In our modern world, people tend to buy everything instead of making it themselves. The result? Big industry taking over everything-- deciding how we impact the environment, deciding what we buy, and controlling the quality of our products. So why not break the cycle and make our own things?
Eco-friendly crafts can be things that are useful, advocacy-oriented, or just darn fun-- as long as they have a smaller impact on the environment than most products. Today I will be showing you some of my favourites.
Eco-friendly Bag: This is really easy to make. All it takes is some leftover material (I got mine from my family's scrap fabric bin, but you could always use an old T-shirt or two if you'd prefer), scissors, needle and thread, printable iron-on sheet and iron (optional), and some patience, of course!
Step 1: Cut the fabric to approximately the right size. Do it twice in total.
Step 2: Sew together the two pieces so that one side is open. Turn it inside-out.
Step 3: Sew down the material on the open end. If there is too much material on the inside, cut some of it off. (But be careful not to break the threads!)
Step 4: Print off a logo onto an iron-on sheet. Make sure the writing is backward-- this will come off the sheet and onto the bag the right way.
Step 5: Iron the logo onto the bag, following the instructions provided with the iron-on sheets.
Step 6: Sew the handle onto the bag. This can be any sort of fabric strip, really. (If you have trouble sewing the handle on sturdily, staple it on... It works!)
Awareness Letters: These are even more simple. All you need are some of those little iron-able beads that come with peg boards, called Perler Beads. You make them into letters that form an environmentally-themed phrase, word, or sentence, and then iron them together as the package explains. Then take a picture of it post it on the Internet and get your message out!
Eco-friendly Coasters: To make your own coasters, all you need is some leftover cardboard from old shoe boxes or the piece you get inside calendars, something to decorate it with (For the first one, I used a stargazing calendar, the one in the middle is from the plastic and mesh of a bag of oranges, and on the right I used a Christmas card), some tape, and scissors. Basically, you cut out little squares of cardboard and cover them with your decoration. Leave a bit of extra hanging over the side so you can tape it in the back. You may need to cut off some of the covering in the corners at the back, but I'll leave that to your judgement. Although Christmas is over for this year, that is not to say that you can't save them for gifts later on, or use them yourself!
By the way, I have a new e-mail address that anyone can use to get in touch-- ecofuzzyATgmail.com (replace AT with @, because I'm trying to avoid spammers who scan the web for e-mail addresses.) Use this e-mail address to tell me how I'm doing in the blogosphere, give suggestions, and ask questions. I'll be happy to get back to you! (But if you know me personally, please use my personal e-mail.)
Have a good week!
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