) and will also soon be adding monogramming services to my custom designs!!

Stay tuned for a giveaway from this Etsy Artist!!!

Glass Bottles

Where do you find those glass bottles? I know that breast feeding is the healthiest for your baby, but what if you can't?
What if the baby wont latch?
What if you are going back to work?
What if you are a taking a medications that are not healthy for the baby?

There are lots of reasons why woman do not breastfeed. I personally had to pump the whole time for my first and second child neither would latch. My first one I made it to 4 months and my second I made it to 6 months.
When my third came along, I thought, "You know what, I have paid my dues. It was extremely stressful to pump for myself and my husband and the baby." I went through extreme bouts of depression because I couldn't feed my child myself. It was devastating at times. And the third time around, I just realized, I want to be a happy momma to my baby.


This was before we as a family starting going green. So we didn't have glass bottles. But now I am wondering where do I find them. And if I am wondering, then I know some of you must be also. And so the hunt begins..............let us see what I can come up with.

Photo not linked

Ok so here are my finds:

6 pack Evenflo Glass Bottles 4 ounce or 8 ounce-$14.95

Dr. Brown's 2 Pack 7 ounce bottles-$12.99

Evenflo Classic Glass Nurser 3 Pack 4 ounce or 8 ounce $5.99

Silikids Silliskin Bottle 8 ounce-$10.19

WeeGo Glass Bottle 9 ounce-$17.99

The BornFree™ Vented Glass Bottles Gift Set includes: $44.99

* 3x 5oz Glass Bottles,
* 2x 9oz Glass Bottle,
* 2x Level 2 Nipples

NexTag compare and shop for glass bottles. They have a lot of options at this link.

Babies R Us sells glass bottles on their website and in stores.

How about a cozy for that glass bottle? You can find organic ones on Etsy. See the following picture and click on it to see the listing and purchase.

From Etsy seller peanuttree

Buddha Quote

By Etsy seller-artgoddess

Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind. ~Buddha

Evermore Soap Factory

Name: Tiffaney
Shop Name: Evermore Soap Factory
Shop Link: http://www.evermoresoap.etsy.com
Location: Valencia, CA
Ships To: Everywhere and anywhere!

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products?
I choose materials based on the amount of life-force within them. Processed and chemically "enhanced" materials have the life sucked out of them, and therefore have nothing to offer. I am constantly researching natural ingredients and learning how to incorporate them into my line for a consistently better product. And of course I only use the highesy quality herbs, essences, and natural oils.

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products?
I started my company in 2004 after having made soaps as Christmas presents. They were a big hit, folks wanted more, and it grew from there. A very organic start to an eco-friendly business! When it came time to design my product line, I thought about what was already out there. Does the world need more chemical-ridden products that we know arent good for us? Frankly I wouldnt be able to sleep at night if my name were on such products. Eco-friendly was the only way to go.


What inspires you?
Im an artist, not only by habit and by study, but by nature. I believe an artist is someone who takes inspiration from everywhere, and does everything possible with it. That is the very short version of the story of my life! Everything I see, touch, hear, taste, and smell inspires me. Its overwhelming sometimes, which is the reason I engage in so many art forms. Soaping is only the latest. But specifically, Im very inspired by nature. I take lessons not only from its beauty, but its cyclical function. It can be very reassuring. And although Im not a fashion guru, I find myself more and more inspired by the various colors, shapes, and over-all essences of fashion from all over the world.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy?
I opened my Etsy shop in 2005 but didnt do much with it. The forums arent what they are now, so they didnt hold my interest, and that is a huge part of selling on Etsy. I was also very consumed with my website, www.evermoresoapfactory.com, and all that goes into that, plus wholesaling and craft shows. At the end of the day I didnt have much time for Etsy. In January of this year I made it a point to work Etsy into my schedule, and Im glad I did because I enjoy it very much!




Is this a job for you or a hobby?
I would say it is somewhere in between. Its hard for me to call it a "job", only because I love it so much. It pays the bills and can be tedious, but it is entirely a labor of love.

How did you get into your craft?
As I said before, I started soaping for Christmas presents, but really its so much more than that. Ive always been intrigued by natural medicine and consider it to be my main "academic" pursuit. As a child I was always knee-deep in crafts, and I never grew out of that. It expanded and grew with me, and eventually grew into this business. I like to think that in 2004 this craft found me, that God sent me this business as a way to incorporate so many of my interests into one thing.


Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners?
Dont get too discouraged if your shop isnt an instant success. Be sure to take good pictures. Know your craft inside and out. Promote outside of Etsy. I cant stress that last one enough. Etsy is wonderful but its a very secluded part of the internet. Most people I talk to dont even know what it is. Set up your own website, hit the streets and promote, talk to local shop owners about setting up wholesale accounts, etc.

Anything else you would like to add?
I think Ive been a bit long-winded here but I do love talking shop! Please dont hesitate to email me with any questions, evermoresoap {at} gmail.com

What exaclty does "Fair Trade" mean?

Everyone is becoming obsessed with global warning (which by the way, was caused by man). So in the interest to sound hip and cool , they throw around words like "fair trade" and "organic". But what exactly does this all mean? Just because you can say the words and read the labels, doesn't mean you understand what you are buying.

So here is a Wikipedia 101 on the phrases "fair trade", "locally grown", and "organic". You are about to learn something new today!

