The Canadian media mavens at GreenLivingOnline.com have allowed me to share my interview with Heather and Wendy, which was first published on GLO a few weeks ago. Keep reading for all the juicy details about the past, present and future of Passenger Pigeon - and eco-fashion as a whole!

The label was previously named Calledyourbluff and was changed to Passenger Pigeon when the brand began using sustainable textiles. Why did the collection change to eco-fabrics? Do you find working with sustainable fibers to be more limiting when coming up with designs?

Wendy: Do we feel limited? Yes and no. In the past we’ve dyed fabric because it only came in beige, and the very reason we use prints so much is because much of the available fabric is quite basic. Working within these limitations means that we have to get pretty creative sometimes, but I think that’s where the charm of our line comes from.

There’s actually a good range of eco-friendly textiles, especially for more casual fabrics like knits and twill. The one thing that we would like to see more of is affordable organic wool and other heavier fabrics for winter. However, it seems every week we get new, exciting swatches from different suppliers. There seems to be a lot happening in the textile industry to develop beautiful, new, sustainable fabrics.

Heather: A common theme found in my art work while I studied for my BFA was that of solid waste and responsibility with material use. After graduation, and during the first year of selling clothing and accessories I had made to local stores, this theme kept resurfacing within my mind. So, in order to curb my sense of guilt for manufacturing goods that would inevitably end up in the landfill, I opted to use materials that had a lighter bearing on the environment during their production and manufacturing. In addition, once these materials do decompose, they will leach a lot less back into the environment than their non-organic heavily dyed counterparts. I love making clothes and other items and being green alleviates my guilt for doing so!

In many ways, working with sustainable fibers is more limiting, for there is much less to work with, and fewer colors to choose from. However, in some ways this makes it easier for me and Wendy, since our decision process is that much shorter. I only wish there were more eco-liners (lightweight fabrics to line clothing) as well as more affordable organic wools (and I so miss working with herringbone and hound’s tooth woven wools!!)

Do you find people often asking you about the plight of the passenger pigeon, your brands’ namesake and a now extinct species?

Wendy: A lot of people ask about where the name came from. I’m surprised the story isn’t better known, so we end up telling it often. I love the part about passenger pigeons being so plentiful that when they flew by people held up umbrellas as protection from their droppings. I still think it’s just the perfect name for our company. It works as a great reminder that some of our resources are finite and we have to preserve them.

Heather: I have been surprised to find out that very few people are aware of the Passenger Pigeon. Wendy and I often find ourselves educating people about this extinct species. The plight of the Passenger Pigeon is found on our website as well as in Wikipedia and other websites dedicated to this fine bird. [Editor’s note: The Smithsonian has an excellent web page devoted to the bird.]

You design, screen-print and sew everything in Toronto. Do you find it more expensive to keep your production local or is the cost similar to what you would pay to have the goods made elsewhere and then shipped back to you?

Wendy: We know other designers who have made the move offshore for production, and we can’t believe how cheap it can be done! Despite all the shipping involved, producing garments offshore is undoubtedly cheaper than producing them in Toronto. It means that our garments work out to be more expensive than mass produced clothing that you find in the malls. However, our prices are competitive with other locally made clothing lines. Although it is sometimes tempting to cut production costs so dramatically, supporting local economies is a major priority for us. For us it goes hand in hand that we avoid exploitation, both of the environment and laborers.

Heather: We have never considered sending our clothing off shore. We believe in supporting local industry, and we try to keep shipping to a minimum. However, we have compared notes with other local designers who do produce off shore, and their costs are lower.

Between the two of you, your college careers involved studying sociology, photography, print making, drawing and painting - how did the two of you team up to make an eco-fashion line?

Wendy: Heather and I met through friends a few years ago, as she was transitioning into an exclusively eco-friendly clothing line. I was really inspired by the direction she was taking. She had always talked about wanting a hand with pattern making and garment design and I had graduated from a course in just that. I guess we were both drawn to each other and it worked out that our different skills were so complimentary.

Heather: Wendy and I had a common friend who introduced us at a fashion show. I immediately knew I wanted Wendy to become my business partner, for she possessed strengths, talents and skills that complimented my own. It has been true delight working with Wendy, and the clothing line is so much stronger now that she is onboard!

Is Passenger Pigeon involved in any local or green-based charities, helping to give back to the community?

Heather: We donate to Greenpeace as well as WSPA. In the past, I used to volunteer with FLAP– a group that collects dead and injured song birds that have hit buildings during their bi-annual migration (I hope to help again this spring). We also donate our off-cuts and bolt ends to local schools, where they reuse the fabric to make paper or for other textile projects.

The wind turbine screen print from the Fall/Winter 2007 was really popular with a range of consumers and the Spring/Summer 2008 collection features awesome bicycle and plastic bags prints. Will we be seeing hybrid cars and corn stalks in 2009?

Wendy: Hmm, I don’t know about hybrid cars! Heather and I aren’t really into cars so much. Heather is the one to come up with the print designs, depending on what’s on her mind at the time. Last summer she was on a garbage theme. I was skeptical at first - piles of garbage didn’t seem like a good idea - but the prints turned out to be so lovely!

Heather: As much as I try to veer away from bird imagery, I tend to come back to it season after season. I have dabbled with alternative energy symbols as well as bicycles; however, my heart is with objects, creatures and shapes created in the natural world. I may just consider corn stalks in the future!

Passenger Pigeon’s fashion and accessories are made with organic cotton, hemp, tencel and lyocell. Do you intentionally avoid using bamboo because of the heavily chemical processes used to produce it or do you just find it to be too popular?

