handmade envelopes

I had wanted to make some envelopes around Christmas time, to give to friends and family, but I never got around to it. It was not long after, that Julia posted about some envelopes she had made from old magazines, which was excellent inspiration and I really loved how hers turned out. She even posted a tutorial here. A couple weeks ago I was cleaning out our magazine basket in the bathroom and finally gave it a go. I didn’t use any templates, just chose some colors/images/type that appealed to my eye, and got started. They are all different sizes and shape, and I found it’s fun to have a varied selection, as sometimes you just want to include a small note and other times a longer letter…

Pictured is the first of several batches I made (these were made from a toast catalog), and the only batch I rememembered to photograph. I constructed some with a glue stick and others with machine stitching. The flap took all different shapes, and I also found I liked the look of a rough torn edge. Before sending them off with orders, I closed the flap with a piece of washi paper tape. Simple as can be and a great, fun way to re-use magazines and catalogs that you are finished with!

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my own striped shoes

I rarely ever, almost never, make anything for myself.

As we transition into warmer weather here, it’s often a little too warm for my winter slippers, a little too cool to be barefoot, and with so many wool rugs in the house my socks end up completely covered in fuzz… so with all the shoes I have been making, why on earth do I not have my own pair???

In the midst of this quandary, I found a bag full of beautiful leather scraps at the thrift store. While I appreciate leather as a functional and durable material, I do not go out of my way, for ethical reasons, to purchase it new; though I have been secretly hoping to find some scrap to use for soles. So, you can probably guess where this is going… I have some new shoes, and yep they have leather soles (and organic fleece linings, of course!) : )

AND, perhaps even more exciting… tomorrow evening I am having a giveaway!

So do come visit tomorrow for a fun surprise!

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Wrapping Packages. Eco Consciously. Busily.

So my intent was to post a few fun and inspiring ideas over the last few weeks about wrapping gifts this season more eco consciously. But  I have been SO DARN BUSY! So, in the midst of my busy-ness I have been at least trying to take some photos of what I have been up to while packing orders.

All the wrapping shown is thrifted or recycled. The ribbon in the first image I found at a close-out sale (the following week everything left over from that sale was at the neighboring thrift store.. so it was almost thrifted too : )

My business cards I make at home, and they are printed on 100% post consumer recycled cardstock, processed chlorine free (from neenah paper). I hang them with hemp or jute twine. I love wrapping packages. As a little kid I even used to get paid by a neighbor once in a while to do her wrapping.

And now, I need to get back to work!

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Wristlets! Cute, Functional, Sustainable Mini Purses, Perfect For Gifting!

More wristlets are ready to ship! I have been sewing up a batch of things while filling orders. A couple new colors coming too…

These are available in the shop now:

Natural Hemp

Graphite Corduroy

Olive Hemp / Tencel

Burnt Red Corduroy

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Tis the Season…

As the holidays approach, many people will be buying gift wrap, bows, ribbons, cards, etc. I thought I would offer a bit of encouragement to get creative and, rather than create more waste, let’s make less… while having fun AND saving money too. It doesn’t get much better than that!!

This is wrapped with re-used brown paper from a package that came in the mail this week. I think brown paper has such a nice, clean, neutral feel and is complemented well by almost any embellishment. In this case some jute twine, a small piece of cardstock paper, a small scrap of fabric and some thread.

It’s super simple! Get out your fabric scraps and choose some you find most attractive. Cut them into squares or rectangles, or what ever shape you like and zigzag stitch them to your paper. I used recycled cardstock here, but anything with a bit of weight will work, even the backs of cut up pieces of cereal boxes, old photos destined for the trash, magazine covers, or what ever you can think of.

Punch a hole in your card and tie around your package with jute or hemp twine, cotton string, old ribbon from your used wrapping paper supply stash, strips of selvage… and it is ready to give! I have had so many comments and thank yous for these simple, thoughtful cards.

I will be posting new ideas throughout the next few weeks. Let’s make this the season to make less trash and have more creative fun! I would LOVE to hear any of your ideas too.

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Just For Fun

It’s been a while since I sat down and crafted for the sake of crafting. I realize I have missed it! So today I spent the afternoon creating what ever seemed fun and interesting in the moment. I made a number of new things, which you might just see in the shop soon : )

Also, I recently wore right through my Caiti Jo slippers (you should check out her shop. She makes really cute stuff,  it’s really affordable and she is super sweet). I have been missing these little slippers, particularly while sewing. So today, while crafting away, I figured I would give a shot at making my own woolly slippers… They are a little funny, and at first I laughed about them (and probably wouldn’t have imagined posting pictures of them for you all to see), and the stitching came out wavy (which now I actually kind of like)… well, I warmed up to them, and they warmed up my feet, and I have not taken them off since I first tried them on.

They are made with black wool scrap for the soles (they could use another layer for insulation) and the sleeve ends of an old but very nice and very thick lambswool sweater for the uppers.

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Auction For A Cause

What is it:

The EcoEtsy team (of which I am happily a part of!) is putting on a non-profit, benefit auction in support of The Nature Conservancy. There will be 60 individual items, each of which are handmade and are eco friendly in some way – whether they be made from recycled, upcycled, repurposed, organic or otherwise eco friendly materials.

When is it:

Auction Start Date: October 20th, 2008
Auction End Date: October 30th, 2008

How to participate: Bids can be placed by sending an email to promo@ecoetsy.com with your bid amount. Regular updates will be posted here as well as here.

Get the full details of this event here.

Learn more about The Nature Conservancy and what this incredible organization is up to.

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