Artist/Vendor Profile: Reca Brodie

Name:
Reca Brodie

Company name:
RecaCreations

Location:
Portland, OR

Website:
etsy.com/shop/RecaCreations

Facebook:
facebook.com/reca.creations

Other social media:
ArtfullyReimagined.com - RecaCreations

I have some pieces for sale at:
The Dancing Elephant Gallery in Baker City, OR
Belle Fleur Flower and Garden Boutique in Oak Grove, OR

Your products/projects:

There have been so many pieces I've made over the years that I have fallen in love with and swore that I would just keep for myself. I'd look at it for quite some time and finally come to the conclusion that, Oh, it's just too cute not to sell it. I just had that dilemma a few weeks ago with a piece that I just loved. I felt I could not part with it...then decided, Oh, someone is just going to fall in love with this one as much as I do...I just have to sell it. It's called Exquisite birdbath...you'll have to check it out on ArtfullyReimagined.com under RecaCreations.

My recycled yard art is made from used plates, platters, saucers, cups, mugs, bowls, vases, pitchers, figurines, knickknacks, etc. These items can have chips, cracks, blemishes, inconsistencies, flaws, etc. These items are made from glass, ceramic, porcelain, china, pottery, etc. Each piece is named, unique and one of a kind. These pieces cannot be reproduced. These pieces are made to be put outside and used as birdbaths, birdfeeders, plant stands or just art for your yard. Some clients have purchased them to put in their kitchen and place goodies upon them.

Me....I'm running and laughing in broken heels!

Green "Cred"

Creative reuse, Recycled content product, Refashioned, Reused materials

Why is "green" important to you?

For a very long time, I have believed in taking care of this great Earth of ours. When I was younger, I used to go to the dump with my best friend and her father. He was a handyman/gardener and would take tree limbs/yard debris to the dump. I was so sickened by what I saw there, and I have viewed the Earth differently after those trips to the dump.

I have tried to minimize my footprint at the waste facilities, as they're called now, and I still feel that I never do enough. We have become a throw-away society! We don't fix things anymore, we just get new ones. We have to have the newest, latest, greatest item out there before the other one has lived out its life expectancy.

I am happy that more and more people are recycling, and that more items can be recycled.

I would like to see this World of ours stay green and healthy for the rest of my life and for future generations to come....but, we have a long way to go to make sure that each and every one of us are responsible in accomplishing this goal.

Your origin story?

I have been crafting all my life, and mainly just for fun as a hobby. Over the years many friends and family have enjoyed my creations. Ten years ago I decided to see how well the general public would accept my creations as well, and to date they still seem to enjoy and embrace them....in which I am greatly appreciative. I have always been a huge recycler and I'm glad to say that my art reflects that view.

Your inspiration?

Nature inspires me...it never ceases to amaze me. Just when you think you've seen it all, around the next bend is something even more spectacular! When people look at my art they always comment on how the items I have chosen to put together really don't match, but they do go together. I take examples from nature....it doesn't matter if things match, but they do go together very well!

Your heroes? 

I don't have a particular hero but, my heroes are the ones who overcome adversity when all odds are against them.

Artist/Vendor Profile: Vance Family Soy Candles

Name:
Amy Vance

Company name:
Vance Family Soy Candles

Location:
Vancouver, WA

Website:
www.vancefamilysoycandles.com

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/vancefamilysoycandles

Other social media:
vancefamilysoycandles@pinterest.com

Your products/projects:

I make sustainable soy candles utilizing as many local materials as possible. NO SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCE. NO PETROLEUM PRODUCTS. Just pure, NON-GMO plant oils go into my candles that are hand poured into American made (and some handblown local) containers and labeled with handcrafted labels made of recycled, unbleached paper.

My favorite item is my American Scent Trip line of candles. I am creating a candle for every state (based upon my personal journeys) that takes the buyer on a journey through the state with their nose.I am very proud of my Keep Portland Weird candle made in collaboration with Music Millennium of Portland, OR. The candles were created to support buying local and small business and proceeds from the sales go to Oregon Music Hall of Fame which promotes music education in Oregon schools.I learn everyday and am continually humbled and thankful for all of the support and encouragement received by my family, buyers, friends, and fans.  

