Sustainable Living Made Easy

Sustainable Living Made Easy

I have a new eBook available:  Sustainable Living Made Easy!  Click on the link above to download this great eBook!  It has 50 pages of great information!

Here's what the eBook includes:

• Sustainable Living 101:  What to Expect from Sustainability
• Why Choose a Sustainable Lifestyle:  Improving the Planet's Health - And Yours
• Getting Started With a Garden:  Taking the First Steps Toward Growing Your own Food
• From Chickens to Cows:  Taking Care of Livestock in Your Backyard
• Waste Not Want Not:  Producing and Conserving Energy in Your Home
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:  Sustaining the Earth by Managing Waste
• Getting Rid of Toxic Waste:  Keeping Poisons Out of the Landfill
• Fun for the Whole Family:  Getting Kids Involved With Your Lifestyle
• Sustainable Living Tips:  Small Choices that Make a Big Impact
• Taking the First Steps Toward Fresh Way of Life:  Making a Plan and Getting Started
• Sustainable Jewelry (of course!!  and I reveal my 5 columns of green!)

Download, share, pass it on! 

Our Plastic Nightmare

This infographic is from OnlineEducation.net

What do you think?

10 Green New Year's Resolutions

 

This time of year we think about our goals - our resolutions - for the year.

 

Here's a list of 10 Green New Year's Resolutions:

 

1.  Do not use plastic bottles.

Instead, get a reusable bottle to fill up!

 

2. Use canvas shopping bags.

Don't use plastic or paper bags from the store, bring your own.

 

3.  If you don't already use public transportation, try taking it one day per week.

 

4.  Buy local food.

 

5.  Use earth friendly cleaners.  You can make your own, or purchase them already made.

 

6.  Change all of your light bulbs to compact fluorescent. 

You'll save money while you're saving the planet.

 

7.  Hang your clothes to dry instead of using a dryer.  Try for hang drying one load per week to start.

 

8.  Switch to cloth napkins and quit using paper ones.

 

9.  Buy fair trade products.

 

10.  Try Meatless Monday.

Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper

It's great that most wrapping you find these days is "recyclable."  They proudly print that on the packaging.  While that is a step in the right direction, we can do better!

Recycling is great, but reusing is better.  I know in my family there are gift bags that have been passed back and forth for years.  Sometimes you can even reuse wrapping paper.

A cute solution is using newspaper.  Make it cute with ribbons you have around the house, or make a cute newspaper flower to put on top.  You can even paint it and decorate it.

I show how to make the cute tassel on this package on my Tutorials blog - it's so easy!  (Click here for the tutorial.)

People won't think you're just being cheap if you make an effort to make it cute!  They'll think you're a responsible citizen!

Blue Vintage Bead Necklace and Earrings Gift Set

I'm so happy to show you my latest eco-friendly jewelry design!

Blue Vintage Necklace and Earrings Gift Set

The blue beads reflect the light so beautifully!

 

 

This set was created from a vintage necklace.  The necklace was no longer wanted and it was pretty horrible.  However, the beads are still gorgeous!

 

This set is the perfect gift for any woman in your life.  It's a beautiful color that any woman would love, and the earrings and necklace compliment each other perfectly.

 

Plus, the set is gift-ready in an adorable handmade gift box.

 

 

 

The pendant on the necklace is 1 1/2" long.  The necklace is 24" long (and can be shortened easily.)  I wire wrapped the pendant with silver plated copper wire.

 

The earrings are 2" long from the top of the earring wires to the bottom of the bead.  The earring wires are made with surgical steel wire that's lead and nickel free.

 

 

 

This set is available in my online store for a wonderful price - just $25!

 

Click here to purchase.

 

(Note:  I have only one set listed, but I have supplies to make a few more.  Let me know if you need more than one set.)





Artwork Scrabble Tile Pendant Subscription - January

 

 

Looking for a great gift this holiday season?  How about a gift that keeps giving all year long?

