DIY CHARM BRACELETS & GIFT TOPPERS

By Lorna

I've just seen these super cute charm bracelets on Free People's blog... There are step by set instructions on what you will need and how to make them HERE. Max your eco potential by using recycled charms from broken or vintage jewellery. As well as being good little personal (last minute) handmade gifts, they make lovely Christmas wrapping toppers... Enjoy! xx

People Tree - Ethical Christmas Gifts made easy! - 40%

By Lorna

It's that time of year again and I'm slightly panicking that all my good intentions of making ethical Christmas Gifts aren't going quite as well as I had hoped! But once again, the lovely people at People Tree have come to the rescue!! Wooop! Sale ends Friday at midnight so get shopping!! xx

Once you've got everyone else sorted, head down to the People Tree Sample Sale next weekend and pick up some last minute presents for yourself! xx

Facts: People Tree, Ethical, Sustainable, Recycled, Fair Trade, Organic and Beautiful. Sample Sale. 16th-17th December 2011, Friday 6-8pm and Sat 11-6pm, Ethical Christmas!! 

Ditch the wrapping paper for something more stylish!

by Naomi

I've already got Christmas fever! And....I've been inspired! Wrapping paper is convenient and pretty cheap but soo wasteful, so why not go for something a little more creative?

Such a simple idea, but done so effectively, the Evergreen Wrap is a resuable wrap that can be used to turn almost any shape prezzie into a fabulously wrapped work of art! There are loads of tutorials on their website that show you exactly how to wrap your gift of choice.

The nordic ski pattern on this special Christmas design is tugging on my heart strings!

Another idea I have used for gifts for girlies is to make a little cotton drawstring bag - they are great as you can recycle fabric (cotton or poly-cotton works well) and add on little decorations to personalise them! They can be reused as gift bags, or to keep shoes or laundry neat when staying away! Perfick!

I use a pattern similar to the wonderful Cherry Menlove's one here. I will try and upload some piccies of Xmas bags soon!

-x-

DIY printing... a new project!

By Lorna

I bought a really cool book last month on ''hand printing techniques and truly original projects.'' Its name alone intrigued me! Finally a book which could help me slowly and confidently get into the messy delights of hand printing. The author, Christine Schmidt, neither treats you as a child nor an artist but instead delivers beautifully concise direction and wonderful illustrations to allow full clarity.  She has been printing for years and offers genuine well practiced advice. The book is a joy to read even if you have not yet put ink to paper (which I guiltily haven't)!

As inspiration to get my printing hobby to get started - I have found the perfect aids. Wandering around Camden in the sun this monday I saw a shop full of ecclectic treasures from India. What attracted my interest immediatly was a bowl of hand carved indian printing blocks. There were £4 each and I imagine most people would buy them as an orniment or decoration. Perfect tools for a first time hand-printer. The timing couldn't be better... 3 months until (dare I say it....) Christmas!! I'm completely ashamed to mention it so early but if you are intending to DIY any lovely presents then now is a good time to start thinking up some projects!

Printing is a brilliantly simple way to re-use charity shop/ vintage fabrics, upcycle old clothing and give long forgotten treasures some new life. I'm going to 'attempt' to make some little make-up bags using vintage fabrics and my new print blocks. If successful I will post full instructions and patterns here so you can make some too!! watch this space for Ecogoddess DIY projects....

Facts: Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt, Upcycled presents, Handmade, DIY, Indian hand carved blocks.

Scribbling some more!

by Naomi

You know how I said I love to scribble? Well only a couple of days after posting I discovered another eco notebook that I think is pretty rad (yes I am totally bringing that word back into fashion!).

These simply elegant notepads and address books are made by Betty & Betts, who work closely with artisans in India. All the books are acid free, biodegradable or made from post-consummer waste, and the fabric is 100% organic. We like!




Betty & Betts books

I think they would make lovely gifts, wrapped in a vintage scarf or even just with a pen and a little ribbon! Single books start at £10 and these gift sets are £22.

Scribble, scribble, scribble!

Pucker up Eco Goddesses!

by Naomi


No-one wants to spend a season kiss-free so if the onset of Autumn/Winter means cracked and chapped lips then it's time to invest in a good eco lip balm! I've compiled a selection with something for every pocket.


Eco Beauty Bargain has to go to Filberts Lime & Coconut Natural Lip Balm (£3.70) which is made with Devonshire beeswax and oil and a free from synthetic perfumes and mineral oils.

Tempting Eco Beauty Treat is Burt's Bees' range of tinted lip balms (£5.99) perfect for keeping your lips super smooochable!

Eco Beauty Splurge would definitely be Andrea Garland's Lovely Lip Balms (£16 - £24)  - I have total eco envy over her creative use of vintage tins to store yummy balms.

