Daisy Janie

making an effort | brin & nohl

'Making an Effort' highlights designers & crafters who use eco-friendly methods and/or materials where possible in creating their products. The entirety of their collections may not be 100% organic or green or recycled, but they're trying and that's the point. They're making an effort. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Would you like to be considered for this feature? Email me.

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This week, Jody Wickel from Brin & Nohl (Oklahoma) shares her designs & eco philosophies with us. Jody creates delightfully charming & down-to-earth home accessories, using reclaimed coffee sacks and upcycled military blankets. Her hand-crafting is high-quality & heartfelt...the best kind!  

Brin & Nohl links:
shop | blog

What do you create?
I create a variety of handmade housewares, from burlap and wool baskets to pillow covers. Behind the scenes I create and design clothing for the whole family and like anyone who designs and crafts, I have been known to make a handful of gifts (especially gifts for children).

What materials do you use?
I primarily use recycled/upcycled coffee sacks sourced from our local coffee house, upcycled canvas and upcycled wool from vintage military blankets. I also love to use linen and organic fabrics.

What made you decide to use recycled & other green materials in your products?
Creating and designing through recycling empowers me and helps teach my children the importance of protecting our environment, limiting waste, and using what is already out there. Reclaiming different items and changing them into something completely different keeps my imagination going. Reclaiming, reimagining. The impact our society has had on the environment is shocking. The media has done a good job of bringing it to the attention of the masses. I hope others will follow.

Do your customers seek out eco-friendly products?
Absolutely. Many of my customers have found my products simply on their search for eco-friendly, eco-chic products. They can feel good knowing they are not only supporting an independent artist, but they are also supporting an eco-friendly artist. I think many consumers are beginning to just make it a way of life.

What is the biggest challenge in using green raw materials: sourcing, price, variety, etc?
Making sure I have enough materials on hand to fill my orders is my biggest challenge. Everything is recycled and then upcycled by me. The demand has increased. Finding good, quality sources for my materials and having a firm supply is always never far from my mind.

Do you have plans to incorporate more eco-friendly materials in your products?
I am always looking for ways to keep things environmentally sound, which also keeps things interesting. Incorporating eco-friendly materials is a natural part of my work. Everyone can do the same. Simple steps to upcycle materials, reuse, or recycle can easily transform any design and make it into something completely different and fresh. Case in point, taking the time to rummage through the remnant bins can be helpful environmentally and economically.

Anything else to add?
The support of my customers and making them happy warms my heart. The world of Etsy has been so supportive. I just want to thank my customers for supporting my efforts and for giving me inspiration through commissioned works. I hope everyone will consider making small changes in their gift giving this season by giving handmade, one-of-a-kind, meaningful gifts. All handmades should really be considered eco-friendly in themselves. They are taking the edge off mass production and therefore helping to curb the environmental effects. Etsy is such a fabulous marketplace to begin the journey.

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Thank you for sharing your ideas & ideals with us, Jody! The effort you're making is commendable and very much appreciated!

Brin & Nohl links:
shop | blog

making an effort | modernemotive

'Making an Effort' highlights designers & crafters who use eco-friendly methods and/or materials where possible in creating their products. The entirety of their collections may not be 100% organic or green or recycled, but they're trying and that's the point. They're making an effort. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Would you like to be considered for this feature? Email me.

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This week, Adele Miller from modernemotive (Toronto) shares her designs & eco philosophies with us. Adele creates stunningly simple & modern paper goods, which are made primarily with materials using recycled content. She's very selective about every detail throughout her product design process - it definitely shows! p.s. she included an exclusive coupon code for Daisy Janie readers...keep reading! 

What do you create?
Right now, my product line consists of greeting cards, invitations, announcements, personalized stationery and business/calling cards. I have plans to expand my line in 2010 to include notebooks, notepads, folders and more functional paper goods. The list never ends which can sometimes cause great chaos in my already overactive mind. I also have plans to extend beyond paper goods but all in good time.

What materials do you use?
I try to pack as many “eco points” into my materials as possible.

