Today's How-To: 100% Reclaimed Brooch

This is a design I created last week, and it's pretty simple to make so i thought I should share it. The original is still available through my etsy site.

Materials:
left-over piece of cool thick wool yarn, approx. 8-10 feet long depending on thickness
circular vintage pin
a felting needle (optional, however using one will improve the quality of the brooch)



As this is my first DIY of my own that I am posting, I hope that the hand-written directions are clear enough... I try not to be a total computer-person but still do some things on paper. Also that way I get to draw, which I like. If it doesn't work, I'll start typing the directions next time.





I really like the result. I think my favorite thing about this is that almost everyone who has ever knitted or crocheted has some cool wool yarn somewhere that is just too short for anything knitted. I also like the fact that old ugly metal pins are plenty in any thrift store (or in your mom's jewelry box. Please, do ask for permission if this is your source of material.)

What do you guys think?

Compostable Planters from EcoForms

As it is spring, it's time to get garden planters and plant all kinds of yummy edibles! I do generally avoid buying anything new, and try to stay with re-purposing and re-using already existing material... However, sometimes something so genius and so beautiful comes my way that I cannot resist.

That's what happened with these beautiful planters, called Ecoforms.



These pots are made from renewable grain fibers. The material is a by-product. And guess what. When you no longer want your eco pot you can just toss it in your compost pile - they are 100% biodegradable! I really like the fact that the Ecoforms company was not satisfied with merely an ecological product and production line, but they also paid due attention to the shape, design, and color of their product.



find out more and get your own ecoforms at
their online store

Today's amazing idea is totally borrowed!

Tiny Terrariums in Lightbulbs! WOW! This creation is By Juliette Melton, and I found it at
The Hipster Home blog

where you can also find the instructions for making these! Thank you Julie and the THH blog!

The cool thing about these is that I have for a long time been holding on to my old non-fluorescent bulbs. I replaced all my bulbs before the old one's were totally out to save energy and money - so don't buy new bulbs, but use old ones - and if you don't have any, ask your neighbors.

There must be other people who hold on to their old light bulbs, right? Oh wait, please do not answer that question... I do not want to know if I am the only one...

These Might Be Old News for Some People, but WOW.

"AMONG the traditional brick and clapboard structures that line the streets of this sleepy East Texas town, 70 miles north of Houston, a few houses stand out: their roofs are made of license plates, and their windows of crystal platters.

They are the creations of Dan Phillips, 64, ---. About 12 years ago, Mr. Phillips began his latest career: building low-income housing out of trash."

excerpt from 'One Man's Trash...' by Kate Murphy, New York Times, 9/2/2009

I read this New York Times article last fall when it was first published. It has haunted me ever since... If we can make such beautiful houses from some 90% reclaimed materials, AND save on cost, why are we not doing more of it? I cannot wait to be ready to settle down and design a house!

and, check out the slide show - these houses are as far from what most people envision when they think of low-income housing as possible!

Rusty Cookie Sheet Can Become Beautiful Wall Art

This is a piece I made last Fall. I absolutely love the texture the rust makes of the cookie sheet. I carried it with me for quite a while (and across the country) until my welding class at The Crucible in Oakland thought me the necessary skills to make it into a unique wall art piece with a bird silhouette.

Cute garden markers for this season

I came across this when thinking about making some garden markers for this spring season... Hand-hammered and stamped antique spoons for your garden. I think Hammermann's idea is just absolutely gorgeous, and I do not think I could top that. These rustic old spoons are just so cute. What more appropriate for your vegetable/herb garden than utensils?

I want a garden plot just so I can get some of these...

Find these spoons on Hammermann's etsy

today is the end of putting off projects.

The fact that I am once again moving across the Atlantic really helps me get my act together.

During the last few years I have collected so many materials for projects small and large, and thought that 'One day I can make something from these things you call Junk'. Well... Now is that day. Today is the beginning of my two-month plan to make all my material into artwork and/or functional items. It is also the day that I am really stepping up to say unemployment is not my game.

I have started my etsy account, and about to sign up for a paypal account. I am hoping that all the things I have collected and carried with me from one house to another will actually do what I thought they might - help me make a living, and help make the world a pretty and green place.

Tell me, what is your inspiration for getting all those projects going that you have put off for the last years?