 

Anyone who loves art or unique jewelry will love an Artwork Pendant Subscription for Christmas! 

 

This month's pendant is:

 

Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze by Gustav Klimt

 

About artwork pendants:

• Collectible pendant with a collectible card.  Learn about the artist!
• Express your love of art with a new famous artist pendant each month.
• Perfect size for wearing everyday.
• Silver plated bail can be easily polished with your jewelry polishing cloth and matches all of your silver pieces.
• You choose the cord size so it will fit if you are plus sized or petite (and everything in between!)
• Cord easily slides out so you can use with other jewelry you have (and the cord works with big hole beads like Troll Beads or Pandora.)
• Your Artwork Pendant will fit on other chains so you can mix and match for a unique look.
• Feel good about the packaging, which is made with renewable resources in ethical conditions.
• Look forward to your new pendant consistently each month.  What a great way to start a new collection!
• Feel good about wearing a piece of jewelry that is ethical and eco-friendly.

Either pay monthly (and cancel any time) for $15 per month or pay for the entire year up front and save 10%!  Save the shipping and basically get the cord for free! 

If you're giving it as a gift, email me a message and I'll send a card from you!

Click here to learn more and to purchase Artwork Pendant Subscription.

 



Event: This Saturday! City Arts Market

This Saturday, December 1st is the Annual City Arts Market!

It's the 6th annual City Arts Market!  The market house has be newly renovated and there are going to be more vendors, food, a kids' room and raffles.

More than 50 local vendors (including me and my mom) with so many unique handmade items perfect for gift shopping.

You know that everyone on their list has everything they can think - so go with unique gifts this year.  Buy handmade and buy local!

Vendors include:   jewelry (that's me!), pottery cards, handbags, baby stuff, photography, knitted goods, glass and so much more!

Art of Recycle (who happen to be amazing and magical) are hosting the kids room with free activities for all ages.  You can get lunch from the food vendors, and enjoy live music.

If you're used to Eastern Market and it being outside, don't worry, this is inside.  There isn't any heat inside the market, though, so dress in layers.

There is usually no problem finding parking around the neighborhood.

If you have been there before, there are changes, such as it's only 1 day!  So much sure you get there on Saturday.

Details:

What:    City Arts Market
Where:  Eastern Market
             308 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 
When:   Saturday, December 1, 2012
             9 am - 5 pm
Who:     B.B. Bellezza and Carecycled (my mom's business) + 50 other handmade craft                   vendors, food vendors, kid's room and live music
How:    It's easy, just show up.  :)

I have some unique new upcycled jewelry that I haven't shared yet there!  Perfect for your gift-giving!  My mom will have candles in tea cups, desert dishes and other candles, wood coasters made from a fallen tree (such a perfect gift and very inexpensive), sewing kits and more!  

See you on Saturday!!

Warmly,
Kim

P.S.  If you can't make it on Saturday, you can always come to my booth at Building Character and shop 7 days a week, with extended holiday hours.

P.P.S.  I have another show coming up on December 14th and 15th in Lititz, PA!  More details coming soon!

Welcome to the Cyber Monday Festivities!

Welcome to the B.B. Bellezza Cyber Monday Festivities!

Today is going to be a fun day of Discounts, Free Gifts and Door Prizes!

There are a few ways to participate:

1.  Be a newsletter subscriber!  Just by subscribing you'll get 2 chances in each door prize drawing for the door prizes.  You'll also get a free gift with your order of $12 or more!

2.  Like my facebook page.  You'll get 1 entry for each door prize drawing.

3.  Tweet about the sale or door prizes (Find sample tweets below!  make sure to get my twitter handle in your tweet so I know you tweeted @KimberlieKohler)

4.  For every $10 purchase from my shop (today only), you get 1 entry for each door prize.

Discounts:

Available in my Etsy Shop only.  Choose either:

20% off your entire order, use code CYBER20
or
Free Shipping, use code:  CYBERFREE

(You don't have to use paypal in my etsy shop.  You can enter your debit or credit card!)

