Your Daily Breeze

Photo from Reiter8.

Reiter8 is home, to what I personally consider, a genius movement of turning sturdy fabrics into useful fashion. A bag made from sails; it's such a concept. Romantic...yet robust. Even fine details of the sails, like seams and grommets, are used to enhance the one-of-a-kind nature of each piece. Uses for these large bags include grocery shopping, book lugging, and the especially appropriate, a sailboating picnic on and island.

Here's a great video on Katherine, the founder or Reiter8 where she talks about her aspirations, her mission, and the benefits of reusing materials to create something new, unique, and beneficial.

Using Gocco, a Japanese screen printing method, this scientist/artist from the United Kingdom, creates wonderfully beautiful gift cards, tags, and wedding invitations. Earthy and pleasantly rustic, these creations are made by Kate of Paperleaf.

Kate's designs feature 100% recycled manila cardstock. Intricate birds, flowers, and plants look gorgeous on these unique and customizable pieces. To top it all off, she packages the cards in a biodegradable bag made from cornstarch! See more about Kate and her creations, here on PaperLeafStudios' blog.

Durable for Sure

Images from OneWomanStudio.

Physically touching these incredibly versatile bags allows you to envision their true place in the world. An ideal place, like the one described to me by the Founder of OneWomanStudio, Julia. She told me about a recent apple picking adventure, where the bags came in especially handy, pounds and pounds of crisp autumn apples overflowing from these rather roomy and adaptable bags.

Durability is certainly the case with these hard-working bags, which are made from old feed and seed bags and are comprised of over 85% recycled material. The images could not possibly do justice to these timeless bags, you have to see and feel them for yourself. Keep a look out for Julia's upcoming Duct Tape bags, I saw them and they're awesome! 

Made By Hank, or... Kate Henry

Photos by MadebyHank

Could there be a more beautiful selection of bags in one place? Kate Henry (one incredible designer) has created a website MadebyHank.net, for her new and gorgeous bags. They are truly amazing, truly unique, and feature many different designs to choose from, and they're made from vintage fabrics. What could be better?

Read more about Kate and Hank on Venus Zine.

Cute, Colorful Recycled Envelopes

These lovely and unique envelopes are perfect for the up-coming holiday season! Made from old books, old maps, and more, the inside and outside seemed to have been paid the same attention to detail. Check them out, at Adnagam's Etsy store.

Notebooks

These gorgeously made notebooks by YourSecretAdmirer, are perfect for the creative artist. Filled with various pages from old, discarded books and recycled paper, they are handmade to order (you can even choose the color of the binding).

The "Little Brown Book" features 100% (post consumer waste) recycled paper, and they are bound with the Coptic stitch, which allows them to lie flat. These unique notebooks are a great find!

Photos by: YourSecretAdmirer, of Etsy.

Photo Directory

Here it is! A new way for you to find unique items that fulfill your need for comfort and your desire to be good. SustainabiliTee, YourDailyBreeze, and the new 'green' styling company, "Thread Lightly", have joined to create a directory and photo album of the latest and greatest in stylish, earth-friendly clothing and accessories. From independant artists to companies who do good, here's an array of pleasant fashion and accessories and where you can find them. Click here for Style By Thread Lightly.

Necklace by Colleen Couture (email): $15.00. 'Born on Rock' Custom shirt by SustainabiliTee: $28.00. Belt from Second Time Around: $8.00, Portland, ME. Pants from Material Objects: $12.00, Portland, ME. Shoes from Goodwill: $8.00.

Bag for Life

Here's a bag that adds functionality and style to compassion. These lovely makeup bags are made from repurposed designer upholstery fabrics, which are exquisitely crafted into fashionable, durable, and tangibly pleasing make up bags by Donna, of Tiny White Whale. From inside to outside, the bag has lovely features including a hand strap, a zipper, and a great shape.  My personal favorite aspect of the bags are the interiors, which compliment the outside in a tasteful and playful manner.

