"Wear Nature" by Mr. Lentz

Now this is my type of jewellery.

A few months ago I contacted Mr. Lentz about his jewellery and have been meaning to write about it ever since. The artist has crafted these tiny sculptures using nature's materials, and they feel almost mythical with their tiny, yet perfect, proportions.
Once in awhile I see artwork that truly makes me smile.

These little sculptures -quite literally- took my breath away.

If I were a poet I would suggest that they feel like rain.

Maybe they feel like mother-nature in a bottle? I can't quite peg it, but unique and beautiful they are.

The Redwood Series: as soft and textured as a rainforest.

The Beast Series: as angular and lethal as some of her predators. 

Don't believe me? Take a look for yourself.

Visit the MR.LENTZ online store if you'd like to purchase. 

Upcycling Bullets into Anthrobots

Wow. I just happened upon these steampunk eco-artworks. Perfect little critters made of discarded watches, old nuts, bolts, and bullets. How's that for a 180 degree upcycle?
(We think it's a metal-gear solid one.)

From violent ammunition to steampunk anthropods, artist Tom Hardwidge's creatures express more than the hipster aesthetic you might glean at first glance.

For just a moment, imagine these bullet-locusts flying through the air in true matrix fashion.
The visual appeals to my senses and to my imagination, and serves as a rusty omen of a looming warfare-caused doomsday. Lifeless, unnatural, and completely manufactured by human beings.

See more at the artist's site http://www.arthrobots.com/

Greener Look. Greener Heart?

From http://emmas.blogg.se/index.html

As we move beyond the era of recycling novelty we are starting to surround ourselves with things that look and feel green. Natural fibres, raw wood, dried branches, mini-containers with living moss - the style is fresh and organic and lovely. It's that summer and lemongrass feeling of a spa in your own home,  and the look is eco-divine.

From http://lalalovelythings.blogspot.com/

From http://www.anthropologie.com

The more I think about this look, however; the more I wonder if we aren't giving ourselves the illusion of being eco-advocates.  I am a huge fan of FSC or repurposed wood. If given the choice I would chose organic cotton over regular cotton, of course. It makes me feel great to purchase sustainable products for my home. Sometimes, it makes me feel so great, in fact; that I stop thinking about what I need to do to make the world a better place. I feel like I have done my part by buying up beautiful eco-friendly things.

So here's where my contemplation begins and my doubts creep in... do dried tree stumps, moss stolen from its natural fauna & fake animal antlers make me a greener, better person? I'm pretty sure they don't.

They certainly allow me to look that way, though. 

From Manolo Home

Designing Posters for Change

Designers, artists, architects, song writers, singers, actors - creatives of all types have the power to weave truths in a powerful way. Here's a poster project that I can get behind and promote with all my hype-hype-heart and gusto. Wonderful messages, wonderfully designed, communicating to the masses in a way that works. These are my kind of designers -I'll have to get involved with this one!

My only question to Green Patriot Posters : Where can we order these wonderful prints? I have wallspace and these are just about perfect for my office.

Urban Garden Heaven

I've just found urban garden heaven.
This vertical garden design was spotted on kickstarter.com - an amazing site where you can pledge to fund the creative ideas you like. I am going to back this amazing live decor, and purchase a set in advance of production. (Just look at these gorgeous prototypes!) I imagine it right by my kitchen window, touting herbs for my salads. *Just about perfect*

Upcycled Felted Wool Brooch Pins

I was browsing Etsy today, and I found these amazing little upcycled sweater pins. They are so gosh-darn-cute I think I need one in every colour ! The seller, Babongo, has a great eye for design and texture and her stamped, felted and sewn brooches make me smile just looking at them. These eco pops of colour are only $15.00. My Christmas list just grew.

What a great way to use old sweaters and fabrics. Repurpose everything ! The earth needs as much of a break from the manufacturing of goods as it can get right about now.

Corrugated Cardboard Love

Eco Furniture for Green Spaces is all the rage, and this bio-degradable upcycled and re-used corrugated cardboard accent furniture doesn't disappoint. This table can be used vertically or horizontally, and boasts a stylish built in magazine rack.

Displayed at this year's Argentinian Pure Design Expo "Feria Puro Diseño 2010", these unique pieces are sure to please even the most discerning green tastes. The designer, Buenos Aires' Santiago Morahan, works with urban garbage collectors and buys the old cardboard boxes from them, then turns them into art.

Urban garbage collectors get paid more from the designer than they would from a recycling factory, so not only is his amazing artwork eco-conscious, but it is also helping to create a better wage for people who, essentially, create their own jobs collecting cardboard from the garbage.
Ecologically green, socially just and creative ? Where do I sign up ?

Turning garbage into landscapes - CD art by Bruce Munroe

Artist Bruce Munroe has created a shimmering sea of polycarbonate wonder - the over 600,000 discarded disks are placed on the ground to create this unusual art installation. The disks reflect the sun and the moonlight from the 10-acre display at Long Knoll Field in Wiltshire.
The "CD Sea" will be on public view for a full two months, after which the the cds will be sent to the recycling plant and given a new life.

The eerie yet strangely beautiful scene really proves the old adage - one man's garbage is another man's treasure. 

Posted by Anupam