My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”), and I am a crafts and food writer from Atlanta, Georgia with a passion for making our planet a healthier, happier, and more compassionate place to live. My mission is to make vegan food and crafts accessible to everyone!. If you like my work, you can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.
Party planning can be as fun as the party itself, but those store-bought decorations are often far from eco-friendly. When you shop at the big box store for bunting, streamers, and table decorations, chances are you’re getting products made in a far off factory from questionable materials. No, thank you! Here are five ideas for upcycled, handmade party decorations that can keep your next shindig as eco-friendly without giving up any of the fun!
One of my very best friends is having a baby in May, and last weekend we threw her a baby shower. Of course, we wanted to make things extra fancy with festive decorations, so a couple of us party planners got together for a crafternoon, where we schemed up the party layout and made some decorations. I had a great time churning out these felt streamers, and they were super simple to make! Here’s how you can make your own.
How-to: Reusable Party Streamers from Recycled Felt Read More 👉
A reader wrote in not long ago wondering about where she could donate some gently used needlecraft supplies she’d inherited, since she wasn’t a needlecrafter herself.
Reader Question: What to Do with Needlecraft Supplies Read More 👉
I was taken aback when a reader recently asked if we could look into the rumor that Spoonflower outsources some of its printing production to South America and uses child labor. Organic cotton printed by a company that exploits children would be far from green, in my opinion!
Does Spoonflower outsource printing and use child labor? Read More 👉
The trick with burlap is that for some reason it seems hard to find. Conventional fabric stores don’t often stock it, and it’s tricky to navigate online burlap resources. So, how’s a gal supposed to make a burlap fabric box? Fear not! I’ve dug around and found some resources for burlap, so you don’t have to do the legwork.
5 Resources for Finding Burlap Read More 👉
We have been all about the beeswax this week! Julie shared a recipe for natural beeswax furniture polish on Monday and then a whole roundup of beeswax crafts yesterday. I’ve got to say that as a vegan crafter, I want to get in on all this eco-friendly waxy action! But since beeswax comes from bees, that makes it off limits for vegan crafting purposes. So! I did a bit of digging and turned up a great vegan beeswax alternative!
Vegan Crafting Made Easy: A Vegan Beeswax Alternative Read More 👉
If you’re shopping at conventional stores for tablescape supplies, chances are they’re not so eco-friendly. From linens to dishware to candles and centerpieces, there are lots of ways to make a tablescape that reflects your beliefs without sacrificing beauty. Here are some tablescape ideas to get you started…
Create a Beautiful Repurposed Tablescape! Read More 👉
Of course, I could have hit up the big box store for a table runner, but where’s the fun in that? Plus, those store-bought situations tend to involve either conventional cotton or some type of polyester, and they’re made in far-off factories. Who knows what the labor practices are there, right? Instead, I hit my stash and whipped up this reclaimed table runner that’s exactly the right size for my new sideboard. Here’s how you can make a table runner of your own!
How-to: Make a Repurposed Table Runner Read More 👉
It can be tricky to scale your production up and keep that packaging green. Minimal packaging is always best, but when it comes to beauty products there are some things that just need a package. You can’t exactly spoon a glob of lip gloss into your customer’s hand, right?
Reader Question: Eco-Friendly Containers for Beauty Products Read More 👉
We’ve talked some about the joys of burlap before. Burlap is made from jute, a very low-impact plant to grow. Not only that, it’s pretty easy to get second hand burlap, if you know where to look. Local coffee shops, especially ones that roast their own beans, tend to be rich with big, empty burlap sacks. If you frequent a local coffee shop, get friendly with the staff and ask nicely – I bet they’ll be happy to give you a burlap sack or two!
5 Awesome Ways to Repurpose a Burlap Coffee Sack Read More 👉
I’ve had a few conversations recently about eco-friendly crafts and supplies that have made it really clear to me that green crafting is not a black and white thing. Like so many other things, there’s definitely a continuum with green crafting, and lately I’ve started to wonder how “green” a project needs to be for it to be an eco craft.
What does green crafting mean to you? Read More 👉
Between gifts and a night out on the town, Valentine’s day can get pretty pricey, but it doesn’t have to be! Instead of heading out to dinner this year, why not whip up a romantic meal for two and transform your living- or dining-room into a perfect Valentine’s day date spot?
Brr! It’s getting chilly out there again. Wristwarmers can add an extra layer of cozy to your winter look, but the store-bought kind often aren’t the most eco-friendly. Chances are, they’re mass-produced in a factory using conventional cotton (with all of the issues that come along with it). You can skip the human rights and environmental issues, though, and make your very own set of wristwarmers out of a thrift store sweater instead! Here’s how.
How-to: Make Lovebird Wristwarmers from Sweater Sleeves Read More 👉
Can you believe that Valentine’s day is coming already? Don’t fret! You still have time to make it a romantic, handmade holiday! Here are 10 ideas for DIY Valentine’s Day gifts for him.
10 DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him Read More 👉
The thing about crafting for dudes is that it’s hard to resist my inner urge to fancy things up with hearts and flowers and whatnot. Plus, since this is a Valentine’s day gift for him, I wanted it to have a little bit of romance! My solution was to tuck a secret little heart inside the neckwarmer, so I can be mushy without treading on this project’s manliness. Here’s how to make your very own!
DIY Valentine’s Day Gift for Him: Neckwarmer with a Hidden Heart Read More 👉
You know we love a good t-shirt reuse project around here, so I was pleased as punch when reader Nancy Sharp was kind enough to share her idea for reusing a sentimental t-shirt that was past its prime…
Reader Tip: T-Shirt as Art Read More 👉
A reader recently wrote in with a great question about finding a food-safe fabric for making snack and sandwich bags. She was specifically looking for a laminated cotton fabric that was eco-friendly. In digging to answer this question, I found a ton of information and a few ideas for the safest ways to make reusable snack bags that are at least semi leak proof.
