Upcycle, Recycle, Repurpose....what?

There are so many words thrown around having to do with environmentally friendliness, recycling, etc. that it can make your head spin!  So, I thought I'd explain these words and my understanding of them.

First, there are the 3 R's:  Recycle, Reuse, Reduce

Recycle

Recycling is processing used materials (a/k/a waste) into new products to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage by not producing new materials, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production.

Reuse

To use again.

Reduce

To minimize the amount of waste produced.

Upcycling (and this is the term I most identify my work with)

The process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials of better quality or a higher environmental value.

Eco-friendly (a/k/a environmentally friendly)

Used to refer to goods and services, laws, guidelines and policies considered to inflict minimal or no harm on the environment.

To make consumers aware, environmentally friendly goods/services often are marked with labels indicating so.  But, because there is no single international standard for this concept, the Internal Organization for Standardization considers such labels too vague to be meaningful.

Green

See above for eco-friendly

Reclaim

To bring into useable condition.

To recall from wrong or improper conduct.

To rescue from an undesirable state; to restore to a previous natural state

To obtain from a waste product or by-product.

Repurpose

Similar to upcycling.  Taking something and converting it into something else.

Are there other "green" terms that you use, or that you hear used?

Thursday Green Artist(s) of the Week: The Hodge Podgery

Okay, so this week I am not bringing you ONE artist, but a whole slew of artists coming together at the Hodge Podgery!

The Hodge Podgery is an amazing new store in Harrisburg featuring an eclectic mix of handmade and upcycled goodies.

What they say about their store: "Focusing on making old things new, turning trash to treasure and waste-not, want-not philosophies, we hope to bring some joy and enlightenment to your day with ever changing offerings of functional items with a twist. We want you to get out of the cookie cutter world of disposable mass-produced consumer goods. It’s time to re-group and re-focus on buying handmade local goods, from talented local people. Viva la difference!!"

Of course, with such a great mission, B.B. Bellezza is part of this store, too!

If you are local, you have to stop in! The store is wonderful, Dawn and Jessica (owners) are complete delights. Seriously, you can't talk to Dawn for more than 2 seconds without smiling!

For a lot more photos, check out their flickr photostream.

1100 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

They also have classes and workshops scheduled!

Scrabble Tile Pendant Subscriptions

A couple weeks ago at my Virtual Open House I launched my new Scrabble Tile Subscriptions - 3 months, 6 months or 12 months.

Basically, you get a pendant each month sent directly to your home (or you can pick them up at First Friday at my stand) and you get a discount! Plus, you get to pick out a free cord to wear your pendants on and free shipping! It's quite a deal!

And, as you may know, I use only upcycled scrabble tiles. I get my tiles from auctions, yard sales or from people who have lost some pieces and cannot play the actual game again.

[D e t a i l s]

You can choose between 4 different types of Scrabble Tile Pendant Subscriptions (Dictionary, Japanese papers, Cute, or Mix it up! – more information below) and 2 delivery options: Pick up at First Friday at Building Character, or mail delivery the following Monday(more information below.)

With your subscription, you pick out one (1) free cord or chain of your choice that are available at my stand or in my shop (cotton cord, black velvet cord, silver plated chains, or ball chains. Link these.) You can use the same cord or chain with each pendant that you will receive.

About each subscription type:

Dictionary: For this subscription, each month you will receive a different pendant with a word and partial definition from a vintage dictionary or encyclopedia. Each subscriber may receive different words, depending upon availability of dictionary/encyclopedia pages each month. The words will be uplifting, hopeful and cheerful type words.

Japanese papers: I love the gorgeous color combinations of Japanese papers. Many of the beautiful floral and graphic pendants you have seen at my stand or on my website are Japanese papers.

Cute: These include sweet graphic images of hedgehogs, owls, squirrels, mushrooms, to name a just a few.

Mix it Up!: Each month you will be surprised among the categories!

Delivery:

Your monthly pendant will be available for pickup each First Friday at BUiLDiNG CHARACTER 342 N. Queen Street, Rear, Lancaster, PA - if choose to pick up. If you choose the pickup option, but cannot make it one month, I will automatically mail all subscriptions that have not been picked up at First Friday. Shipping is free within the United States.