Useful things are especially pleasing, but this one in particular could be used for many purposes, such as: fill it with a tee shirt and you have a nice, cheek-soothing pillow (ergonomically correct too), put a small towel and swimsuit in it and go swimming, put delicate things in it (because it's surprisingly protective), or put your notebook, some pens in it and go out sketching. Whatever you do with this bag, it will serve you well and for a long time.

Donna is spectacularly talented, but adding to her high-quality work, is the environmental bonus. This makeup bag shown here showcases some of the finest post-consumer recycled material: fabric samples! Thanks to the efforts of volunteers and the generosity of the design community, beautiful fabrics, tassels, and trims are rescued enroute to landfill. Artists, craftspeople, and designers, are using this and other resources like this  one to make a tremendous positive difference in our world. See more about their amazing work here, at FabMo.org. Check out their Gallery and you'll get excited about the immense possibilities offered by repurposing!

Every detail, even the very bottom of the bag, is still a pleasure to look at and touch, and yes, even smell! Well-crafted, perfect sized, and pleasurable to hold, this wonderful bag will make your days.

Keep a look out for these bags, they are one of the carefully selected items featured in the up-coming photo shoot, brought to you by a collaboration of SustainabiliTee, YourDailyBreeze, and all the eco-friendly designers who are participating.

 

 

Find More...

Find more Independent designers and craftspeople on Indie Blog Directory. What a great concept, compiling all kinds of great individuals into one easy shopping and information site.

Earrings that Enlighten

If you desire earrings that float delicately beside your neck and adorn your face with beautiful color and texture, then these are the pair for you.

These particular earrings, aptly named "Ear Bouquets", are the epitome of lobe decoration, and look especially lovely when intermingled with hair. The eye-catching earrings, found at AngelHearts, are made by Melynda who "deconstructs, redesigns, and recycles vintage and antique jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, all with a romantic flair." The end result couldn't be better. Available in many colors, the flower Ear Bouquets really hit the spot. They are delicate, decorative, lightweight gems. You will love them.

Keep a look out for AngelHearts in the up-coming photo shoot! In the meantime, please support AngelHearts' innovative creations and YourDailyBreeze. Thank you:)
Photos taken by a Nikon D100 and 85 mm Nikkor lense; camera similar to: Nikon D300 Digital SLR Camera, lense similar to: Nikon 18-70mm Nikkor

GoodFriday

GoodFriday is a great place to go to find one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry for any occasion. With a wide variety of unusually diverse pieces, Rebecca of GoodFriday makes her pieces from vintage and reused jewelry.

Here's a small piece on her, that tells her truly unique story: "Rebecca was born in a thrift store. The love child of a prominent British politician and a gypsy cast out of her tribe for her forbidden dalliance, she spent her formative years rebelling against authority at a New England boarding school known for shaping presidents.

She ran away at sixteen, almost, but not quite, leaving her etiquette teacher with a permanent facial scar. Her father would say she squandered away the intervening years traveling the globe, searching flea markets and back alley bazaars for the perfect vintage pieces to incorporate into the jewelry she sells here.

But I think you'll find that she's positioned herself perfectly to bring you the most unique urban yet sophisticated designs that you'll ever wear."

Stay tuned for Rebeccas' work to be featured in the up-coming eco-conscious photo shoot, released July 10th, 2008! Find her work at Etsy.com

As usual, photos taken by a Nikon D100 and 85 mm Nikkor lense; camera similar to: Nikon D300 Digital SLR Camera, lense similar to: Nikon 18-70mm Nikkor

Foundlings' Adornments

When I came upon this find on Etsy, I almost couldn't believe how perfect the items seemed. Then, when the items arrived; I found out it was true, they are perfect.

Initially, I was impressed by the packaging (which is recycled btw); it was an appropriate prelude as to what was to come...little flower blossomed bobby pins fell gently atop carefully wrapped boxes.

Opening it up revealed intricate earrings and an incredible necklace made from "vintage, found, recycled or repurposed materials" by Betsy of Foundling, a small shop for people like you and me.

I love Foundlings' work, it's delicate and detailed, feminine and flirty...and best of all, it's extremely unique.

Superb customer service, presentation, and wonderful products make YourDailyBreeze happy to recommend Foundling to you and you and you.

Keep a look out for these and other rare finds in the up-coming photo shoot released June 18th, 2008.

Photos taken by a Nikon D100 and 85 mm Nikkor lense; camera similar to: Nikon D300 Digital SLR Camera, lense similar to: Nikon 18-70mm Nikkor

Skirt of the Ages

Oh, I love squishy things! So when I received the soft, pillowy priority mail envelope in the mail, I guess you could say it was love at first sight.

But that's nothing compared to what came out of the envelope. This ribbon-wrapped tangible textile piece of heaven. It's best described as "organized chaos"; and I love it.

I unwrapped the thick ribbon and held the top hem as the new/old skirt dropped comforting-ly down. Weighty, soft, and pleasing to the touch, this skirt is unbelievable. It is made by KTJean, who uses vintage and reused fabrics in the making of these pleasurable pieces of rustic femininity.

Her service is fast, her product is comfortable and unique; YourDailyBreeze feels honored to write about such a creative designer. Please support KTJean and other independent designers that consider the earth so thoughtfully.

Keep a look out for this wonderful skirt (shown in full) and other earth-friendly items in the up-coming photo shoot premiering June 18th, 2008.

Her website: www.ktjean.com

Thanks to my Dad, for taking the picture I couldn't:) Thanks Dad!

Alaskan Apron

Look at that beautiful Alaskan sky and the complimentary handmade, super-sweet apron!

Tanna, of Juneau, Alaska makes many of her apron fashions out of recycled and reused fabrics. Look at those mountains, the clean water, pristine wilderness...and then support this designer and her Adorable Bubble Apron!

Tee Shirt Rug!

After searching for what seems like forever, here's one of the first (of many) indie finds by YourDailyBreeze.

This person makes floor rugs from tee shirts. Her "fondness of vintage fabrics" makes for a very interesting combo when paired with the inspired modern designs found in her work. The rugs come in four different sizes, many colors (the brown is dyed using coffee!), and she does custom work for you as well upon request.

This rug can be found here, on etsy.com.

Stay tuned to YourDailyBreeze.com for the up-coming photo shoot (To be released May 30th) and the wonderful products featured in it! (Find out more about the photo shoot by checking out "Model Search" on this blog).

Recycled Rings

These unbelievably unique rings (and other lovely accessories), are unlike anything I've seen! They're made from antique broaches, necklaces, and rings and are adoringly hand-sewn for your pleasure.

Check them out at RecycledRings.com or on Etsy.com

Cotton Bird Designs

These oh-so-adorable tiny birds are hand sewn and made from vintage and recycled materials. I love the unique idea, as well as the detail-oriented construction of the birds. The map bird, found at CottonBirdDesigns, is another favorite, probably because of my map envelope affinity too.

Interesting Eco-Products...

Here are some recent finds that involve art, ingenuity, and environmental compassion. Check them out, these two were found on Etsy.com . (keyword search: recycled).

Eco-friendly Dog Bed

Have some old pillows or comforters lying around? Stuff them in this Dog Bed made from recycled plastic! "If it's your pillow, your dog will love it because it smells like you..." says Annie, of Annies' sweatshop. She makes earth-friendly dog adornments and comforts for the eco-consicous pup and human. Customizable, interchangeable and detachable, the dog bed wins my heart because of the unique snap button top that the pup can stick its' snout in and burrow under. Mmmm, burrowing. Uma would love it.

Dog Bed 
Leash
SustainabiliTees' Dog Fan TeeShirt.
 

Sprouting Greeting Cards

Ever wonder what to do with the old cards you've saved? What about plant them! These cards, found on Etsy.com, at "Recycled Ideas" are not only handmade, earth-friendly, and tasteful, but they sprout! Check it out at http://www.recycledideas.etsy.com

Recycled Tee Shirt Bags

I love the bags produced by Moon and Sundries! They have these unique totes made from tee shirts. They seem pretty well made, and each side is different. I love how soft they must be. Personally, I want the "Beautiful Whale" tote.

ReFabulous

This phone pouch looks like the comfiest sweater your phone could ask for! ReFabulous displays many great items, all of which are comprised of "used, rescued, and unique materials".