What's Up Wednesday: Green with Indie

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What is Green with Indie?

It's an eco-friendly indie art & craft show organized by

the STL Craft Mafia, and sponsored by the Environmental

Studies Committee at Webster University.

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This is one of the few eco-friendly indie craft fairs in the

St. Louis area featuring many local artists, vintage treasures,

locally-grown organic greenery, and more!
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Everything is earth-friendly, salvaged, upcycled,

recycled, home grown, home made, revamped,

refurbished, and 100% unique.

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What does green mean?

Green means using resources wisely...and crafters never waste!

They're passionate about using local resources and

putting money back into the local economy.

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The goal is to help educate and inform people

of all ages about the benefits of green, organic,

and eco-friendly products and services.

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In addition to handmade goods, you'll also find many

informational booths on everything from growing

organic food at home to making reconstructed clothing from vintage & used thrift store finds!

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MADE a local co-op studio space for artists & crafters

will be hosting a make and take project and the

Upcycle exchange will be collecting donated supplies!

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Be on the lookout for our very own

Trashion Fantastic Candy Calamity!

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Where and when?

Webster University's Grant Gym

175 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO

Saturday, June 5 from 10 am to 6 pm

Call 314-968-7060 for information

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Image © Green with Indie

www.greenwithindiecraftshow.com

www.candycalamity.etsy.com

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I'm dreaming of a green Christmas

Today's post was contributed by Emily of Candy Calamity.
please visit her here: http://www.candycalamity.blogspot.com/

Part of my family’s holiday tradition is that at some point on Christmas morning, when we’re about halfway done opening presents, my dad will go get a big trash bag and we play a game trying to toss in all the torn up wrapping paper scraps strewn about. By the end of the day, between the paper, ribbon, bows, and all the packaging, it’s not uncommon to fill three big bags. The presents look lovely under the tree, but I have to wonder if it’s worth all the waste. This year, I’m making an effort to change things; I vow to avoid all commercial wrapping products.

One easy earth friendly wrapping method is to reuse bags and wrapping paper from gifts you have received previously, but assuming you didn’t plan ahead and start saving last year, or if all your friends and family are already in on the eco movement and didn’t use any here are some new ideas to try:

1. Brown paper packages
If it’s in The Sound of Music it must be true – brown paper packages tied up with string are a favorite of many people. In my example I used a paper shopping bag dragged out from the back of the closet and cut open, but any sturdy paper you can find will do.



A – The classic, if your good you don’t even need to use tape for this one (I needed a little)
B – Dress it up with a plastic bag pompom from this tutorial from Creature Comforts: http://creaturecomforts.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/11/diy-eco-happy-pom-pom-gift-topper.html
C – Attaching old fashion paper snowflakes can make your package look extra fancy.
D – Get out the paint/markers/crayons/anything and make your own wrapping paper. Try a simple repeating pattern, or make a holiday scene. Pro tip: decorate first and let everything dry before wrapping, otherwise you run the risk of your art bleeding through to the gift inside.

2. Make the wrapping part of the gift



E – The book lover in your life is not going to be fooled by the paperbacked shape lump under the tree anyway, might as well go on and use a nice ribbon bookmark to attach the tag
F – A small brooch or hair clip is a very useful substitution for a traditional bow.
G – A larger gift can be swaddled in a scarf. Here are some tips from someone whose example gift turned out much nicer than mine: http://weheartthis.com/2009/04/20/how-to-scarf-gift-wrapping/

3. Running short on time?



A good last minute idea is to get a pretty reusable bag from a store the recipient shops at frequently, you know they’ll be able to put it to good use.

Thanks, Emily, for some great green gift wrapping ideas!
Visit Emily's sweet blog and her yummy shop

TRASHY KIDS~Upcycled Fridge Frame!

This weeks TRASHY KIDS activity was submitted by Emily or CANDYCALAMITY. This Upcycled Refrigerator Frame is an easy upcycling project that your young ones can get involved with as well as the older ones! (My 16 year old made one of these, too!)

What you will need:
Old tissue box/boxes
Scissors
Glue
Magnet (I used a freebie advertisemnt magnet that I picked up at a fair booth and cut it into pieces)
Craft leftovers such as sequins,buttons,yarn,beans,noodles etc. Let your imagination run wild here or pull out those containers of scraps you know you have hidden! ;0)


The HOW TO Scoop:
Take the top off an empty square size tissue box (so you have basically a square with an oval opening), decorate as you please, attach a photo or drawing cut to the size of the square to the back and glue on a magnet - ta da - a fantastic upcycled fridge frame.


Thank you Emily for your submission on this week's Trashy Kids!
Here is a terrific item from CandyCalamity's Shop!

If you have a great idea for this segment of the blog please submit your idea and any pictures if you have them to www.lakeeriebeachglass@hotmail.com