Category: Tutorials

Team Player: Writing for Ecoetsy!

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Do you get overwhelmed by the sheer number of sellers on Etsy? If you’ve ever been to the site and searched for eco-friendly and have found the results too big to digest then Ecoetsy is your saving grace! The Ecoetsy team is a group of Etsy sellers all committed to green business practices and sustainable products. By typing “ecoetsy” into your search inquiries you’ll have a list of guaranteed tree huggers like yourself to choose from.

In addition to providing filtered lists of goods – the Ecoetsy team runs a successful blog that helps you take the walk beyond shopping. Filled with news, business tips, recipes, and Etsy finds, the site will inspire you to take an extra step in your conscious lifestyle. And now, every month, you’ll be able to catch my Eco-Tutorials too as I’ve become an official Ecoetsy Blog contributor! Check out my first post about how you can transform your throw pillows with a set of fabric kitchen napkins! Show some love in the comments too.

Snack Attack: Rustic Homemade Granola

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If you have a passion for healthy eating you’ll love my recipe homemade granola!  The ultimate renaisssance food, it is breakfast, snack, and power surge all in one! With the hearty nuts, dried anti-oxidant rich berries, soothing oatmeal, and comforting spices, you’re sure to fall in love as well. Continue reading →

Small Space? Urban Garden Solutions!

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Tis the season to start planning your 2011 edible gardens. City dwellers must overcome the myth and fear that growing veggies is only for those with a stiff mortgage and plenty of land mass. Those of us who live in apartments and high rises can overcome this obstacle by employing some creative solutions:

Urbio Vertical Garden: This up-and-coming design team is currently collecting funds via Kickstarter to turn their urban jungle ideas into reality. Their concept of magnetic and adjustable plastic planters is brilliant, modern, and functional.  Let Urbio be your inspiration. Continue reading →

Warm Fuzzy Feelings: V-Day Dinner

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This year Valentine’s Day falls on a true blue Monday. If you and your sweetie are working, but still want to mark the occasion, throw together a simple comfort food dinner tomorrow night.

My suggestion: indulgent mini grilled cheese sandwiches paired with a hearty tomato soup. To add a lovey dovey touch, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to give the bread some whimsy. Using the leftover crusts, cut them into cubes, sprinkle with olive oil and rosemary, then pop them into a pan for a quick toasting. Meanwhile, pour your tomato soup into decorative mugs and top with your homemade croutons. Put out a rustic tablecloth and some candles and in less than 15 minutes you’ll be on your way to romance!

Cute as a Button: DIY Earring Tutorial

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I made a trip up to Evanston yesterday and took a stroll down Main Street. I love the feel of the blocks with the narrow street and local mom and pop shops. I peeked into Dave’s Rock Shop and perused the ancient fossil collections and bought a box of fragmented pyrite. I also swung through Healthy Green Goods to scope out their new shop layout. But the real mission of my journey lay just ahead – Vogue Fabrics.

Whenever I visit Vogue I know I’m in for a long stay. I have to block out at least three hours of time for each excursion. My goal that day was to find elastic for new spring headbands – but I quickly found myself distracted by their wall of designer and vintage buttons and instantly planned my Saturday project: new button earrings!!!! Continue reading →

Product Photos: Let There Be Light!

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When first starting my Etsy shop creating product photos was thee most difficult task in my quest to bring my handmade clothes to the masses. Having received my Bachelors in Film Production I knew a thing or two about lighting and set design but little about practical retail photography. So the experimentation commenced and years later I am more than content with the results – I am downright beaming with pride. Using the most minimal resources I have found a way to take a striking pic that captures the viewers attention while flattering the garments. Here are the tid bits that I have learned over the years.

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Rocking NYE Naturally: Makeup Tips

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Last week I made a sweeping change to my daily makeup routine and ditched all of the harsh chemically products that were in my rather large stash.

I tossed about five pounds of designer and el cheapo eyeliners, blush, shadows, lip sticks, glosses, primers, and more! It was part of my yearly pre-New Years purge. Websites like the Cosmetics Safety Database convinced me that no look is worth the mercury infused mascara or phthalate laced cheek glow.

With this in mind, I wanted to share how us super eco-divas can still rock an edgy look using natural, safe, and earth friendly products. Some of my favorite items include a hemp based line of staining lip balms by Colorganics that can be purchased at most Whole Foods, the entire line of cosmetics by Greek skincare company Korres, and the ever cute and increasingly natural brand Tarte.

The following tutorial uses a mix of the above brands to create a vintage-inspired party look for New Year’s Eve. I hope it gives you some food for thought for 2011 and beyond. Continue reading →