Reader Question: Food Safe Fabric for Sandwich Bags Read More 👉
The new year is all about changes, and that probably means ridding your walls of those outdated calendars from last year, right? It also seems to be The Month of Promotional Calendars, when unwanted calendars from businesses flood our mailboxes. Rather than toss all of that paper into the recycle bin, you can get crafty and turn those old calendars into something new. Here are some crafty uses for old calendars to get you started!
10 Ways to Upcycle an Old Calendar Read More 👉
This treat box tutorial requires no glue and no tape. All that you need is a calendar, a ruler, and a pair of scissors!
How-to: Turn an Old Calendar into a Treat Box Read More 👉
This necktie headband took me all of 5 minutes to make. Bing bang boom! Here’s how you can make your own!
Tutorial: The 5 Minute Headband Read More 👉
Do you ever look at your closet and just feel like you have nothing to wear? No more! Use your crafty superpowers to revamp that wardrobe and save yourself a shopping trip.
21 Ways to Refashion Your Wardrobe Read More 👉
We are all about the green crafty inspiration around here, so of course we love Pinterest!
Connect with Us on Pinterest! Read More 👉
I am a firm believer that skirts ought to have pockets. I mean, really – what garment isn’t improved with a little pocket action, right?
Clothing designers do not seem to agree with my pocket philosophy, though, which I think is a terrible shame. Luckily, with a little crafty know-how, you can add a pocket to almost any skirt to stash, say, your key, money, and ID for an evening out. Take that, pocket-haters!
How-to: Add a Kangaroo Pocket to Your Favorite Skirt Read More 👉
Here at CAGW, we are decking the halls with some handmade cheer, wrapping up the last of our handmade gifts, and spending some good old quality time with friends and family. You’re probably doing the same, but just in case you want to get your last-minute Christmas craft on, we’ve got some projects for you!
Have Yourself a Crafty Little Christmas Read More 👉
Have you ever fallen into a crafty rut? Been stumped by something that you want to repurpose but just can’t sort out how? Searched for an eco-friendly version of a craft supply with no luck? Well, lovely readers, we want to help!
Reader Questions, Answered Read More 👉
As a crafty business owner, business cards are a must! I am all about making your own business cards if you have the time, but let’s be honest: sometimes, you have to prioritize. When time doesn’t allow for making cards, the next best thing is finding business cards that are as eco-friendly as possible.
Green Business Cards: A Moo Review Read More 👉
Free craft supplies that reduce landfill waste? Don’t mind if I do! Here are some wood slice craft projects I found to use up the wood slices I snagged at the local hardware store.
8 Awesome Wood Slice Craft Projects Read More 👉
As always, I couldn’t resist scouring this year’s Indie Craft Experience for new green crafters on the scene, and the folks at Reuse First really stood out to me. Jeremiah and Michelle’s mix of sweet and cheeky paper goods totally caught my eye, and they were kind enough to answer some questions about what they do and why they do it! Their insights into waste, reuse, and consumerism are really refreshing.
Talking Waste, Consumerism, and Reuse with Reuse First Read More 👉
Here’s how you can make your very own reusable snack bag. This tutorial will make a 7″ X 6.5″ bag, which is a good size for little snacks or even a small sandwich. If you need something bigger or smaller, you can play around with the dimensions to whip up whatever size you like!
How-to: Sew a Reusable Snack Bag Read More 👉
You might think that you have to be an expert seamstress to mend damaged clothes, but that’s not true at all! You don’t even need a sewing machine – just a needle, thread, and a bit of patience are all it takes to repair damaged clothing.
On the Mend: 4 Stitches to Repair Damaged Clothing Read More 👉
Don’t let a busted pocket mean the end for your favorite garment. You can repair instead of replacing with one simple stitch!
How-to: Repair a Separated Pocket Read More 👉
Etching cream is one of the simplest ways to get started with DIY glass etching, and you can even make custom stencils to fancy things up!
DIY Glass Etching: Thrift, Tape Go! Read More 👉
One of the recycled crafty resources that came up a lot during this year’s and last year’s Summit of Awesome was the Creative Reuse Center. But what’s a Creative Reuse Center, and how can you find one near you?
Creative Reuse Center: A Recycled Art Supply Resource Read More 👉
It has been positively blustery out there lately, and that chilly weather gets me in the mood to craft with sweaters. Luckily, when the weather gets colder, thrift stores are busting with sweaters, so even if you don’t have any in your stash, you can still find sweaters to upcycle for all sorts of fun, fall-themed projects.
5 Fall Projects to Recycle Old Sweaters Read More 👉
D’oh! It seems that I sent one of my sweaters through the dryer, and it shrunk beyond the point where I can salvage it. Technically, what’s happened here is that I accidentally felted my sweater. Yep! Felting a wool sweater is so easy that you can do it without even meaning to. My closet’s loss is my accessory stash’s gain, though, because I turned that shrunken sweater into a super cozy infinity scarf.
Do you have a shrunken sweater that needs a little love? Here’s how you can make your very own infinity scarf.
How-to: Infinity Scarf from a Shrunken Sweater Read More 👉
We had an overwhelmingly awesome response to our call for writers. A huge thank you to everyone who applied. It was so hard to choose between the amazing submissions, and I wish we had more room on the writing team right now. I am thrilled to introduce you to our newest writer: Bonnie Getchell!
Meet Our Newest Writer: Bonnie Getchell Read More 👉