Free Gift with Purchase:

If you are a newsletter subscriber, you'll get a free gift with your order over $12.  When you check out, make sure to put that you are subscriber in the "notes to seller" and what email address you subscribe to me with so I can verify it.

Door Prizes:

As a reminder, here are the ways to gain entries in the door prize drawings.  I will be monitoring each of these prior to each drawing, so you can join in throughout the day even if you missed some of the drawings.

• 2 entries for joining my email newsletter;
• 1 entry for liking my facebook page;
• 1 entry for tweeting about the festivities (the sale or the door prizes);
• 1 entry for every $10 purchased from my online shop today only.

Important:

I will choose the winner at the time indicated from all possible entries at the time of the drawing.  The winner will be announced on my facebook page, twitter and under each door prize here.

The winner has until 12:00 midnight tonight (Monday) to contact me with their mailing address to claim their prize.   (Email:  BBBellezza@hotmail.com)

Sample Tweets:

I just entered to win a Cyber Monday Door Prize from @KimberlieKohler & you can, too!  Find out how here:  http://www.BBBellezza.com

Having fun with @KimberlieKohler 's Cyber Monday Sale & Door Prize drawings.  Find out more:  http://www.BBBellezza.com

I hope I win the __________ during @KimberlieKohler 's Door Prize drawings and Cyber Monday Sale!  http://www.BBBellezza.com

Here are the Door Prizes:

All of the following times are in United States Eastern Standard Time.

Click on the Link to read more about similar products.

9:00 AM EST

Hardware Earrings
$12 Value

Winner:  Steph Parsons

12:00 noon EST

Clock Hand Earrings

$12 Value

Winner: Terry Scholl

3:00 pm EST

Joy Glass Tile Pendant/Ornament
$15 Value

Winner: Helene Colleu

6:00 pm EST

Upcycled Chandelier Crystal Ornament
$12 Value

Winner:  Robin Hartman

9:00 pm EST

Glass Tile Ornament/Pendant with Matching Cord

$20 Value

Winner:  Meghan Barbato

Good Luck!!

Don't forget the great deals in my etsy shop today!  You choose your own deal either 20% off your order (CYBER20) or Free Shipping (CYBERFREE).

Click here for a handy tutorial that shows you how to use coupon codes on etsy.

Any questions, let me know!  

December Artwork Pendant Subscription

Artwork Pendant Subscription

Conveniently and easily get the artwork of your favorite artists in a wearable form each month!

Introducing the Artwork Pendant Subscription!

Each month get:

• A pendant made with a miniature print of a famous artist.  (This month is Cafe Terrace at Night by Vincent Van Gogh)
• Cord or chain to match
• Artist Bio Card
• Cute cotton bag.

2 Subscription Options:

1.  Monthly charge - cancel at any time.

or

2.  Pay for the entire year up front and get an additional 10% off.

Read all of the details and sign up here.

Note:  I will retire each pendant online as they are used for the subscription.  So, this is the only way to purchase these pendants from me online.

***THIS MONTH ONLY***

Get an extra free cord - in the size you choose when subscribing - with your regular subscription!!

12 More Ways to Reuse Paper Bags

Paper bags have been a bit of a controversy.  Are paper bags better than plastic?  I have a previous blog post with Ways to Reuse Paper Bags, which includes a video documentary about whether plastic or paper are better for the environment.  Click here to watch the video and see the first 8 Ways to Reuse Paper Bags.

I think we all can agree that reusing canvas shopping bags is best.

If you still find yourself with paper bags here are even more ways to reuse the paper bags you end up with:

1.  Use a dust mop?  Struggle to get the dust and dirt off it?  Put it in a paper bag and put a rubber band around it to secure the bag.  Then shake the dust mop to get the dust and dirt off.  Carefully remove the paper bag.

2.  Remove wax.  Heat the wax through a paper bag, moving the paper bag around to use new portions to pick up the wax.  Do not use a printed bag as this may cause the ink to run.

3.  Reuse as gift bags.  Use acrylic paint to cover any printed areas or glue on decorative paper.  Use decorative punches to decorate the edges, add ribbons, etc.  Get creative!

4.  Place fruit in a paper bag to accelerate ripening.

5.  Make a mailer with paper bags.  Click here for a tutorial on how to do this.

6.  Make an amazing butterfly wreath!!

7.  Make paper!

8.  Use them to protect surfaces when your painting, gluing or doing other messy crafty projects.

9.  Cut out eyes and decorate to make a mask.

10.  Make a kite.

11.  Use them to separate your recyclables.

12.  Cut into strips and tape them to make chains for decorations.

You can also make a Paper Bag Scrapbook.  Click here to get my original, simple Paper Bag Scrapbook.

Find out more about my updated Paper Bag Scrapbook there and how to get the step-by-step instructions for free, too.

More Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles

I wrote a post about Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles that was really popular.  I'm so glad that people are interested in recycling plastic bottles.  They are one of the worst things we are doing to our planet, in my opinion.

For the original post, Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles, click here.

Here are even more ways to reuse plastic bottles:

1. Woven Plastic Bottle Vase Tutorial

2.  DIY Plastic Bottle Lamp Base

3.  Plastic Bottle Beads.  I have been meaning to try these out.  

4.  Make a Bottle Change Purse.  Click on the link for the directions, but it's pretty simple:
Cut the bottom part of 2 bottles off.
Hot glue or sew a zipper in between the 2 bottle bottoms.

5.  Recycle them.  If you aren't crafty or not interested in making crafty projects.

6.  Better yet, just don't use them to begin with!  Use reusable water containers instead.

Get more tips for Greener Living and Jewelry Trends and Being Eco-Friendly, just sign up for my email updates.

 

Get the new eBook:  "Jewelry Trends and Being Eco-Friendly." This eBook includes lots of great information, including:

• Glossary of eco-friendly terms
• Trends in Jewelry and How to do them the Eco-Friendly Sample Conversations to help you use your eco-friendly jewelry to start a conversation (or how to still get your point across without having a lengthy conversation.)
• Plus, bonus 14 Simple and Easy Tips for Greener Living.

How much for all this great information in one place?  

FREE!!

Just sign up for my email jewelry newsletter and it will be emailed to you after you confirm your subscription.  (PLUS, you get a free shipping code to use in my online shop!)

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Get a valuable coupon code for FREE SHIPPING in my Etsy shop when you sign up for email updates!

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6 Small Steps to a Greener Bathroom

The bathroom is where we start our day and usually end it.  A significant amount of the water we use is from the shower!  When you are in the bathroom, start thinking about how you are using water and other disposable products.

Here are 6 small changes you can make to take steps to being greener in the bathroom (without renovating):

1. Use recycled toilet paper.  It is so easy to find and not much more expensive.  While you are at it - use less toilet paper.  I was watching a show on TLC about cheap people recently and they actually used cloth toilet paper, put it in a bin beside the toilet and washed and reused it.  It's something to consider.  At the very least, just try using a little less each time and it can add up to a big difference.
2. Don't let the water keep running while you are brushing your teeth.  It seems so obvious, but sometimes you don't even realize you're doing it.  One way to remind yourself is to fill up a cup to use instead of turning on the water facet. 
3. Take shorter showers.  If you are like me, it's probably really early and you're a little disoriented and spaced out when you are taking your shower.  Try to think about the amount of water you are using and speed it up.
4. Get rid of all the disposables in your bathroom.  (Okay, keep the toilet paper and see #1 above.)  Things like disposable toilet brushes, one use facial cleansing wipes, paper towels, makeup applicators are not necessary.  
5. Put a recycling bin right in your bathroom to make it easy for you to recycle there, too.  Like I said, it's early and you're a little spaced out in the morning, make it easier on yourself!
6. Use environmentally safe cleaners.  Here are some green cleaning recipes.  You'll save money, too!