Fair Trade

Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. Fair Trade products are produced and traded in accordance with these principles — wherever possible verified by credible, independent assurance systems.

Click HERE for more.



Locally Grown

Local food systems are an alternative to the global corporate models where producers and consumers are separated through a chain of processors/manufacturers, shippers and retailers. With an increasing scale of industrial food systems the control of quality is increasingly decided by the middlemen while a local food system redevelops these relationships and encourage a return of quality control to the consumer and the producer respectively. These quality characteristics are not only in the product but in the method of producing.

The development of local food systems is not only about environmental impacts but also the social and economic benefits encouraged through building local relationships. "Buying and producing locally enables accountability. Distance disables accountability.

Click HERE to read more.


Organic

Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants. Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping that include:

• avoidance of most synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc), genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge;
• use of farmland that has been free from chemicals for a number of years (often, three or more);
• keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail);
• maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products;
• undergoing periodic on-site inspections.

In some countries, certification is overseen by the government, and commercial use of the term organic is legally restricted. Certified organic producers are also subject to the same agricultural, food safety and other government regulations that apply to non-certified producers.

Organic certification addresses a growing worldwide demand for organic food. It is intended to assure quality and prevent fraud, and to promote commerce. While such certification was not necessary in the early days of the organic movement, when small farmers would sell their produce directly at farmers' markets, as organics have grown in popularity, more and more consumers are purchasing organic food through traditional channels, such as supermarkets. As such, consumers must rely on third-party regulatory certification.

For organic producers, certification identifies suppliers of products approved for use in certified operations. For consumers, "certified organic" serves as a product assurance, similar to "low fat", "100% whole wheat", or "no artificial preservatives".

Certification is essentially aimed at regulating and facilitating the sale of organic products to consumers. Individual certification bodies have their own service marks, which can act as branding to consumers—a certifier may promote the high consumer recognition value of its logo as a marketing advantage to producers. Most UK certification bodies operate organic standards that meet the UK government's minimum requirements. Some certification bodies, such as the Soil Association, certify to higher standards.

Click HERE to read more.



So there you have it! Now you know exactly what others and now yourself are talking about!! And maybe you can explain it to them!

Get NetFlix?

Make origami! Makes a perfect tree ornament, use them as a small thank you, or for gift wrapping!

With 13 different designs made specifically for the NetFlix wrapper!

Check it out and have some fun!

Air Fresheners

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A reader of this blog, sent this to me, so that I could pass it on to you.

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Are air fresheners bad for my health?

It certainly looks like they are. Recent research strongly suggests that they raise your risk of a number of pulmonary diseases. Last year researchers found that being exposed to chemicals from air fresheners as little as once a week may increase your odds of developing asthma symptoms by 71%. And a 2006 study showed that people with high blood levels of the chemical 1,4 dichlorobenzene--commonly found in air fresheners--were more likely to experience a decline in lung function.

Other studies point to a cancer link.

Click HERE to finish reading the article on the Prevention website.

Arny

Name: Arnesa
Shop Name: Arny
Shop Link: http://www.arnym.etsy.com
Location: Leesburg, VA
Ships To: Worldwide

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products?
Plastic grocery bags, plastic bottles, recycled yarn and fabric.

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products?
It wasn't something I was planning to make, I just started making ECO friendly products and that's how I got hooked :).



What inspires you?
I love the way something looks when I finish it and the best of all is that people love these kind of products.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy?
I've been on Etsy from March 28, 2007.

Is this a job for you or a hobby?
I feel like this is more like a hobby to me because I love doing this and it makes me happy.



How did you get into your craft?
To tell you the truth, I have no idea :). I was just trying new things and this was the first thing that came to my mind.

Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners?
Just promote, promote, promote! :)

Anything else you would like to add?
Etsy has been great and I am happy that I've had this chance to show my products to everyone.

BuyGreen

Environmental friendly products for Consumers and Business

All of the green earth products you need are available at BuyGreen.com. You will find eco friendly clothing, including bamboo clothing, green home environmental products including natural organic products and solar powered lights, just to name a few. Commercial buyers also have a wide selection of products from environmentally friendly bags for retailers to recycled paper product as examples. Please explore the incredible selection and read for more information on our Green Standards.

Charms4aGoodLife

Name: Dana & Christine – Collectively “The Sisters”
Shop Name: Charms4aGoodLife
Shop Link: http://Charms4aGoodLife.etsy.com
Location: Tempe, Arizona ~ Southwestern United States
Ships To: United States and Internationally (as long as our product type is not on their restricted list for shipping).

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly Products?
Our botanical products are handcrafted from select certified organic, wildcrafted and premium natural ingredients for skins overall well being. All of our products combine aromatherapeutic and physical skincare benefits into a balanced holistic synergy for mind, body and environment. We further insure the integrity of our botanical ingredients by choosing to avoid plastic packaging which leaches unsafe chemicals into products, but instead packaged them in completely recyclable light protective dark glass.

How did you get into your craft? / Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products?
We have always had a great love for perfume and beauty products, but using only natural products started several years ago after a severe allergic reaction sent me seeking medical attention. “The incident”, as Christine and I call it, was the turning point when picking products for fragrance and beauty changed to choosing them for health and beauty. Once our mindset changed, choosing environmentally friendly products became a lifestyle and creating our own botanical products was a natural evolution. Personally for us the essence of true health and beauty has been found working with natural organic ingredients.


What inspires you?
Anything, everything! Nature, artisans, environmental activists –the creativity, dedication, the passion that can be found all around us if we just take the time to look and connect with one another.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy?
The shop’s been registered for a while, but we only started offering the organic botanical products and perfumes since the middle of this year.


Is this a job for you or a hobby?
We see it, neither a hobby nor a job, but a life path- it’s the thing that drives you because it brings beauty, good health and ultimately happiness knowing that you are doing the right thing for yourself, the people you share it with, as well as, the planet.


Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners?
It is apparent this amazing community of artists and shop owners, already intuitively manifests the best piece of advice we could ever give-
Do what you love, love what you do and always do your absolute best – that’s all that should ever be asked of you.

Quote

Photo is linked to it's Etsy listing. Art by Windowbutterflies.

Remain disciplined in
body, mind, and speech.

Remain dutiful even
when tempted by anger or passion.

B Green Design

Name: Claudia Reyes
Shop Name: B Green Design
Shop Link: bgreendesign.com
Location: San Francisco
Ships To: anywhere in the U.S.A.

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products? sustainable plywood, water-based silkscreen paint

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products? love of environment

What inspires you? trees, birds, giving back, coming full circle, what goes around comes around, cycles of life, trees, golden gate park, thelifeofwembley.blogspot.com (my mini labradoodle).

How long have you had your shop on Etsy? 1 year

Is this a job for you or a hobby? hobby. i designed a restaurant. rustic canyon. made art for it.. rusticcanyonwinebar.com. people loved it. wanted to make it for fans, but wanted it to be affordable. and wanted it to have a good cause attached to it, therefore joined with treesforthefuture.com to plant trees with every purchase.. and make them carbon neutral..


How did you get into your craft? I'm a designer, mostly on the computer. so, i like to use my hands.. so i like to silk-screen, work with wood, draw, and mostly play in the park full of beautiful trees with my puppy.

Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners? keep the karma going and try to give back to a cause you believe in..

Frankenfood: This Halloween trick could be for real!

Goats that produce spider silk in their milk. Pigs with mouse DNA to improve their digestion. These animals aren't freaks of nature--they're created by man through genetic engineering.

The jury is still out on the safety of these animals for human consumption, as the appropriate studies have yet to be conducted. And the ethics of such changes have not even been considered.

But the Food and Drug Administration wants to let the meat and milk from these animals be sold to you without your knowledge!

Click HERE and sign the petition to the FDA demanding the agency label genetically engineered food. We should know what we're buying and eating--and have the right to say "no" to gene-altered food.

pawluxury

Christmas shopping for your dog(s) to look forward to??? Look no further than your eco friendly pawluxury.

Pawluxury provides treats, collars, leashes, toys, beds, health products, bath items, apparel/gear and travel items. And all of this is on their easy-to-navigate and beautifully laid out website!

They also have a company blog for their latest information as well as a newsletter you can sign up to receives special offers and tips on how to stay eco friendly!

Here is a sample of their beautifully "made in the USA" products! Click on the picture to see more product information and order. Happy Shopping!

Happy Birthday Ev!!!

Ev with his grandmother, Matilda.

Today is my husband's 28th birthday. His name is Ev, short for Everitt. He is a fantastic husband and father to our 3 children. His loves to watch movies, particularly B movies, play video games and hang out with his friends. He is very caring and dotes on me and our 3 kids. Ev only wears video game and old school cartoon shirts. He enjoys watching the old episodes of Zelda, Mario Bros., Speed Racer, Transformers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

His favorite Mario game is Mario 2, the one mario game that actually wasn't supposed to be a Mario game. He loves chasing his kids and tickling them. He is very snuggly. He collects swords and axes. He loves to learn and his two favorite subjects are Math and Science. He is a great teacher and an awesome story teller.

He has very patiently supported mine obsession with going green and though it gets frustrating to remind him to use the reusable bags, he is trying and always looking out for green products that I might be interested in. He also has his own website that he thinks only he looks at, but if you have the same interest you should check it out!
http://evchim.googlepages.com

I love him and he is mine!
Happy Birthday Love!

Ecoleeko

Name: Sue Lappan
Shop Name: Ecoleeko
Shop Link: www.ecoleeko.com and www.ecoleeko.etsy.com
Location: Upstate New York
Ships To: I ship Everywhere..Please Contact me for international shipping costs.

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products?

Ecoleeko uses only Certified Organic Cotton Fabrics, Hemp Blends and Bamboo Fleece. Each product is sewn with only Organic cotton thread and filled with all natural fillings, such as kapok fiber and buckwheat hulls. I hand dye and print all my fabrics as well.


Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products?

It started when I was in college and the idea stayed with me until now. I wanted originally to work with hemp fabric and started playing with the fabric. I majored in textile design and learned all about how the fibers and fabrics we often use are harmful for the environment. I recently was finally able to devote myself to this idea and started Ecoleeko. I make plush dolls, bath mittens and soft baby rattles. I hope to also add more things to the Ecoleeko line next year.

What inspires you?

Hmm..With Ecoleeko it would now be different animals, insects, color combinations I find, eco fabrics, that's where I start..Me Personally, it could be anything, a magazine photo, a swatch of fabric, a fallen leaf, Something I read..It goes on and on!

How long have you had your shop on Etsy?

I've been on Etsy since I guess 2005. It's a wonderful way to sell your wares along with make great connections. The Ecoleeko shop is fairly new, and has only been there since July 2008.