Happy lip locking!

xxx

Scribbling to my heart's content

by Naomi

I LOVE notepads. I think it's the feeling of possibility that comes with a fresh page - the idea that I could use it to do anything from starting a novel to writing a shopping list.... (ok that latter is more likely!).

I LOVE to scribble, doodle and make lists. I LOVE to write down recipes, and ideas for gifts or crafts. And I'm a little bit addicted to organising things. Lorna knows this and found me the perfect eco solution: a reecovid notepad.

It's a refillable ring binder - which means I can scrawl to my heart's content. The notepaper is made from acid-free recycled paper and the printing is done with vegetable dye. The covers are protected with a biodegradable coating.

I've got the Joss one (above £14.99) but there are lots of other designs available here.  A donation from each sale also goes toward the reecovid foundation, which is working to assist women in their recovery from sexual violence.

Happy scribbling guys!

-x-

A holiday must-have Monday treat

by Naomi

So I just got back from an absolutely gorgeous wedding in Sardinia, and wanted to share a little beauty find that has become an essential for holidays...

Being something of a sun-bunny (when I get the chance!) I am always on the look out for good moisturisers to keep my skin peachy on holiday. I do love Body Shop Body Butters - particularly coconut which smells like holidays in a pot! - but sometimes you need something a little lighter as well.

And so on this balmy Monday evening, I bring you Steam Cream!

It is an all-in-one moisturiser that smells yummy, due to the fact that it is made from natural, vegan ingredients like lavender oil, orange flower water, almond oil, rose oil. It is very concentrated - a little goes a long way - but absorbs quickly. It can be used on hands, face and body, and comes in handy 75g reusable tins - which means no more trying to cram loads of different products into your hand luggage allowance!

Oh and did I mention the tins look like this?!

There are also some pretty sexy designer tins by the likes of PPQ and it will only set you back £10 a pot (at time of posting there are some even cheaper on ASOS!).

Stockists include Boots, ASOS, John Lewis, Fenwicks, Selfridges and Oliver Bonas - alternatively a full list of stockists can be found here.

P.S. If you are going abroad on your hols, don't forget there are things you can do to make it a more environmentally-friendly adventure such as offsetting your carbon if you are going somewhere that requires flying.

Have a great week!

x

Facts: Steam Cream: vegan and natural, versatile moisturiser. Designer reusable tins, essential oils.

This Weekend- Ethical Fashion Sample Sale @ Truman Brewery

By Lorna

Definitely worth a trip to the big smoke! I went to this eco sample sale a couple of years ago and it was brilliant! Got lots of lovely eco bargains (for myself and for presents), supported young brands and got to know some great new ones. See you there!!

Facts: 20th-23rd May 2011, Truman Brewery, Ethical Fashion Sample Sale, Howies, Komodo, Kuyichi, Outsider, Julia Smith, Biblico 

A 'the-wedding-bells-are-ringing' Monday treat!

by Naomi

It's only a few days until the wedding of the decade, and it is sure to be an occasion that kicks of the wedding season in style!

Finding engagement and wedding gifts with a personal touch and a stylish finish can be tricky, and even more so when you want to pick something with good eco and ethical credentials.
So here at Eco Goddess, we figured that whether you are nipping down to rub shoulders with the Royals, or celebrating the nuptials of some loved ones, some beautiful gift suggestions could come in handy.

NotOnTheHighStreet.com is one of my favourite go-to places for amazing gifts - they support small producers by acting as an online portal and have a huge array of ideas perfect for such occasions.

I think I may have fallen in love with the following:

These Love Pillowcases (£29.75) are perfect for the couple that love to make a bright and funky statement. They are made in Britain.

Love Pillowcases image courtesy of NotOnTheHighStreet.com

This Personalised Hanging Sign (£34) is just the right amount of kitsch and a great way to help a couple remember their special day. They are made in Britain from reclaimed wood.


Hanging Sign image courtesy of NotOnTheHighStreet.com



Continuing on the personalised theme, this I Love You Tile (£18) is one of my favourites as it is romantic yet rugged. You can choose the names, the colour of the heart, and even add a date at the bottom. Made by hand in Britain.

I Love You Tile image courtesy of NotOnTheHighStreet.com



Of course, photo frames are always a popular option, and with good cause - the right one will win its place in the heart of the lucky couple. This Personalised Wooden Heart Frame (£25) is so cute and you can choose the message yourself. Made in Britain.

There were so many other ideas that caught my eye - but not enough space or time to show you them all, so be sure to check out the website. We would really love to hear your ideas for eco and ethical wedding gifts - tweet us at EcoGoddess1!

Enjoy the Royal festivities! -x-

Facts: Eco and ethical wedding gift ideas, NotOnTheHightStreet.com, made in Britain.