Wendy: We do actually use bamboo in our line. There’s this beautiful bamboo knit that we like to use for wrap dresses for our fall/winter collections. We also use soy a lot too. The lighter knits are great for summer. It’s true that bamboo is not a miracle fabric in regards to sustainability. However, we feel that it is better than many fabrics such as rayon or conventional cotton. No fabric is 100% ideal, so we try to make responsible choices given what is currently available.

Heather: We do use bamboo, and have received a very small amount of scrutiny from a couple concerned citizens. We have explained to them that, although processing bamboo does use some chemicals, this chemical use is much smaller than say, with cotton or petroleum products. Bamboo is a sustainable fiber, for it grows rapidly. It is a much better solution to conventional cotton.

What do you say to the folks that still believe global warming is just a myth?

Wendy: Wow, do people still believe that?! I think we don’t run into people like that so often. I feel like there is always a way to connect with people, even cynics, when the topic of the environment comes up. It’s really so much more than global warming. I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t agree that reducing waste and conserving resources is a good thing.

Heather: I can not believe some people still believe this to be a myth!!! Just ask the world’s top scientists and they will all say it has been a true trend for the past century!! (Since the industrial revolution).

Do you have any other nifty, secret projects in the works that you could hint at?

Wendy: Personally, I’m interested in doing more custom work for weddings — bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses in sustainable fabrics. I got married last fall, so I did a lot of thinking about how to design a good eco-friendly wedding. For Passenger Pigeon, though, you’ll just have to stay tuned!

Heather: We do in fact have something up our sleeves! We will be sending out a surprise treat with each and every garment this spring. It is up to our consumers whether or not they will want to use this tool attached to their purchase.

“Our mission is to produce and sell high quality yarns from natural fibers and design classic Vermont patterns. Transforming the many types of raw fibers into luxurious and long lasting yarn. The Green Mountain Spinnery helps to sustain regional sheep farming, and to develop environmentally sound ways to process natural fibers,” says their website.

Using vintage equipment, Green Mountain Spinnery creates yarns that take any project from plain to prodigious. Also similar to Hope Spinnery, GMS will spin yarns from fibers that you provide as well. The company has also released its own book of patterns, called The Green Mountain Spinnery Knitting Book, featuring “30 of their best loved contemporary and classic patterns.”

But what about the yarns!? You’re right - I got off track. While wool is their feature fiber, I’ve always been one for plant fibers. Their Cotton Comfort yarn, with 80% wool and 20% organic cotton, is just soft enough for me to wear without feeling itchy. No eco-yarn company would be complete without some 100% organic undyed wool, and GMS has it in spades. For something a little less traditional, check out GMS’ Yarn Over collection - made from carded wool & mohair left from a range of dye lots is blended to create “once only” muted colors.

Who makes your favorite sustainable yarns?

Which natural fiber is your favorite to work with? (i.e. cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp … etc.)

Let us know what you love to create with and we might feature them in the next installment of Yearn-Worthy Yarns!

“I try to reflect both the human and natural environment in my work by using symbols and materials that have meaning to me and represent where I come from. From street signs to native trees, my jewelery has always been a pretty literal representation of my surroundings,” he says.

Along with the natural theme of his creations, Ashley uses small scale mined metals from his home base in New Zealand. “I found that most of the gold from my suppliers in New Zealand is mined or recycled here and in Australia. Both these countries have a relatively good track record with regards to mining practices but the idea of using a local resource and streamlining the path of the metal from the ground to the customer really appealed to me,” he says.

It was my pleasure to chat with Ashley recently about his education of the art of make jewelry, sustainable metal mining, creative inspirations and more. Read on for our full conversation and all its “hand made” details.

What first got you interested in making jewelry? When did you decide to turn it into a career?

I was at a loose end really. I’d spent a few years traveling and working overseas as a chef and knew that that lifestyle wasn’t for me anymore. I did a weekend jewelery course and loved it, It just made perfect sense to me so I bought some tools and started experimenting. Originally I never thought it would be a career. It was never really a conscious decision, it just grew and grew until in about 3 years It was all I did.

Have you even gotten flack for being a straight guy in the jewelry biz?

No, but I’m always careful to answer the phone with an extra deep voice. Actually, due to my name and I guess occupation, I’ve been mistaken for a girl a few times. What appeared to be innocuous e-mails from a male customer seemed quite flirtatious when I re-read them as a woman.

Did you first start your collection with sustainability in mind or has that developed over time?

I didn’t. Although I considered myself quite environmentally aware It wasn’t something I translated into my work. I guess I really avoided finding out about the real cost and history of the materials I used because I didn’t think there would be anything I could do about it. Once I actually confronted the issues really good alternatives appeared.

You work with a number of beautiful materials including silver, gold, titanium and polyester resin. Is there one in particular that you enjoy more than the others?

I think silver will always be my first love. There’s something honest and no nonsense about it.

Why do you believe that sustainable creation and operation should be so important to small businesses and crafty folks?

I think everyone should try to be honest about the real cost of what they do. In particular to business though, I think people are taking greater and greater interest in the ethics of what they buy and consume and this is only going to get more important to them. Small business and crafty folk have the agility to be at the front of this trend and give people options that big business can’t.

Other than in your Etsy webstore, your goods are only available in your native New Zealand. What has the reception been like from customers and retailers?

It’s been good. In the beginning it was tough approaching retailers about selling my work, there are a lot of great jewelers in New Zealand so galleries can be pretty full up. If you have something original people usually give you a chance and then it’s just a matter of whether your designs sell. Luckily for me some of my designs struck a real chord with people and have done well.