Is this a job for you or a hobby?

It's a job now I can proudly say. It was always a hobby on the side before this year and I always wanted to dedicate myself totally to making things. It was hard before to dedicate full time to it while working a full time job but now I am fortunately able to do so.

How did you get into your craft?

I always made things But I guess I got into it when I first starting sewing in High school, making my clothes. I always sewed, making things, gifts, what ever I could think of..I went to Art School then transferred to get a degree in Textiles...I graduated and did decorative painting for a while while I started making Art Quilts and Art Dolls, getting them published and decided to start my own business with Eco fabrics and materials. I guess it just progressed.



Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners?

I would say first, monitor your shop on a regular basis, the best way I have found was to post something everyday or every couple of days to keep your shop recent. It's amazing how many things are posted everyday. Have good pictures and explain your products well.. Also, use your tags wisely, make sure they all relate to your product and use them all up and Be open to connections you can make, like joining Etsy groups or starting your own. You can meet a lot of supportive artisans trying to do the same as well.

Anything else you would like to add?

Thank you Hyla for the interview! Anyone interested in more information on my materials or products, please visit my website www.ecoleeko.com

Natural Mosquito Repellent - Lemon Balm

This is a very informative read, I came across it on Stumbleupon. I highly recommend clicking HERE and enjoying the read!

HERE are a few more uses on lemon balm.

Check out these lemon balm handmade all natural products from Etsy. Click on each picture to see more information.

rikrak

Name: Kristal
Shop Name: rikrak
Shop Link: www.rikrak.etsy.com
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Ships To: everywhere!

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products? Thanks so much for having me, Hyla! My work is based mainly around repurposing vintage fabrics into modern, new, sustainable accessories, housewares, and more! So I use beautiful old aprons, bedsheets, etc, perhaps worn in an area, but otherwise perfect, and recraft that fabric into something fun,new & functional, for eco-forward folk! I also use vintage notions wherever possible, and eco-friendly / reusable packaging, too!


Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products? An important influence in my artistic life was my Grandma – a master hand-quilter, and repurposer/recycler extraordinaire! – who was an expert in every handicraft she created. The ways she turned scraps of old clothing into new, glorious patchwork quilts was a catalyst for me in terms of wanting to create sustainable art & design (that and the fact that my family loved garage sales: re-using at it’s best!). Perhaps as a result of these early encounters with trashion and sustainable design, I’ve become a great believer in the artistic sensibility behind functional wares, and I continue to be thrilled by the idea of making objects that are both beautiful and practical enough for daily use.

What inspires you? Oh! So much! My family, especially my five-year-old son, kindness, joy, light, pattern, geometric shapes, simple lines, colour-play and blue skies are some of the goodies that inspire me!

How long have you had your shop on Etsy? I opened my etsy shop in April of 2007


Is this a job for you or a hobby? :) Well, my full-time job is mommying! But when my little sweetie is at school or sleeping, it's full-time rikraking for me! I sell to just over 60 stores now around the world, so rikrak has happily become my full time hobbyjob!

How did you get into your craft? I’ve been fortunate enough to have grown up in a wonderfully artistically supportive family. My parents always encouraged creativity, and made space for ideas to blossom and grow, throughout our home. In addition, my grandmother was a guiding source for my education in artistic crafting. One of the best things she taught me was that practical, tangible things deserve an attention to detail that makes them beautiful, and this sense of functional art has been a true inspiration for my designs. My grandmother was a master of many arts: hand-stitched quilts, photographs, wood sculptures, re-upholstered chairs, cane work, crewel work and garment sewing, and a whole world of other things, and her support of do-it-yourself handicrafts, and sustainability, is something that I try to combine with my own interests in contemporary design everyday!



Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners?
My advice to other fun Etsyans is: I think Etsy is a wonderful community- embrace it! Have fun & make what you love! Be kind to others & yourself. Be a cheerleader for your own art form & others. Take lots of pictures, be friendly, and join Etsy teams to find like minded artists (I’m thrilled to have met fantastic, inspiring Etsyans through the Trans-Canada Etsy Team, team Trashion, Team EcoEtsy & EtsyMoms.)

Anything else you would like to add? I'd just like to thank you so much for having me on your fabuous blog, Hyla! Your focus on eco-living, and your generous invitation & inclusion of eco-artists on your blog is inspiring & commendable! Many thanks! I'm honoured!

Night Lights

By Etsy seller suantova

Need ideas for stocking stuffers? How about night lights? Now what kind of night can you purchase that is eco friendly and same to use in your children's rooms?

LEDs are the bulb to choose. LED do not burn out, the are bright, and they do not get hot. Not to mention, they use significantly less energy than any other bulb on the market.

$4.25 on Amazon.com. Photo is linked.

Click Here to see more results on Amazon.com.

There are a couple of handmade options for you as well! These come to you from Etsy.com and you can click on the pictures to see the complete listings as well as order them.

By Etsy seller GeekGear


By Etsy seller pagepottery

Endangered Species - Ocelot

Photo linked to a very informative site.

From Wikipedia

The Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), also known as the Painted Leopard, McKenney's Wildcat, Jaguatirica (in Brazil) or Manigordo (in Costa Rica), is a wild cat distributed over South and Central America and Mexico, but has been reported as far north as Texas and in Trinidad, in the Caribbean.

