It’s incredibly clear to us that we all have to do our part to stop churning out waste, toxic bi-products, cheap single-use items and the many other things that damage the beautiful earth that is our home. I do what I can – I am not perfect but it’s something I think about in all I do.
There is no shame here – toward you or against me. We all just start by becoming aware and making small simple changes. The more we think about it in all we do, the better off we all will be!
My eco-friendly mission
I prefer to save an old piece of solidly made furniture than see it dumped and wasted.
I prefer to use non-toxic paints and sealers so I don’t off-gas harmful VOC’s while I use them or for years after my customers have them. I have chemical sensitivities so I am careful.
I prefer to use reusable cups, dishes, brushes, linens, aprons and so on so I don’t contribute to waste.
I love creating things from re-purposed items – give me a stack of discarded wood and watch me churn out some signs, frames or shelves. Take that old drawer just tossed aside and I’ll clean it up and hang it on the wall like a display shelf.
I preserve crafty bits for re-use in other projects. I rescue and re-use whenever I can.
I regularly visit and/or donate to my local re-use sites:
- SCRAP, our local nonprofit creative reuse store
- The ReBuilding Center, our local nonprofit salvage and reclaimed building materials site
- Metalwood Salvage, purveyors of intercepted scrap and materials providing responsible craftsmanship.
- Our local eco info comes from the super informative earth warriors at 350PDX
Why do I love old & vintage stuff?
I love creating things from re-purposed items – give me a stack of discarded wood and watch us churn out some signs, frames or shelves. Take that old drawer just tossed aside and I’ll clean it up and hang it on the wall like a display shelf.
I am officially a “picker”, “junker”, and “flea-market-flipper”. I love going out saving discarded treasures. There is no reason to toss aside so much that is created when it can be reused and repurposed and reloved.
I love vintage items because they hold so much history, and preserving and cherishing those things is one of my strong values. I have always been curious about the stories behind the things that are really important to us. I would brave a storm to rescue my vintage cast iron popover pan because it is a strong connection to my mom and my childhood. Old things need to be cherished for the history they hold and use they still provide us!
We love this beautiful planet and the life we live on it. We will keep on doing what we can and learning how to protect her every day.