Your process of mining black sand gold is quite unique - how did you come across this process? Are you involved in the mining of your materials personally?

There is a bit of a community here of people who prospect for gold using small scale, home built machinery. Some use metal detectors. Some use one and two person suction dredges in rivers as well as on beaches. My father happened to know someone who did this for a living and worked on the beach with him for a season. I’ve never worked there myself but I go there to buy gold. The tides and seasons really affect whether they can work on the beach so it’s always a bit hit and miss. I imagine there are people doing this in other parts of the world, it’s just a matter of finding them. As the price of gold has gone up ridiculously in the past few years it’s making this kind of mining more viable. It’s pretty cool to be able to cut out all the middle people and get gold from the person who mined it to the person who wears it with just me in between..

Most recently, you have been working on a line of fruit rings that is noticeably different from your other etched creations. What led you in this new direction?

With my jewelery I’m not really too worried about always coming up with new ideas. I find my designs do evolve over time but for me jewelery is as much about the lifestyle of working from home and keeping my own time as it is about expressing my creativity. That said, every few months I go through a bit of a manic ideas period where I try out lots of new designs. The fruity rings came about when I was looking at rings in “the Carrot Box” that had been cut out of flat sheet metal and thinking about what I could do using the same process… I also wanted to explore the idea of jewelery that is a little bit impractical and not necessarily for everyday wearing.

What one tip would you give to crafters who are trying to creative their own projects more sustainably?

I would say really look at what you do, where your materials come from, how you use them and what the impacts are. It can be a bit depressing but unless you recognize the negatives you can’t do anything about them. I found solutions right in front of me that I had never thought of.

I think it’s really important to be pragmatic too, I know there’s still lots of things about what I do that aren’t sustainable but I don’t think the answer is to stop making jewelery. You’ve just got to be honest about it and start finding alternatives.

Launched a month and a half ago as part of the new EcoGeek blogging network, Wearing the Future is all about “straight talk as much as style, so you won’t have to worry about fluffy, PR-soaked, greenwashing nonsense.”

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with the blog’s chief editor and head writer, Kyeann Sayer (pronounced like “cayenne” pepper). As a long-time writer for Treehugger.com, Kyeann has an impressive media resume - she has been featured on CNN, MSN, I.D. Magazine, Domino, Spin, Outside, and Women’s Wear Daily … just to name a few.

In our lively conversation, Kyeann and I talk about the beginning of Wearing the Future, her favorite eco-fashion brands, personal style’s place in the world of green living and more - read on for all the juicy details!

Victoria Everman: How did you get connected with Hank Green of EcoGeek? Did the two of you come up with the idea for Wearing the Future together or was he on the look-out for an editor and writer already? 

Kyeann Sayer: Hank and I were both writers at TreeHugger and have both lived in Missoula, MT. We had been discussing the idea of working together for a while, and when he decided to expand the EcoGeek network it was a perfect opportunity for me to do an eco-fashion blog without having to worry about all of the tech and other stuff that isn’t my forte.

VE: How would you describe your relationship with fashion?

KS: Conflicted! I love shopping and always having new clothes but also recognize the very un-sexy truth: we are completely overconsuming the earth’s resources and even my small wardrobe is likely larger than most people’s around the globe. So, it’s an ongoing back and forth of justification, compromise, satisfaction and guilt. I need to learn to sew so I can start re-fashioning my own garments.

VE: What do you think some of the major roadblocks are for making all clothing sustainable?

KS: There are so many. One aspect is that the production chain is so decentralized that it’s very difficult for even the most well-meaning of designers to know that their fabrics meet their own social/eco standards. That same decentralization also adds a lot to our garments’ footprints since they’re likely to be grown on one continent, constructed on another, and sold on yet another. Without universally agreed upon standards, we have these vague notions of “sustainability” at the levels of sourcing, manufacturing and consuming. The marketplace is challenging for shoppers. How do they know they’re really getting “green” or “socially responsible” products when we don’t have a universal understanding of those terms?

VE: Do you have any favorite sustainable style brands? Which ones and why?

KS: I love Nau because on a day to day basis I rely on basics and theirs are so smart and versatile. Also, they’ve clearly made such an effort to integrate smart, earth-friendlier design practices into all aspects of their operations. Every year I buy a pair of Tierra Del Forte’s jeans and wear them out. The fit is always amazing and I have a lot of respect for Tierra’s organic and domestic manufacturing efforts. My favorite top is from London’s Junky Styling — I have a huge soft spot for re-use designers. Stewart+Brown is a company with a ton of integrity and I know I’ll be wearing my favorite sweater for years. There are so many more!

VE: What makes Wearing the Future different from other eco-fashion blogs?

KS: We offer a little something for everyone, from shoppers to design students to designers to the tech-obsessed. First, we strive to be a trusted source of information on what out there is actually “green” and “ethical.” Since there are so many problems with recommending “green” products, we’re less product focused and not afraid to point out false claims (greenwashing). Second, we address our readership as citizens first and consumers second. Since we’ve already succeeded in making green sexy, maybe it’s time to make politics of fashion sexy? We all want to make a difference, and often writing a quick email or signing a petition can do more than buying bamboo socks! Finally, we are really interested in people and technology. What are nanotech fabrics? Do we want radio frequency identification in our underwear? What can we do about forced child labor in the cotton fields of Uzbekistan?

VE: Do you see personal style as an integral part of the green living movement or simply frivolous?

