Green Options

It’s no secret that I love sewing with vintage fabric. Linens and remnants from back in the day just feel like they have a story attached to them. Not only are you giving something old a brand new life, you get to add to its history.

Sometimes it’s a bit tricky to track down a good variety of vintage fabric, but Megan over at Moxie makes it a bit easier with her fantastical selection of vintage fabrics!

Sure, Earth Day SHOULD be every day, but there’s nothing wrong with getting on board the Earth Day train on April 22. It doesn’t make you, you know, a “joiner” or anything.

And so what if we’re always supposed to be “crafting a green world?” Maybe you could craft a little greener on Earth Day. Or try something new. Or do without some awesome supply you might normally buy. Or take something weird out of your trash can and turn THAT into something awesome.

Or, since you’re already pretty green and already pretty crafty, you can just feel okay about that on Earth Day. That’s totally fine.

However, if you’re feeling extra-inspired, here are five eco-friendly projects all ready for Earth Day craftiness:

When I sell record bowls at craft fairs, people tend to say lots of awesome things to me, and they also tend to say three annoying things: 1) Look, sweetie, this is a record! (to their child). 2) How exactly do you make this? 3) Oh, no! You ruined all those records!

Statement one is annoying because a) the kids being shown the record bowls are always like ten years old, and their response is always to just roll their eyes at their parent, because OF COURSE they’ve seen a record before, and b) if a kid had never seen a record before, well, a record bowl really doesn’t look a lot like one, ya know? Statement two is annoying because, as my partner pointed out to me, the people who try to get me to tell them how to make a record bowl NEVER buy one from me–they just want me to tell them how to make one for themselves. Do a Google search, friends.

Statement three, though…that’s only annoying because someone says it at every single craft fair, and I have to assure them that I have a record player of my own and I only craft with the vinyl that’s way too beat up to have another use. I’m pretty sure, though, that there are people in the world (teenagers who just found mom’s old record collection, I’m talking to you here) who WOULD ruin a perfectly good, and super-valuable, vinyl record just because they didn’t know better.

Vintage suitcases are popping up all over the place lately and have been upcycled into some amazing storage options. Creating the perfect craft storage solution is a journey not a destination. As our craft stash grows so must our storage options. If you are ditching the plastic bins for vintage containers, you must consider using vintage suitcases.

Etsy seller VanityCase makes these amazing custom vanity and liquor wall cabinets. The vintage leather suitcases are outfitted with everything from mini drawers to pull switch lights. I could easily see the vanity cabinet (shown above) being used for craft storage.

I am always inspired by Junk Camp projects, like the rubber stamp photo holders. Spring is here and Ki is sharing a flower trug tutorial made from a vintage feedsack. We are big fans of repurposing feed sacks.

Do you create and assemble vintage or antique collections that are unusual and artful? If so then meet Lost Found Art: a unique design company that specializes in sculptural installations and assemblages using antique and vintage pieces. LFA may just be interested in acquiring those odd collections (you’ve been thinking of selling) for their unique contemporary art sculptures.

I found an Etsy seller putting her vintage buttons to good use.  She makes custom monogramed pillows and wall art with vintage buttons.  Peggy of Letter Perfect Designs hand sews each carefully selected button into place.

[Vintage Silk Chiffon fabric from Miss Legacy]

Stitch a little history into your sewing project with some beautiful, vintage fabric!

There’s just something about vintage fabric. I love picking up yardage from the past and wondering about it’s story. The designs and colors speak of times when maybe things were a little simpler. Of course, you can imagine my delight when I stumbled upon Miss Legacy’s amazing stash of vintage fabric!

The beginning of the year slump is almost over, and that means craft show season will be creeping up on us before we know it! What’s a green crafter to do about a display? Over the next few weeks, we’re going to look at a few eco-friendly display solutions for different setup needs.

[Tent at the Renegade Craft Fair. Creative Commons photo by LaCabeza Grande]

It’s still probably a bit cold for outdoor shows, but it’s not too cold to get planning! Some of the outdoor show needs are similar to the setups for indoor shows. You still need tables or some other surface to showcase your goodies, linens, and some horizontal display solutions. Outdoor festivals tend to have bigger spaces - usually, 10 feet X 10 feet - and you’ll probably have a tent. Here are some ideas for handling an outdoor setup!

I’m totally smitten with these gorgeous vintage kimono fabrics from Shibori! She stocks all sorts of weights, from delicate silk to cotton and wool.

Owner Juliet and her husband Richard are ordained Zen Buddhist priests. She says she’s struck by, “the sense of history and culture when you handle Japanese kimono silk.” I have to say, I can totally see where she’s coming from. On top of being absolutely beautiful, the patterns on her kimono fabrics make you think of a different place and time. Since they’re all vintage, that means they’re eco-friendly to boot!

The beginning of the year slump is almost over, and that means craft show season will be creeping up on us before we know it! What’s a green crafter to do about a display? Over the next few weeks, we’re going to look at a few eco-friendly display solutions for different setup needs.

It’s so tempting to hit up local big box stores for new display pieces. I’ll admit that it’s even easier sometimes. But where’s the fun in that? Getting your goodies second hand helps you present your wares in a unique, Earth-friendly way! The setup you go for really depends on what sort of show you’re doing. Indoor vendor spaces are often smaller than at outdoor shows. Unless your table is at the end of a row, you probably won’t have much natural vertical space, like you would with a tent. So what are some green ways to showcase your goodies?