Here’s the current breakdown:
Cover stock + white envelopes
Acid Free, Archival, Certified Processed Chlorine Free, FSC Certified, Green Seal Certified, Lignin Free, Made Using Wind Energy Recyclable, 100% Post Consumer Content

Brown Bag Envelopes
100% Post Consumer Content Colored Envelopes FSC Certified, Acid Free, 100% Recycled, 30% Post Consumer Content

Cello Sleeves
Plant-based (corn) materials, Biodegradable, Compostable

What made you decide to use recycled & other green materials in your products?
Simply put - why not? The options are available (especially in the paper goods industry) so there’s really no reason not to.

Do your customers seek out eco-friendly products?
I certainly think the fact that my products are ecofriendly influences some purchases. However, for the most part, I believe people are just seeking out unique, fresh and modern stationery. Over time, I think the ecofriendly aspects will become a more influencing purchasing factor. But to do that, I think the stationery industry has to make it the norm rather than a “bonus”.

What is the biggest challenge in using green raw materials: sourcing, price, variety, etc?
Pricing is definitely my biggest pain right now. While I am trying to be competitive, I also don’t want to undercut myself just to compete. I truly stand behind the quality of my products, materials and design work. I think my prices reflect that fairly. I am putting my heart and soul into modernemotive and while I do think the market will somewhat determine price points for you, I also think you need to put the breaks on dropping your prices until you know you’ve hit your target market and failed. Of course, there is always room for adjustment, and it’s something I continually monitor.

Do you have plans to incorporate more eco-friendly materials in your products?
I’m always looking at new ways to further my efforts and it’s certainly a deciding factor when I consider adding new products to my line. If I can’t optimize the eco aspects as much as possible, the idea is shelved until such materials become available. For example, I package my products in the bio cellos rather than boxes because my source doesn’t currently offer earth-friendly options. While it may take away from the visual presentation some, for me, this is a small compromise rather than loading landfills with boxes made of plastic. Also, when I start to wholesale, I imagine I’ll have to outsource the printing. When this happens, I will definitely be going the vegetable or soy ink route.

Anything else to add?
As a thank you for sharing my work with your readers, I’d love to extend them a discount code for 15% off* in my shop. Valid from Friday, 20 November thru Sunday, 22 November. Simply add “DJ15” to the notes to seller and I’ll refund you via PayPal. Or it you’d prefer a revised invoice, include that in your notes. *Cannot be used against custom work, items currently on sale or with any other offer.

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Thank you for sharing your ideas & ideals with us, Adele! The effort you're making is commendable and very much appreciated!

modernemotive links:
shop | blog | flickr | twitter

making an effort | journal junky

'Making an Effort' highlights designers & crafters who use eco-friendly methods and/or materials where possible in creating their products. The entirety of their collections may not be 100% organic or green or recycled, but they're trying and that's the point. They're making an effort. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Would you like to be considered for this feature? Email me.

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This week, Nicole Annette from Journal Junky (Asheville NC) shares her work & philosophies with us. Nicole creates fantastic hardbound journals, which are handcrafted using recycled & natural materials. My favorite is a very unique design that can be customized for giftgiving - sort of like giving a very functional greeting card!

What do you create?
I create a fun and eco-friendly way for people to capture, preserve, and share their special moments! (In the form of recycled journals-or as I like to call them-Memory Journals.)

What materials do you use?
Recycled paper, cardboard, scrapbook papers, jute string and natural hemp (for my bookmarks), and lots of glue!!!

What made you decide to use recycled & other green materials in your products?
From childhood, I was never able to throw anything away!!! I always told my parents "but this can be used for something else!!!" It is still hard for me to trash things, because they really CAN be useful...one day! I am also an earthy-natural sort of person. I love the look of natural paper, books, packaging, cards, clothes, bags, decor, and people!

Do your customers seek out eco-friendly products?
I feel that many of my customers come to my shop looking for journals or for a unique gift idea. I think it helps that my products are eco-friendly. They are doing their part to "save the earth" when they buy recycled or earth-friendly journals!