KS: I see it as both! I love clothes and adore creativity and innovation in design. But on my death bed I’ll care more about having done my part to help create a safe, secure and healthy world than how I looked doing it. I feel great supporting truly ethical designers and retailers and think green design is a fabulous gateway to creating substantive change. The impact of the textile/apparel industries is significant and so trying to make a difference in those arenas is definitely not frivolous.

VE: What do you say to the folks that still believe global warming is just a myth?

KS: Well, I don’t have a scientific brain, but I believe the scientific consensus. If people aren’t convinced that they need to advocate for the energy policy changes we need, I would recommend they focus on our eroding civil liberties and government censorship of scientific information. Without an informed populace who can exercise free speech and the right of assembly, we’re all in bad shape no matter what. But an ongoing struggle for a safe future against an energy lobby that is supported wholeheartedly by the executive branch and most of congress will be impossible without those rights.

VE: Do you have any other nifty, secret projects in the works that you could hint at?

KS: I wish I did! We’ll keep you posted…

Here-here to that, sister! Though it is tough to get away from cleaning the bathroom and doing laundry, most “modern” inventions and products end up making our lives more cluttered and complicated instead of relieving us of senseless stress. Keeping things simple (or at least progressing them towards that end of the spectrum) is the overall theme of Body+Soul Magazine’s April 2008 issue - right in time for Earth Day, of course.

Learning how to kick back and take things in stride is the theme of this issue’s Reader to Reader column (page 20) . In celebration of the premiere of Sundance Channel The Green’s second season on April 1st, Body+Soul is giving away a luxury goody bag (worth over $2,500!) to one lucky reader. All you have to do is reply to this month’s Share Your Wisdom - “When’s the last time you did something out of character, unplanned, or spontaneous? What effect did it have, and what surprise you about the act - or results?” Selected responses will be printed in the August 2008 issue. Visit the Body+Soul website to enter and for more details.

One of my own favorite stress busters is to bake (and eat) cupcakes. Not the healthiest habit for my body, I’m sure, but it is fun! The Naturally Sweet article (page 58) gives details on tasty alternative to traditional sugar. When it comes to desserts, nothing is perfectly healthy. This piece tells both the pros and cons of alternative sweeteners, including agave nectar, stevia, maple syrup and more. It is highly likely that I will never have truly stable blood sugar since cinnamon crumble muffins and chocolate brownies will forever call my name. Even despite this, I’m open to experimenting with other natural sweeteners … how about you?

Sweet treats are also a first choice for many who are going through painful break-ups - the topic of Susan Piver’s Love Lessons: Heartbreak article (page 90). Susan shares a wonderful, though difficult, past experience that reveals a healthy mental process that benefits all areas of life. “100 percent of my emotional pain was attributed to my own thoughts. There is a good Buddhist teaching that illustrates this principle: When your throw a stick for a dog, he runs after it. But throw a stick for a lion, and he turns around to see who threw it. Now when a strong emotion comes up, I try to act like a lion; instead of assuming the feeling is worth chasing, I look to its source.” Taking the time to truly stop and think, instead of getting overwhelmed with whatever our minds churn out, would make anyone’s day flow smoother.

Other swank highlights from the April issue: What’s on Your Life List? (page 124); Eco Chic on the Cheap: 25 Ways to Go Green for $25 or Less (page 98); Food for Thought (page 142) - I reviewed author Christie Matheson’s latest book, Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style, recently as well; 10 Best Stress Busters (page 116); Beauty Basics: Label Lowdown (page 48)

“The yarn was developed with the idea to offer a yarn that comes in colours as you find it on the animal on the farm,” says the Farm Yarn website.

What’s so great about alpaca? If you’ve ever used it, you wouldn’t be asking that question. Unspeakably comfortable and versatile, Farm Yarns uses baby alpaca wool - “it is warmer than wool, but has a soft feel like silk,” they say. Naturally available in over 20 shades, baby alpaca wool is not actually from baby alpacas. “It is not a description of the age of the alpaca itself, rather a term that describes the finess of the alpaca wool.”

Farm Yarns started producing yarns from British certified organic sheep wool in just the last few years. Two particular heritage breeds are the source of Farm Yarns wool - Jacob and Llanwenog. By sourcing wool from these two particular breeds, Farm Yarns helps to continue their breeding, keeping their centuries-long history alive.

Farm Yarns’ alpaca and wool yarns are available via their online store in a pleasing variety of colors and weights. “All yarns are natural and organic and are free of any chemical residues and artificial colouring - for your peace of mind.” Indeed!

Who makes your favorite sustainable yarns?

Which natural fiber is your favorite to work with? (i.e. cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp … etc.)

Let us know what you love to create with and we might feature them in the next installment of Yearn-Worthy Yarns!

Casting Notice – Untitled Teen Craft Show

Our production company, Two Bees and a Pea, is casting young adult & teen crafters for a new “untitled” craft show. This show will be guest based - so you could be the star of the show. We produce Creative Juice on DIY and HGTV and this will be a brand new show.

We are seeking crafty guests from all over the USA and will begin the process with DVD submissions. The DVD’s are not for air on TV they are for casting purposes. Fear not if you don’t have access to a video camera. Just send a photo of yourself (big smile) holding or showing off your handmade items.

Here are a few guidelines:

You should have high energy and great style. Show off your style - flaunt it!

Your crafts should be current, hip, cutting edge - think Urban Outfitters, Anthropology, Gossip Girl, Project Runway, MTV!

You can make anything from room decor, jewelry, clothing, soap making, knitted and crochet goods, lip balm, art, etc. The most important thing is that you know your stuff and can explain how you make it in a clear and fun way.