Green "Cred"

Creative reuse, Handmade, Durable, Made in the USA, Non-gmo ingredients, Recycled content product, Recycled content packaging, Reusable, Reusable packaging, Reused materials, Locally sourced materials, No Synthetic Fragrance or Petroleum 

Why is "green" important to you?

It is a given. Obviously, using synthetic fragrance would never even be an option. And when it comes to the rest of my manufacturing and business practices, it just comes natural to want to be as sustainable and thoughtful as possible. I run an almost zero waste business. This is not only earth friendly, but saves money! We re-use what other businesses might classify as trash (clean trash!) to pack our orders and create one-of-a-kind shredding for our gift boxes. We recycle and compost.

Your origin story?

I'm highly allergic to synthetic fragrance (found in virtually all candles as well as cleaning products, lotions, perfumes, the list goes on!) and couldn't burn candles without having an asthma attack. Being an avid cook and gardener, I knew real scents didn't bother me, so why the allergic reaction to candles? After researching, I learned of all of the detrimental and harmful ingredients put into most candles. I knew I could create an all natural, 100% plant based, candle and set out to make it a reality. My main goal was to create a natural cinnamon apple candle. Cinnamon essential oil was easy to find, but the apple... It was harder than I thought! It took a couple years to find an organic, oil soluble extract of apple that would translate into an amazing candle. But I found it! While I was at it, I knew I wanted all of my ingredients (including the soy) to be GMO-free, made in America, and recycled when possible. Thus, my line of Vance Family Soy Candles was born. The journey and response has been amazing and it is a wonderful feeling being able to provide for my family, create jobs, support local artists, give back to the community and create a product that is making the world a healthier place to live!

Your inspiration?

Scent memories and travel inspire me! Most of my candles are created due to personal journeys I have experienced.My brain is continually pumping out new ideas for styles and scents. I have to remind myself to turn it off & be patient most of the time because in order to make a profit I can't be running in a hundred different directions!

 

Your heroes?

I am inspired by, and appreciate, anyone who is willing to do what is right despite their situation. I am forever grateful to all those who have fought for freedom and human rights.

Favorite celebrities?

Oprah Winfrey because she is one of those brave people as described above.

Artist/Vendor Profile: Michael Barley

Name: Michael Barley
Location: St. John's neighborhood of Portland, Oregon
Website
Your products/projects:

All of my products are made from recycled windows that I collect from construction sites. Since this type of glass is not normally recycled and most of it ends up in the landfill, I feel good rescuing this glass and giving it another life as a beautiful piece of art to be enjoyed for years. I create my work by first cutting the glass into the size and shape I need then decorating it with glass paints and glass powders. It is then fired in a kiln to 1500 degrees, permanently fusing the colors and designs into the glass. I make an assortment of items including Night Lights, Coasters, Dishes, Ornaments and Jewelry.

Green "Cred"

Creative reuse, Handmade, Durable, Made in the USA, Recycled content product, Reused materials

Your origin story?

I grew up in air force bases in Japan and the U.S. and my favorite thing to do was making things in the Hobby shops. I spent time in the photo darkroom, lapidary shop, metal shop and ceramics studio. My professional career started as a potter when I was twenty. In 1988 I saw some glass beads that friends in Bellingham, Washington were making and in 1990, I tried it for the first time and fell in love with the process. A few years later, I was making beads full time and not working in clay. About ten years ago I built a house and wanted to make the tiles for the kitchen as well as glass panels for the fence I built. I first used Bullseye glass, the standard glass used in glass fusing, but found the cost prohibitive for the fence project so I started researching. I discovered sources for glass supplies using window glass and started working with it and exploring various techniques and built my fence and have been working with it since. At first I bought the glass from glass companies but quickly switched to recycled windows and now work exclusively with recycled glass for my fused work.

Recycled Glass coasters

Recycled glass light switch cover

Nightlight

Artist/Vendor Profile: Cheryl Hazen

Name: Cheryl Hazen
Company name: Salvaged Tresures By Cheryl
Location: Battle Ground, WA
Website: Battle Ground Art Alliance
Facebook

Your products/projects:

I am a glass mosaic artist, all of my art is recycled, reclaimed, and given a facelift and new lease on life. I use reclaimed items as a base, then add glass to make marvelous nature scenes. My favorite piece is a Celtic Tree of Life, I won "Best Interpretation of the Theme" at the Battle Ground Art Show & Sale. I cut out each "leaf" as a celtic knot and pieced them all together. I also "wove" the tree trunk and used old barn wood for the frame. 

