so many creative ways to recycle, might as well blog about it!

Some answers from the artist behind "sonic fabric"...

Sonic fabric emits sound when you run a tape head (the little thingy inside thetape deck that touches the tape) over it. Because the tape retains its magneticquality through the weaving process, it acts as a big wide band of tape.

I had no idea when I first conceived of this project that the fabric would be"listenable"... the point for me was just to get as many of my all-time favorite sounds onto the recording. So I made a collage of layered samples from my collection using ananalog 4-track recorder.

When you run the tape head over the fabric you are reading 4 or 5 strands of tape at once ... in other words, 16 or 20 tracks all mixed together. It sounds kind of like scratching a record backwards or radio static.

In order for the sounds to be perfectly audible, though, the head would have to be swiped across the fabric at the same speed itwas recorded at. So it's a challenge to make that happen.

To me it's the concept that makes it meaningful ... all those sounds mixed together to form a totally unique new sound. Things I've collected throughout my whole life. Music and sounds that had agreat influence on me ... everything from my high-school punk band, Jack Kerouac,ocean surf, shamanic medicine songs recorded in the Peruvian jungle, ambient citystreet noise, the improvisational/experimental ensembles of myself and my friends,the Beatles (especially Revolution #9 ... my earliest influence), and Pachelbel'scanon in D (my earliest musical memory)

On my father's boat (a 19' Lightning class sailboat) his tell-tailof choice was made from a small strand of cassette tape because it's a light,wind-sensitive, and durable material. When I was a kid I used to imagine that Icould hear Cat Stevens or Beethoven's 6th or whatever had been recorded ontothe tape wafting out into the air if the wind hit the tell-tail just the right way.Years later, I learned about Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags.

These limited-edition ties are made in collaboration with designer Julio Cesar.

They are intended to impart the wearer with special, subtle powers of perception and attunement

and to emit an intangible sense of the miraculous.

SONIC FABRIC NECKTIES $140

Inspired by evidence that the flying reindeer/Santa Claus myth comes from Siberians hamans

eating Amanita muscaria mushrooms(google it if you don't believe me).

Papier-mâché and plastic holiday lights, two pieces approx. 28" tall x 26" wide each.2004

EVERYONE IS AN ARTIST: Alyce Santoro

As our society collectively awakens to the realization that it must devise ways to stem the hemorrhaging caused by years of denial and excess, and as the DIY (do-it-yourself) movement becomes proportionally more popular, I am constantly reminded of Joseph Beuys’ words “Everyone Is An Artist”.

Beuys believed strongly, not that everyone should make (so-called) fine art, but that everyone can live a richer and more meaningful life by infusing any vocation or action with his or her own personal creativity. Beuys believed that personal creativity could be cultivated and honed by reconnecting with nature, and by developing a more intimate relationship with it.

He believed that individuals, as well as our entire culture could be healed by returning to a simpler way of life, and by becoming more attuned to the subtle, ineffable forces of the ecosystem we inhabit

EVERYONE IS A SHAMAN

Some call one who consciously connects to, communicates with, and elaborates on the intangible a shaman. Some called Joseph Beuys that. Most just called him an artist. Shamans, artists, cooks, gardeners, scientists, inventors and all others who bring imaginary things out of the realm of the intangible to help give them form could benefit from enhanced access to the mysterious force of inspiration. In this sense, everyone is a shaman as well. And as people begin to seek ways to “do it themselves” they are exercising a form of personal creativity that has been largely neglected in our culture for far too long.

A basic fact of existence that has been all but forgotten is that human happiness and the sense of freedom (the pursuits of which are among our so-called inalienable rights) depend largely on the ability to express personal creativity.

“To make people free is the aim of art. Therefore art for me is the science of freedom”

Islandis VI $25.00

Number 6 of our popular Islandis series - this bracelet made with reclaimed wooden ball

and beehive shape charms on sturdy goldplated chain.

eco chic, eco fabulous.

There is absolutely no need to compromise the environment for fashion. Check out these amazing looks, organic, affordable, and oh so chic.