Do you have plans to incorporate more eco-friendly materials in your products?
Currently, I offer recycled bookmarks along with the Memory Journals. The bookmarks are made of chipboard or leftover cardboard and jute or hemp string. As of October 1, we have gone "green" from our products-to our packaging! Every unique Memory Journal is wrapped with recycled tissue paper, and is shipped in a recycled gift/shipping box. For fun, we even stuff in lots of recycled pink crinkles! We use recycled envelopes and paper as well.

Anything else to add?
At Journal Junky, we completely adore our customers! With their support, we have sold over 600 journals since we have started in August 2008! To say thank you, we have started our new "JUST4U" Customer Appreciation Program. With this program our customers are able to save with every purchase (and they receive free gifts!)

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Thank you for sharing your ideas & ideals with us, Nicole! The effort you're making is commendable and very much appreciated!

Journal Junky links:
shop | blog | flickr | twitter

making an effort | fisherman's daughter

'Making an Effort' highlights designers & crafters who use eco-friendly methods and/or materials where possible in creating their products. The entirety of their collections may not be 100% organic or green or recycled, but they're trying and that's the point. They're making an effort. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Would you like to be considered for this feature? Email me.

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This week, Taylor Brown from Fisherman's Daughter (Cape Cod) shares her work & philosophies with us. Taylor creates "one-of-a-kind, ocean-inspired, eco-friendly clothing & accessories." Her designs are a sweet mix of edgy & modern and soft & feminine. I fell madly in love with her thermal seaweed scarves and fingerless gloves! Now I just need to find a vintage coat to match....

What do you create?
Clothing and accessories for the ocean muse.

What materials do you use?
Certified organic cotton thermals, striped rib knits, and cotton thread.
USA grown and milled as much as possible.
Some recycled natural fabrics, remnants.

What made you decide to use organic textiles in your products?
I grew up on Cape Cod with the ocean as a second home. My dad was a fisherman and my mom stripped his fishing nets so I spent hours and hours down at the pier and the beach picking shells and feeding seagulls. When I wasn't there I was with one of my grandmothers. Both were seamstresses; one a swimwear designer with a small custom clothing shop in town. I would sit and play with their fabric and started making clothing for my dolls when I was 4 or 5. I started shellfishing to make money to put myself through college and made headbands to keep my hair out of my face while I worked. I got my degree in Fashion Design from Mass College of Art in Boston. I was awarded a scholarship to travel and study art in Vietnam through MassArt. I loved Vietnam so I moved out there for a year to work for Ngo Thai Nguyen as a Fashion Designer. The company was Vietnamese; a Vietnamese Fashion Design Atelier and Design studio with ties to the Vietnamese government and so the factories I visited were run by the government. They were sanitary but they had no regard for nature or the people working with chemicals. No ventilation, no regard for harmful toxins. I went to factories in Thailand and Indonesia as well and noticed the same thing. And all along noticing the dirty water, the dirty rivers, the dirty ocean with rats and oil and chemicals lining the beaches. I cried, and I cried, and I promised myself and I promised the ocean that I would do my best to contribute in the best way I know how to love her and human beings. I have to wear a mask when I sew because the fibers and chemicals coming from the fabrics make me sick. With the organics at least I know that I am trying my hardest not to have respiratory disease or throat cancer (two common side effects of long term sewing).

Do your customers seek out organics?
I really hope so. I feel that it makes my designs more appealing. Organics are a trend. There's alot going on with mother nature and the environment is something that people are really thinking about. Unfortunately, there are soooo many companies that buy "organic" fabrics from the USA, and Asia, and Europeand and wherever that are supposedly certified organics. But I know from my experience how corrupt and manipulative the world's system of doing business can be.

What is the biggest challenge in using organics: sourcing, price, variety, etc?
Last time I checked there were only 1800 acres of organic farmland in the USA growing certified organic cottons. Supplies and varieties are limited. Chemicals for dyeing and printing on fabric have not been perfected by the bigger mills so it's very hard to buy fabrics that are affordable to design with when trying to produce products that are saleable to the mass public. The mass public doesn't want to spend what a real organic product is worth because they are used to the disposable clothing that is so cheap. I feel like awareness is getting better but people really need to believe in fair wages, and good clean products in order for these things to exist.