I make table tops, birdhouses, bird baths, water fountains, old windows, wall-hangings, and a totem pole, cabinet doors & a gun rack. I currently am doing a series of Revelation Scenes. 

I have artwork in Fusions Artist Gallery in Oceans Shores, I will be showing at the Regional Library Nov. 1st, 2013 and the featured artist at Vinnie's Pizza for the month of Nov. I am a board member of BGAA and a member in Ridgefield art association. I've just undertaken a new project. It is called LandfillArt, and it is making art on a hubcap, so I will try to add glass mosaic to a metal hubcap and if selected, my piece will be put in a book. 

I don't have any "failures" but I do have UFOs (un-finished objects), and that is usually because I don't like them. I thought I could mosaic broken china, and I found a very pretty ceramic design with daisies, also found green plates with daisies and broke them. Well I tried to add "dishes" on a satellite dish--- I had never worked with plates or on a curved surface so it just kept getting worse, I did finally finish it, but I did not like it, it is just too chunky. But it is in the back corner of my shop! Still haven't done another broken china piece.

Green "Cred"

Creative reuse, Handmade, Durable, Made in the USA, Recyclable packaging, Recycled content product, Recycled content packaging, Reusable, Reusable packaging, Reused materials, Locally sourced materials

Why is "green" important to you?

I love the idea of the "hunt" and finding "treasure." Each piece I find is a treasure just waiting to be turned into something else, and given a second chance. I save these pieces from going to the landfill, and I try to make each item fun as well as functional. I just finished a raccoon clock, it started as a painted welcome sign with a flower on it. I saw a hollow in a tree, and cut off the flower part, added a ceramic raccoon to the side, When I found the raccoon I knew what to do with the welcome sign and then I wanted to make little faces coming out of the hollow, but before I made them I found a flat ceramic piece with painted raccoons on it that fit perfectly! I used browns & blacks to symbolize a tree. I just love the feeling of accomplishment when it all comes together like that!

Your origin story?

I have always been creative and have dappled in lots of crafts. I was a Campfire Leader and we were always doing crafts with the kids. 

I have experimented with ceramics, quilting, crocheting, jewelry making, clay, sewing, etc. My first mosaic project was a 6' table. I have an oval table from the 50's from my husbands' grandfather, and an oval mirror that came from my parents' 100 year old home. They fit together beautifully, then I got the idea to mosaic it, in blues, greens, purples. I added a green vine with white flowers, and huge dragonflies in each corner. The mirror is in the middle with the design around the edge. I used tiny plastic pieces for the tessera and glass gems for the dragonflies and black grout. I painted the aluminum legs purple. It took me all summer, but it is beautiful and I still use it for my patio table! But I liked the process of using tiny pieces of something and making beautiful pictures out of them and started using glass for the tessera and Salvaged Treasures by Cheryl was born!

Your inspiration?

I am inspired by nature, landscapes and animals. Sometimes I cannot sleep for all the new ideas running through my mind. Usually I will have to get up and draw out the ideas so I can get to sleep. When I find a base object, I usually get a picture in my mind of what that piece wants to be.

Artist/Vendor Profile: Art and Judy Cortez

Name: Art & Judy Cortez
Company name: Just Chime In
Location: Yacolt, Washington
Website











Your products/projects:

Tableware wind chimes; Spoon bracelets and rings, Tableware necklaces and earrings; Beaded 'finger' bracelets; Beaded hair Accessories; Beaded figurine animals; Beaded car 'mirror mates'; duct tape wallets; Beaded figure pendants (magnets, pins and barrettes combs), Tableware key chains, Beaded rings. We used to make wine cork boards that were very beautiful but didn't market well.

Green "Cred"

Creative reuse, Handmade, Durable, Made in the USA, Recyclable packaging, Recycled content product, Recycled content packaging, Reusable, Reusable packaging, Reused materials, Locally sourced materials, recycled hand made price tags

Why is "green" important to you?

Our planet has way too many thrown away, perfectly good and reusable products! We are always on a "treasure" hunt for more materials that we can repurpose for our crafts. Also, we find that so many people who buy our products feel the same way. Re-use of retail items seems to just increase our passion to make new beautiful products from them, as well as refashioned price tags and reused grocery bags. When possible, we find used jewelry pieces, take them apart and utilize even the findings (clasps, chains).