Loomstate presents Keds for Barneys. "The collection includes five prints based on the Keds classic Champion® silhouette, priced at $75 a pair, each comprised of 100% certified organic uppers and linings, nickel free eyelets and 100% recycled insole boards. To further reduce the product’s carbon footprint, Keds will take recycled shoeboxes and re-purpose them as the shoeboxes for the Keds by Loomstate collection. ''It could not be more perfect timing to bring into the fashion forefront the rich, classic, American heritage that Keds initiated in 1916,” said Julie Gilhart, senior vice president, fashion director of Barneys New York. “Mixing the tradition of Keds with the new stylish, organic culture of Loomstate and the search for integrity and quality of product at Barneys makes for an amazing project and a perfect collaboration.” ( http://loomstateactnatural.blogspot.com/ )

More fantastic eco art!

Freehand painted venetian glass bead approx. 15mm on gold wire. Select your choice of color (rustic, teal, fire) by Hovey Lee Visit www.hoveylee.com or click on the image above.




John T Unger- Bottle caps have long had a place in the folk art tradition as a decorative element. Usually, they are deployed more as a texture, willy nilly without sorting for color. His bottle cap mosaics were initially inspired by Haitian ritual flags, in which detailed images are realized entirely through the use of sequins. The first bottle cap pieces he did combined bottle caps with vitreous glass tile.

Each cap is sorted by brand or color, washed, dried, punched, partially crimped and finally nailed in overlapping scales to create a feeling of depth, light and shadow. Decorative nail heads emulate the texture of seed beads often used to reinforce the sequins on flags. Even the smaller fish require hundreds of caps to complete.
The most amazing thing about these fish is the way they interact with light. When you look at one or two caps from any brand, they're generally not all that impressive. But when you group hundreds of them together and let them catch the sunlight, they truly glow. The combination of the background color with the logo can create color tones that are vibrant and lively and wholly unexpected. More of his work can be found at:www.johntunger.com





Dryads Dancing began with picture frames made with reclaimed wood. Antique bead board, reclaimed molding and ceiling tin made into picture frames was the launching pad for the company. We have been committed to using salvaged materials from the beginning for several reasons.


Contemporary furniture is the newest addition to the dryads line. Beautiful reclaimed wood with the authentic paint to create the patched together surfaces. The plane the wood down so it is smooth and then add a coat or two of heavy matte lacquer. The welded steel frame makes the furniture very strong and durable. They also hand sand the steel to soften the edges and then patina to an antique bronze.


HOOTY- Barnwood meet barn owl. Folk art wooden canvas that is eco-friendly and cute and affordable. Made with reclaimed barn wood and salvaged roof tin makes this whimsical folk art charming in lots of ways.
Find more pieces here: http://www.dryadsdancing.com/




Beer Can Butterflies by Paul Villinski- NYC’s trash is Paul Villinski’s art. These beautiful art pieces explore themes of transformation and recovery through the metamorphosis of crushed beer cans from the streets of New York into flocks of realistically crafted butterflies. More can be seen here: www.trendhunter.com/trends/beer-can-butterflies

Word of the DAY:

e⋅merge • verb
to come into existence; develop.



Gumball rings on recycled wrapped copper wire band! A chic alternative to the silver and gold with different gumballs and sizes available: cultured pearls 10mm, rose quartz 15mm, and green agate 12mm. by Hovey Lee. Visit www.hoveylee.com or click on the image above.

a healthier way to burn candles

A few of my favorite eco-chic and eco-friendly candles.
What some might not know...burning candles can often put toxins into the air as the candles burn.
Eco-friendly candles means the manufacters are dedicated to helping the environment and do not use
ingredients in the candle making process that would put any chemicals or toxins into the air we breathe while burning.

www.paddywax.com
www.kobocandles.com
http://greenlightcandles.net
www.foreverybody.com

RECYCLED MAGIC

Nick Cave.. works of wearable art.



Like a surreal dream, a magical moment all with some sort of oddness that stirs something inside of you.. Nick Caves suits are beyond imaginative.


They are moving, motivational, and as time goes on, they become more and more breathtaking. I feel as if they truly are, 'apparitions hovering between a human form and an abstract painting. (read more) In regards to his works of art, Cave says, "I believe that the familiar must move towards the fantastic. I want to evoke feelings that are unnamed, that aren’t realized except in dreams."

"The materials he incorporates in his suits–from twigs to bottlecaps–are throw-away objects having little value, and they represent our society’s view of the African-American male in Cave’s opinion. Cave’s use of recycled materials is similar to quilt making, which traditionally utilizes little bits of discarded clothing that are reassembled to form something practical and beautiful. Quiltmakers delight in the fact that they are able to create something from nothing. Cave takes apparently worthless materials and transforms them into valuable objects of breathtaking beauty and spirit. "
- Beth Blahut

an amazing organization, organic, eco and for the kids..