The deadline is May 1st – 2008. Age range: Teens, Young Adults (28 and under)

Video Guidelines:

1. Have high energy and be yourself. State your name, where you are from, how long you have been crafting and what your craft project is. Try to hold your project in your hand or have it next to you and briefly explain to us how you made it. You can show a step or two on how you made it you want.

2. Try to keep the camera as smooth as possible (using a tripod helps) and make sure you have lots of light so we can see you.

3. Fashion tips for the camera: Please don’t wear prints, all black (even if you are goth), white or red. Tattoos, elaborate hair dos, and punky attire are just fine.

4. Videos should be no longer than 3 minutes and should be submitted on DVD only. Tapes cannot be viewed. On the DVD please include your name, your craft, email, city, phone number and age if you are under 18.

Photo Guidelines:

1. Have a big smile in the photo. Try to hold your project in your hand or have it next to you. You can include a picture of you at a sewing machine or at your work station or in the process of making something.

2. Fashion tips for the camera: Please don’t wear prints, all black (even if you are goth), white or red. Tattoos, elaborate hair dos, and punky attire are just fine.

3. Photos should be digital, high resolution and should be submitted in print and on a CD. On the back of the photo and on the CD please include your name, your craft, email, city, phone number and age if you are under 18.

Please mail to:

Casting - Untitled Craft Show
c/o Cathie Filian
1531 Randall St
Glendale, CA 91201

Hope Spinnery has prided itself on being as eco-friendly as possible: the fiber processing mill is run completely on wind power captured on-site; all fibers are purchased locally from sustainably-dedicated Maine farms; only Earth-friendly soaps and natural dyes are used on the yarns; by-products from the spinning process are reused elsewhere at the mini-factory.

The company’s yarn, made from mostly wool and alpaca, are available by skein and in 6 different patterns kits (5 hats and 1 mitten pattern to choose from). Hope Spinnery recently launched their online store, so you can see the stock they have right away and choose the color and fiber that would be perfect for your next project.

“We believe that each person’s relationship to fiber, art and life is unique. We respect the individuality of our customers and work with each person to create something original and satisfying. Our commitment is to process fiber and create yarn through natural methods while enjoying ourselves every step of the way. Hope Spinnery is about doing what you love and meeting others along the way who are doing the same,” says their website - spoken like true fiber-lovers.

Along with spinning their own collection of yarns, Hope Spinnery also offers custom processing services for any fiber you provide. Want to try spinning yourself (it is more fun than I expected)? Check out Autumn’s recent post about the art and process of hand-spinning yarn.

Who makes your favorite sustainable yarns?

Which natural fiber is your favorite to work with? (i.e. cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp … etc.)

Let us know what you love to create with and we might feature them in the next installment of Yearn-Worthy Yarns!

For the first book on our Top 5 Must-Have DIY Crochet Tomes list, most knitters will recognize Debbie Stoller as the editor-in-chief of Bust Magazine and the writer of all three Stitch ‘N Bitch books. Crafters were both surprised and delighted when she released Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker in 2006.

Similar to her first Stitch ‘N Bitch book about knitting, The Happy Hooker is an introduction to the history and process of crochet as well as a kick-ass pattern book. Whether you are an experienced knitter or new to fiber crafts all together, The Happy Hooker is the perfect first crochet book for everyone.

Crochet shares some similarities with knitting. One major likeness is that the more you know, the more likely you are to make a mistake. No crocheters’ bookshelf would be complete without The Crochet Answer Book: Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face; Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask by Edie Eckman.

With line illustration, charts, details on tools, specific techniques, standard crochet abbreviations, common crochet terms and phrases, standard body measurements and sizing, suggested sizes for accessories and household items, and yarn care symbols; this is the only book you will need when your loops and hooks don’t look right.

Answers to detailed questions about all aspects of crochet is the feature element of the book, with chapters on gauge, circles, edges, and finishing. Thanks to Edie’s support, you will feel more confident to progress into more detailed crochet patterns and projects.

Still confused about crochet? Love to work on a small scale? Then the Japanese crochet style of amigurumi, the art of crocheting small stuff animals and anthropomorphic creatures, is for you! It used to be that you had to try and translate patterns from Asian countries to take part in this unspeakably cute craft, but not anymore.

The popularity of amigurumi is growing in leaps and bounds, with new books and websites coming out every few months. Chronicle Books’ Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts! Amigurumi! is a must-have thanks to its classic, easy-to-follow patterns and colorful photographs. Both a great introduction and indispensable reference for the art of amigurumi, Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts! Amigurumi! deserves a place on your bookshelf.

Knitting is often the first choice for crafters when it comes to creating fashionable clothing, but Teva Durham (pattern designer) and Adrian Buckmaster (photographer)’s book Loop-d-Loop Crochet: More than 25 Novel Designs for Crocheters (and Knitters Taking Up the Hook) will make any fiber fan think twice.

By her own admission, Teva Durham used to be a ‘knit snob.’ No longer. Now, the influential needlecraft guru has become a ‘two-timer,’ bringing the same ingenuity, innovative eye, and solid fashion sense that she’s always exhibited in her knitting design to the world of crochet,” says the book’s publisher. Loop-d-Loop Crochet has over 25 different patterns for women, kids and your home.

If the idea of old-school crocheting brings to mind your grandma’s afghans and pot holders, then Vintage Crochet: 30 Gorgeous Designs for Home, Garden, Fashion, Gifts belongs on your bookshelf. Should you find yourself in second-hand stores more often than major malls, this book is a good one for you as well.

