Bags for the People

Bags for the People is a great idea and if it works, there won't be any more plastic bags in the world. Anywhere. In an effort to curb plastic bag usage, three friends in New York, Megan, Glenn, and Kelly, began making re-usable bags from recycled clothing and fabric and gave them out for free at Union Square Farmers Market. The idea had legs and soon they had a website, lots of interests, and partners. They host bag making workshops for kids, the elderly, the crafty, and more. "Through bag making we show how activism can be fun and creative. We discuss environmental issues of why we do what we do and how making and using reusable bags is a healthy alternative to plastic." Kudos! You can write to request your own free bag here, download a free template, or send a donation.

Found My Animal

We've been thinking about getting a dog. Well, Elsa has been thinking about getting a dog and although I thought it was a passing interest, she asks me nearly every day. If, and I stress IF, that happens, this will be my first stop. Found My Animal is a Brooklyn business run by Bethany Obrecht that makes beautiful rope leashes for adopted animals and their people. They give part of the profits to the Louis Animal Foundation to help raise awareness of the urgent need for animal adoption. The custom-made rope used for the leashes and leads is a unique and durable alternative to leather. Each rope is hand-spliced by professional New England rope-makers. The collars are 100% cotton canvas coated with wax. Very attractive and smart and best of all, you're helping put the focus on a good cause. Handmade in the US.

Swans Island Blankets

This goes on my list of Things I Will Own One Day. Offering wool and lightweight summer blankets, Swans Island was started by a couple who moved to the Maine islands after having careers as lawyers in Boston. Objects of rare beauty and utility. I especially love their Rare Wool blankets, made from black and brown sheep, whose fleeces tend to go gray after a few short years. So these blankets are rare because there are only a few black and brown blankets woven each year.

Mark Giglio (Part 2)

Mark Giglio is a Oakland California artist who creates some very simple forms with a unique point of vie. I love the clean line drawings and color of his graphic design. Here, he has made simple forms from scrap wood and turned them into a set of painted villagers and a forest respectively. You really want to hold these don't you-- the natural materials and worn shapes are very appealing and heightened by his pop colors and designs that somehow resemble the very best of packaging.

Iris Hantverk Workshop

When I was growing up, we had the Fuller Brush man. His name was Walter, I believe, and he came to our house periodically to sell us brooms and brushes. I was reminded of the specialized brushes he used to bring when I saw this Swedish company. Using the same techniques for over 100 years, the Iris Hantverk Workshop handcrafts beautiful hardwood brushes with natural bristles that are hand wired in place, hence the "stitching" you see on several models. Excellent examples of the Scandinavian ideal of beautiful, everyday objects, these brushes are designed with both beauty and utility in mind. The company employs visually impaired artisans to handcraft these high-quality products using traditional methods. Iris Hantverk also thinks it is important that the brushes are pleasing to the eye. Top designers are employed to ensure this. Available online here or at the wonderful Portland store, Canoe.

ReadyMade.com is ReMade

I love ReadyMade magazine and always find it to be a great mix of the doable and the inspirational. Kari and I were thrilled to be in the January issue this year. But their online presence was always a bit drab. Enter Katherine Sharpe, the new online editor who has updated the website and added a blog, which I have to say is the only place I've found a decent discussion of the ICFF show this year. Katherine vows to bring back ReadyMade to its cool, funny old self, and I couldn't be happier to pass this news on to you. Check out projects, resources, and more. (Photo by Winni Wintermeyer of a chair project from super smart Thomas Wold.)

Acorn Bags

These sensible but stylish bags are handmade in the US. Each one is hand cut, stitched and assembled by founder Ron and his wife. These are made of leather straps and heavy cotton duck canvas. They've created a variety of sizes and both front- and rear attachments. I love the range of their bags and how smart they've made them look. IT'S SPRING, so spruce up the old bike and take a ride!

Mexicana Wallets

Made in Bali by Lisa O'Brien, a woman who splits her time between LA and Bali, I always like perforated leather and this cool update of a classic Mexican tooled wallet is cool and bright. By Cleobella.

Made by Mosey

Made by Mosey is the creative work of Madeleine Sargent, who makes all these pieces by hand in Melbourne, Australia. Being a mother of two, she is "an expert in all things soft, cute and cuddly." She's just opened an etsy store, but you can also see her work online here.