Modish

Prismera Design

Oooh, Prismera Design, who makes some of my faaaavorite jewelry, um, ever, has expanded their line to include "everyday design."  As to be expected, it's lovely and just like their jewelry, it's eco-friendly too! 

I especially like these gorgeous recycled paper postcards in simple black and silver designs, perfect for the new year.  And this little handmade birch box with a wood-grain design on top- too cute!  With the felt insert included, it makes for just about the best jewelry gift box I think I've ever seen. 

Eco-Friendly Find: humble

I'm almost done getting the reader survey ready, but in the meantime I wanted to share these oh so pretty handmade pillows with you, by humble!  Not only are they beautifully designed and sure to be the perfect touch to any chair in the house, but they're kind to earth as well!  Score!

Made from 100% organic cotton twill, each contemporary design is hand-printed with non-toxic water based inks.  The pillows are then filled with inserts made from either bamboo or kapok, another sustainable alternative derived from the seed of a kapok tree.  Pretty, functional and better for the planet- now that's something you can rest your head easy on.

{psst: the humble shop is offering a special discount to Modish readers for the new year- enter MODISH at checkout for 30% off your order, good through the month of January!  Thanks Kristie!}

layer by layer

Constructed nature.  Outside inside.  Organic geometry.  There are many seemingly opposed elements in layer by layer's designs, but I think that's exactly what makes the work so interesting, so original. 

These geometric forms are made by hand from recycled cardboard coated in beeswax, and empty spaces filled with moss, beeswax and even soil.  All the elements are from the earth, yet they're held together in such confined and structured spaces...is it a comment on the state of our "wild" land being so limited, so contained?  An artistic rendition of suburbia's encroachment upon our open spaces?  Well, from the mouth of their creator, they're meant simply as "a stress reliever, something nice to look at and touch, or a little bit of the outside when you are stuck inside."  Well, that sounds like a good explanation to me.  Find these designs, and more like them, at layer by layer and bring some of the outside in.

Eco-Friendly Find: and furthermore,

Portland has more than its fair share of eco-friendly crafters, just one more reason to love it here.  New to the scene but already selling like hotcakes is and furthermore, a collection of home goods made from reclaimed materials.  Panes of glass from old light fixtures have become original artworks and beautiful vintage plastic doilies can now keep time.  What a good idea...

Eco-Friendly Find: Mollie Dash

Mollie Dash is back at it again, with a new and improved site and a beautiful new collection to match! 

Not only is her jewelry just stunning, it's made completely from found components- old coins, vintage and thrifted jewelry items, industrial remnants like copper wire, old brooches and more.  She breathes new life into old things creating one of a kind pieces that any girl would feel lucky to wear.  Take a peek at the whole collection at molliedash.com.

Eco-Friendly Find: Hoakon Helga

Speaking of voting, I'm off to drop off my ballot right now (we vote by mail here in OR, but I didn't want to trust my vote to the mail system, so I'm driving down to the elections office to drop it off instead :) and then start work on the November giveaway, which will be announced tomorrow! 

In the meantime, check out this wonderful new line of handbags by Hoakon Helga- they're each made from 100% recycled leather and lined with reclaimed materials!  That makes them stylish, one of a kind, earth-friendly and 100% awesome, in my book!  Plus, worn-in leather has such a better feel and look to it than the fresh off the cow kind (yuck.)  I usually opt for faux leather substitutes being a veggie and all, but thrifted leather sometimes finds its way into my closet and recycled leather has an even better ring to it.  Check out the whole line of recycled goodness at Hoakon Helga!

Eco-Friendly Find: Wren

Oh, I love these BIG beautiful sling bags by Wren- you can carry along just about anything and everything with you in a roomy and eco-friendly design!

Made out of recycled coffee sacks, these one of a kind bags have a great story to tell.  Once a vessel for coffee from a fair trade farm, they have traveled far and carried much.  Their fabric is durable, resilient and full of character, sure to hold up to everyday use.  The bags are lined with hand-dyed organic hemp canvas, have three sections inside and close with a poplar wood button that's decorated with a little wren.  From market to market and day to day, these bags can carry everything you need!  *For an added bonus, you can see how they're made and get more info about all their details on the Wren Blog!

Eco-Friendly Find: Aroha Silhouettes

Innovative, contemporary, original and earth-friendly.  Those are some mighty big descriptions to fill, but Aroha Silhouettes lives up to each and every one of them:

Created by Tania, a New Zealander currently residing in Vancouver, this bold and graphic line of jewelry is made completely out of recycled vinyl records, turning trash into new, super modern treasures.  Each design has a deceptive 3-D effect when worn that is sure to capture the attention passers-by (and maybe even trip some of them out!)  I think they're really original- take a peek at all the fun designs at Aroha Silhouettes!

