Studio 410 May 8, 2008

For years, I have been seeing artists create beautiful and useful items from old silverware.  However, it was not until I came across the unique jewelry from Studio 410 that I felt compelled to actually feature these creations on Our Great Green Globe.  I absolutely feel in love with this rustic looking necklace.  The combination of the oxidized silver, handmade or recycled charms, and the inspiring saying, SEEK BALANCE, FIND HAPPINESS, is perfect!  This necklace is so beautiful, it would be difficult to tell that the main piece is actually a vintage sterling silver spoon.

Susan Richards, the artist behind Studio 410, lives in Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada.  She is a multi-talented artist who likes to create with her two dogs and cat in her studio.  (In fact, you need to checkout Studio 410 Pets, Susan’s new etsy store featuring eco friendly pet beds, felted wool tug toys and felted wool balls.)  Even your beloved furry friend should be lucky enough to be treated to one of her creations!

Trillium Artisans April 23, 2008

On days like today, when Portland is weighted down under depressing, cold grey clouds for what seems like the thousandth day in  a row, it is difficult to remember why I love Portland and choose to raise a family here.  Then, however, I stumble on something like Trillium Artisans and my love for Portland all comes rushing back. 

Trillium Artisans is a Portland group with a primary purpose to help small, low income crafters form sustainable, profitable businesses for themselves.  As part of the program, Trillium artists have access to product reviews, retail and wholesale opportunities, small business counseling, peer networking, and guest speakers.   Also, artists agree that of the products they sell through Trillium,  the items will be constructed of at least 50% recycled or reclaimed materials.    I love this program because it is supporting independent artists who are committed to helping our environment!!
 

Trillium began in 1999 as Eco-biz  and eventually combined with a business-planning program called the Entrepreneurial Training Program.  Trillium is currently funded by the City of Portland Bureau of Housing and Community Development, New Belgium Brewing Company, and the Oregon Arts Commission through the National Endowment for the Arts.   This innovative program has grown so much that artists now have their own retail store in Southeast Portland.   If you are not blessed enough to live in Portland (I guess I actually do love Portland), you can also purchase products through their website or on etsy.  Both the store and their website offers a range of beautiful, creative crafts that reflect the diversity of this group of talented artists.  When you visit their shop or website, you will find garden art, jewelry, scarves, clocks, hair accessories and too many other enchanting products to list.   

Bunnies Galore March 22, 2008

   My oldest son got a pet bunny about a month ago.  He is sooo cute!  His oh so orginal name is Hooper.  Our family is very focused on the care and feeding of this little bundle of fur. With all this bunny love going on in our house and Easter being tomorrow, I decided to see what the amazing etsy artists are offering for Easter.

Checkout this print from the New York artist of Butterscotchlane created from vintage wallpapers.  I love the bright colors!

This handmade card printed on recycled paper by the artist at Mary Richmond Design looks   suspiciously like our little Hopper.  The talented creator of  these prints has a long history of making one of a kind ceramic tiles, greeting cards, woodblocks, illustrations and various other nature (more…)

The Windsong March 14, 2008

As the mom of two active, sweaty little boys there are some major funky smells going on in my house and laundry basket.  Sometimes when I go into the boy’s bathroom, the smell of their socks in the dirty clothes hamper is overwhelming.  I am always looking for ways to get their clothes clean and  hide the smells that seem to waft from their socks.  In the past, I have resorted to using fabric softeners but I have always worried about the chemicals that are in them.  The Windsong offers an all natural alternative to fight stinky boy smell.  Their organic anti-static laundry spray comes with an essential oil spray that you spritz on a free pillow and then toss into your dryer with your clean laundry.  Your laundry has less static and comes out smelling of the scent of your choice.  Good-bye (more…)

Greenbelts March 1, 2008

Life has been very crazy around here -hence the dearth of posts.  (We suddenly got a wild hair to try to put our very old, filled with half finished projects, house on the market.  This was not the best idea!)  So I was very excited when my job was made easier by the artists from 2ReVert.  They suggested I take a look at the recycling artist at Greenbelts.

Greenbelts is the brain child of  Shannon Ritscher, a former graphic designer and now full time stay at home mom.  Greenbelts started with Shannon creating her (more…)

YaYascaps February 21, 2008

  Our first “child” was a adorable, flea covered black lab-mutt mix we adopted from the pound.  This dog was literally our baby for the first three years of her life.  She enjoyed a plush life of sleeping in the bed under the covers with us, couch lounging and table scrap stealing.  Much to her dismay, all this luxury disappeared when the kids arrived.  Fourteen years later, Maddy is still a much loved member of the family but she is looking a little worse for the wear.  She doesn’t walk down the stairs, she slides.  Her beard and eyebrows are grey. The fur just started coming off the end of her tail and she can’t hear at all.  With all this decline, I am always looking for ways to spiff her up a bit.  (Right now, she is sporting a hot pink collar with bright flowers and gets a daily spritz of all natural doggy deodo (more…)