Your origin story?

We began making wind chimes about 13 years ago in California using a few beads and refashioned silver plated tableware as just a hobby - a few handmade gifts for family and friends. Boldly, we sought out local venues in which to sell them as we built up our inventory - almost all supplies come from second hand stores. Over the years, we perfected our craft, craftsmanship, and designs - making the wind chimes more weather durable and creatively made. It was from patrons asking us if we had: spoon rings, spoon bracelets, and necklaces that spurred us on to develop those items. Also, when the economy became depressed, we began making items that were more affordable.

Your inspiration?

It seems that I am bombarded with inspiration and ideas! The more I pursue new crafts to make, the more ideas just spring up when I'm in the midst of doing anything else throughout the year. Our hobby-business has become my main focus and passion. I love to create new crafts - any idea is worth exploring and trying. My husband, Art and I work very well together - without his engineer skills, much of what we make and sell wouldn't be durable. Recently, I've begun to sketch and will probably start utilizing acrylics more often. One of my recent ideas came from looking at a department store ad and visualizing making my own version of a beaded product.

Your heroes?

My personal hero is Art, my husband, best friend, main cheerleader and support. It seems to be his goal in life to make me happy and my life more comfortable! We have 3 dogs who keep our hearts happy and funny bones well used! Our families are also very important to us.

Favorite celebrities?

Good question: my favorite singer is Josh Groban - he has an amazing voice. If he thought our products were works of art - I think I'd feel so very honored. Our goal is to sell as many of our products to local folks - to see their faces light up when they look at them, is very satisfying. More and more, people are beginning to appreciate the true value of finding treasures amongst the glut of NEW products at retail prices. Who doesn't like a treasure hunt?

Anything else?

Hey, most of us local craft vendors truly love our crafts. Creativity is in all of us and it becomes our artistic passion when visited often! If profit is the main goal, then one should look for a job instead.

Artist/Vendor Profile: Little Did You Know

Andrea of
Little Did You Know

This is the first in a series of vendor/artist profiles that I plan to do. Many of the artists that will be featured in the next few months will also be vendors at Check 'Em Off, Green. Unfortunately, our first artist will not be vending, as she lives on the other side of the continent, but I'm super excited to bring you her story.

I kept linking to Andrea's posts on my Facebook page and I finally realized last weekend that I should probably just reach out to her and say hi, at least. (To be honest, I was getting a little creepy...) I asked her if she'd be interested in being featured on my blog and she said yes! I'm so pleased for you to read a little more about her and what makes her tick.

Name: Andrea Torres-Cooper
Company/persona name: LittleDidYouKnow Facebook
Location: New Jersey, USA

Your products/projects:

The girl really likes her silk!

I mostly refashion thrift store clothing into modern items that fit my style and my body to a T. I'd love for this hobby to turn into a job, but for now it provides me the chance to learn and grow as a sewist. I find my materials at thrift stores, yard sales, consignment shops, and other people's trash...and the bigger the item the better, as they afford the most yardage. My favorite material to find and refashion is silk: I love the luxury of the fabric and the drape is everything, and this way I can afford it! 

I started out on very simple changes (cutting off the top of a dress to make it a skirt and simply hemming the raw edge) and have slowly graduated up to making things from scratch from thrifted fabrics as well. I made my nephew a Halloween costume of the Flash (including muscles) for his birthday last year and that was, for me, a big undertaking as it was from scratch.

Versatile and feminine!

One of my favorite "from scratch" projects is a lace mini skirt that zips up the back and can be worn over different colored opaque slips or minis to change up the look. I have definitely had my share of failures where something doesn't quite come out how I'd pictured it, but these are rarely complete failures. They simply go back into the pile until I come up with a way to rework them into something that I love! One such failure turned out to be really pretty and feminine...but it doesn't fit and making it fit would change the look of the piece completely. So, I admire it as it hangs on my wall waiting for the moment when I work up the courage to "fix" it.

Green "Cred"
Creative reuse, Handmade, Recycled content product, Refashioned, Reused materials, Locally sourced materials

Why is "green" important to you?