Eco-Friendly Find: Rifferaff

Since writing about Rifferaff's new line of gift wrap around this time last year, the creator, Shannon, has been really working hard, stepping up her production and expanding the Rifferaff line to include cards and journals, gift boxes and stationery sets, and of course, new gift wrap and gift tag designs.  Through it all, she has remained commited to keeping whatever she creates sustainable, hand screen-printing her contemporary designs with water based ink on 100% recycled paper.  Cheers to Shannon for growing her business so well over this past year, and keeping it eco-friendly all the while!

Eco-Friendly Find: Avie Designs

I've been checking all of this month's giveaway participants further myself, and I must say I'm quite impressed!  There's so many talented people involved, I feel honored to host you all!  One participant in particular that I think deserves more attention is Avie Designs, creator of modern and colorful papergoods:

Avie Designs makes all sorts of wonderful paper items including notepads, calling cards, a calendar and customizable return labels, but I especially love their stationery sets; not only are they beautiful, they're earth-friendly too, each printed on recycled paper with soy based inks.  There's a stationery set included in the giveaway (that you could win!) and it's even more lovely in person.  What a nice way to send a hello to a friend far away.  Check out all the papery goodness at Avie Designs, and enter to win a stationery set in the Spooktacular giveaway!

Eco-Friendly Find: Heidi and Seek

This new clothing shop out of Australia is making a name for eco-friendly clothing, and that name is Heidi and Seek!  The designer behind the label creates her cool, retro styled wares purely from second-hand and vintage materials, upcycling old garments, using scrap fabrics and unused second hand remnants.  Too cool!

And, on top of the eco-goodness and pure adorableness of the clothing line, most pieces are one-of-a-kind so you know you'll be stylin' in a garment that no one else has.  Check out the whole collection, including a new line of accessories, at the Heidi and Seek etsy shop!

Eco-Friendly Find: Cake + Milk Paperie

Cake + Milk Paperie has a whole line of eco-fabulous paper goodies, all made from recycled paper and featuring the cutest graphics!

You'll find imprintable invitations and announcements on recycled paper, hand gocco-printed recycled moleskin journals and recycled flats scented with flavors like apple melon and spiced peach, yummm!  There's also money holders made from recycled chipboard so you can slip some cash into a chic presentation.  Head to the Cake + Milk Paperie site and check out their "green line" to take a peek at all the goods!

Eco-Friendly Find: Mingus Designs

I was originally drawn into the pure adorableness of Mingus Designs' bags and stationery, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they are eco-friendly as well! 

The Australian based designer uses only hemp, a hemp/organic cotton blend, and organic cotton canvas when crafting her handy dandy bags and coin pouches.  She then hand screen-prints them with adoooorable, nature inspired designs (my favorite is the bunny pile!) for an end result that's both easy on the eyes and on the planet.  Check out her line of recycled cards too, all at Mingus Designs!

Eco-Friendly Find: Queen Bee Creations

I've written about Queen Bee Creations before on Modish, but not since I moved up to Portland, which is where they're based, and not since they debuted their new eco-friendly line of bags.  So, I introduce to you, yet again :), Queen Bee Creations and their chic new line of printed fabric bags, in a variety of designs and color options!

Each bag is made from an eco-friendly, yet durable combo of hemp and tencel or hemp and organic cotton, all natural and sustainable fabrics.  They are also printed with lovely designs using water based inks.  The results are soft yet structured and oh so cute bags that you can take with you where ever you may go.  See the whole line, along with their other eco-friendly recycled line, at Queen Bee Creations!   

Eco-Friendly Find: Blossom Creations

Blossom Creations is a cute little Australian shop selling wonderful paper and home goods by owner, Erin Corvisy.  She's just released her new line of goodies (keep in mind, spring is coming on the other side of the equator) and every one of them is made in an environmentally sustainable way!  Plus, they're darn cute!

In beautiful designs graced with lemon yellow, turquoise blue and khaki, each item proves that eco-conscious can be chic too.  The cards and notebooks are made from 100% recycled content.  The tea towels, pillows, aprons and other home goods are made from hemp, organic cotton and other natural, sustainable fibers.  And all the designs are printed by hand with water and vegetable based inks.  Take a peek at the entire collection, sure to whet your "I need that!" whistle, at Blossom Creations.  And thanks Erin, for going the extra mile to make eco-friendly, fabulous goods!