By Jennifer Lance •
May 29, 2009
One of my favorite parts of blogging is when artisans contact us to review their products. I love discovering handmade gems I might not discover otherwise. One such recent discovery is recycled glass jewelry and lavender sachets by Elena K. called Grace and Jewelry.
Lavender is one of my favorite herbs, and the silk sachet created by Elena K is beautiful. It smells wonderful, and beaded adornment is really nice. As my daughter says, “It smells goodie!”
By Wenona Napolitano •
November 8, 2008
The holidays are creeping up fast, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Many are busy planning what they are going to cook, what they are going to wear…and everyone’s thinking about gifts they are going to give.
One thing you may not have considered is your serving dishes or your table settings. Do they match, do you have enough? If you’re like me the once complete matching set has been reduced to bits and pieces over the years as things get dropped, broken and lost. I’m lucky to have a complete set of dishes for 6…and matching serving bowls… forget it. Good thing I’m not planning any large, fancy get togethers this season, but that could all change with a phone call, email, or spur of the moment idea.
By Skye Kilaen •
September 25, 2008
When Great Green Goods mentioned Bedrock Industries and their recycled glass robot people on Monday, I knew I should pop over and check it out. Why? Well, I love robots. Who doesn’t? But what actually caught my eye was this part of the Great Green Goods post: “They have a large selection of tile and tumbled glass for use in your home or garden.”
My friends, this is no lie! The good people at Bedrock have tumbled glass for all kinds of crafty and gardeny adventures.
I love the colors available in their mosaic glass, and mosaic is a craft I’ve always wanted to try. Their glass is 100% pre-consumer recycled glass, taken from the waste generated during the production of stained glass.
Looking for alternative ways to recycle your beer bottles? I have good news.
The colorful piece of glass, once destined for a dump, can actually be incorporated into handcrafted designer jewelry. San Francisco based designer, Stefanie Wolf has decided to give traditional jewelery an eco-friendly makeover. Frustrated by the limited availability of gemstones that are guaranteed as ethically sourced, she recently turned her attention to a completely renewable resource: recycled glass.
It seems that everywhere I turn, all the design conferences somehow are focusing on green.
In March, I had the opportunity to attend the 2008 International Housewares Show at McCormick Place in Chicago. Every spring, the show takes up three of the four gigantic halls covering everything from small, local pot holder manufacturers to giant international appliance manufacturers, like Haier (China based “white goods” manufacturer with annual sales over 15 billion).
Most people I know go for the exhibition portion of the event, but there are also conferences. This year, one of the predominant themes was green. There was also a special section on the floor for green design and many of the speakers also had a presence in this area. (At the end of this I will post a list of those who presented.)
The exhibition area also had many manufacturers marketing a sustainable position. The claims ranged from using post consumer waste (as in the Sustain Mug by Aladdin) to using classic design forms that would inspire consumers to keep them forever.
By Leah Edwards •
March 24, 2008
As Kristin Dispenza wrote on our sister blog Green Building Elements, one of the largest circulation home and design magazines, Metropolitan Home, has gone green. The April issue is all about green (the practical and the beautiful) design.
In an email to Ecopreneurist, Donna Warner, Editor in Chief of Metropolitan Home said, “For our April special ‘green’ issue, we wanted to sort through the hype and offer readers smart ways to incorporate green design into their homes. The issue provides tips and ‘how to’ advice from eco-experts on topics such as green renovation and also celebrates products for the home that will last forever, thanks to their extraordinary quality and enduring design.”
Although I love to flip through “shelter publications” as they are called, focusing on the pictures, my favorite feature in Met Home’s green issue is a five-way discussion called “Met Eco” among green architects, designers and planners about the products and techniques they recommend.
I am always on the look out for smaller companies whose time has come (now that almost all media sources are focused on the environment and green lifestyles). Some of the companies who caught my eye include:
As humans, many of us enjoy embracing the beauty of art. Adding a piece of creative work to your home often means it is delegated to hang on a wall, gathering dust. Sol Mesz, founder and crafty force behind Sillice, seamlessly blends the worlds of design and practical, everyday items - all while using recycled glass and natural colors. Plates, candle holders, soap dishes, board games, and jewelry are just a few of
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One of my favorite parts of blogging is when artisans contact us to review their products. I love discovering handmade gems I might not discover otherwise. One such recent discovery is recycled glass jewelry and lavender sachets by Elena K. called Grace and Jewelry.
