Eco Art for the Eco-Chic

I'm not crafty, and it when it comes to turning my old stuff into something I might actually want to keep or even give to someone else, I am completely at a loss. What I do know though, is that the landfills are full, and we are running out of resources. Therefore, every item that we consider trash should first be looked at as the raw material needed to create something else.

Stepped Vinyl Record Bowl from Eco-Artware - think how much cooler your popcorn will be when served in this bowl.

Lucky for us non-crafties, there are plenty of creative people out there that see a juice carton and think, "Recycled Clutch!" or see egg cartons, and think, "Foot Stool!" Well, maybe not that many...but fortunately there are enough crafty geniuses, who can turn a billboard into a fashionable travel bag, or a glass bottle into earrings, that there are now many websites selling their eco-fabulous wares.

Eco-Artware is a "one-stop gift shop for all things beautiful, well-made, and environmentally friendly. Over at Ecoist, where all products are made from "recycled, organic, or earth-friendly materials," many more eco-friendly bags, jewelry, and assorted trinkets can be found. Lastly, I am a huge fan of jewelry designer Katherine Plate, who makes handcrafted jewelry at her company Smart Glass Jewelry, out of, you guessed it, recycled glass.





(top left) Recyled Glass Earrings from Smart Glass Jewelry
(bottom left) Ecoist's one of a kind repurposed laptop bag from a Harry Potter billboard

What's more, even if you are all thumbs and wouldn't even dream of attempting to sew a button, or the craft scene doesn't really appeal to you, there are plenty of recycling resources on Eco-Artware's site as well. So if you ever wondered what to do with your old bicycle, CD's, and even yogurt cups (Send to ibike.org, greendisk/ecodisk, and terracycle respectively), you can find the answers on this site.

These websites are great places to visit for a Mother's Day gift, a birthday present, or a treat for yourself. Plus, instead of contributing to the consumption of products made from virgin resources, you will be supporting the new movement towards sustainable, renewable goods. And for the record, you'll look pretty cool too.