Can't Find Your Dream Job? Create It!

We are hearing a lot these days about green jobs and green entrepreneurs. What emerges as a theme in most of these stories is that innovation and imagination are necessary components when exploring the next wave of sustainability. So, what if your dream job doesn’t yet exist? What if you have an idea for an incredible new product? Where to begin?

Start with what you love.

Tia Kramer, a Seattle-based artist, became interested in papermaking while taking a textile course as an undergrad. Little did she know that her newfound passion for papermaking would evolve into a career as a paper jewelry maker. As a student, she seized opportunities to study the relationship to nature in her work, as well as the many complex issues surrounding sustainability.

Kramer has always been interested in integrating her artwork with her values, and an art installation that featured her papermaking first sparked the inspiration for her jewelry. “As I was trying to figure out the color scheme for the sculpture I was building, a professor and a classmate both commented on my sculpture models exclaiming, ‘Wow, I want those for my ears.’ In this way, I feel like jewelry found me.”

Kramer at work on the art project that started it all.

Kramer decided to take her colleagues up on the challenge, and her earrings were so popular that she soon realized she had the potential products for a start-up company. Curious about the workings of a sustainable business, Kramer worked part time with Noon Solar and assisted them in teaching a course called “Sustainable Forms.” Her business started small, and she sold her jewelry at local shows and to friends and colleagues. After a stint working as science support staff for climate change scientists in Antarctica, Kramer decided she had saved enough to pursue jewelry full time and relocated to the Pacific Northwest.

While the first thing you are likely to notice about Tia Kramer’s jewelry is that it is a stunning combination of artistry and color, when you delve a little more deeply, it is clear that her art has a deep connection and respect for the natural beauty that inspires it.

In addition to fine craftsmanship, Kramer is also committed to running a sustainable business, and she is constantly examining other sustainable small business models that work. To that end, her efforts include:

• The use of primarily recycled sterling silver
• All paper is made using all-natural, biodegradable pulp
• Packing supplies, gift boxes, shipping boxes and papers are recycled or reused
• Paper and other raw materials are sourced from companies with eco-friendly practices
• Production uses very little electricity or machinery

In addition to her manufacturing processes, Kramer takes a whole-system approach to sustainability. She tries to model these values with the lifestyle choices she makes. “I pack a healthy, homemade lunch, bicycle commute to work, donate jewelry and money to local causes, patronize other sustainable businesses, build and retain relationships with the community and fellow jewelers, and try to maintain a healthy balance between my work and my personal life,” she says.

For artists like Kramer who are considering starting their own business, she encourages them to find mentors who are doing similar work. “Don’t hesitate to work for free if the job that you are doing is something you want to do.” She also encourages entrepreneurs to be inquisitive about how to diversify their skill set. “Learn how to be a multi-faceted person. Being creative isn’t just art; how you manage your resources, how you pay your employees and yourself, as well as how you manage your personal life are all important factors in being a successful artist,” she says.

Kramer’s designs can be found at Tia Kramer Jewelry as well as at museum stores and galleries nationwide. Look for her work at The Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Shop, The Seattle Art Museum Shop, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Annex Store. For those of you in Seattle, Kramer has an upcoming trunk show April 10th at the Seattle Art Museum shop.

Help Haiti on World Water Day

Charity: Water, an organization featured in my book, and also one that I have written about on this blog before, has started a campaign to fund several water projects in Haiti. Watch the video below and visit Charity: Water's website for specific information about the water and sanitation challenges in each area, and Charity: Water's plans to meet those needs.

What Do Ben Harper and Drake Have in Common?

They will both be participating in the Campus Consciousness Tour. According to the CCT website,

"Half rock tour, half environmental campaign, CCT aims to inspire and activate students in an electric atmosphere while leaving a positive impact on each community the tour visits. In addition to educating and mobilizing students, the tour includes many greening elements and is run to have a minimal environmental footprint."




This spring's CCT tour is actively seeking volunteers for each event. Check out the website for dates and more ways to get involved, including an extensive toolkit with resources and ideas for becoming more eco-active on campus and beyond.

Climate Change and Clean Energy in 72 hours?

