The Upcycling Cause

Green Reusable Box from Ebay

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:35:00 +0000

Announced at eBay's 15th anniversary celebration (and eBay On Location: San Jose) this week and hitting customer doorsteps in October 2010, eBay is rolling out a new pilot program this fall that will bring 100,000 durable, recyclable, jet-setting, reusable boxes to buyers and sellers across the country. The eBay Box is our latest effort to make our marketplace a little greener, our buyers and sellers a little happier, and our community a little closer to one another. So go ahead, ship it forward!

Harvest Rainwater, Stockpile

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:55:00 +0000

Harvest your rainwater, be prepared and stockpile water for the best investment.

REE WRAP IDEAS

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:18:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:15:00 +0000

According to Gift Bags Gone Green every year Americans spend more than $5 billion dollars on gift wrap, bags, and tissue paper of which the majority ends up in landfills.

To offer a unique and green approach to the gift wrap industry Gift Bags Gone Green have created fun and funky fabric gift bags that are washable and reusable. The bags are not only green because they are reusable but they are made from upcycled, reused, and vintage fabrics.

These bags are not mass produced, once a fabric design is used up their will be no more bags of that design. Gift Bags Gone Green make use of fabrics that are readily available and have been discarded including fabric remnants.

Gift Bags Gone Green was created to make a difference while brightening the lives of others through gift giving. You can reduce your carbon imprint while making someone else smile.

What a super simple concept turned into a fabulous green business

Conservation Today

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:59:00 +0000

It appears that most of us take many things for granted. It is not necessarily because we are not thankful for them, but more likely it is because we have never experienced life without them. We often just don’t recognize how much we use things in our life.

One of these commodities is water. When we turn on the tap, we expect a rush of water to emerge. It is that simple. Have you ever stopped to think what it would be like to experience an empty faucet?

One of the most dreaded words in the English language, especially to farmers, is that of "drought." What constitutes a drought? Meteorologists measure a drought against several criteria. One of them is a drop in precipitation of 15 percent or greater over six months. Another benchmark is called the Palmer Drought Index, which the National Weather Service uses to calculate a drought. It is based on temperature, precipitation and amount of moisture found in the soil. The index ranges from –6.0 to +6.0. With all factors considered, a measurement of -4.0 or less is considered an extreme drought, -3.0 to –3.9 is considered a severe drought, and –2.0 to –2.9 qualify as a moderate drought.

Just like oxygen and sunlight, water is a precious natural resource. Experts tell us that during the last three decades the demand for water in the United States has exceeded our supply. The population increased by 52 percent, but the demand for water tripled. The government keeps a watchful eye on rainfall levels, reservoir levels, and stream flow to monitor the potential for water shortages.

It is estimated that the average U.S. citizen uses 110 gallons of water a day! How is this possible? Watering lawns, flushing toilets, showering and bathing, washing laundry and dishes, and cooking and drinking all take their toll on the nation’s water reserves. For instance, did you know-

A five-minute shower uses 25-50 gallons (calculated at 5-10 gallons a minute)
A typical full bathtub can hold 35 gallons of water
The average toilet uses six to seven gallons of water per flush
Running water continuously while brushing your teeth can use 2 gallons of water
An automatic clothes washer uses 30-60 gallons of water for a full cycle
So how can we minimize usage and still go on with our daily lives? Following are some water-saving tips:

Do not let water run from the faucet while you brush your teeth. Fill a glass halfway with water and use that to wet your brush and rinse your mouth.
Limit showers to five minutes or less. While you wait for the water to get warm enough to use, fill a bucket with the colder water and use it to water plants.
When taking a bath, only fill the tub halfway.
Fill a one-gallon plastic container with water and put it in the toilet tank to displace one gallon of water (or use a brick in a zippered plastic bag).
Plant lawn grass that can handle dry weather.
Check faucets, hoses, and other water devices for leaks.
Water your lawn and garden between the hours of 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. This helps conserve moisture by minimizing sun exposure.
During emergencies, it is suggested that you recycle your used bathing/laundry water for flushing the toilet, watering your garden or mopping your floors. (Don’t use water with cleansers like bleach or other harmful cleansers to water plants). Use disposable plates, cups, and eating utensils.

You can probably think of many creative ways to conserve water on a daily basis. For more information, contact your local water works association or similar agency. The Internet also has several web sites with excellent ideas. Just type in your topic as “water conservation” or a similar phrase and you will be surprised at the information that is available.

The Time Is Now

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:40:00 +0000

Get going on that project you've been mulling around in your head! Pick up a book and start off with expert directions from an author who can assist you along the journey. Whatever it is, upcycling that sweater, building a recycled materials house or just starting small with a composting project that will enhance next season's backyard garden. Seize the day, Upcyclers!

