In our push to live greener, healthier lives, one of the things we need to do is remind ourselves to buy local and handmade items. Most of us are aware that buying local produce and baked goods means that by doing so our food is fresher because it didn't have to travel as far to get to us, picked when it is ripe, and the baked goods do not have the preservatives that grocery store items often do, because of extending the shelf life. So local foods are healthier and more wholesome that foods that travel. When we buy local, we also help our local economy, because the local vendors will spend the money we pay them locally also. This creates a healthy economic cycle.

What you may not realize that this is true of handmade or artist made items as well. When you buy an item directly from an artist who made it, or from the agent who sells it for them, you are paying the artist directly who will then use the money to pay their vendors to buy more supplies and create more work. The economic cycle is a much shorter one than if you buy a manufactured item. And often the manufactured items are from countries far away from yours, so that your purchase does not even infuse money into your own economy. Think about this when you purchase items this year for the holidays, for birthdays, or for Christmas, because you can support your local economy in several ways while keeping a healthier and greener lifestyle.

Here is an example:
The beautiful pottery above is made by a Cleveland, Ohio area woman, Tracy Shea, who hand makes every piece of pottery she makes. She makes a living from her ceramics work which is how she feeds her family. By buying her work you can own a piece of handmade work or give it as a gift, and she will take the money earned to feed her family locally, as well as use it to buy more supplies to make more pottery. A very economic cycle. The money goes directly from the buyer to the seller and right back to the economy with no middle men. If you would like to learn more about Tracy, you can click on the picture above which will take you to an article about her.

Moving Away from Manufactured and Towards Handmade originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 28, 2012.

Did You Know? Eco-Chic Green Fact #1 originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 27, 2012.

On this site, we are going to explore all the facets of Eco-Chic Green Fashion from clothing, to decor, to skincare, and what ever else comes our way. Within the next few days this site will be set up with resources, and lists of companies that offer eco-chic green products. So look for lots of new stuff coming your way.

Green is the New Black originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 27, 2012.

I have long thought that although the Kindle is a wonderful device to have, that many people would prefer to read their books on a bigger screen or on a device they already own. While I understand that Amazon would like to sell as many Kindles as possible, in today's economy, some people would rather just buy the downloads of the books, instead of a new electronic device. Not only that, but people use computers every day in their work or at home, and if they love the Kindle app on their computer, they are much more likely to buy a Kindle.

So here it is folks! You can now download the FREE Kindle Reading Apps today, try out a book on your new app, and check out what all the fuss is about. I know that since I am an avid reader, I will definitely be adding the FREE Kindle Reading Apps to my computer ASAP. And why not? Who knows if it will be free forever, and I would love to save paper as much as possible.

Dare we call this Eco-Chic Green Reading?

Amazon Adds New Free Kindle Applications for Mobile Devices Computers originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 26, 2012.

Here is a company to take a look at--Greenbatteries--At this site you'll find up-to-date information on rechargeable batteries and battery chargers, suggestions for selecting the right batteries and the Greenbatteries Store offers great prices on rechargeable batteries, battery chargers, battery cases and holders.

Looking at ways to save energy and money is what going green is all about and the idea of having less chemicals around by recharging the same batteries over and over is very appealing to me. Click here for more information.

Green Batteries originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 26, 2012.

I have been spending quite a bit of time lately exploring eBay's World of Good. It is a growing shopping mall for green gifts, and specialty items, and really fun to browse.

I recommend that you browse eBay's World of Good to see what they have to offer and bookmark some items for your friends and relatives. It is always good to know that you are contributing to the health and well being of your friends and family.

Here is one of my personal favorites this week:

Alex and Ani St. Christopher Bracelet
I think that I might have to get one of these for myself.

For my friends, this is a great gift:

Natural Handmade Balm for Dry Skin

To go directly to the World of Good website, click here.

Getting Frustrated Looking for Green Gifts? originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 25, 2012.

Using the magniwork generator, you will be able to generate absolutely free electric energy. It is easy to construct and doesn't require any external source of energy to power itself. The Magniwork generator works by itself, and can independently power your home and help you say goodbye to the power bill. Click here to proceed to the Magniwork website.

Generate Free Energy with Magniwork originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 25, 2012.

Green Nest is a very interesting company that specializes in organic green products for the home with a special emphasis on products to make your home cleaner and pollutant free. Green Nest has an entire line of air purifiers and non-toxic building products as well as home decor, bedding, and other general home products.

Air purifiers are especially helpful for people with allergies, and other immune system compromising disorders but they are also really great for any family. In the winter, when we are cooped up indoors breathing each other's air, it is much easier to catch colds and the flu. With an air purifier you can reduce that likelihood immensely.

Organic Eco-Chic Green Bathrobes originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 24, 2012.

Win $5000 from eBay Green Team originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 24, 2012.

This book is so much fun, even the cover is interesting:

Eco Books: Inventive Projects from the Recycling Bin

Here are 40 innovative book-making ideas using recycled and green materials! More than just earth-friendly, they’re also beautiful, clever, and witty, stitched with traditional binding techniques. Egg cartons, wood, beer cans, and cassette tapes morph into covers, while brown bags, coffee filters, and discarded newspapers are transformed into pages. Create a boxed set of cereal box books, an exposed stitch sketchbook out of cardboard and remnants, and even a faux leather journal made from teabags.

In addition to how-to drawings, close-up detail photographs, and simple stitch diagrams, a gallery of eco-books from an international roster of artists provides inspiration.

Re-Bound: Creating Handmade Books from Recycled and Repurposed Materials
Re-Bound is a beautiful book on bookbinding with a fun green twist-all the projects use recycled and upcycled materials. This book shows you how to take everyday materials from around the house, flea markets, thrift stores, and hardware stores and turn them into clever and eye-catching hand-made books.

Rejuvenated Jewels: New Designs from Vintage Treasures
In this book, readers learn where to find fabulous vintage jewelry, beads, and artifacts, and how to create stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using these amazing finds. Rhinestone beads and clasps, mercury glass beads, oxidized metal chains, rosary beads, tiny book charms and more are retooled into fabulous statement pieces that can be worn every day.

Semiprecious Salvage: Creating Found Art Jewelry
Semiprecious Salvage shows readers how to think beyond the techniques taught in traditional beading and jewelry books in order to create found art jewelry. Mixed-media applications like sewing, plasterwork and altering found objects tie together to create jewelry pieces such as brooches, pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and belts. In addition to thought-provoking stories on the origination of some of the found items, Stephanie provides the reader with practical jewelry-making techniques that they can incorporate into their own inspired pieces. A simple, organic approach gives the reader limitless ideas for crafting their own jewelry as well as ideas for locating found items whether it be on a nature walk, one's travels or in the comforts of home.

Each one of these books would be a terrific gift for someone creative on your list.  And there are more similar books.  If you click through the links for each book you will find more books listed underneath each main title on Amazon.

Eco-Chic Green Gifts for Under $25: How to Recycle Project Books originally appeared on Eco-Chic Green Fashion on February 23, 2012.