The Senate is currently negotiating a bipartisan clean energy and climate bill. Dozens of environmental organizations including The Sierra Club, 1Sky, and Repower America have teamed up to make it easy for you to contact your Senators about this bill during these crucial next few days.

Simply visit any of the websites listed above and enter in your zip code, or call the Repower America hotline (1-877-9-REPOWER) in order to obtain your Senators' contact information.

Many of the organizations are also providing talking points for your call. Here are the suggestions from the Sierra Club:

Hi-

My Name is _______ and I'm a (SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, TEACHER, FARMER, OTHER) from TOWN/CITY, STATE.

• We desperately need help to jump start our economy and create jobs -- and a clean energy and climate bill can help us do it. We've waited long enough -- the clean energy economy is passing us by. We are losing ground to China and India and losing jobs here in America.
  
  
• I've seen how our dependence on foreign oil puts our soldiers at risk, hurts our economy, helps our enemies and endangers our security. We need to stop sending a billion dollars a day overseas for oil. Some of that oil money goes to countries that support the terrorism we are fighting across the globe.
  
  
• I want you to do something about Climate Change -- now. If we don't do something, our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences. They'll have to deal with rising sea levels, stronger storms, increased famine and droughts and more threats to our national security.

I want my senator to act now to pass clean energy and climate legislation. Not next year – NOW.

Will the senator support strong, clean energy and climate legislation?

Thank you.

No matter how you decide to contact your Senators, visit one of the participating websites and log your calls. Momentum is building, and it's never been easier urge your Senators to pass crucial clean energy and climate change legislation.

Last Minute V-Day Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day is in two days, but there is no need to panic about what to get your crush or your beloved.

Consider Getting Nothing: I'm a big proponent of experience over stuff. Most of us have too much of the latter anyway, and as the No Impact Project reminds us, a zero-waste lifestyle is easier than you might think. Consider a hike or a romantic dinner made with organic, local ingredients.

If you are planning on buying a gift this V-Day, here are some excellent, low-impact options:

Much Better Than Those Cheap Candies in the Heart-Shaped Box: Organic, fair trade chocolates from Theo's Chocolates. As an added bonus, Theo's is based in Seattle, so if you live in the Pacific Northwest, it's a local gift too.

Shameless Plug: A copy or two of Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties makes a great gift. It's full of ideas, resources, and inspiring stories. What's more romantic than changing the world?

Help Those in Haiti: Check out this recent post about organizations working in Haiti, and consider making a donation in a loved one's name.

Bring On the Waterworks: Send an e-card from Charity: Water. The proceeds from the card go towards clean water projects around the world.

Get Wild: Sponsor one of the Sierra Club's "wild places". Who knows what your sweetie will be inspired to do when they open this gift...

Free Love: Donate money to the Human Rights Campaign, which is working hard for equal rights for all.

Enjoy, and remember that every day is a good one to celebrate love.

What Can You Do? Anything You Want.

One of my favorite parts about writing Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties was having the chance to interview people all over the world engaged in incredible ventures. My inspiring conversations with them further confirmed my faith in the potential for individuals and organizations to use their creativity and energy to affect change even in the most difficult of times.

Many of their “success stories” can be found within the pages of Ten Ways. However, due to space constraints and time (many people were referred to me after the completion of the book), not all of these amazing stories could be included. The world changers I have spoken with are as interesting as they are diverse. In the upcoming months, I will include many of their stories here.

I hope their stories inspire you as much as they did me.

Unless It's a Movie or a Check, I Don't Want It

The Seattle City Council has a great opportunity to curb junk mail on Monday, January 25th by voting to approve the Do Not Mail resolution. Think of it as a spam blocker for your mailbox.

According to Do Not Mail, it takes approximately 200,000 trees to produce Seattle's junk mail every year and another $400,000 dollars to dispose of it.

If you live in Seattle, call or email the city council members, and if you can, attend the meeting on Monday at 2pm at City Hall, 600 4th Ave., 2nd floor.

Whether you live in Seattle or not, there are simple steps you can take to greatly reduce the influx of paper in your mailbox.