Sustainability is more important than most realize. I think many people have

the idea that they should recycle their papers, plastics, glass and metals, but is that really enough? Not really. I think that everyone has the ability to make changes towards sustainability that are just as effortless as recycling is, but once added up are infinitely more impactful. Within my home we take it a step at a time. I am a great advocate for implementing one change at a time into one's lifestyle to ensure that new habits are formed and cemented into everyday life. Sustainability is also super thrifty (in my own experience), which is an amazing bonus! 
Some of our changes came into place when we moved to the east coast: we sold our cars and have lived without them for 5 years, we bike and walk wherever we need to go and my husband commutes by bus to the city, in all of our apartments offering outdoor space we grew our own herbs and vegetables, most of our smaller furniture and appliances and clothes are second hand. This is just a handful of the changes we've made and the list for what we can do just goes on and on. So, take it slow, but make the changes that you can!

Your origin story?

Update some wedges with a little paint!

I have been an avid thrifter for several years, but was always limited to what was in style and that fit and was in reasonably good shape. I started seeing blogs a couple of years back that joined the love of thrifting with the ability to sew and change up an item of clothing into something completely new! I spent days just pouring over the befores and afters and was completely hooked. I had started sewing a year prior and had made some cushion covers, stockings, etc, and thought that I could absolutely try my hand at refashioning some of my old clothing that was sitting around waiting to be donated. So, I took the plunge and haven't looked back!

I love this one. From "meh" to chic-just remove the collar!

Your inspiration?

Pinterest idea: Pool noodles to keep
leather boots from slouching.

I would say that my biggest source of inspiration has been all of the contributors over at Refashion Co-op. I am constantly surprised by the visions that these creative people have for an item of clothing that was on its way to a landfill. They are so talented!
I also draw inspiration from Pinterest :) Whether it be items of clothing that are brand new/retail or other's refashions that they've posted, I have several boards just for refashion ideas, things to try, style inspirations and specific items to look for at the thrift store. I rarely have a vision of what I'd like to do that doesn't borrow from one or many other ideas that I've seen while surfing the web.

Your heroes?

My husband is someone I look up to for his work ethic. He comes from even humbler beginnings than my own and has worked incredibly hard to get his PhD and become a professor. He is incredibly encouraging as well, which makes the transformations of my thrifted finds a little more exciting to show him as he is always surprised that I was able to transform what he saw as "ugly" into something he likes. :) 

grandma's thread spools

My grandmother is another person who I see as a hero. She introduced me to a broader world view which helped to feed my desire to learn: I was inspired to travel and see the other peoples and cultures that she introduced me to and she sewed and knitted as well, a hobby she passed on to me.

Favorite celebrities?

I would say that I generally would love to have the refashioning/reusing community at large be a party to my creations. I have found that my inspiration comes from them and I'd love for "them" to see what they've inspired. Jillian, the Refashionista, was the first refashioner I was introduced to (through her blog, not in person), and Miranda from NewDressADay is another that have been major influences, so specifically it'd be cool to have them as fans as well ;)

Anything else?

Sharpie can be chic? Yep!

Just want to say thanks. Simply put, I appreciate the chance to share a small part of my story and to contribute in some way to introducing people to sustainable ideas that are more a hobby than a chore. 
Peace,
Andrea

When I started to write up this profile, I began to wonder about "Little Did You Know," so I asked Andrea and this was her reply:

I am and always have been an avid reader (hence "bookworm" in my email). Since I can remember I've been reading the classics and mysteries; they are my two literary genre loves. It has always fascinated me how drawn in I can become by the arrangement of words to produce fantastical, funny, harrowing, twisted, and just plain good stories. When I was trying to come up with a "title" or "name" for my page I wanted to marry my love of literature with my new love of refashioning. My husband and I threw a few ideas back and forth until eventually we came up with "little did you know". Little did you know...it can change the entire outcome of a book! Four words of foreshadowing that can turn your world upside down and leave you with the most unexpected outcome. This is how I felt as I'd perused the blogs full of before and after shots of amazing transformations...little did I know that someone could do that with that hideous garment :-0 As I started my own transformations, I had the same reaction when previously "unwearable" items became "fashionable" again. For me, it just made sense...and hopefully it does to you!

I'm glad to know the back story. I think I will find myself thinking "Little did you know..." when looking at various refashions, now. I think Jillian was one of my first Refashionistas, too. Refashion Co-op is incredibly inspiring and I can't believe I wasn't following Andrea on Pinterest, yet (remedied that about 10 minutes ago...)

