Happy Earth Day, friends! Earth Day is a time to reflect on one’s lifestyle, choices, and commitments. Let me begin by saying that I’m from a very environmentally considerate part of the world – the PNW – and while I’ve always celebrated nature – it wasn’t until college that I saw my role in protecting and maintaining the awe-inspiring planet we live on.
What’s not to love about a day to take a look at the beautiful natural world around us and think about what an awesome time we have taking walks on sunny days, going on hikes under a dome of trees, learning about our favorite animals, or photographing our adventures and travels?
When I think of the words that define me, it’s sometimes hard to consider them in terms of the Earth. I am a writer and crafter – and both can means lots of consumption and waste. I can’t imagine how many notebooks I’ve wasted writing a few words and thinking no, this isn’t what I want to say, and scrapping the whole page for the next. Going to college really got me thinking about my ecological footprint though, and now Earth is on my mind nonstop. It’s almost annoying, actually! I can’t help but critique a product’s packaging or take note when someone trashes something when a recycle bin is nearby. But I try not to judge.
Anyway, I thought all us crafters could use a handy list of tips for being more eco-friendly. We’re all making beautiful art, gifts, and products for others to treasure so we’re a step ahead of pack. We know that handmade trumps mass produced. But we can do better, too.
1. Consider the source.
Although so many inspiring designers are behind the supplies at the craft store, we should still read the label and find out where/who produces them, just like we would our food or clothes.
2. Don’t scrap the scraps.
When scrapbooking I can’t stand letting extra paper, ribbon, or yarn go to waste. There’s always something that can be made with it. The art journal in the background of the above photo is how I reused much of the scraps collected for years. It’s made up of book pages, old stickers, used packaging, and more.
3. Buy in Bulk.
This is hard for the indecisive crafter, but buying in bulk cuts down on packaging big time. Plus it usually saves on shipping, drives prices down, etc.
4. Don’t buy what you can make.
Being cheap is how I started making my own crafty embellishments. Then I realized it’s a lot more fun. I also no longer buy supplies like inkpads – I can just use washable markers I already own for stamping.
5. Know that secondhand doesn’t always mean used, and, vintage is in.
You can find a ton of craft supplies – including paper – new or lightly used at thrift shops. Not only are they cheap, but why create an unnecessary demand for NEW supplies?
See how artists combine handmade and secondhand on Etsy.
6. Get organized.
Things I buy because I always lose them: sewing needles, threads, glue, tape, etc. If I’d just get organized I would eliminate this need.
7. You just made a gift, why not the packaging?
It’s half the fun and can probably be made with scraps from other projects. There are tutorials all over Pinterest for spicing up gift wrap and making creative packaging.
8. Find your way around plastic.
Plastic never dies and there are often great alternatives for its use.
9. Two words: small business.
Just recently I started crocheting with handspun yarn (from an Etsy shop). I know that if I swap the items in my shop for only sustainable, locally made, I’ll have to increase my prices a lot. But it’s something to consider in order to be a more sustainable crafter and have higher quality goods in the long run. Peruse the internet or your local farmers/craft markets for materials.
10. If your craft is sustainable, promote it.
Eco-friendly is marketable. People want others to know when they’re doing something good. And buying handmade, natural, secondhand, and sustainable – that’s good. Why not let people know?
Of course, this is just my take on eco-friendly crafting – if you have ideas, PLEASE share them in the comments! This whole week is Earth week, so don’t forget to celebrate!
Happy Earth Day Angela! Hope you’re getting some sunshine your way, it’s gorgeous here today (though a bit windy, but we don’t mind!) 🙂
I love your post, I wish I had something better to post on my blog today but I was so not prepared…
I love buying second hand and re-using as often as possible, this is a great list of ideas sweetie, xo!
Angela this was really a pleasure to read!
I’m using recycled paper produced in Italy where I live for all my notebooks and such. I decided to only use recycled and up cycled materials for packaging and all the totes I hand paint with no toxic paints are made with organic cotton.
I’m trying to think about the environment every time I come up with an idea for a new product.
I love buying second hand at local markets too!
Sounds like you are doing a great job keeping the environment in mind!
love this list! i use neglected materials to make a lot of my books so this post is right up my alley!
Lovely ideas, thanks for sharing! I use old magazines as gift wrap-paper. Lots of fashion magazines have gorgeous photo’s to use for this.
Thanks for your comment! Using fashion magazines is a great idea!
Thanks for your comment! Using fashion magazines is a great idea!