The Ocelot's appearance is similar to that of the domestic cat. Its fur resembles that of a Clouded Leopard or Jaguar and was once regarded as particularly valuable. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Ocelots have been killed for their fur. The feline was classified a "vulnerable" endangered species from the 1980s until 1996, but is now generally considered "least concern" by the 2006 IUCN Red List.

Read more HERE



An ocelot hunts a bird.


Quite a few Amazon animals in this video

Vote! Vote! Vote!

Rubypearl Clothing

Name: Sunny Haralson
Shop Name:Rubypearl Clothing
Shop Link: www.rubypearl.etsy.com
Location:Austin, Texas
Ships To:anywhere

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products? I use recycled slips and scarves, old evening dresses and beads from the 1920's and 30's. I also use environmentally low-impact dyes and everything is hand made by me--so there is no sweatshop labor and it's 100% made in America!

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products? Every "new" product that one would buy at a retail store has so much impact on the environment. A cotton shirt takes pounds of pesticides to grow the cotton, nutrients out of the soil and water that could be used to grow food. Then it uses energy to process the new cotton, gas to ship it to the manufacturer( probably all the way to China) At that point, it is sewn by someone. We don't know anything about their working conditions, if they are paid enough or if they are underage--it's a big mystery that most of us don't think about when we look at a simple cotton shirt hanging for sale at a store. Having tried my hand years ago at manufacturing, I know that child labor and sweatshops are the dirty little secret of almost every clothing manufacturer in this country.It is then shipped back( more fuel) to a giant warehouse, then to store around the country. So this cotton that is grown in the field for this shirt has likely been around the world and back just to get here--so that I can buy it for 9.99.


I see all of those processes when I look at new clothing on the rack at the mall. There is so much amazing fabric and wonderful vintage pieces flowing through thrift stores that can be made into pieces of art with extremely low environmental impact. When someone buys something I have made, they are directly supporting my family. I then buy as much as I can locally, further lowering my impact. We also donate a portion of our profits every year to heifer.org, a non profit that helps mothers throughout third world countries learn sustainable ways to feed their children. It's an amazing organization that really helps people. So I try to complete the circle and use my business to help the environment, and help mothers and children as well as take care of my own child. If someone buys something from me they are helping me do that.

What inspires you? My daughter is two, her name is Ruby Pearl, and I want to do something in the world that she will be proud of. I hope that I can at least say that my business does not contribute to the problems she will inherit.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy? about a year


Is this a job for you or a hobby? It's a job, I've been running this company for almost eight years, way back before anyone even really understood what we were doing. It's been really heartening to see the explosion of artists making their living through sites like etsy. I believe we are in the midst of a backlash against mass produced goods. people are yearning for one of a kind craftmanship, for knowing the story behind the product, and the power that the internet has given to select goods that repesent their unique personalities. There are as many viable niche markets out there as there are artists and customers to fall in love with their work. The internet has made this possible, and I hope it will only continue to cut deeply into the profits of companies like Wal-Mart until they change their business practices. Artists can make the World a more human place. We are the original revolutionaries after all.

How did you get into your craft? I went to art school, and when I got out I was determined to make a living doing something creative. They don't teach you anything about business in most fine art schools, which is a shame. I see a lot of grads end up not using their art skills they worked so hard to learn just because they don't know about marketing and PR, or simple sales skills. I worked really hard to learn those skills, I'm still learning them.


Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners? Refresh, refresh refresh. Twice a day. It's 20 cents and the best advertising money you can spend.
Also, Take really good pictures. Once I started taking beautiful pictures my work began to sell like crazy. I have to hire someone actually, because I am a terrible photographer.

Anything else you would like to add? I love etsy. I love my customers for thinking outside the box and taking a risk on something they haven't seen in person. I love it that we are all out there connecting with one another and trying to make everything better and just more beautiful.

Pristine Amazon Rainforest is Targeted for Drilling

You would think with the popularity of people wanted to change the Earth for the better, projects like these would get crushed and pushed out. How long is it going to take for EVERYONE to make a difference?


Found at New Scientist Environment
Written by Andy Coghlan

Unspoilt Amazonian rainforests covering an area almost as large as Texas have been provisionally earmarked for oil and gas exploration.

A new report reveals that the area has been divided into 180 "blocks" designated for exploration by governments of countries that own the land on the western fringe of the Amazon. Their intention is to lease the blocks to oil and gas companies for exploration and extraction, taking a cut of any revenues as a royalty. About 35 oil companies are vying for the contracts.

However, most of the blocks overlap with huge areas of rainforest that would become vulnerable to illegal hunting and logging once breached by roads to service exploration activities. (see diagram, right, for details)

Exotic species

The threatened forests in the west Amazon are still pristine in comparison with the highly-exploited eastern Amazonian forests of Brazil.

They support hundreds of undisturbed exotic species, from jaguars and ocelots to harpy eagles and river otters, as well as large populations of indigenous people who oppose oil exploration on their lands.

"The western Amazon is pretty much intact, and the reason it remains remote is that there are no roads," says Matt Finer of the conservation group Save America's Forests, which has revealed the positions of the 180 blocks. "That's why we want an immediate moratorium on new road building before any contracts are signed," says Finer.

CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article.

Quote

This is my simple religion.
There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy.
Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.