Here are some more tips:

How to Go Green in the Bathroom from TreeHugger

5 Simple Ways You're Wasting Money in the Bathroom from TheDailyGreen

5 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Bathroom from the Mother Nature Network

Here's a Great Squidoo Lens on Environmentally Friendly Bathrooms

Green Handmade Jewelry - Why It is Important

I write a lot about Recycling and Reusing and living green.  I also write about my green handmade jewelry.


But why?


I make jewelry out of items that could otherwise be discarded because I am worried about the earth.  I think that we are destroying it and I want to do whatever I can to stop it.  


I don't think that my little business with it's game tile pendants, hardware jewelry and other funky jewelry is going to save the earth.  


However, I think know my customers are going to save the earth.


Step-by-step, one little can, newspaper, plastic bag, whatever it is, at a time.  Everything we do does make a difference.  If I can reach more of you, then more people are thinking about the planet and all the little steps and all those steps of all of us do add up.


What I'm trying to do here is bigger than fashion, or the perfect gift or a memory.  It's bigger than a couple of tips.  I'm calmly and slowly fighting for our planet.  Fighting for the generations that will come after us.  I want them to see trees and butterflies and flowers and know the beauty that I see.  I want them to know what it's like to take a hike in the woods and see a waterfall.

What can you do?


1.  Read my weekly green tips and try doing something new.  Already living green?  Add to the conversation!  Add a comment to this post or any of my Green Tips Posts!  


2.  Tell your friends!  Share with them about little steps they can take or share with them what you do.  Be a living example!  Direct them here on Tuesdays for a tip!


3.  Support Green Businesses.  I am one, there are others!  (I'm the proud new owner of the 2012 National Green Pages, so I'll be sure to share other businesses, too!)


4.  Purchase my eco-friendly jewelry!  (More on this below....)


5.  Do your very best every day.  You'll screw up sometimes.  (i.e. I forgot my canvas bag at the store today) but just do your best.  


6.  Like green tutorials?  I have moved my tutorials over to my new blog at KimberlieKohler.com  Learn how to reuse all the stuff that is clogging up our waterways and land and don't let it get there.

Using Green Jewelry to Start a Green Conversation


Beyond just saving a game piece or another small object from the landfill, and beyond not using resources to make new materials (both of which I think are important and helpful), wearing my eco-friendly jewelry can help you start a conversation about green issues.  You could give someone information that didn't have before.  You never know how you can affect those around you.  You never know how that person can affect others....and so on.  You could start a whole green team, and not even realize it.


I try to make it easier for you by giving you something to wear to get a conversation started.



Here are 2 sample conversations you can try out.  One if you really do want to get into a conversation about it; one for if you really don’t want to have a whole conversation, but want the jewelry to speak for itself. 


Sample Conversations: 


She says:  “Hey, girl!  I love that cool pendant you have on!” 


You say:  “Thanks so much!  It’s an actual scrabble tile (flip over tile and show her) and the designer recycled it into this cool jewelry.” 


She says:  “Wow that is awesome.” 


You say:  “I like helping the environment in any way I can.  We keep destroying it at 
such a fast rate, every little bit helps.” 


She says:  “I didn’t know that you were so eco-friendly.” 


You say:  “It only takes a few small steps to make a difference, and it doesn’t feel 
like it’s really taking more time or effort than if I weren’t being eco-friendly.” 


She says:  “Tell me more.” 


Then you can tell her some of the ways you are eco-friendly:  recycling, using a drying 
rack instead of a dryer, using recycled paper, etc. 


You can also suggest she checks out www.BBBellezza.com for easy tips and 
handcrafted green jewelry.  (Thanks!!) 



