ecosalon :: the green gathering ::

Jul 29, 2008 at 5:00 am by Larkyn Mungovan

Craft Moment: Recycled Rolls

This may sound strange but I actually get a sense of accomplishment from changing an empty roll of toilet paper. Often at a party or while a guest at a friend's house I secretly hope the t.p. will run out while I'm in the bathroom so that I can replace it with a fresh roll. It makes me feel like I have done my anonymous good deed for the day. Unfortunately, I have to admit I don't do much more than toss the empty roll in the trash bin (after I've given myself a pat on the back, of course).

I'm happy to report that blogger DLTK has some bright ideas for reusing a cardboard toilet paper roll, filed under the heading "kid friendly". There are more than 50 shapes you can create, including a Lemur, a Lobster, or a Lion, with just an empty roll and some basic craft supplies. It's an easy way to educate kids on recycling and reusing things you see everyday in a creative way.

Lucky for me these projects are "suitable for ages 3+", so don't be surprised when you see me leave your bathroom with an empty toilet paper roll peaking out of my purse.

Image: DLTK

- via Popgadget

Categories:tip, reuse, recycled, craft, child

Momtrepreneur: Baby LaRue

momtrepreneur kira solomon of baby la rue

Momtrepreneur is the latest buzzword defining a growing minority of talented women who've left the traditional workplace to have families and simultaneously start successful home-based businesses. Luckily for us many of them are using their entrepreneurial powers for good by starting eco-friendly businesses.

Momtrepreneur ...Read More

Categories:women, organic cotton, fair trade, child, baby

Jul 10, 2008 at 12:03 pm by kiramom + entrepreneur = momtrepreneur in this case, this description is accurate. larkyn hit the nail on the head. and when you do work from home while taking care of your babies or children the two tend to blend together. quite often i am typing with one hand and nursing my daughter in the other. wherever i go, she goes. i want to thank larkyn for writing such a lovely article. i am glad that the media has begun to highlight "momtrepeneurs." in starting my business i took a huge leap of faith, and gave up a very stable, tenured position with a nice salary, great benefits, health coverage and lots of paid time off. it is not easy. it has been difficult. but i wouldn&'t trade it for the world, because this decision, this business, has allowed me to be the kind of mother i want to be (for all those parents out there that do work away from home i support that too~ i was raised by two professionals that worked away from home and i never felt at all like i missed out, even for a minute, on their love and attention.) but for me, and my experience of motherhood, this was the right decision. I think we should celebrate mom's making this choice. I am glad that society has begun to shift their opinion's about moms and their roles. And what I think is most important is that all women should feel comfortable making the decision to do what is right for them, not what society typically told us to do. I didn't expect to go on this tangent, it's just my first response to some of the other comments written--this story could get into a lot of ;039;t trade it for the world, because this decision, this business, has allowed me to be the kind of mother i want to be (for all those parents out there that do work away from home i support that too~ i was raised by two professionals that worked away from home and i never felt at all like i missed out, even for a minute, on their love and attention.) but for me, and my experience of motherhood, this was the right decision. I think we should celebrate mom&;039;s making this choice. I am glad that society has begun to shift their opinion&;039;s about moms and their roles. And what I think is most important is that all women should feel comfortable making the decision to do what is right for them, not what society typically told us to do. I didn&;039;t expect to go on this tangent, it&;039;s just my first response to some of the other comments written--this story could get into a lot of issues...but the lighter note i would like to leave on is this: I love being a mom, I love having my own business, I love going green and i am devoted to helping our kids and the planet that is the point of baby La Rue.
Jul 9, 2008 at 9:20 pm by BekBeautiful stuff! Congrats on your success Kira! I do agree with Margaret&'s comment above, even though I confess that I am one of the women entrepreneurs that deals with fashion (I'm a silversmith and I sell my work online)... I think the media focuses so much on those specific categories(children,fashion, and beauty) as they are areas either;039;s comment above, even though I confess that I am one of the women entrepreneurs that deals with fashion (I&'m a silversmith and I sell my work online)... I think the media focuses so much on those specific categories(children,fashion, and beauty) as they are areas either going through dramatic or trendy changes either due to trends or health reasons... I have also been finding that many women with their own business and who have kids, did not necessarily leave their working 9-5 at an offi;039;m a silversmith and I sell my work online)... I think the media focuses so much on those specific categories(children,fashion, and beauty) as they are areas either going through dramatic or trendy changes either due to trends or health reasons... I have also been finding that many women with their own business and who have kids, did not necessarily leave their working 9-5 at an office, for someone else, jobs to have a family. I think many women who leave already have the family in place and they see their family needs change and then they leave...Many of the women I am friendly with started their businesses when they realized one income wasn&'t cutting it or they needed the flexibility and the income- either due to kids or illnesses/health issues preventing them from doing the 9-5 thing... Also, many of us are also faced with the reality that our jobs (at least for some of us) pay slightly more than daycare costs in urban areas, and once you calculate all of the other costs of having a job outside the home many women realize that having a job may be costing them more than staying home, if they have a wage/salary earning partner... I think it's important to remember that folks who do nothing else but take care of a baby or kid all day have extremely challenging fulltime jobs (with mandatory, unpaid overtime and no vacation!:-). Adding a small business and running it solo on top of raising a little one is extremely difficult. Lots of media outlets do portray it as easy and almost natural, and I think they do not give credit to the amount of energy that balancing both require... Sure you might work from home and set your own hours, but the variable of a kiddo and b;039;t cutting it or they needed the flexibility and the income- either due to kids or illnesses/health issues preventing them from doing the 9-5 thing... Also, many of us are also faced with the reality that our jobs (at least for some of us) pay slightly more than daycare costs in urban areas, and once you calculate all of the other costs of having a job outside the home many women realize that having a job may be costing them more than staying home, if they have a wage/salary earning partner... I think it&;039;s important to remember that folks who do nothing else but take care of a baby or kid all day have extremely challenging fulltime jobs (with mandatory, unpaid overtime and no vacation!:-). Adding a small business and running it solo on top of raising a little one is extremely difficult. Lots of media outlets do portray it as easy and almost natural, and I think they do not give credit to the amount of energy that balancing both require... Sure you might work from home and set your own hours, but the variable of a kiddo and being self-disciplined enough to operate a small business should never be taken lightly... Just my 3 cents (due to inflation :-) Hope this makes sense... I have to finish doing one of my zillion jobs so I can hang up my hats for a few hours and get some sleep! :-)
Jul 9, 2008 at 6:57 pm by MargaretI am all for women entrepreneurs, as I am one myself. Not to take anything away from the business owner featured here, I am dismayed that so much of the media coverage regarding women entrepreneurs focuses on businesses that are related to traditional women&;039;s roles and supposed interests -- such as children, fashion, and beauty. I also believe the term "momtrepreneur" trivializes and pidgeon-holes women who start their own businesses.

ARTISAN / ECOSALON HOME

Jun 24, 2008 at 5:00 am by Larkyn Mungovan

Eco-Friendly Business Cards: From Watermark to Watercress

jamie wieck's plantable seed business cards at another bloomin designer

Have you ever been jealous of a colleague’s business card? Remember the classic scene in American Psycho when a business card with a watermark made Patrick Bateman enraged with jealousy? Well, a simple watermark has nothing on these amazing business cards that act ...Read More

Categories:work, paper, office, innovation, garden

Unidentified Luminous Objects

angele riguidel light fixture at the collection

If you're like me, sometimes you suffer from the recycled blah's. There are so many crafty products out there made from the same recycled items that over time it can get a bit boring.

This fantastic light fixture is just what I needed to pull me out of the rut. There is something very pure and lighthearted about the design. Composed of ...Read More

Categories:recycled, kitchen, gadgets, decor, appliance

A Sweet Yarn from the Founder of Be Sweet

While living in Cape Town, South Africa, Be Sweet founder Nadine Storyk Curtis became smitten with the creativity and beauty of the handcrafted goods she found there. Determined to bring these products to a wider audience, and create economic opportunities for these talented women, her ...Read More

Categories:women, textiles, Good Cause, fair trade, craft, artisan

Oh, Bag, You Are So Beautiful To Me

hau nauz, beklina, swing bag, rumba bag, house + wear, eco friendly linen, is linen eco friendly

Well, hello there you gorgeous bag, you! I am so happy we have finally found each other. You have traveled a long distance to be with me. Although you did burn some fuel traveling from Finland to meet me, the fact that you are made from 100% natural and sustainable linen and are

Categories:organic, linens, designer, bag, accessory

Where I Left My Heart

golden gate bridge vintage postcard handmade bracelet

I'm feeling nostalgic these days as my husband and I prepare to leave San Francisco after what has been the best 12 years of my life. We are moving to Utah for an exciting job opportunity. From what I've heard mountain living has its rewards, especially in a state with some of the finest powder skiing. I am really looking forward to our ...Read More

Categories:vintage, jewelry, artisan, accessory

All The Pretty Clotheshorses

We are big believers in hang drying our clothes as an easy way to save energy after washing. Sadly, the image of your grandmother's bloomers blowing in the breeze is what most people think about when they think of line drying their clothes.
...Read More

Categories:laundry, garden, furniture, design

Quick Tip: Green Your Garden Party

There is nothing like a cozy Sunday afternoon cookout with a few of your favorite people and a smorgasbord of goodies from the farmers' market. The perfect layer for that garden table with mismatched pottery and flea market wine glasses would be the homespun textiles from

Categories:women, kitchen, hemp, fair trade, decor, artisan, ambience, accessory

Prrrfect Lips

Does wearing lipstick ever make you feel like planting a frisky kiss on someone you love? You might not feel so desirable if you knew your wax-coated lips could potentially contain ground up shellfish to give it that shimmer or even blubber to help glide on your lips. Have you ever noticed that most lipstick labels don't list the ingredients that ...Read More

Categories:women, personal care, Material Girl, health, beauty

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