Dalai Lama, 1935 - -now.

naturalezanica

Name: Marlon Obando Solano and Amy Shelton
Shop Name: naturalezanica
Shop Link: http://www.naturalezanica.etsy.com
Location: Louisville, Kentucky (by way of Nicaragua)
Ships To: everywhere

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products? We collect all of our sustainable, organic materials by hand from the forest floor. All of our woods, seeds, nuts are collected in small, sustainable quantities. We use 100% recycled sterling silver for all of our metal inlay and accents.


Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products? We have always felt a strong connection to the earth and a need for our choices to reflect our commitment to sustainability. Marlon began collecting and experimenting with different natural materials at a young age in the woods and mountains surrounding his family's farm in Nicaragua. Living in balance with nature around him gave him a special appreciation for nature's unique materials and the delicate nature of our ecosystem. For us, sustainability is a way, not a fad.

What inspires you? Changing seasons, archaeology, ancient symbols and traditions, music, mountains, nature's natural beauty and all the hidden elements under the surface.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy? We first opened our shop almost 2 years ago, but never really jumped into the Etsy world full throttle until February 2008.

Is this a job for you or a hobby? A job. Marlon also works as an archaeologist and Amy juggles being a full-time grad student and Spanish interpreter with managing the family business.


How did you get into your craft? Experimenting with materials and making jewelry for friends and family. When we met, Amy encouraged Marlon to start selling his work and helped him reach a fair trade market from Nicaragua. Since then we've worked together to grow, develop and evolve our art as well as our business.

Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners? Find your niche! We discovered that rings could be our niche on Etsy. Take great photographs, it makes a huge difference.

Anything else you would like to add? Etsy has been such a wonderful community to be a part of. It's opened up many doors for us and our work. Now people seeking out sustainable, organic, ecofriendly jewelry can find us much easier than we could ever find them otherwise. We love the personal relationships we build with people and all the love stories we hear when we sell engagement and wedding rings. Thanks everyone for your support!

Happy Birthday Celtic!

Today is my son's, Celtic's, 7th birthday! Celtic loves to draw dragons, his favorite food is pizza, his current favorite movie is Wall-E, and his favorite color is green. He loves to watch the old-school Godzilla movies, Speed Racer, Transformers, Zelda, and Mario cartoons (Daddy has them all!).

He was born on Sunday, Oct. 7th 2001. I started labor at 7:07 in the morning and he was born at 7:07 that evening. He weighed exactly 7 lbs and was born in room 217. His doctor's and nurse's name were both 7 letters long. He was born in Liberty (7 letters) Missouri. His first name (Kehinne) and his last name (Waldron) both have 7 letters (not on purpose).

Celtic is a very special boy, he loves to talk to older people and usually lights of their day. People gravitate toward him and talk to him. He is not shy and is constantly talking, he even talks in his sleep. His teachers love him and he is a fantastic older bother to Sheamus and Guinevere. He loves to argue and when you do not think he is right he will explain his theory in such a way that it does kinda make sense, you just have to follow his line of thinking.

Today is dedicated to Celtic! Happy Birthday!!

Reverse Trick-or-Treating

Deadline for Individual orders is Oct. 13th.


"Hundreds of groups of Trick-or-Treaters in the United States and Canada will unite to:

• END poverty among cocoa farmers
• END forced/abusive child labor in the cocoa industry
• PROMOTE Fair Trade
• PROTECT the environment

A pleasant surprise will greet nearly a quarter million people distributing candy at their door, when youth reverse the Halloween tradition to hand adults a sample of Fair Trade chocolate.

The chocolate will be accompanied by a card informing recipients of poverty and child labor problems in the cocoa industry, affecting mainstream candy enjoyed at Halloween and around the year, and how Fair Trade certified chocolate provides a solution.

Parents of last year's youngest participants raved about how Reverse Trick-or-Treating transformed Halloween into a meaningful event when youthful activists can give back to their neighbors and to cocoa growing communities. Read more reactions in our newsletter article here.

Reverse Trick-or-Treating was covered in radio, television, and print media last year. Read more about it here.

The chocolate and cards are FREE!
Thanks to generous donations of Fair Trade chocolate companies listed below. Recipients charged shipping only."

Quote

Necklace by LORiOLA.

Speak from the heart.
It's risky.
It's unrehearsed.
It's spontaneous.
But it's honest.

ECO Find

Sustainable Group provides 3 ring binders, CD/DVD sleeves, notebooks, badge holders, labels and more. Their products are made from recycled and plant based materials!

Endangered Animal - Scops Owl

Photo not linked

From Wikipedia:

"The Giant Scops-owl, Lesser Eagle-owl, or Mindanao Eagle-owl, Mimizuku gurneyi, is a species of owl in the Strigidae family. It is the only species in genus Mimizuku.

It is endemic to the Philippines. In size and structure, it is considered intermediate between a scops owl and an eagle owl.

Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss."

Quote

The shallow-rooted tree is threatened by even the gentlest breeze.

C5 company, llc

Company Name:C5 company, llc
Web Address:www.C5company.com
Location:San Francisco Bay Area
Ships To:United States

What do you provide?
C5 company is an innovative fine jewelry retailer offering an unparalleled selection of environmentally and socially responsible alternatives to the traditional fine jewelry industry through its online boutique featuring ready-to-wear and custom jewelry services.