Do you have plans to incorporate more eco-friendly materials in your products?
I want to work with local USA based designers and artists like yourself [thank you, Taylor!] to create products that are cool and hip and fun and worth spending the extra money on to love mother nature; because essentially we are loving ourselves and our children.

Anything else to add?
This is not easy. Organic fabrics are not easy to source, and they cut out a large profit but at the end of the day I feel like I am trying to educate by being an example. People need to be shown how to change their habits and I have the ability to show designers what possibilities there are to create using organics.

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Thank you for sharing your ideas & ideals with us, Taylor! The effort you're making is commendable and very much appreciated!

Fisherman's Daughter | main
Fisherman's Daughter | etsy

making an effort | curley creations

'Making an Effort' highlights designers & crafters who use eco-friendly methods and/or materials where possible in creating their products. The entirety of their collections may not be 100% organic or green or recycled, but they're trying and that's the point. They're making an effort. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Would you like to be considered for this feature? Email me.

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This week, Sarah Curley from Curley Creations (Philadelphia PA) shares her work with us. She makes simple & sweet housewares - tablerunners, napkins, pillows - from organic cotton fabric. Her original designs are either screenprinted or handpainted using non-toxic, low-impact dies. Her attractive designs would fit well with lots of decor styles!

What do you create?
Currently I create housewares such as napkins, table runners, pillows & pot holders. I am working on creating a new baby line of crib sets, bibs, diaper bags, blankets, etc, as well as a bed and bath line. I want to expand the selection of environmentally friendly, non toxic products that are available, incorporating some of my designs and patterns. I also want to create an interesting color palette that can be mixed and matched and moved throughout the entire home. I hope to have new product sets up by the beginning of next year and to continue to expand the organic products available to consumers.

What materials do you use?
I primarily use organic cotton, but I am starting to experiment with hemp as well. I love the fact that both hemp is a sustainable fabric that can be woven into many different types of cloth. I also use non toxic screen printing paints to color my own fabrics using non toxic, low impact dies. I believe in the organic, non toxic, eco-friendly movement and strive to include only things that I know do the least to no damage to the environment and people.

What made you decide to use organic textiles in your products?
The volume of chemicals that we come in contact with on a daily basis worries me. The only way to change the pollution of ourselves and our environment is to start being conscious of the products we buy and the things we use. I want to make products that people can feel good about buying and using, and I want people to not have to worry about if the products they come in contact with everyday are environmentally safe. I want to create things I feel good about.

Do your customers seek out organics?
Yes, they do, and I believe the market for organics is growing with people's concern over the environment. In the conversations I have had with my customers they are very happy that my products are organic. They have said that it is very difficult to find places to buy organic goods. I believe buying organic is something that interests a lot of people. As we make it easier for people to find the products they want in organic fabrics they will choose more and more organic options for their lives and homes.

What is the biggest challenge in using organics: sourcing, price, variety, etc?
There are a lot of challenges in using organic materials. They are more expensive, there is less of a variety in colors and patterns, there are very few suppliers to chose from, but I think most of these problems come from the fact that this is a emerging market. Up until recently the environmentally friendly movement had not been very popular, now it is becoming easily accessible to everyone. It is important that we support those suppliers that have created organic fabrics and products so that we can develop more of a variety of colors, patterns, and products that will keep people as interested in organic materials as we are in the non organic ones.

Do you have plans to incorporate more eco-friendly materials in your products?
I am always looking for new and interesting eco-friendly materials to add to my product line. The more I have to choose from the more I can create. I plan on expanding the products I create to include baby items, bedding, bath towels, kitchen and dining items, and eventually clothing and accessories. My goal is to translate my interest and enthusiasm into product lines that in turn excite the public's interest.