The Edible Schoolyard (ESY), established in 1995, is a one-acre garden and kitchen classroom at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California. It is a program of the Chez Panisse Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by chef and author Alice Waters.

The garden started as a cover crop in a vacant lot with once-monthly student participation. More than a decade later, it is a thriving acre of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Now, each student at King Middle School attends 12 to 30 sessions in ESY kitchen and garden classrooms, depending on grade level. ESY reaches each of the nearly one thousand students at King Middle School.*

Mission & Goals

The mission of the Edible Schoolyard is to create and sustain an organic garden and landscape that is wholly integrated into the school’s curriculum, culture and food program.

ESY involves students in all aspects of farming the garden and preparing, serving and eating food as a means of awakening their senses and encouraging awareness and appreciation of the transformative values of nourishment, community and stewardship of the land.

Students leave the Edible Schoolyard with:

• A sense of ownership and accomplishment.
• A sense of curiosity and wonder.
• A sense of place.
• An understanding of how food is planted, grown, harvested, and prepared.
• A willingness to try new foods.
• Life skills, including cooperative work, respect for self and others, active listening, and the ability to make healthy food choices.
• Exposure to a wide, seasonal variety of fruits and vegetables.

Students gain an understanding of:

• Sustainability at a personal level—how they as individuals impact the environment and how the environment affects them personally.
• Seasonality—specific connections between each season and the foods, plants, and activities associated with food—from seed to table.
• The connections between school, family and community.
• The rich and diverse agricultural traditions of their student body.
• How to use all five senses to create a whole experience.

Wherever possible, Hovey Lee uses metals from renewed sources derived from recycled jewelry or reclaimed metal companies. By using renewed metals, our goal is to reduce the need for additional mining of precious metals that could be very harmful to our environment.

What Dawn soap products are doing to help..

How Dawn Helps Save Wildlife

For 30 years, wildlife rescuers have used Dawn dishwashing liquid to gently remove oil and help save wildlife affected by oil spills. Animal rescue organizations choose Dawn because it removes the greasy oil—while being gentle on delicate feathers and skin. Over the 30 years Dawn has been involved, the success rate for wildlife rescue from oil pollution has increased exponentially. Dawn dishwashing liquid has been a vital tool to wildlife conservation organizations, with thousands of donated bottles cleansing—and saving—over 75,000 animals in the last 30 years. This year, Dawn continues its important contributions to animal rescue organizations with a new, inspired campaign that invites you to become an Everyday Wildlife Champion. When you buy a bottle of Dawn dishwashing liquid and go online to activate your donation using the bottle donation code printed on your bottle, Dawn donates one dollar* to its wildlife conservation partners, The Marine Mammal Center and The International Bird Rescue Research Center, which devote time and resources to saving animals and habitats in need. With Dawn, making a difference has never been so easy.*

Special Edition Dawn:
Tough Yet Gentle Wildlife that comes in contact with oil pollution is at serious risk. Oil destroys the intricate layer of feathers that protect birds, exposing them to extremes in temperature. When they try to get it off with their beaks, they risk poisoning themselves–the intake of a single drop of oil can prove deadly for some birds. If the oil isn’t removed quickly, they will die. Thankfully, Dawn thoroughly removes the oil, without harming the skin or feathers of the animal. That’s because Dawn is tough on the grease–but gentle on fur, feathers, and skin. And now, when you purchase a bottle of Dawn dishwashing liquid and go online to activate your donation using the bottle donation code printed on your bottle, one dollar* is donated to organizations like The Marine Mammal Center and The International Bird Rescue Research Center.

Inside the Wildlife Rescue

Dawn is only one aspect of many successful wildlife rescues. The lives of birds and other animals affected by environmental issues are saved largely due to the heroic efforts of dedicated volunteers. Learn more about how they go into an animal rescue site, secure the scared and injured animals, clean and rehabilitate them, and eventually release them back into the wild. You can see wildlife rescue photos from animal rescue sites.

Photos from the treasure hunt..

still hunting...

WORD OF THE DAY:

invigilate • \in-VIJ-uh-layt\ • verb
to keep watch : supervise, monitor