Do you provide custom pieces?
C5 specializes in one-of-a-kind custom jewelry creations that are made as sustainably as possible while not compromising beauty or integrity. Our custom jewelry is manufactured in the United States using recycled metals, and ethically sourced and lab-created gems. Custom allows customers to participate in the process, so that their jewelry truly reflects their own personality and values. The C5 custom design process allows us to work closely with clients locally and remotely. Custom is a terrific option for consumers with discerning tastes and is often a better value than purchasing finished pieces.


Why was the company created?
I started C5 company because I wanted to offer people an alternative to the traditional diamond and jewelry industry. Like many other consumers today, I appreciate beauty and craftsmanship, and strongly believe that both should be attainable without having to compromise my values. The fine jewelry industry has thrived for many decades under the same model. As such, it was a long, arduous, and often demeaning process for me to get my own socially and environmentally responsible wedding ring. From this experience grew my desire to help others and a passion for a new way of doing business. I strive to offer a better way of serving clients that utilizes emerging innovations, is enjoyable for all involved and results in the perfect jewelry.


When was the company established?
February, 2008

Besides using ECO friendly supplies, is there anything else the company does to be environmentally friendly?
We are working really hard to not only produce sustainable products, but also to operate our business in a sustainable way. All of our custom jewelry is made in the United States with recycled metals and either lab-created or ethically sourced gems. Our packaging is eco-friendly and made by a fair-trade certified company. We also ship using recycled materials. We are even trying to incorporate sustainable materials in our office like CFL bulbs and recycled carpeting. Some of these things may seem small, but others have been quite challenging. Traditional clamshell jewelry boxes are made from petroleum. C5 isn’t going to display sustainable jewelry in something so clearly out of alignment with our mission. After much searching, we found ourselves not only in the jewelry business, but the sustainable box business as well because nothing existed that we could buy wholesale. We have devoted significant resources to identifying an alternative. We also recently rolled out an eco-jewelry cleaner. Nearly odorless and colorless, C5 jewelry restore is a non-toxic, biodegradable and enzymatic cleaner safe for your jewelry and the environment.



For conscious consumers, what gems would you suggest they consider and why?
I suggest that socially conscious consumers consider lab-created gems. Rubies, Sapphires, Emeralds and Diamonds are all made chemically, optically, and physically identical to their mined counterparts, but are not associated with the same negative social and environmental implications. Also, unlike mined gems, the color is inherent in the process and therefore the gems are not color-enhanced. Also, there are ethically sourced, fair-trade, mined gems available. These are a good option for consumers who want to help change the industry by supporting the workers and mining communities. Consumers should keep in mind that “conflict-free” doesn’t mean sustainable, ethical or responsible.

ECO Tip - Magnets

Photo is linked to Etsy listing.

I do not know anyone that does not have magnets on the fridge. Even I am guilty of having a picture of each child and my husband on the fridge. But here is a word of warning, with energy prices rising rapidly you might want to cut down on the magnets you have on the fridge or eliminate them completely.

Magnets draw energy from your fridge. This makes the fridge work harder and wastes energy, which in turn will contribute to a higher electric bill. We have a metal front door, so I have moved most of my magnets to that spot and reminder notes as well. This helps because I see the reminders on the way out.

What if you do not have a metal door though, well you can always make a magnet board for your notes and those cute magnets.

Photo is linked to Etsy listing.

Take a cookie sheet and either leave it as is, or cover it in a thin fabric. Then attached a ribbon or thin robe to the back. Now you can hang it on the wall and use it! If this does not sound like something you want to do or maybe you do not have time to do, there are plenty of handmade options on Etsy. Check them out HERE.

How many magnets are on your fridge? Do you plan to remove them?

Thanks to love retro colour for finding the wonderful magnets on the top of this post!

World Trade Centers = USS New York

Photos are not linked.

The scrape metal from the World Trade Centers that fell September 11th 2001 was used to construct the USS New York and it's motto is "Never Forget." See the information, pictures and videos below.

From a circulating email;

USS New York

It was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center.

It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.



Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, Louisiana to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'




Junior Chavers, Foundry Operations Manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said. 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down. We're going to be back.'

Krug's Eco-Logic

Name: Erin Krug
Shop Name: Krug's Eco-Logic
Shop Link: www.krugsecologic.etsy.com
Location: Hanover, PA
Ships To: Anywhere!

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products? Vegetable based oils and butters, essential oils (for scent), mineral powders for color, and dried herbs

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products? I had been reading a lot about how toxins we live in/with can really affect our overall health and in some cases, carry severe health risks. Being a science teacher (turned stay at home mom), I decided to do my part by slowly ridding our home of toxins (every little bit helps). In addition, my daughter has very sensitive skin and even the big store "natural" brands would give her rashes, and don't even get me started on the "natural" diaper creams! I have never heard her scream so loudly! So - I started making my own soaps, lotions, baby products and other bath and body products... VOILA !!!


What inspires you? Different scents, herbs, colors I see - I try to always be on the look-out for ideas!

How long have you had your shop on Etsy? Since June 2008, I believe?

Is this a job for you or a hobby? Both - I stay at home with my two small children, and make/sell when I can.



How did you get into your craft? See above description :)

Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners? We're all learning together - one big happy family!

Anything else you would like to add? Thank you for reading!

Buddha Quote

An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.
Buddha

What to do With Those Unused Disks

Photo not linked

Whether they are scratched or the information is too old, maybe you just do not expect to watch or listen to them again. Out of the case they might not take up that much room, in the case they take up a bit more room. The point is to simplify and de-stress your life to be happier. When you don't have to sift through unused CDs and DVDs you will be able to find the ones you need that much faster.

