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Sharing the passion and soul of needlecrafts. |
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FEATURED ARTICLES |
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Sharing the passion and soul of needlecrafts. |
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FEATURED ARTICLES |
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Some may think that this whole crafting green or living a green life is just a phase. Sure it’s all the rave now, but will it be that way 5 or 10 years from now? Al Gore, former United States Vice President started many projects, like The Alliance for Climate Protection, that gives us an inside look into the effects of global warming. Along with VP Gore, environmentalists are using the media as a way to put the state of our planet on the front line, television shows are being produced that focus on tips and techniques about living a green life, and many craft magazines are promoting crafters to use environmentally friendly products, being green is far from a phase…it’s a new beginning. Even though some crafters were always environmentally aware of the condition of our planet and have been using products that are safe for our environment, other crafters, who have not been crafting green, are making more of an effort to use environmentally safe products in their crafts. What is crafting green? Crafting green simply means using environmentally safe products to create your craft of choice. For example, if you’re a knitter, you might use organic and bamboo yarns to create sweaters. If you’re into scrapbooking, you might use acid-free handmade mulberry paper. And if you’re into handmade cards and personalized stationary, you might use recycled eco-friendly paper, like our guest interviewee Tisa Jackson of Tisa’s Creations.
BPM: What type of craft do you do and how did you get started? TJ: I create hand-made cards and personalized stationary. I started to create cards by rubber-stamping 5 years ago and LOVED IT! I purchased my first scrapbook over 20 years ago – I’ve always been in love with all sorts of paper! BPM: What are your thoughts on green crafting? TJ: I love the whole idea of going green. It will help us create a better tomorrow. Crafting green is very exciting and dear to me. I love to go out and search for the newest paper and cardstocks available. It’s nice to do something I love and know it is helping the green initiative. BPM: Has it made you more conscious of the items you use to craft? Do you find yourself buying more environmentally safe products for your craft? TJ: Yes, I find myself, looking for eco-friendly paper when visiting any store. I think often people think that all green products are more expensive and that’s not always the case. Some of the card stock I was using was actually more expensive than the ‘green’ card stock I’ve switched to. Same brand, so keep an eye out for those products – you may even save a little money! BPM: What are some of the eco-friendly brand products that you use? TJ: Eco-friendly products I currently use are Neenah papers and Astrobrights papers. BPM: What are some stores or websites one can go to buy eco-friendly products and materials? TJ: You can get these products and many more from any website that sells paper or cardstock; such as www.papermillstore.com or www.paper-paper.com. These items can also be purchased from any of your local specialty paper stores. BPM: How long have you been crafting green? TJ: I have only been crafting green for a short time. My goal is to have at least 50% of all my supplies environmentally friendly. BPM: Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share with others about crafting green? TJ: I do encourage everyone to take time and search for eco-friendly craft supplies and materials. I’m sure as time goes on, more and more companies will offer environmentally friendly items. In turn, it will get easier to find the items you will need to go green. Tisa is right, there are many craft companies and craft magazines, for example, Michael’s and Knit.1, that are making an effort to spread the word about crafting green. Organic cotton is one example of yarn companies’ efforts to create eco-friendly yarns for the eco-conscious knitter. Just know that if you’re thinking about starting to use environmentally safe products for your craft, there are resources out there for you and you don’t necessarily have to go on a witch hunt to find them. Whatever your craft, if your level of awareness is increasing and you’re purposely buying more environmentally-friendly products, consider yourself a green crafter. We can do our part, one crafter at a time, to make a difference in our environment.
Daphney Ford is a
knitwear designer with over 10 years experience knitting, and loves to
share her passion for the craft with the community. She continues to
create new and exciting pieces using earthy and bright colors one stitch
at a time. You can read about her love affair with knitting on her blog at
www.fortheloveofstitches.typepad.com. |
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Copyright 2006-2008 Black Purl Magazine. All Rights Reserved. |
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Concern for our planet is increasing more now than ever before. With talks
of global warming, polar bears becoming an endangered species, it’s no
wonder that many crafters and non-crafters are working hard to do their
part to save our planet. 
We were curious to find out what your thoughts were about crafting green.
Was this as much of a buzz in our community as it was, in what seemed
like, everywhere else? Tisa took some time out of her busy schedule to
share her thoughts with us about crafting green: