Fashion and Beauty: Trove Treats

When you think of the words 'recycled fabric', fashion and beauty may not automatically come to mind. But with a little creativity and some experimentation, Sarah Jeffery is able to turn materials destined for the landfill into delightful accessories that really make a statement. Sarah's shop, Trove Treats, is a living example that one person's trash can definitely be another person's treasure.

I asked Sarah about the creative process behind her recycled creations.

'I started creating on a whim. I had been collecting buttons and beads for a while [but had] no real intention of doing anything with them. Then one day I decided to make some bracelets out of [pieces from my collection].' Sarah had so many compliments on her bracelets that she started experimenting with different forms and styles.

'I use as many recycled materials as possible [and try] to incorporate at least one recycled aspect into each new creation...I love old buttons and beads, but have also grown to appreciate vintage, recycled, and new fabrics.' Sometimes [I find] great fabric [ from] clothing bearing stains or marks that make them useless in their original capacity...Old fabric scraps, buttons, and belt clasp are also great finds.'

'I believe that we can all [strive to] live [a] little bit greener...I use materials close to home as much as possible, and waste as little as possible, so that I am [reducing my carbon footprint]. If we make an effort to live slightly more sustainable lives, it [will be] good for the environment and economy!'

Sarah's travels have inspired her both creatively and in her efforts to stay green. 'I was in China last year...They recycle everything and even their street sweepers [use] brooms made from old branches and twigs, rather than industrially-made conventional brooms. [And] in Shanghai they plant 100 trees a day.' In the future, Sarah hopes to continue travelling to gain inspiration from different cultures and countries.

You can check out more of Sarah's creations in her online shop Trove Treats, her webpage, or her facebook page.

Definition Day: Ecosystem

Environmental Design- Jane Gardner


Eco, eco, eco...we are bombarded with 'eco'. Many products are now labeled 'eco-friendly' or 'eco-conscious'. There are eco-cities, eco-towns, and eco-tourism. In Canada there is even something called 'EcoLogo' which states that something is an 'Environmental Choice' (I honestly have no idea what EcoLogo's standards are). If you want to find environmental jobs in Canada you can browse ECO Canada.

But 'eco' is just a prefix. It's origin is the Greek word 'oikos', meaning house [1]. Eco, as we use it today, represents 'environment', 'nature', 'natural habitats' [2], so it is very valuable to understand the word ecosystem in our now eco-centric society.

ec·o·sys·tem, noun: A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their environment; A complex set of relationships among living things and their habitat; an ecological community together with its environment, functioning as a unit[3],[4], [5].

So, if we break down ecosystem (eco + system) we have living things (animals, plants, bacteria) + non-living things (air, water, rocks, minerals, etc) interacting with each other. When I say interactions, I mean things like eating food and drinking water; finding and/or making shelter (a house), and competing with others for food, mates, and shelter.

Use your imagination to think of some interactions. I'm thinking of the bacteria in my gut digesting my breakfast, a bird eating insects on a tree, two squirrels fighting over nuts, rain allowing plants to grow and then fire burning the plants down (repeat cycle). The possible number and type interactions seem endless. Which is why understanding the extremely delicate, super-fine balance of ecosystems is so challenging. Let's all thank an ecologist (a scientist that studies ecosystems) for taking on such tough research!

Ecologists often use math to help them study ecosystems.

We can think of an ecosystem as an equation: The sum of all the interactions between (living things + living things) + (non-living things + non-living things) + (living things + non-living things) = ecosystem.

Now the math ecologists use is much more complicated than the simple equation I showed above. Ecologists often use computer programs to make models that try to simulate the interactions of living and non-living things. There are some free resources to help us study ecology:

The Open Directory Project and Google Directory have some pretty intense ecology software, probably useful for upper level university students and grad students. While LotsofLessons has teacher resources, activities, and games for K-12 ecology.

Thank you to Jane Gardner for the use of her original graphic design 'Environmental Design'. You can purchase this print as well as other graphic designs from Jane's online shop.

[1] Ware, R. K. 2007. The Meaning of "eco-". MyWorld.info. The Montrose Group. Accessed on February 18, 2011 from:http://myword.info/definition.php?id=eco_1-a

[2] Eco-. 2011. Dictionary.com. Accessed on February 18, 2011 from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eco-

[3] Ecosystem. 2011. Dictionary.com. Accessed on February 18, 2011 from: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ecosystem

[4] Houghton Forestry Sciences Laboratory. What is an ecosystem? Accessed on February 18, 2011 from: http://forest.mtu.edu/kidscorner/ecosystems/definition.html

[5] Answers.com. 2011. Ecosystem. Accessed on February 18, 2011 from: http://www.answers.com/topic/ecosystems-1

Fashion and Beauty: Heather Lair Designs

Textiles, they're everywhere. We are literally surrounded by them. Couches and chairs are covered in them, so are our bodies. Fabrics make our purses, pillows and blankets to name a few. Look around your room, now look at your clothes. I must admit, I never really gave textiles enough thought before. Someone had to grow a crop (like cotton), or raise animals (like sheep) for raw materials. Those materials had to be transported to a processing facility, usually a factory, to make fabric. That fabric had to be shipped somewhere else to manufacture goods like clothing and furniture. Then the finished products are transported to retail stores where we buy them and transport them home. Phew!

I did a little digging, and the textile industry is actually responsible for a large amount of air and water pollution. I'll definitely think about that the next time I'm wrestling with, 'Do I really need this t-shirt?'. So it was nice to hear from a textile artist who tries to keep her creations green. I spoke with Heather, of Heather Lair Designs, about the creative process behind her quilts, purses, cell phone and ipod cases.

'I have been sewing since I was in school. My first quilting project was a backpack from the book "The Great Noank Quilt Factory" in 1974.' Heather studied the history of textiles through the ages and around the globe and incorporates these techniques and materials into her award winning work. 'I am a textile artist. I am aware that the textile industry is one of the worst polluters in the world. I keep that in mind when I design my product line and use as much [recycled] fabric as I can.'

'Found and reclaimed fabrics are much more fun to work with. The designs for my purses have already been started by the tailor who cut the cloth for a sleeve, or lapel! I just re-work their creations.'

Heather feels good knowing that she is using material that would otherwise be going to the landfill. 'I always think about the amount of energy that went into the production and shipping of [textiles] before I get [them]. Especially the beautiful hand woven wool [from] jackets that I [repurpose] for purses. A farmer raised the sheep and kept them healthy to produce the raw wool. The dyers and spinners and weavers of the cloth, tailors and designers have all touched this very cloth that I am using!'

'...The jackets have been worn by their owners, and I often think, "Where have they been?". To Europe, the opera, weddings, funerals, classes, out for romantic dinners? If only the cloth could talk!'

You can find a work of textile art that speaks to you in Heather's online shop.

Green Living: You've Got Options Baby!

Frozen Hearts- Treasures by Teala

This is a topic that people don't really like to talk about. We tip-toe around this natural part of a woman's cycle. But no more! Yep, that's right, today I'm talking about options for menstruation.

Why? Because it is completely natural. There's nothing dirty or gross about it. And it's because we're embarrassed to talk about it that you might not have considered all the options available to you. I frankly think it is important to know your options so that you can make an informed decision. And for men reading this? Thank you first of all! I love all my followers & appreciate you! I really hope this topic doesn't make you feel uncomfortable. But I won't apologize if it does. Remember, the women in your life that you love all have, used to have, or will have a menstrual cycle. If you're a boyfriend, husband, or a father, don't you want to know the healthiest options available? Common' guys, I know you like that area, you should care about it's health too!

Fun fact: Did you know that more testing has been done on the effects of bleach (a known carcinogen) in coffee filters than in tampons? And think about where the tampon is going!

So, here are some options you might not have considered:

The Diva Cup: The Diva Cup (pictured left) is a reusable silicone menstrual cup. There is nothing to throw away, so you reduce waste, and save money. A one time purchase is ~$35. Believe it or not, the Diva Cup is over 75 years old!

Unbleached Organic Cotton Tampons: Tampons are available that have not been bleached and do not contain synthetic fibres such as rayon or chemical additives such as binders or surfactants. And because these tampons are made from organic cotton, there will be no traces of pesticides or fertilizers used in industrial cotton farming. As with most organic products, these are generally more expensive than traditional tampons.



Reusable cloth pads: Made of machine washable fabric, these pads can be used again and again, so you'll save money and reduce waste. I've shown two examples of reusable pads. They come in lots of different colours, I just happen to like pink. The pad with wings is from Moms Craft 4 U, and the pad without wings is from lovely lovely. These shops are generously offering coupons to you readers interested in trying out a reusable cloth pad:

Moms Craft 4 U: Use the coupon code GIVEAWAY2010 at checkout for 10% off your purchase until Mar 31/10

lovely lovely: Use the coupon code 21century at checkout for 10% off your purchase.

Menstrual suppression: The final option? Well, that I'm going to mention at least...Don't get your period. There are several types of birth control pills that suppress monthly bleeding. Unlike traditional birth control where you take a pill for 21 days, followed by a seven day break (often there are seven sugar pills to keep you in the habit of taking a pill every day), pills that suppress menstruation are taken 365 days a year. The result? No menstrual period. This is an option you need to talk to a doctor about because it requires a prescription. As with any prescription, you should really do your homework before taking it. I don't know enough about it, I can't recommend it or advise against it. But it is an option women can consider.

So, I hope all these options give you something to think about. And if you're happy with what you use now, that's great too. It's your choice. The purpose of today's blog is simply to help you make an informed choice.

My inspiration for today's blog came from a wonderful episode of the CBC radio program 'Ideas' called Seeing Red about the cultural and historical perspective of menstruation. It's worth a listen! I especially LOVE the part where they read a poem about if only men had periods, so funny!

The photograph at the top of the blog post is one of my originals. It, along with a growing collection of photography and handmade jewelry are available for purchase from my online shop.

Green Living: Pretty Lovely Painting

Looking around my room, I'm wondering how many of the items that were bought from a big box store could have been made by hand, with love, from an artist in an environmentally conscious way. It's definitely something to think about.

I had the chance to talk with one recycle artist, Meli Anna, about the creative process behind her eco-friendly, hand painted key racks, coat racks, and writing journals.

'Believe it our not, I started painting with my little girl, now 5 years old...Just for the fun of it. [Now] I work with little businesses around my neighbourhood and I recycle their "waste". The great thing about recycling [is that] you [never] know what will come [into] your hands next. You just try it.'

'I think there is too much of everything in this materialistic world. But I also understand the desire of the spirit to create and [produce] something lovely.' The secret for Meli Anna is to fulfil her creative spirit by making lovely items for the home using recycled items.

'Nature really inspires me, birds in particular. Their peace and calmness is just adorable.'

In addition to her creations, Meli Anna just started writing a blog about spiritual book reviews. 'I love spirituality. I read at least a book a week about self growth, emotional cleansing, the cosmos, and different religions.'

'I think love is the most potent power. It enables you to do anything you dream of!'

Meli Anna's outlook on life is really refreshing. When I asked her about plans for the future, Meli Anna told me, 'No plan at all. I like [the] surprise...I don't think we really control our future...we just do what we are meant to do.'

You can check out Meli Anna's creations for the home in her online shop Pretty Lovely Paining, or follow her new blog here.

Meet a Scientist: Catalina Pimiento

This particular blog topic is very important to me. I know many scientists, it comes with the trade. I spent seven years after high school learning from, working with, and becoming friends with scientists. But most people never really get to know scientists personally. If I asked you to describe a scientist, you might picture 'a white lab coat, some sort of a beaker with bubbling liquid, wild hair, a white beard'....And I'm quite positive this type of scientist exists. But scientists come in all shapes and sizes. When I go into a classroom, I can tell my students are shocked to learn that I (a tiny young woman) am a real scientist (I get that question all the time, 'are you really a real scientist').

My dear friend Catalina (pictured right) is a scientist too (are you starting to wish you studied science instead?). The other interesting thing to know is that scientists have an extremely wide range of passions and interests. Scientists are really cool people. I am so excited to introduce you to some cool scientists, starting with Catalina Pimiento.

I asked Catalina to talk with me about herself, her science career, and her passion for Science Education.

'When I studied whale shark migrations for my undergraduate degree, I always felt like I was doing something important with my life; I was saving sharks. For my Masters degree at the University of Florida, I decided to change my focus and work with fossil sharks. [As] a paleontologist, I was discovering fossils and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. In order to predict the future of sharks, and comprehend their present, I had to understand their past. Again, I felt I like I was doing something important.'

But Catalina still felt like something was missing. 'I [discovered] that the missing ingredient was outreach. I needed to communicate my research to a broader audience.'

Catalina's idea came to her by watching her younger brother. 'I am a big fan of technology [and] I wanted to use the Internet as a tool to communicate science. I thought, children use the Internet much more than adults, so I decided to teach science to children using the Internet. '

Catalina envisioned a website that would engage children in science through fun, kid-friendly activities on fossil sharks. '...because I am a native of Colombia [and] struggled [to learn] English, I decided the site had to be bilingual (English-Spanish), so it [would be] appealing to an even broader audience.'

'I learned a lot [while designing the website]. In contrast to static, linear (read boring) textbooks, [the Internet can be used to teach science] in a dynamic way...which is closer to how science really works. This turns out to be more attractive and less intimidating to kids.' Catalina also learned that fossil sharks can spark children’s curiosity in science concepts such as biology, ecology, geology and paleontology. Additionally, the use of two languages gave more students access to science.

'By creating a bilingual, fun, kid-friendly website about my research, I found the ingredient that was missing in my life. For me, it was not enough publishing for the scientific community (which is very rewarding)...I desire to reach out to the general public, engaging the scientists, journalists, teachers and politicians of the future; the kids.'

Catalina is currently working on a PhD in the Education Technology department at the University of Florida. She continues to combine research on fossil sharks from Panama with new technologies to bring the wonderful world of science to a broader audience. I for one, can't wait to see what her research team comes up with next!

Please check out the website Fossil Sharks in Panama, and be sure to share the link with your kids (and your friends who are kids at heart!)

Thank you so much to Catalina for taking the time to talk with me about her research. If you're a cool scientist please contact me! I'd be thrilled to feature you too!

Holistic View: Breathing into the Uncomfortable

Mandala Detail 2, by Petrus Boots- Art Unseen


I have been practicing yoga on and off now for the past four years. Let me tell you, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. It's not just bending your body like a pretzel (trust me, my body doesn't bend that way). There is a lot of mental work in yoga. If your mind is not focused on what you are doing in this moment, your whole practice suffers.

A lot of times my mind wanders while I'm doing yoga. I think it's only natural. When I'm holding a pose, I start thinking of the most mundane thoughts, like 'Ok, after this I'm going to cook dinner, then the dishes have to be done, I wonder if I'm running low on olive oil, I should check...' Then WHAM! My body starts to wobble, I start to tip over, and my whole pose is unravelling! My mind is in such over-drive mode all the time that I can't stop multitasking for a single hour. Kind of sad.


But last week I had this epiphany. I was moving from downward facing dog (pictured right) into a balance posture where my right knee was hooked on to the outside of my right elbow (go ahead, I'll give you a minute to try it out). My weight was forward, my body was tucked into a little ball, and the only thing my mind was thinking was 'This feels right' . This feels right. How strange. Scrunched there in that little ball, my body felt good, blissful even! It was like I was smiling from the inside. I knew right then that this 'right' feeling was how my body should feel in EVERY yoga pose I do. When your body is in proper alignment, even the most awkward pose feels natural.

So how do you achieve this in a lasting way? How can the actions you do (in yoga and life in general) feel like the right thing? How can the actions you take make your whole body smile? Well, I'm still working on that.... I think the key is focusing on what is happening now, in this moment. Not on the grocery list, the to-do list, your schedule. Focusing on the now is what's hard work. It's hard to stay focused for an hour, ensuring each pose your body moves into feels comfortable and natural. It's hard to appreciate the view outside of your window when you have a million things to do.

But I've found that when I really focus on what is happening right now, when I stop multitasking, that's when that indescribable blissful feeling comes over me. When I'm really paying full attention to the colours in the sky as the sun is setting, or really concentrating on aligning my body. It takes practice, and it definitely takes work, but it's worth the reward of feeling good, even for just a moment. It all starts with taking a deep breath, and concentrating on taking in this moment. You might just realize that slowing down, breathing deeply, and concentrating brings a smile to your face. And hey, you can't buy that kind of happiness.


*Plug alert* Just want to share one of my all-time favourite websites, Yoga Today. The yoga instructors are fantastic and bring happiness to my day! If you become member for free you can access a free class every week. I am in no way affiliated with this website, I just wanted to share a great resource.

Thank you to Stefanie of Art Unseen for the use of the limited edition remarque print 'Mandala Detail 2' by Petrus Boots. You can purchase this artwork, along with other fine art prints and originals at Art Unseen's online shop.