Dolls from Recycled Clothing

Dolls, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

If you follow me on facebook or twitter (and if you don't, why not?) then you probably already know I've been on a doll-making bend lately. I don't know what got into me. I pictured them in my head. Drew them while I was working at my day job. Dreamed about them at night. I finally had time to make them. I must say, I'm in love. There are so many more in my brain and on paper, too!

I don't know if it's because they aren't jewelry that I'm loving them so much (and I still love to make jewelry, no worries!) or that I just thought about them so very much that I loved making them so much.

I also must say, I am just tickled pink to see these 4 all lined up like that in my couch in my studio. They make me smile every time I walk in.

Details about the dolls:
For the dolls with the blue hair: all the fabric used is from used clothing except for muslin for the face and arms. The lace and buttons on the eyes are from Lancaster Creative Reuse.

For the zebra girls: The zebra fabric is from Lancaster Creative Reuse, the button eyes are also from there, the pink fabric is from clothing that was worn out. I have no idea where the ribbon and lace came from on these 2 since it came from my stash, but chances are that they are reused, too.

All the girls are stuffed with new polyfiberfill.

They aren't recommended for children to play with because of the buttons and such, but they would make an awesome addition to any fun room.

I'm tempted to sell them as twins because I think they are creepy-cute that way.

Little Steps do Count When Trying to Be Eco-friendly

I feel very strongly that we are destroying our planet’s eco-systems by little things we do each day.  I also know there are some people, corporations, etc. that are destroying the planet in a much more obvious, big way.  There’s isn’t so much I can do about that, but I can change my own behavior.

Often life is hectic and there’s not enough time.  Frankly, this lack of time often leads to the problem.  We grab a plastic bottle of water on the go instead of filling up our reusable aluminum one at home.  Same for lunch – we grab something in horrible packaging instead of using reusable snack bags, etc.  We forget our canvas bags when shopping.  We know they’ll give us a plastic one when we get there if we forget.

Even as strongly as I do feel about saving the planet, so to say, I often fall into these same predicaments.  I’m famous for forgetting my canvas bag when I go shopping.  That is such an easy single thing to do, and I often forget.  I know I should keep one in the car.  But I forget to take it back out after I bring it in with the groceries.

I know there are a million excuses.  I use them all the time.  Then I try to convince other people to live greener lives and feel sort of like a hypocrite.  I really don’t think I’m better at any of this than anyone else.  I’m just really interested in it.  I know it’s important.  I do whatever I can, bit by bit.

What can we do?

For one, I am going to make an effort to remember my bag at the store.  I often refuse bags when I can make it without one.  I'll fill up your reusable water bottle the night before so I don't have to think about it in the morning when I'm rushing to get out the door.  (I'm actually not that bad about remember that!)

I know that every single tiny step we each individually take helps.  If I remember my canvas bag one more time than I did last month, that’s a few more plastic bags not making their way out into the world.  If I did it every time, obviously it would make an even bigger impact.

I am a believer in little steps added together make a big difference.  I also think that if you change your life too much too quickly, it probably won’t stick.  So start with small steps and get used to sticky to them consistently.

Maybe you need to start just by getting a recycle bin and figuring out your township’s recycling rules.  Maybe you already have that accomplished and are ready to move to the next step.

Just take one little step at a time.

The little things do matter!

There are, of course, many little things that you can do!  I’ll be sharing different ideas I come across in my journey toward becoming even more eco-friendly in my life.  I hope that they spark some ideas for you, too. 

Together we can start to turn this planet around.

My Studio

My Studio, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

Looking at it in this photo, you wouldn't necessarily believe that this is very clean and organized...but considering what it looked like a couple days ago, you would be impressed. (I would never post an embarrassing photo like the before photo of the mess!)

Things have been relatively hectic around here, and I think it's safe to say that they will become even more so as we continue to head on into the holidays. (I know, right? Where has this year even gone??)

There will be plenty of new B.B. Bellezza merchandise that will make great gifts! I've been working hard! Some of the new items can be found at my booth at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER (342 N. Queen Street, Rear Warehouses, Lancaster, PA) and they'll be infiltrating into my Etsy Shop and other shops very soon. (As well as here!)