Author Susan Cropper, originally from New York City, runs one of the top rated yarn shops in London called (ironically) Loop. Drawing on her exeperience with Loop, as well as an art director and designer for magazines, Susan also enlisted the help of international crochet artists like Bee Clinch, Alicia Paulson and Kristeen Griffin-Grimes to create patterns for the book.

Bonus! As a minorly morbid crafter, I couldn’t resist adding Christen Haden’s upcoming Creepy Cute Crochet book to the end of our list. Following along the style of amigurumi, Christen’s creations could “eat your typical amigurumi for breakfast.” Needless to say, you won’t be finding any fluffy bunnies or smiling pandas in this pattern book.

You probably won’t recognize the name Christen Haden, but you might have heard of her uber-popular NeedleNoodles site and Etsy store. Some of her previous creations and current online patterns available include donuts, sushi, a ninja, a zombie, ice cream, jellyfish, candy, brain slugs, dim sum, baby bibs, Christmas characters, a tea set … and still more! Which exact patterns will be in her June 2008 book have not been posted, but with a resume like that, I’ve already got a copy reserved.

“Our organically grown naturally dyed yarn is colored with plant dyes and due to their organic nature some shade variation will simply add to the yarn’s unique inherent beauty,” says the Rowan website.

Along with the release of the eight-shade color palate, Rowan has released a pattern brochure with 18 designs just for their PureLife yarn (10 for women, 4 for men, 4 for girls).

The bulk of Rowan’s pattern for their organic yarn are sweaters with beautiful yet basic details, but don’t let that limit your imagination. When first seeing the soft, vibrant colors for PureLife, my initial thought was that it would be perfect for a textured baby blanket. A pair of arm warmers in Logwood, a balanced slate blue, are a great accessory for those cool summer evenings. The nearly coral Brazilwood makes a cuddly set of newborn baby booties and a hat.

But what to do with Lipstick Tree?

Who makes your favorite sustainable yarns?

Which natural fiber is your favorite to work with? (i.e. cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp … etc.)

Let us know what you love to create with and we might feature them in the next installment of Yearn-Worthy Yarns!

As luck would have it, this month’s theme for the showcase is all about green:

Here we are, entering our 6th month at poppytalk handmade and we can’t think of a better way to ring it in than as an eco-themed market! As each market starts up, there’s always a bustle going on, and the anticipation to see everyone’s table come to life is my favorite part! We are thrilled to showcase this emerging talent with green spirits!

Featuring fantastic fashion, accessories, art and home accents in all shades of verdant glory, this month’s Poppytalk Handmade is not to be missed. This particular showcase is running from March 10th to April 11th, so make sure to stop by and browse today because once it’s gone, it’s gone.

At first glance, I was instantly drawn to sellers Louelle Bloom, Ecojot, Gaia Conception, Susan Schwake, and Black Sheep Heap. Which are your favorites?

With the first tome based around the element of earth, the second tome is all about water (as the title suggests). Miho’s scientist parents were lost at sea and she now has to move to Japan to live with her uncle. Though she speaks no Japanese and has never met her uncle, she has no other choice but to move in with her only living relative.

While visiting the beach house of her grandparents (who have already passed on), Miho meets the already infamous otter, Gaia. Miho is quickly swept up in the excitement of being able to talk to all the creatures of the sea and makes friends with a large group of dolphins. Of course, her adult uncle thinks she is nuts and simply can’t follow orders when he tells her to be home at a certain time and she continues to come home dripping wet.

Will Miho and her uncle ever connect? Have you ever traveled across the world in the mouth of a whale? What happens when poachers try to capture some of her dolphin friends? I could answer all of those questions for you, but it would take all the fun out of reading the book yourself.

As in the first book, a collection of fun puzzles and intelligent discussion questions follows the story. Welles was also keen enough to add a small Japanese dictionary into the book for the few conversations that occur in the foreign language. Though I neglected to mention them in my last review, the cover and inside art for both books are breathtaking - they really make the story come alive.

Book three, Gaia Girls - Air Apparent, is set to be released later this year. Stay tuned to Eco Child’s Play for updates and reviews of the entire Gaia Girls series!

Wikipedia explains fair trade quite clearly as “an organized social movement and market-based approach to alleviating global poverty and promoting sustainability. The movement promotes the payment of a fair price as well as social and environmental standards in areas related to the production.” Based in Oneonta, New York, the Da’vida Fair Trade Store sells its own line of hand painted and hand spun yarns made from alpaca, wool and yak fibers.

Painted by Lisa Meriam, a sheep farmer who lives in upstate New York, Da’vida’s collection of yarns come uncolored from Uruguay, Bolivia and Peru. All of the yarns are certified by the Fair Trade Federation, ensuring an extensive number of trade and development points are met. Upon arriving in New York, Lisa then paints the yarns by hand with all natural dyes. Also available are hanks of yarn hand spun by Lisa from her own sheep’s wool. Currently, every hank of yarn is unique, though Da’vida is working on a more predictable line of colors.

“Da’vida, the ‘giving of life’, or ‘the life of giving’ reflects the basic philosophy of Da’vida, that of receiving a gift, and then passing that gift along to other,” says the store’s website. When it comes to creating knitted or crocheted creations, these concepts go hand in hand (no pun intended).

Who makes your favorite sustainable yarns?

Which natural fiber is your favorite to work with? (i.e. cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp … etc.)

Let us know what you love to create with and we might feature them in the next installment of Yearn-Worthy Yarns!

How do you enter? All you have to do is create your own version of Burda’s Sidonie skirt pattern. “This simple A-line mini skirt is a quick project ideal for your perfect little basic skirt that has been missing in your closet. Even better, you can use it as a base for your own designs and develop it further,” says the Burda Style website.

How long does the contest last? What do you win? Keep reading for the rest of the details, straight from Burda Style’s news blog.

Looking for some extra inspiration? Check out Burda’s own variation to get your own creative juices flowing.

Starting the 29th of February, you have 2 weeks to make and upload your own version of the Sidonie skirt to the site to be in with a chance to win some special secret sewing treats and BurdaStyle goodies!

RULES:

+ You need to be a registered member to participate.

+ You must use the Sidonie skirt pattern.

+ You must upload your creation into the new ‘Mini Challenge’ category by March 15th.

+ When you upload your creation you must give a detailed description of how you made your version of the skirt, the alterations you may have made and materials used etc.

+ How-to’s and pattern alterations are encouraged and may earn you Brownie points!

The mini challenge will be judged by you, the members. Voting will start on Tuesday the 18th of March. More details about how to vote will be given at a later date.

Are you up for the challenge? Get creative, dig out those sewing technique books and teach yourself something new while you’re at it, show us your talent and skills!

What would you do if you could hear the Earth asking for help? In the Gaia Girls book series, that is what happens to four girls, each from a different region of the world. They are approached by Gaia, the living organism of the Earth. Each is endowed with powers over one of the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. They must learn to use their powers to help Gaia survive the effects of modern humanity.

The first book centers around a girl named Elizabeth Angier and one very eventful summer at her family farm in New York state. She and the family’s undeniably lovable dog Maizey take on a big business factory farming operation that is trying to buy up all the farms in her town. On top of that, her best friend is moving not only out of town but out of state to Florida. Just as her troubles start to reach their boiling point, Elizabeth is greeted by an eager otter named Gaia who will change her world forever.

Enter the Earth is a quick and enjoyable read that I would recommend to everyone from age 9 to 90. The book has already won two national awards and a new dedicated reader - me (and hopefully you very soon). While the topic of factory farming might seem a bit heavy for young kids to delve into, it is presented in an intelligent and logical way that will appeal to the eager sense of learning that our little ones are blessed with.

At the end of the story, a collection of word finds and illustration puzzles are included, along with discussion questions for you and your kids to ponder together. Poised to be the eco-Harry Potter or a New Age Babysitters’ Club, the Gaia Girls series is off to a very noteworthy start.

But where do you buy from? I’m all for promoting local businesses and buying from small stores right in your own town. Unfortunately, depending on where you live, you may have little to no options in that category. The easiest thing to do is log on to the internet (and you already have since you are reading this) and partake in the massive variety it has to offer.

After the runaway success with their first thepurplebook: the definitive guide to exceptional online shopping in 2000, authors Hillary Mendelsohn and Ian Anderson have released a number of specialized editions. Hitting book shelves in January 2008, thepurplebook Green: an eco-friendly online shopping guide is the latest of their incarnations.

Whether you’re new to the eco-lifestyle or so sustainably settled that you have a composting toilet and solar panels, thepurplebook Green Edition has something to offer everyone. Though the book is about shopping, it continually reminds readers to reuse what they already have. “The greenest thing you can do is to extend the lifespan of the products you already own,” says Hillary in the book’s introduction. “When it comes to shopping, it’s usually a matter of buying eco-friendly versions of the same products you already use.”

A simply worded, yet somewhat extensive, chapter on The Green Lifestyle covers everything from buying organic and conserving water to renewable energy options and avoiding petroleum-based products. The next chapter, Eco-Shopping 101, gives an informative overview of what it means to buy green in all areas of life, including food & drink, household goods, health & beauty, apparel, babies, pets, furnishing, gardening, home improvement and more. As a fashion maven, I was impressed with Hillary’s coverage of sustainable fabrics by including their drawbacks and lack of regulation.

After the useful introductory chapters, we come to heart of the book - the Green Shops. Listed alphabetically by the shop’s online URL, each listing includes the website’s customer service number, an amusing yet useful review, and a collection of applicable icons relating to the store’s customer service and green options. If you are looking for a particular product or company, you can check one of the three indexes included at the back of the book.

Personally, I think the book is great and an ideal resource for all eco-minded consumers. Of course, being a website directory, thepurplebook Green Edition will need to be updated and republished now and then - I already spotted two or three new online green shops that weren’t in the book but are great resources. I think that very reason is why there are notes pages included in the book, so hooray for that.

I can only imagine how long it took Hillary and Ian to put this green edition together but I must say kudos to them for doing such a good job. I look forward to seeing future editions that continue to help consumers find more sustainable options for their daily needs.

I first heard about 2nd Time Cotton in Knit 1 Magazine’s first green issue (Summer 2007), which features the yarn in a few of its different projects. Though KOCT has a few other sudo-sustainable yarns (Wick is made with 53% soy and BabyBoo with 45% bamboo), their 2nd Time Cotton is inherently “green” because of its recycled nature.

How is it recycled? Second Time Cotton is made from cotton fibers that are textile factory scraps and leftovers from their usual operations here in the United States.

In the picture to the left, you’ll see their solid-color 2nd Time Cotton in Artichoke. Helene from Knit One, Crochet Too was nice enough to send me a hank of this swank fiber. Available in 12 solid and 11 striped colorways, 2nd Time Cotton does contain 25% acrylic, which is “added for fiber stability.”

OK, so it is not 100% eco-friendly, but hey, you have to start somewhere … right? I really enjoyed working with the sample hank Helene sent me. Smooth, strong and in a unique green/gray color that I don’t think I’ve ever seen before, I’ll be buying this yarn for myself soon. When it comes to projects, I’m seeing this yarn being knit or crocheted into some cute toys for my cat or some unique home accessories.

Who makes your favorite sustainable yarns?

Which natural fiber is your favorite to work with? (i.e. cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp … etc.)

Let us know what you love to create with and we might feature them in the next installment of Yearn-Worthy Yarns!

Under all that dust and clutter, I bet there are some pretty random things lying around your home - you know, in those far reaches that rarely, if ever, see the light of day or the end of a Swiffer.

From VHS tapes and phone books to empty pens and packing peanuts, the readers of ReadyMade Magazine have found new uses for once useless items via the MacGuyver Challenge.

In each issue, the editors choose a specific item for readers to find new uses for. The winning project from a previous issue is also featured, along with directions on how to make it yourself. In the current issue (#33), two ladies from Wisconsin won the broken umbrella challenge by making a magazine rack. Runner-up projects are now featured online; this item’s secondary ideas include two dog outfits and a gym-style parachute (now that’s a flashback, huh?).

Searching the magazine’s archives will net you another 20-plus contest winners, all of which have their patterns and steps provided. Want to take part in the next MacGuyver Challenge? Here are the details:

LUGGAGE
{Deadline: March 17, 2008}

Among the woes of modern travel is the problem of luggage—the stuff we use only to schlep other stuff. Buy the cheapest valise you can find and it breaks after two or three trips; shell out for a pricier model and risk being stood up at baggage claim. What can we do with the conked-out carryalls? Deliver big ideas to win a subscription and a ReadyMade T-shirt.

Send photos or projects to: MacGyver Challenge, 817 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94710 or articles@readymademag.com.

Good luck and happy crafting from CAGW!

When I read the “Making Sense of Scents” feature article (page 107) in this month’s Body+Soul, I identified with it right away. As a child, I used to have terrible skin reactions when my mother would use anything other than Tide laundry detergent and Downy softener. Though I am not sure if it had anything to do with the scents in the products, reading that “skin allergies are the most common and proven adverse reactions to synthetic fragrances” sure did get me thinking.

Writer Frances Lefkowitz provides a great amount of data to back up the fact that all these unnatural smells infiltrating our senses are having nothing but negative effects. Of course, no article of this kind would be good without some helpful suggestions to avoid these chemicals, and those are provided thoroughly.

One major effect that scents can have on a human is altering emotions and moods. Unpleasant or bitter smells usually make my intestines clench up, which leads to a most uncomfortable day. According to “Belly Up” (page 64), by the same Frances Lefkowitz from the previous article, Traditional Chinese Medicine’s chi nei tsang (CNT) massage technique might be just what I need.

After nearly throwing my back out while exercising yesterday, I think I’ll be trying the stretches in “Morning Wake-up” (page 70) more frequently from now on. I’ve always had problems with my lower back, thanks to carrying such a heavy chest on a thin frame, but being right in the middle of abs exercises and feeling that debilitating pain stressed me out. Thanks to Cheryl Richardson’s “Sweet Surrender” (page 37), I reminded myself that there is only so much that I can do to strengthen my back - sometimes, it is just not happy and I have to work around that.

“Things often work out for the best in ways that we can’t possibly imaging and don’t expect,” she says on the second page. Ironically, that is something that my own mother has been telling me since before I was in school. The concept of accepting a lack of total control over just about anything is quite humbling and somewhat reassuring in the fact that we are all connected - everything we do affects each other so we should consider these concepts before acting, especially when the environment is involved.

Other swank highlights from the March issue: “Women and Anger” (page 82); “Pantry Primer: Pasta” (page 54); “Happiness @ Work” (page 98); “Size Matters” (page 56).

Admittedly, when I think of the hearty, diverse vegetable we know as corn (maize to the Native Americans who received the seeds from tribes in what is now Mexico), I don’t usually think of making sweaters and purses.

Alabama-based Kollage Yarns is looking to change that food-focused perception with not one, but two 100% corn yarns.

The first of their two corn-based yarns is called Corntastic (my kinda word!): Our new Plied 100% corn yarn is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cotton and wool yarns. Smooth and round, it shows stitch detail beautifully and has a light, soft hand. Corntastic makes great sweaters, skirts and even socks for both children and adults. Vibrant colors make Corntastic a staple yarn that you can depend on for superior results. Titled Cornucopia, the second corn yarn is one of Kollage’s all-time best sellers. Perfect for summer or winter, both Corntastic and Cornucopia can be both machine washed and dried.

Venturing into other natural fibers, Kollage also makes Creamy - an 80% milk/20% cotton yarn in seven unmatchably smooth colors, perfect for detailed or lace pieces. Made from 100% soybean fiber, Delicious comes in nearly 30 vibrant colors, as well as two stripped versions.

Looking to make even more of a difference in the crafty world, Kollage has created the U.S.A. Yarns Project, “a program whose yarns are produced entirely in the USA, helping to keep jobs here. From the field to you, the yarn is grown, processed and dyed in the USA.”

The first yarn from the USA project is Hope - 100% cotton available in Lace, DK, Chunky and Bulky dyed in 18 beautiful colors or undyed. Recently, they also introduced a DK weight 100% organic cotton undyed yarn.

Who makes your favorite sustainable yarns?

Which natural fiber is your favorite to work with? (i.e. cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp … etc.)

Let us know what you love to create with and we might feature them in the next installment of Yearn-Worthy Yarns!