So what to do I do with those unused disks, they can't possibly be biodegradable? Well here are some options for you. If the disks still work post them for sale or for free on Craigslist.com. Or for free on your local Freecycle. If they do not work you can reuse them for other things.

Photo not linked

But maybe you don't have time to make those things, or maybe you are not crafty, or maybe you just want to get them out of your home. Now there are programs where can send your disks in to be recycled!!

Check out the following websites and see which one best serves your needs!

GreenDisks - Takes disks, vhs tapes (!), and other techno trash.

eco encore- Takes your still working, in good condition disks and resells them.

CD Recycling Center - They have gathered sources for the individual disks recycler to the large business recycler.

Bak Thru the Future - Takes disks and hard drives.

Have fun reducing your carbon footprint and simpllifying your life!

C R A F T Y : the fiber rescue project

Name: Molly Bachelor
Shop Name: C R A F T Y : the fiber rescue project
Shop Link: www.craftyyarn.etsy.com
Location: Encinitas, California
Ships To: everywhere

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products? reclaimed and recycled fibers of all sorts: used clothing, mill-end fiber, soysilk (a fiber made from byproducts of tofu making), and ecospun (made from recycled PET) to name some

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products? My commitment to recycling comes from my interest in the crafting process. For me, crafting is far more interesting and significant when using handmade, unique materials rather than supplies from a big box store.


What inspires you? Making recycled, one-of-a-kind supplies available inexpensively -- I enjoy knowing that my yarn provides material for other creative people.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy? About a year, since September 2007

Is this a job for you or a hobby? A hobby, although sometimes I find myself focusing on it like a second job. It's a wonderful contrast to my 9-5 job in front of a computer.


How did you get into your craft? I'm a lifelong fiber addict who has always enjoyed working with my hands and making things. I began as a knitter and quickly became fascinated with yarn. Since I've been selling my yarn my craft has broadened to include spinning yarn and working
with loose fibers.

Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners? Be focused. That doesn't mean you have to make only one thing, or that your shop has to be boring, but know what you sell and why you sell it.

ECO Tip

Use less gas, keep your car cleaned out. The less weight there is in your vehicle, the less gas your car will consume. So the next time you get out of the car, grab some things that don't need to be in the car and bring them inside.

The Green Office

Photo not linked

Do you work for a company or own a company that could use a little help going green? Why not start here, The Green Office.

Their products are made from recycled content, biodegradable, have a reduced chemical content, and are third party certified. They have cleaning supplies, paper, every kind of office supply you can think of, furniture, janitorial supplies, printer ink, break room supplies......................what are you waiting for???? Head on over and take a look at The Green Office website. If you are not in charge of ordering supplies forward the link to the person who is, or better yet set up a meeting and talk to them one on one about the importance of going green. You do not want to keep writing on virgin trees do you?? And how much paper is thrown out at your company?

You CAN make a change, it just starts with talking and getting involved.

The Green Office has contacted me and now you can get a 10% discount on your purchase by using coupon code: TGOWELCOME

The Card Tree

Name: Giulia Mauri

Shop Name: The Card Tree

Shop Link: http://www.TheCardTree.etsy.com

Location: Surrey, England

Ships To: Everywhere - International Shipping

What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products? I use 100% recycled paper and card, biodegradable sleeves as packaging, raffia, wild flowers, and Fairtrade and Organic Cotton Bags.

Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products? I decided to make Eco-Friendly products because it is an effective way to save the environment. It is also a way to teach other people that with Eco-friendly materials you can create beautiful products.



What inspires you? I'm especially inspired by the nature that I'm surrounded with, here in Surrey.
I also like to read stories and tails, as while I read them my imagination is encouraged to create its own images and colors.
I try not to visit galleries with contemporary Art, but I do like to go at the Tate Britain often: I usually spend my time there watching the Ofelia of Millais and the Lady of the Sharlott of Waterhouse.

How long have you had your shop on Etsy? About three months, I have opened the store the 11th of June of this year.

Is this a job for you or a hobby? At the moment it's my creative part time job, I do work full time else were. But I'm planning on leaving my job and working full time on my Etsy store as soon as things get going!



How did you get into your craft? I was always quite a creative kid when I was little. My primary school teachers Elia and Sergio used to give classed about book making, stories writing and recycled paper creations... I guess that's when it all started! Now it's for me a real passion and I can't stop creating things.

Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners? Save and protect the envirvment using Eco-friendly biodegradable packaging. Also buy your supplies locally when ever possible. To promote your shop set up a blog if you haven't already, join a team, and other internet communities. Spread the word about what YOU do, and when you are ready give something back to world.

Anything else you would like to add? Thank you very much Hyla for giving me the opportunity to talk about my Eco shop on Etsy. I wish you all the best for your store.

Funk Divine

Name: Crystal Sylver
Shop Name: Funk Divine
Shop Link: funkdivine.etsy.com
Location: San Francisco
Ships To: everywhere
What materials do you use for your ECO friendly products? Hemp, organic cotton
Why did you decide to make ECO friendly products? It's the future
What inspires you? life, people
How long have you had your shop on Etsy? a year
Is this a job for you or a hobby? job
How did you get into your craft? i had an idea and i went with it
Do you have any advice for fellow Etsy shop owners? upload every day

Endangered Animal- Marine Otter

Watch another video HERE about otters.