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How to Upcycle a Glass Jar into a Soap Dispenser

I use one soap dispenser in my kitchen. I use non-toxic plant based dish liquid soap so I figured, if it’s good enough for  my dishes, it’s good enough for my hands, right? So I only use one type of soap in my kitchen in one soap dispenser. Less clutter so I’m good. But the soap dispenser I was using was too small and I was refilling the thing every [...]

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What to do with Old Fitted Sheets: Part 2

Some of my friends left comments on facebook after reading my last post, “What to do with old fitted sheets“. Some recommended donating old sheets to local shelters or to a vet. I donate blankets and old towels to a local animal shelter but I would be embarrassed to donate some of my ‘vintage’, old worn out ones. If they are not so worn out, may be. But trust me, [...]

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What to do with old fitted sheets

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I just cleaned out my linen closet and came up with a few old fitted sheets with worn out elastic, faded colors or prints, and some that are just tired looking. I think many of them are considered ‘vintage’ by some standards. Since I didn’t want to throw them out but can’t donate them (who would want to use someone else’s old sheets?) or can’t make anything that I can [...]

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The Ultimate Repurposing Part 2

Remember my post on Ultimate Repurposing? I am adding these to the list.

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How to get FREE fabric and be eco friendly

That’s right. FREE! Read what I did recently. I stopped by a local upholstery fabric store last week. I can never afford anything in there but I like to peruse the aisles hoping something will be on, like, 90% off SALE . It doesn’t cost anything to wish or window shop, right? Well, I found this wicker basket on the floor, filled with $1 per piece fabric swatches. I dove [...]

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What to do with socks without their partners

I put this tutorial for my Eco Etsy Team’s blog a couple of weeks ago and received rave reviews so I thought I’d post it here for those of you who are not a team member. If you are the one who does the laundry in your house, you know the age old mystery – what happened to the other sock? You are sure you put both socks in the [...]

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The Ultimate Repurposing Ideas

Stilleto –> Planter Snitary Napkin –> Soothing Eye Mask Bikini –> Carryall Miniskirt –> Lampshade Courtesy of More Magazine

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Recycled Valentines Day

Valentine’s Day is just four days away. But it’s still not too late to shop for that “love” of your life. Whether it’s your partner, daughter, mother, or a friend, I thought these will make great gifts. These are all from my Etsy shop made with upcycled or recycled materials. The felt material used in the embroidery frame and ornament are from recycled post consumer plastic products, the cotton yarns [...]

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Coffee Cup Sweater

You know how I try to bring my commuter mug to buy coffee whenever I can? That’s because paper cups are wasteful but also because they are too hot to hold. But I really have something against those paper wrappers because they add more to waste. Did you know that those sleeves can add up to 10 lbs of more paper to landfills per year? But look at this particular [...]

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T-Rex’s Demise

Well, after I posted yesterday, I was motivated to finish the dinosaur project. So, I went on to the last step, which was sealing the canvases. Well, a close up look on T-Rex left me speechless. Actually, many four letter words comprised of my speech, so technically, I was not really speechless. I noticed T-Rex was developing some sort of blisters, the tragic effects of my cold clouding up my [...]

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sniffle, sniffle, cough, cough, dinosaurs???

I got the bug. The bugs found me. I was trying real hard to stay away from them but they found me. So, there goes the week. I’ll be in bed, resting, feeling sorry for myself and anxious that my work will accumulate and I won’t get anything done. But I’ve been thinking about finishing my latest project and thought I’d post it here. It’s not completed yet but I [...]

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Upcycled Etsy Treasury

I was featured in an treasury called “Upcycled Treasury” by TheOldOakTree. She included two of my items and I am so excited. She makes some great natural products that gets the stink out of garbage and laundry. I’m always grateful when a fellow Etsian features me in her/his treasury. Thanks Old Oak Tree (gotta love that name!)

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Christmas Sale and Eco Tips on Gift Wrapping

Now that you had your Thanksgiving turkey and are thinking about Christmas, I just wanted to tell you that you don’t have to drive and waste gas to go shopping for gifts. You can do all your Christmas shopping on Etsy. It’s a great place to buy handmade goods, support artisans all over the world, and find some great deals. I am offering FREE SHIPPING until Christmas on all U.S. [...]

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Upcycled Garbage Box for the Car

Do you have a garbage can or a bag in the car? Try using an empty garbage bag box. It’s little bigger than a tissue box and when it fills up, you can throw away the whole box or if it’s still in shape and not wet, you can reuse it. You don’t have to buy a garbage can or one of those plastic lined garbage bag for the car. [...]

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Ready for sale!

I’ve created some beautiful napkin rings, eyeglasses chain/ lanyard, and wine glass charms from beads that have been hiding in my daughter’s craft drawers. I’ve de-cluttered the craft room and added some compliments to the beads to make some unique finds. Presently, I’m working on making Beaded Stitch Markers. Unfortunately, since I am only working with orphaned beads, still charming and beautiful, I can’t take custom orders. Each of my [...]

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Felting a wool sweater – is it eco friendly?

I tried felting. I can see how it could be considered a noble way to repurpose an old wool sweater. But, it took too much energy, mine and the earth’s, just to make it look, well, worth the time and resources. I manage to do one sweater but it took two days, five separate washings (couldn’t wash it with anything else for it might ruin other clothes from lint balls!!!!!) [...]

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Second Chances

I am happiest when I’m creating and producing…. when I’m doing something good for me and for others. So I decided to make things…make things from what I would normally throw out…from things others donated….from things that had prior lives (love that term). I give them second chances (my first choice for the name of the etsy store and blog.) Don’t get me wrong. I love new things too but [...]

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