Eat Where You Live

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:55:00 +0000

Own A House

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:37:00 +0000

Brilliance Unleashed

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:59:00 +0000

Shipping goes Up

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:01:00 +0000

I love to reuse all of the shipping materials possible, but it still has to look good. You know how it feels to open a little something extra special. I love mail!!! I resurface my mailers with fun scrapbook paper, art magazine pages and packing tape.

Container Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:49:00 +0000

Travelodge, the budget hotel company, have completed their first recycled hotel made out of shipping containers. The 86 containers used in the Uxbridge hotel were prepared in China with plasterboard walls, electrics and bathrooms already in place before being shipped to the UK, stacked and assembled like lego pieces. The containers are simply bolted together and once installed at the site, windows are fitted, the modules are decorated and furnished, and then the exterior of the building is cladded.

The steel containers used were two different sizes and allowed for 120 rooms and a Bar/Cafe to be installed. The containers are fully re-useable and can simply be disassembled and shipped off to the next location if necessary.

Verbus Systems - a joint business venture between consulting engineers, Buro Happold and constructor, George & Harding has developed its unique modular construction system over the last four years. The design innovation is being considered a revolution for temporary accommodation at festivals and major sporting events due to the ease and speed in which the buildings can be taken apart and reassembled.

A traditional 100-bed hotel costs Travelodge around £5 million to build. Construction using shipping containers reduces costs by up to 10 per cent, making the bill for a hotel of the same size around £4.5 million. Using Verbus Modules also shaves approximately 25% off construction time, meaning a 100-bed hotel can be built in 30 weeks, instead of 40. Travelodge plan to build half of all future hotels this way and a second container hotel is already under construction at Heathrow and due to complete at the end of the year.

Winter Gift

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:46:00 +0000

Pink Up

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:42:00 +0000

Pogo on Etsy

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:33:00 +0000

No two ever turn out just the same. Their personalities seem to take shape late at night when their eyes and ears are stitched and their fat little bellies take shape.

I live in a hand-built log home in the forest and that's where their photos are taken. A love for the woods and nature influences many choices that I make. Pogos are created from up-cycled wool sweaters and eco-friendly bamboo fiberfill. Seeing old wool turn into something new feels really good to me. I love imagining the faraway places my little buddies will go and the children who will love them.

Pogos are all hand-stitched and each one is unique. But if you see a favorite among my sold items, let me know and I'll try to create a similar one for you. I'm introducing new pogos each week, so check with me often.

Boxes or are they?

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:43:00 +0000

They are the perfect thickness for many craft projects! You can generally cut through these boxes with ease!

They are a great size for so many projects! You can turn one cereal box into at least two journals and two bookmarks with ease!

They are usually very colorful and fun (thus requiring little necessary decoration!

They are altogether so versatile, but mainly they are ABUNDANT TRASH!

There is nothing better to me than finding ways to artfully or pragmatically reuse items rather than even exerting the initial energy to recycle.

Everything Couch

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:56:00 +0000

A new project for you, if they can create so can you!

The fabrics used are woven English damasks and shot silver and gold satins with Swarovski rose crystal and pearl detailing.

Trimmings are 18th and 19th century from France with woven silver and gold thread. The accessories range includes mirrors and lighting wrapped with Japanese ceremonial

Kimono silks which have been embroidered and appliquéd and finished with turn of the century lavender glass beads.

Capture evil spirits

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:35:00 +0000

My girlfriend’s fond memories of her youth in South Carolina include the colorful bottle trees that are part of the Gullah culture of Daufuskie Island.

Originally intended as a way to capture evil spirits before they could enter a home, bottle trees have since evolved into creations that can add a bit of color and whimsy to any garden.

Though the original versions were made from actual trees, you can make a simple yet gorgeous bottle tree for your own garden this spring using a post and rebar.

Warmth through glass

noreply@blogger.com (Michele AnneLouise Cohen) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:13:00 +0000

A Chinese farmer has made his own solar-powered water heater out of beer bottles and hose pipes. "I invented this for my mother. I wanted her to shower comfortably," says Ma Yanjun, of Qiqiao village, Shaanxi province.

Ma's invention features 66 beer bottles attached to a board. The bottles are connected to each other so that water flows through them.

Sunlight heats the water as is passes slowly through the bottles before flowing into the bathroom as hot water, reports China Economy Network.

Ma says it provides enough hot water for all three members of his family to have a shower every day.

And more than 10 families in the village have already followed suit and installed their own versions of Ma's invention.