I’m impressed by how progressive guerilla/public installations have become these days. I always have fancied the knitted tree branch cozies from artist Carol Hummel and paste-ups are classic, but guerilla gardening by Eric Cheung and Sean Martindale looks to be the diamond in the dark. They take existing wheatpasted billboards and create folded pockets that are used as pots for plants. This is too good not to reblog.
via Seesaw Designs
Kitschy postcards. Printed on eco-friendly cherry wood. I spotted these at a boutique called Heebie Jeebies (with a name like that, do you really expect anything less than amazing?) and was impressed by the quality of printing and the material. For any other stationary collectors like myself, this is like waving chocolate cake in the face of a fat kid. Trrrrrooooouble. See more goodness here.
bonus kitsch:
While we’re on the sustainable tip, (of which all of you should be too..eeeehhhm) these are neat posters made by Clint Woodside. Hey, have a good weekend folks. And start a compost pile while you’re at it.
Most awesomest idea of the day. Upcycling nostalgic retro textiles from seat upholstery of underground tubes and buses in London to make shoes. Created by Above & Below of London. Do good. Look good. Sheeeyit.
via Inhabitat
One of my favorite places to scavenge in Berkeley is Urban Ore, 3-acres full of well-organized used goods. Whether its vintage, old or just plain rubbish, you can find it here. Well this trip, I not only found a great chair for my place, but a time machine! aww suki suki. (sold as-is of course.) If you’re in the area, you definitely need to stop by, its a photographer’s and pack rat’s dream.
A treehouse that’s almost invisible? I don’t think the naked tree huggers will have an issue with this one since the swedish firm, Tham & Videgard Hansson Arkitekter, created this treehouse hotel to minimize impact on the surrounding landscape. The cube is covered with mirrored glass to blend in with the environment. But don’t worry, there are stickers on the mirrors so birds don’t collide. Seriously.
via TreeHugger
With the holiday season in full effect, its time to get serious about gifting. So while you’re at it, why not do something good by purchasing sustainable gifts? RenewPurpose is an online retailer of recycled rice bag wallets, messenger bags and purses that not only look great, but support a great cause. Each product is handmade by the locals in Cambodia that have been taught by organizations to make a living for themselves instead of putting their children on the street to hawk books, drugs, etc. The workers creating the products are often paid well above the local average for their services. And the products don’t come from sweat shops or massive factories on the outskirts of town. Its about helping parents develop the skills to provide for their families to ensure their self reliance. Do good. Feel good.
Thanks to the kind folks at RenewPurpose, I got a rice bag wallet and think its just peachy. They also come in candy wrappers and khmer newspaper prints. Neat! See more here. And shipping is free until 1/1/2009.
Montreal-based design studio, Paprika, put their sustainable thinking caps on and have repurposed paper remains into original, beautifully designed all purpose paper for gift wrapping, framing or just to admire. They run $60 dollars for 16 double-sided sheets. A bit pricey in my opinion, but I’m sure worth it. And while you’re lurking on their web site, be sure to check out their other design work, its all quite excellent.
