Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label handmade. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Green Rocking Horses Stevenson Brothers Reducing Carbon Footprints

stevenson brothers rocking horses
Photo Credit:  Stevenson Brothers  , This Rocking Horse Is the Arab Horse
This Rocking Horse is Green, Literally.

It's nice to know that a company can start small, and grow large but keep their green and sustainable values. The Stevenson brothers are twins in the United Kingdom that have been handcrafting rocking horses since the 1980's. No matter how big and fancy they get, they keep in mind ways to reduce waste and live green.

rocking horses stevenson brothers uk
Photo Credit: Stevenson Brothers Rocking Horses
Steps to Stay Green

Stevenson Brothers rocking horses are made from locally grown wood, wherever possible, to minimize the carbon footprint. All horses are made by hand using traditional methods; no machinery is used in crafting the horse. Can you imagine that, just look at them for knowing they are 100% handmade is truly amazing.
hand crafted rocking horse
Photo Credit: Stevenson Brothers, this is the 30th Anniversary Dapple Horse.


Replenishing Trees : From the UK with Love

On top of that each year at Christmas, Stevenson Brothers send an oak tree to a number of their customers which they can plant to replace the wood used in the making of their rocking horse. It's true.  American companies could sure learn a lot from these folks. Kudos to you United Kingdom guys. Check them out at StevensonBrothers and read how they've grown. Shouldn't they win the green company of the year award or something like that ? 

Related Items: 



You Tube Video about these Stevenson Brothers Rocking Horses

Another article about UK Rocking Horses


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Interview with Gloria of Lolailo



Lolailo is a shop who believes in the importance of reducing and reusing. Lolailo is based out of Fairfield, California and is owned and operated by my Etsy Recyclers Guild team member, Gloria.








Q. Tell me a little about yourself:

When I am not unemployed, I am a winemaker. I grew up in Spain. I live near the Napa Valley, I am married to a winemaker, and I must say we drink quite well at our house. In my newly found spare time I have reconnected with my crafts, which is something that had been falling by the wayside little by little. I also take classes at the community college by my house and practice kickboxing.

Q. When did you first start crafting?

My mom is a very creative person, and I’ve been crafting since I was able to hold a pair of scissors, pretty much.

Q. Please describe your work in detail. What's your favorite type of crafting/art?

I primarily make bulletin/message boards using wine corks and old frames. My love for corks came through my job. I was fascinated by the typography and design that each producer used. I was dismayed at these very interesting and diverse corks ending up in the garbage after a tasting, so I started hoarding them. I investigated what to do with them, and of all the many crafts you can use corks for, the bulletin board was my favorite. I am a pragmatic person, so I like things that have a function. I go to thrift stores and garage sales and look for frames suited to become cork boards.















Q. How has your work evolved from your earlier work?

I have become more flexible, in that I can see more possibilities on frames that perhaps I would have dismissed earlier on. I decorate the frames, paint them, nail beer caps onto them... Anything to rescue unloved frames from the landfill.

Q. Where do you get your inspiration?

I get a lot of inspiration from the frames themselves. There is nothing standard about creating something out of a “found object”, so when I’m ready to tackle a new project, I just throw some corks into the frame and start playing with them, forming a design, changing it, and eventually I come up with a plan.

Q. Where are your products sold (online/stores)?

Online at Lolailo.

Q. What advice can you give other crafters when selling their items?

I am trying to figure out so many things myself! I find Etsy to be full of very experienced and talented artisans, who tackle crafting as a business. I read the forums and the blogs as much as I can, and try to heed their advice.
















Q. Describe yourself in three words:

Recently Etsy had a similar exercise, but we had six words! This exercise was based on Ernest Hemingway's claim that he could write a good story in six words.
I wrote:
“Spanish winemaker hates throwing corks away”

Q. Is there is anything else you'd like to share with us?

Treasuries are a wonderful way to connect with other Etsians, promote your items and develop an aesthetic eye. The fairest treasury team I know is the Pay It Forward Team. We follow the Golden Rule and try to be as helpful as possible. Please look us up! Everybody is welcome to join!

You can find Gloria online at the following places:

Lolailo on Etsy
Facebook
Twitter
Kaboodle



Saturday, January 1, 2011

Get to know our awsome team captain, Cindy of Retro Chalet

I joined the Etsy Recyclers Guild Team a few months ago and have had a pleasant experience from day one. Cindy our team captain and team leader has several shops on Etsy. Her main shop is Retro Chalet and her second shop is Retro Chalet Studio. She sells really cool vintage stuff including vintage buttons, vintage Melmac, vintage block letters, vintage advertising and other vintage items at Retro Chalet.

Her Etsy bio says, "Dumpster Diving Diva, Recycler, Artist, Writer, and Greenie. Proud Team Leader of the Etsy Recyclers Guild. Member of the Vintage Etsy Society Street Team. Do-gooder".

Lot of vintage buttons $12.00
Photobucket

In her Retro Chalet Studio shop, she sells a variety of cute recycled handmade art things such as poker chips with cute images taken from vintage books and other sources (these are made into pendants), mixed media collages and other jewelry pieces.

WATER LILY - Pendant - 1930s Vintage Ephemera - Eco Friendly Blue Poker Chip Pond Plant Pendant $12.95
Photobucket

Cindy is the type of person who is willing to go above and beyond for anyone. She's always willing to promote other team members because that's just who she is. I've never met her in person, but we have exchanged quite a few messages and I feel as if I've gotten to know her. She's a genuine person who would give anyone the shirt off her back if it came down to it. She gives 110% and more in everything she does. I would like to thank Cindy from the bottom of my heart for everything she has done for our team and for me. You can get to know Cindy better by clicking the links below:

Retro Chalet
Retro Chalet Studio
Ira Mency
Ira Mency Blogspot
Twitter