Recycling My Trash 101

Bellingham is an amazing community, vibrant with local business, artists and craftspersons. Here we thrive, 20 miles from Canada and an hour and fifteen minutes from Seattle. I moved here by accident in 2003 and now I can't leave, it seems. There are some great things that happen here that I love and one of them is an organization called Sustainable Connections, there is much to say about SC, but that is not the topic of this post.

However Sustainable Connections inspires some great actions in this community and one of them, starting in 2008 was the Toward Zero Waste Challenge! Sounds exciting doesn't it! I signed up to participate and when I had my trash audited I was recycling over 85% of it. I am proud of this little detail and here is partly how I do it

The Poster spells it all out! I guess we have some pretty great recycling here because SSC takes many different materials away for a second chance! There is so much more than just container recycling!
The plastic film box in the corner, I even bring plastic from home to put in here, down to the little tiny bags the screws come in for the Bottle Openers.
This is the little recycle station next to my press, these small boxes haven't been emptied in weeks and weeks!
The Recycle Mothership where Trash, Paper and Food Plus (anything that can be composted) all hang together! I bought the system at IKEA and love it!
The rules for the Food Plus bin!
I even recycle all my food waste in this small bin, emptying it regularly to combat fruit flies!
I used to do a lot of test prints on fabric and then throw that fabric away or use it for rags. Now I do them on kraft paper and use it to gift wrap my Etsy orders when I ship them. Pieces I don't use go in the Food Plus bin.
Test prints that I still do on fabric are turned over to the amazing Moth and Squirrel where they are turned into incredible bike hats!
Little hat for baby...
Made from Bird Collage and Bike Parts test prints...
Mom & Pop hats...
... I see some Breadfarm ink on this one!
So in conclusion...there are a lot of ways to make a difference be it in your business, community, how you spend your money or what you do with your garbage. Scoutie Girl today asked the question of quality vs quantity and the importance of the handmade community. As much as I support my local community I also try to protect it by doing what I can with what I cannot craft into something better.

A Few of my Favorite Things

About a month ago I headed down to the Freemont Solstice Street Fair in Seattle. It was my 5th year doing the event and the a pretty wet one at that. The highlight of the event, which is often the case, getting to see great work from talented artists. I did a few great trades which I just love and felt compelled to share!

This robot belt buckle is from LaRu her work is adorable! We traded Robot T for Robot belt buckle! She also makes cute necklaces and home accessories.
This was my first encounter with Stephanie of Fiber Manipulator from British Columbia and I just loved her work. I traded for two pairs of earrings which I get compliments on all the time!
These straight hammered earrings have the perfect patina! Love!
Ahhh...Patrice Cake of my heart! Patrice and I have done many trades over the years and I adore her unique metal smithed work, here a large silver ring...
...and a spiral silver ring...each of her pieces is really special
These are awesome, large copper hoops also from Patrice Cake, unbelievably lightweight too!
This sweet cotton bag is from Tamara Hoy of Thoy. It has a great weight and the perfect placement of pockets. She uses really great fabrics too, and I am always a sucker for great fabric!

I am looking forward to the next event and being able to see hand crafted work from independent artists! Until then I will have to satisfy myself with window shopping on Etsy and supporting my fellow Vendors at the Bellingham Farmers Market! Things could be worse!

Local Collaborations

It has been a busy time here for the Ole Boots. A beautiful year of weather has dissolved into high winds and rain, but no matter. I have been bust creating all sorts of lovely new things and participating in some cool local collaborations www.mtbaker.us and The Hearing Speech & Deafness Center HSDC. The idea to collaborate with HSDC on a sign language/ bike themed T came about months ago and of course it took forever to get it finished. Collaborating with Dino and Joel at HSDC was really fun! The shirt turned out great and they even modeled for me! 10% of proceeds from this shirt will go to HSDC.

Also very cool and exciting, I was approached this fall by Mt. Baker to create 2 exclusive designs just for them! i designed them on men & women's shirts, T's and hoods and they turned out great. One is a big white tree and a chairlift, and the other is snowflakes and raven's. I wish I could sell them myself, because they are so awesome, but you can only get them by going to Mt. Baker's shop in the lodge, hit the powder while you are there!

Don't forget the awesome Bellingham Farmers Market will be open until December 19th for all you LOCAL shopping needs! Use the power of your dollar this holiday season!

HSDC Staff love their new shirts!

The back with the sign for cycling over a bike

The front says "Rad Bike!"

Looking good!

Mt. Baker Snowflake & Raven Men's T

Mt. Baker Tree & Chairlift Men's T

Mt. Baker Tree & Chairlift Hood Front

Mt. Baker Women's Snowflake & Raven T

Mt Baker Women's Snowflake & Raven Burnout V neck