Anything else to add?
I believe every little bit helps. We are looking for a way to make our world and lives better. I want to do as much as I can to incorporate a environmentally friendly attitude into every aspect of my business as much as possible. It is better for the world I live in, the people I know and love, and maybe if we are lucky we will leave a better world for our children. If I can help with that by being a little conscious about the things I use I will. Also I love to make thinks with my own hands. What could be better that supporting the causes you believe in while doing what you love?

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Thank you for sharing your ideas & ideals with us, Sarah! The effort you're making is commendable and very much appreciated! Sarah's blog: http://curleycreations.blogspot.com/

Curley Creations

making an effort | shecological

* * n e w  f e a t u r e  a l e r t * *
Making an Effort will be appearing on the DJ blog weekly - Thurs or Fri. I'll be seeking out designers & crafters who use eco-friendly methods and/or materials where possible in creating their products. The entirety of their collections may not be 100% organic or green or recycled, but they're trying and that's the point. They're making an effort. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all.

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Kicking off this new feature is Sheila Clancy from Shecological. Her adorable & stylish totes and handbags incorporate "earth friendly materials and manufacturing practices...she uses organic cotton/hemp canvas and organic cotton twill, water-based inks, and low-tech printing." Each one is totally unique and full of personality!

What do you create?
I make handbags and bags of all sorts. I also have been known to make dolls, clothing, and really anything that involves stitching and textiles or fibers. I have been sewing since I was about 5 years old. My parents raised us to be creative, self-sufficient, and thrifty - “waste not want not”. I am also bad at following directions or sticking to a pattern, so I am mostly self-taught and my designs have all evolved out of my head. I am inspired by textile history (in particular, William Morris) and Japanese art, culture, and design.

What materials do you use?
I love all natural fibers – silk, hemp, cotton, wool, etc. I also love surface design such as printing, embroidery, dye, and woven patterns. I love natural dyes and have a dream of growing my own indigo to dye with. I took a course in professional natural dyeing and am planning to incorporate some naturally dyed fabrics in upcoming products. I love mixing color and pattern and have a hard time remembering to put in solid pieces now and then.

What made you decide to use organic textiles in your products?
I am always trying to advocate for organic textiles because I think it is an area that most people don’t think too much about. Everyone realizes the importance of organic food but textiles are such a huge part of our lives and they can be so wasteful and polluting. Synthetics, chemical dyes, and pesticides just seem like an offense to what is otherwise a wonderful thing. I don’t want to work with chemically laden materials and I don’t want producers or consumers to have to be exposed to them either.

Do your customers seek out organics?
I think that customers are drawn to the fun, original nature of my bags first, then they are interested in the healthy, eco-friendly aspect of them. I want to show customers that organic and natural can be colorful, chic, and affordable.

What is the biggest challenge in using organics: sourcing, price, variety, etc?
If I could, I would use all organic and natural products. Sourcing and pricing can be a problem sometimes but I think the biggest issue for me is resisting a fabric that I like (kind of like eating candy when I know it is not good for me). My goal is to eventually have all organic or repurposed fabrics. In the meantime, I feel good about using what I have in my stash and not buying anything new (unless it is needed to fill out the rest of the bag.) I feel that using organic for a portion of the bag is a good start and it really does make a difference both in cleaning up the world and in raising awareness.

Do you have plans to incorporate more eco-friendly materials in your products?
My goal in making these bags is to infuse as much positive, healthy energy and materials as possible into the world. I love the fact that I can have a business the is built on natural products, minimal waste, individual pride in production, no sweatshops, and friendly, creative human interaction!

Anything else to add?
I am a fabric fanatic! I am a designer and stitcher obsessed with handmade, japanese culture and international fashion. I am also an environmentalist! I want to see the whole world eventually switch back to natural dyes and organic natural fibers! Natural can be and is stylish and functional!!

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Thank you for sharing your ideas & ideals with us, Sheila! The effort you're making is commendable and very much appreciated! Sheila is a member of the Eco Etsy and Etsy Organic Teams. From now until the end of the year, she will be donating 5% of her sales to Heiffer International.

Shecological