I’ve been searching for ways to “green” my life for many years now. Most recently, I’ve been unplugging “vampire” appliances like the TV and computer that draw power even when turned off. For my Etsy shop, right now I use repurposed wrapping and tissue paper for packaging, and I am looking into ways to reuse or recycle my scrap silver wire and chain.
In honor of earth day, the theme for this post is etsy items or shops that are “green” in a variety of ways. There are so many lovely things out there to fit this theme, I’ve chosen just a few. Enjoy!
In honor of earth day, the theme for this post is etsy items or shops that are “green” in a variety of ways. There are so many lovely things out there to fit this theme, I’ve chosen just a few. Enjoy!
One very popular way of making eco-friendly crafts is to recycle or repurpose previously used items into new crafts.
For example, FiveForty makes beautiful rugs from recycled textiles:
For example, FiveForty makes beautiful rugs from recycled textiles:
ViolaStudio makes beautiful stuffed hippos from wool sweaters (you know I couldn’t resist anyone making ‘green’ hippos!!)
Will613 makes art from recycled glass beer bottles. I especially love these engraved sea turtle glasses, wow!
Some do the same by giving vintage materials a new use.
Check out this adorable ring from RingalingbyBeth, using a vintage button:
Check out this adorable ring from RingalingbyBeth, using a vintage button:
Or this pair of earrings by Skeptis, using vintage beads and accents:
Another way to ‘green’ your shop is to use sustainable materials. I’ve often wondered about beads of wood, or shell, and where supplier get those items from. Do they harm animals and environments, chop down endangered trees to make those available to me?
This item from Valerie Taylor Designs answers that concern by using a sustainable material: the tagua nut. As she states in her description, not only is the material sustainable, but the harvesting of these nuts also employs many people! And as you can see it has been used here to accent a beautiful sterling-silver bluejay:
This item from Valerie Taylor Designs answers that concern by using a sustainable material: the tagua nut. As she states in her description, not only is the material sustainable, but the harvesting of these nuts also employs many people! And as you can see it has been used here to accent a beautiful sterling-silver bluejay:
Even soaps can be "green." Pink Parchment Soaps makes vegan soaps using natural oils. No phosphates are used in these yummy-sounding soaps, as phosphates can cause algae blooms. Some algae releases toxins that can have a negative effect on both animals and humans. Here is one example from her shop, a sandalwood soap:
I found many of these items by posting a request in the Etsy forums, and I really enjoyed reading how everyone has tried to make their products eco-friendly. I’m definitely inspired to look for ways of repurposing materials in my own shop. Thank you everyone! Please leave a comment with your ideas for how to your life or your crafts green!