I hope you enjoyed this first artist profile. More to come! 
-The Reuser

Reuse Conex wrap-up

I wanted to give you a run-down of my experience at Reuse Conex. I met lots of great people and learned about some amazing programs and businesses out there. Here's just a smattering: 

I met the lovely (and breathy!*) Nicole McGee from Plenty Underfoot. Of course, I had no idea at the time what her art was like, so I was pleasantly surprised to find her Etsy shop this morning and instantly fall in love with her items!

*She made a joke about being breathy in her presentation. I had just assumed it was because she was excited about her topic, (it happens to me-don't judge...) but I think (and she said) that it had something to do with being pregnant and due soon!

I also met John Littler from GovDeals.com and later found out we're actually neighbors! 

I learned about some great projects/businesses such as UsedCardboardBoxes.com, (just what the name suggests) ReRack (a reuse store dedicated to car bike racks) and I also met one of the GLEAN artists, Jen LaMastra. I bought a pair of earrings from her that spoke to me. (They said, quite simply, "Buy us.") I saw quite a few ladies wearing her beautiful creations at the conference. The jewelry shown at left are not the pair I bought, but I'm hoping to post a video of my presentation at some point and I did wear them for that.


I heard about a wonderful design competition called Respace by listening to Joel's presentation. I met Diane Cohen of Finger Lakes Reuse and Jenny of SCRAP in San Francisco. I was a little blown away by some of the facts presented by Scott Hamlin of Looptworks. (The one that is sticking with me is this: there is 70 times as much pre-consumer excess (waste) than there is post-consumer.) My brain is still trying to digest that information. 

I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting. It was a great conference! 

A great blog for reusing furniture

I just spent several hours meandering through all the wonderful redone furniture that can be found at Melody's blog, "My Passion For Decor"

Before

After.
Check out many more wonderful
projects over at Melody's blog

I'm not sure if she uses all the pieces in her home or sells them or what, but if you need inspiration/tips for refinishing furniture, I would definitely direct you here. She has some truly gorgeous (and fun!) projects.

More reuses

Here are some #reused material projects I thought you might like: (These products can all be purchased at the Clark County Habitat for Humanity store.)

Can you guess what this bench is made out of?
For a clue, check out where the front panel meets the legs.

A: A crib!

These dog houses are made from all reused materials.
Check the next photo for the ingenious lining of the door arch.
Can you guess?

 Reused Hose!

This birdhouse is made from an old paint can and many other fun reused items. 

Seriously, if you like reuse projects as much as me, you should really check out your local Habitat For Humanity store (Called ReStore, everywhere but Washington State)

And, for good measure, here are two more fun things I ran across while spending wasting huge amounts of time on Reddit.

Plastic bottle turned scoop

Reused items in yard art

Here's a submission from a friend.

Curt made his mom these yard art pieces. 

The materials used: 

Rebar - Purchased

Wire - Found on side of the road

Hub cap - 75' Land Cruiser

Fan blade - '70 Land Cruiser

Amazing what you can do with some reused materials and a little ingenuity!

Waste less this holiday season

Using these tips/tricks:


For me, the time of year when I buy the most "stuff" is, hands down, the holiday season. I'm sure most of you can probably relate. I remember when I first started really "getting into" waste reduction thinking to myself, "Yeah, but to purchase sustainably around the holiday season is going to be near impossible." Fast forward to this season and I can honestly say that every one of my gifts has some (or a lot of) green cred. Most of my wrapping will also sport that claim. In the spirit of giving, I want to share some tips/tricks that have been helpful to me. (And invite you to share your own in the comments section below.)


You've heard me talk about the waste reduction hierarchy before. We're going to use that hierarchy to look at our gift-giving choices. 


REDUCE:
To reduce is to not buy stuff or make waste in the first place. 

