About
Established November 19th, 2007 as part of the Green Options blog network.
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Green is the new black, as they say, but what in the world does that mean? It means living sustainably is the “cool” thing to do, but some of us have been doing these things for years. Take crafters for example - many of us keep scraps of fabrics from other projects for future use, “frog” old sweaters and scarves to have fresh yarn to work with, and tweak items and patterns we find to make them just right for our tastes.
The renewed popularity of green living has benefits for creative folks, including new sustainable fabrics and innovate ideas for reusing a plethora of resources. For those of us who enjoy being a part of the creative process or are beginning to experiment with do-it-yourself projects, then Crafting a Green World is for you!
We feature everything from eco-patterns, supplies, and creators to book reviews and event/sale notices. Crafting a Green World (CAGW) is your #1 resource for organic, natural, and recycled crafty projects, products, media, and businesses.
Whether you are a novice, a pro, or somewhere in between, Crafting a Green World has the sustainable crafty content you are looking for.
+ Blog Editor and Lead Writer: Autumn Wiggins of The Law of Blogity
My contributions to the indie craft community include creating and coordinating the Strange Folk Festival, EtsyLou Street Team, and representing my region at Craft Congress. In the heartland, my craft hand is way strong! More importantly, I have been walking the path of the modern crafter, evolving my own handmade microbrand. I sew mainly, but also dabble in knitting, spinning, screen printing, beading, paper crafts, embroidery, macrame, and book binding.
There is already a large facet of the craft sub-culture that utilizes vintage and re-purposed materials. I feel it is important to recognize this isn’t always an option for crafters who prefer consistency or wish to sell their creations. It’s up to the DIY community at large to create demand for sustainable and eco-friendly supplies. It’s our responsibility to transform what others would discard, when that is the catalyst of our imagination.
+ Contributing Writer: Juliet Ames of The Broken Plate Pendant Company
Juliet Ames breaks plates for a living. A metals and craft major at Towson University, Ames went on to work for the Howard County Arts Council organizing gallery exhibits. Meanwhile, she kept up her own craftwork. The plate-breaking started with a mosaic mailbox. “There were leftover pieces, so I soldered them and wrapped them around my neck and got a lot of compliments,” says Ames, 28, who just had her first child, a boy.
Then things got crazy. “I got addicted to breaking plates,” Ames says. She quit her job and started selling her jewelry at craft shows and through Etsy.com, an online market for handmade goods.
Ames, a Baltimore native, collects plates obsessively. (“I think I’ve cleaned out all of Maryland of the great plates.”) She loves Johnson Brothers pieces. And china comes to her: “I wake up sometimes to plates at my doorstep.”
She breaks the plates with a hammer, smoothes the edges with a glass grinder, wraps the pieces in copper tape, puts lead-free solder around that and creates anything your heart desires: rings, earrings, cufflinks, necklaces.
Lately she’s started working with broken wedding plates, making necklaces for single friends of the bride. (Breaking plates is a tradition in many cultures.) “It’s a good-luck thing,” says Ames.
[Photo by Bryan Burris]+ Contributing Writer: Tara Hogan of Ink + Wit
Born and raised in Southern Connecticut and currently residing in Fayetteville, New York. With a background in graphic design and illustration, and an enjoyable career as a yoga instructor, I also custom illustrate and design for my line, INK+WIT, started in 2004. The line embraces simplicity, elegance, and the environment using soy based inks, recycled papers, and 100% cotton both in letterpress printing and apparel.
The underlying theme in all the work is that nothing in life is insignificant, especially nature and its beings … not only human beings, but animals, plants, and the mystical dialog between them all. Indeed, we are all having a conversation whether we know it or not.
Early experiences of my native New England state of Connecticut influenced my love of weathered materials on the shore in addition to coastal birds walking amidst thin brushes of seaweed and sticks. In addition, the diversity of New York City, being only an hour away from home, opened my eyes to a larger scale of proportions and grandeur. I have a loving appreciation for nature’s intricate beauty combined with modern urban style. I see the world as organic and bright.
+ Contributing Writer: Skye Kilaen
Skye Kilaen began sewing at an early age and eco-rabble-rousing shortly after that. Many years later, someone finally told her that there are books about how to make quilts. Life was never the same.
In fact, she spent more on her sewing machine than her car. Bringing her green and crafty passions back together, Skye is now happily discovering ways to create beautiful and useful objects using thrifted and sustainable materials.
No, that’s not just an excuse to visit Goodwill more often. Honest.
+ Contributing Writer: Kelly Rand
Kelly felt the need to move to the District of Columbia to infiltrate the world of non-profits and to give up her vote in Congress. An environmentalist by day, and blogger by night, Kelly spends her free time by pursuing crafty endeavors and volunteering for numerous causes. She is an avid knitter and fabric hoarder, whose stash of crafty material threatens to take over her tiny apartment.
+ Contributing Writer: Emma Henderson of Showpony
Emma Henderson launched Showpony in 2006 with an aim to produce fun and engaging printed products for the home and accessories market. Trompe l’oeil meaning to ‘trick the eye’ is a theme which runs through much of Emma’s designs, from hiding bugs within the folds of her cushions or using vintage images on modern shapes. Inspired by honesty in nature and poking fun at real life she creates products that are functional and beautiful. She is passionate about creating new products but remains committed to sustainable design all of Showpony’s products are made using organic cotton which is hand spun and woven by a fair-trade cooperative.
+ Contributing Writer: Melissa Stadja of The Stanley Family Lodge
I quite frequently describe myself as a “busy bee” because I’m constantly pursuing different ideas and interests. Over the past 12 years I’ve attending 4 colleges, lived in 3 states, created 2 successful businesses, married my best friend, adopted a giant Chihuahua named Elliott, self-published 2 issues of the internet zine What You Make It, bought my first home, and most recently gave birth to my first child Clara June. When you add it all up I either seem crazy or incredibly productive.
My most recent projects include running the earth friendly online shop The Stanley Family Lodge with my husband, and keeping up my personal blog Making Home. When I’m not glued to my iMac or being at the beck-and-call of my two month old daughter, I enjoy: living a greener life, cooking vegan, home-making, sewing, painting, and dabbling in just about everything under the sun.