OR if you are not local to Lancaster, Pennsylvania (U.S.A.), then I will ship out your pendant monthly.

Prices:

3 Month Subscription (3 pendants) $20.00 (save $1, plus free cord and free shipping)

6 Month Subscription (6 pendants) $38.00 (save $4, plus free cord and free shipping)

12 Month Subscription (12 pendants) $76.00 (save $8, plus free cord and free shipping)

Let me know if you have any questions. These subscriptions will also be available to purchase at upcoming shows and First Friday in August.

Peek Through the Keyhole

Sometimes when I am designing a piece, my heart starts to race and I can't wait to see it completed. I go to bed that night and can't wait to get up in the morning to see it again and touch it and maybe make another one.

I realized the last time this happened (which was a couple of days ago on this piece) that it feels a lot like falling in love.

I don't always feel this way about a piece. I always really love each piece I make, but maybe I am not smitten.

This piece uses 2 keyhole covers (escutcheons) and the innards of a watch. Don't worry, I didn't abuse a perfectly good watch, these were watches that were destined to remain un-admired the rest of their short lives. I gave them new life!

You can see the watch parts from each side of the piece by peeking through the keyhole. The piece is nice and long on brass chain.

I made a total of 4 of these (and yes I kept one for myself!) and each is slightly different. This is the only one with the winder on the side still.

This one will be listed in my Etsy Shop. There will also be one at my stand at Building Character, and another is destined for the Hodge Podgery. (Which I am very late in getting my things out to, but I am extremely thrilled and excited for the opening!)

The keyhole covers themselves are from Building Character. I think I bought all of the brass ones they had. If I can get more, I am sure I will make more....but you can never tell with these sorts of designs.

Thursday Green Artist of the Week - Redux Redux

I am so delighted to feature a wonderful green artist this week, Redux Redux. Redux Redux’s tagline is “gifts that leave small footprints.”

re • dux (rē-dŭks'): [adj] brought back; returned; resurgent

Redux Redux uses reclaimed pieces whenever possible. For example, their Dashies and Windies use reclaimed jewelry pieces to make your rearview mirror, computer screen, or really anywhere you can hang it, more fun.

Redux Redux also has adorable treasure/keepsake boxes made from plastic boxes that used to hold microscope slides. So cute!

Look how beautiful these aroma tins are! The embellishments are made from recycled and reclaimed papers.

Here’s an example of Redux Redux’s green packaging!



Looking through Redux Redux’s Etsy Shop shows that recycling can be beautiful. Giving something a second chance not only makes the planet more beautiful, but the items themselves can be beautiful as well!

The Interview:

1. How/when did you get your start?

I got started a couple of months ago when I found myself working 24/7. I couldn’t even remember what I used to do for fun, so I knew it was time to find something that was stress-reducing. Crafting helps give my life a sense of balance.

2. What specifically do you do that is “green” in your business?

We reclaim and reuse materials whenever possible. Old jewelry becomes a window decoration. Paper scraps get used to make tags and embellishments. Plastic bags get made into garlands and pom-poms. Petals that fall off of silk flowers at the craft store get upcycled into embellishments for sachets/aroma bead tins. Junk mail envelopes get stamped and embellished and turned into tiny gift bags…You get the idea…It is a fun challenge to look at something that someone is ready to throw away and figure out a creative use for it.

3. Why have you decided to use these green practices or make these products?

It just feels right. Honestly, doesn’t it get to you that we throw out so much stuff? I don’t like clutter so this gives me a chance to re-use things and give them a fresh, clean feel.

4. Do you have one tip for people to incorporate being green into their everyday life?

Be okay with not being perfect. Little things matter. I always tell myself that any little thing I do is better than not doing anything. It’s not a competition to be ‘the greenest.’ Just do what you can do and feel good about it.

5. Anything else you would like to add?

The proceeds of our shop go to my daughter who is studying sustainable development and agroecology. She’s developing a web-business to get college kids to purchase jewelry and accessories from women in developing nations as opposed to buying things at the local mall. She has worked on an organic farm in Mexico and in the rain forest building trails in Costa Rica. I’m so lucky to have her in my life!

Find Redux Redux
on Etsy: http://reduxredux.etsy.com/