A giraffe relaxes in the sun at Oregon Zoo

• For the person who is impossible to buy for, instead of buying stuff, give money to their favorite charity in their name. Are they an animal lover? Perhaps the Humane Society would be a good choice. If they or a loved one have been affected by an illness, donating to research for a cure is a nice way to say you care about them. 
• One of the best ways to reduce our consumption of "stuff" is to give experiences. Giving a membership to the zoo or OMSI not only eliminates material goods, but encourages families to spend more time together. Or, you could give babysitting for a night to a family with a new baby or offer to take your nephew to a football game. Whatever your family members enjoy, try to find a way to allow them to enjoy that experience.
• If you're looking to reduce packaging or the environmental cost of buying something produced out of your area, Etsy can be a great option. Etsy is an online marketplace of handmade products. Often, these products are made with recycled or reused materials. They also allow vintage items, which fall into the category of reuse.
• Buy durable: The better built a product in the first place, the less likely it will be to break down. If it doesn't break down, you eliminate the need to buy a new one. Often, spending more initially for quality will pay for itself down the line when you still have the product years later. (and you don't have to relearn how to use that new toaster!) When something does break, consider repairing instead of throwing away. For that matter, do you have someone in your life that loves shoes? (I think most of us do....) a gift idea for them would be to find a local cobbler and purchase a gift certificate. Keeping their favorite shoes walking another day will eliminate the resources associated with a new pair.
• When wrapping presents, consider reusing comics or other paper. (and thus reducing the need for new wrapping paper.) With a little sewing skill, you can also create some reusable fabric bags. I'm very surprised by how well my family has taken to this idea. Now, the bags are usually considered a part of the present and they make an appearance the following year. 

REUSE:

When we purchase or gift a reused item, we're automatically cutting the environmental footprint of that item in half. (by eliminating a new item from being manufactured, transported, etc.) The more an item is reused, the lighter the load on our planet's limited resources.

• Give the gift of thrift. Shopping at local thrift stores can be an adventure and can result in significant money savings. If you know someone who is a thrift store junkie, many stores have gift cards. 
• Ebay: Lots of the items on Ebay are actually "new" and the site can also be a great place to find something like that scent that your mom loves but they stopped making or that last glass that completes the set your sister loves, but Uncle Stewart broke last season. 
• Craigslist: What's better than reusing *and* keeping it local. If you're concerned about the safety of Craigslist, there are lots of common sense tips/tricks to avoid being taken advantage of. 
• Swap sites: One of my favorite swap sites is Goozex. You send movies and video games that you're no longer using to other members and receive points based on the value of the sent items. Then, you're able to use those points to get used items from other members. Many swap sites work in this same way and there are lots of different sites out there (for things such as books, clothes, children's items, jewelry, etc.) I have a list (unfortunately, has not been updated in quite some time) of many swap sites. But, if you're wondering if something can be swapped, just do a simple search for an appropriate swap site. If it has value, chances are you'll find a site on which you can swap it.

RECYCLE:

Lastly, recycling is always important. We have two duties as consumers. The first (and most obvious) is to recycle everything that is acceptable in our recycling systems. The second, though, is to close the recycling loop by buying products with recycled content. If no one values recycled content, the market for those products dies and recycling (and all the associated savings in water, energy and pollution) die with them.

• As mentioned earlier, many products on Etsy (or at a local bazaar or artists market) will have recycled content. This keeps these items (that may not have a strong traditional recycling market) out of the landfill. 
• Purchasing recycled content can be tricky, but is not impossible. One company that I think has a strong environmental ethic and has many options for purchasing recycled fibers is Patagonia. They also have a fairly new (launched Black Friday, 2011) intiative in which they encourage all steps of the waste reduction hierarchy. 

So, what about you? What waste reduction ideas have you implemented that you're particularly proud of? What would you like to try next season? What are your concerns about waste reduction in gift giving? What are some barriers that you think have kept you or others from implementing waste reduction techniques around the holidays? 

Reuse in Action (photos)

So, last night at Green Drinks, I was guilted about not publishing to my blog. (You know who you are!) ;) (Actually, it's good for me to have a little push sometimes.)

Anyway, I thought I'd be really lazy and post some of the many reuse pictures I've taken over the years and never got around to posting. And, since a picture is worth 1,000 words, I figure this will buy me some time with the guilt-tripper mentioned above. ;) Enjoy!

A rain barrel/water treatment system made from
a large jug. (I'm assuming this is
reused, but admit it may not be.) 

A silk tie made into a doggy collar. Classy!

A handbag made from a Monopoly board.
You can also see a few others in the photo.
The one to the left is an old Pente board game. 

If you like these types of items, you should definitely check out Check 'Em Off, Green on Nov. 12th at the Marshall Center. We've brought together 65+ vendors who have wonderful items like these. This holiday season, replace "cheap crap from China" with wonderful handmade goods/experiences purchased from your community!

That's it for now. But, I have more awesome reuse photos to share with you all, so check back soon.
-The Reuser