Conversation #2:


If you don’t really want to get into a whole conversation about recycling, try this: 


She says:  “Hey, girl!  I love that cool pendant you have on!” 


You say:  “Thanks so much!  It’s an actual scrabble tile (tip over and show her) and the designer recycled it into this cool jewelry” 


She says:  “Wow, that is awesome.” 


You say:  “You should check out her website at www.BBBellezza.com”  (Or, if you are in Lancaster, PA, you can tell her to check out my booth at Building Character.) 


She says:  “Thanks, I will.” 


Then you have pointed her to my website, where she will find tips for greener living and handcrafted green jewelry.  I'll take it from there.  :)  


Plus, you have my unending gratitude. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I just finished writing a mini eBook:  "Jewelry Trends and Being Eco-Friendly."


This eBook includes lots of great information, including:

• Glossary of eco-friendly terms
• Trends in Jewelry and How to do them the Eco-Friendly Way
• Sample Conversations to help you use your eco-friendly jewelry to start a conversation (or how to still get your point across without having a lengthy conversation.)
• Plus, bonus 14 Simple and Easy Tips for Greener Living.

How much for all this great information in one place?  FREE!!


Just sign up for my email newsletter and it will be emailed to you after you confirm your subscription.  (PLUS, you get a free shipping code to use in my online shop!)

Also, if you are in Lancaster, PA, make sure to click the box to get on my special local email list and get notified whenever I'll being special events in the area!

Subscribe to our mailing list

5 Household Reuses for Newspaper

Really, the best way to avoid wasting newspaper is to not get one to begin with, right?  You can get your news  from the internet, of course, but I do understand holding something phyfsical in your hands.  (I have an eReader, but I still like to read "real" books every once in a while.)

If you subscribe to the daily news, you're going to have a big pile of newspaper in no time at all!  You're going to need to do something with all that paper.

Here are 5 Household Reuses for Newspaper:

1.  Use them for cleaning glass instead of wasting paper towels.
2.  They are great for absorbing odors, so line your vegetable trays in your frig with them. Some people like to put a lining of newspaper then a lining of paper towels.
3.  Crumple them up and put them in your sneakers.  It gets rid of any bad smells PLUS if they are wet/moist, it helps dry them out.
4.  Use in suitcases in storage to keep out bad odors.
5.  Stuff in coolers that you store - it will keep them dry plus keep out odors.

What ways do you reuse newspaper around your house?

Plastic Bags and What You Can Do

Plastic bags are everywhere.  You buy groceries, they put them in a plastic bag.  You go to a store, your purchases are in a plastic bag.  Even at the farmer's market you'll get a plastic bag if you forget your market basket.

If these bags aren't recycled, they end up in the throats and stomachs of wildlife, they clog gutters and sewers and they float on waterways.  The design of a plastic bag is perfect for getting caught around the neck of wildlife or a fin of a fish, and if it gets stuck on the head of an animal they'll suffocate or die of starvation. 

Plastic bags photodegrade, meaning that they break down into small toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways.  They simply don't disappear.

Plastic bags are a major threat the to environment.  They are one of the 12 most found items in cleanups along the coast.  Americans throw out 100 billon plastic bags each year.

What can you do about plastic bags?

It's really easy to avoid all of this.  Just do not use plastic bags!  Take your own reuseable bags to get groceries or when you go shopping! 

I know that it's not always easy to remember, even for me.  Make things easier for yourself: 

• Get one of those folding bags and after you get home and unload it, fold it back up and put it in your purse or put it by the door. 
• Keep extra canvas bags in the car.
• If you can manage without a bag, just ask not to have one.  I actually do this more than I remember to bring my own bag.  I either put the stuff in my purse or just carry it to my destination.

If you do end up with plastic bags, make sure they get to the recycling bin.  (Even this isn't 100% effective.)  Better yet, find creative ways to reuse them.  (I'll be sharing some tutorials on my tutorial website this week.)

How do you avoid getting plastic bags or reuse the plastic bags you get?