Biosculptures: Filtering Water the Natural Way

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 08:40:55 GMT

BiosculpturesTM are living sculptures that use the capacity of carefully chosen plants to clean and filter water. They can be modified to function in different contexts--at smaller scale to clean household or office graywater, at larger scale as parts of water remediation systems for wetlands, rivers, rural and urban stormwater runoff. This is the work of Jackie Brookner who collaborates with ecologists, urban planners, and communities to create these biosculptures.

These vegetated sculptures are intended to seed a sense of connection to worlds beyond the human and to encourage understanding that is it possible to sustain human life in ways that benefit natural systems, rather than degrade them.

The image above is called The Gift of Water and it functions as a part of a constructed wetland filtration system. Two mossy cupped hands reach from the bank into the pond. As water flows into the hands a misting fountain aerates it and moistens the mosses, which in turn, purify the water. It was was commissioned by the town of Grossenhain, near Dresden, Germany. It is used in the new public swimming complex, where the water is filtered entirely by wetland plants, without the use of chlorine or any other chemicals.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

DIY: Root Cellar

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 08:30:00 GMT

Eating local produce is a good way to reduce your share of green house gas and has the added benefit of supporting local farmers, not to mention locally produced foods tend to be fresher and taste better. If you happen to grow your own or know someone who does, then being able to store your produce to use over a longer period makes a lot of sense and enables you to eat locally for longer. Storing apples and potatoes over the winter may sound impractical if you live in the city, but SuperNaturale has some tricks and tips for the urban dwellers - and for those small suburban back yards try the DIY garbage can root cellar pictured above.

A well-insulated root cellar can keep the food inside 40 degrees cooler than the summertime temperatures outside. This coolness also has benefits during the winter, as maintaining food at a temperature just slightly above freezing has the effect of slowing deterioration and rot.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Futurefarmers Victory Gardens

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 20:04:52 GMT

Futurefarmers is a collaborative group of designers and artists exploring the relationship of concept and creative process between interdisciplinary artists making work that is relevant to the time and space surrounding us. Their current project is Victory Gardens 2007 - a concept currently being developed with the intention of being adopted by the City of San Francisco's Recreation and Park Department. The project draws from the historical model of the 1940's American Victory Garden program to provide a basis for developing urban agriculture as a viable form of sustainable food practice in the city. Read more about Victory gardens here and here. Also check out our how to green your gardening and TreeHugger TV edible estates.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Aurora Robson's Recycled Plastic Sculpture

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:50:03 GMT

Aurora Robson makes her art, these whimsical sculptural pieces that are reminiscent of childhood nightmares, using discarded plastic bottles. She says "to me, making art is about recognizing and embracing new possibilities and encouraging others to do the same." She does this using junk mail and discarded plastic bottles to make sculptures that give a "positive spin, acceptance, balance" to objects with an otherwise "downwards trajectory".... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Anti-diamond Ring

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 16:07:15 GMT

Check out recycled rings jewellery range, gorgeous and original, totally planet friendly and without the internal conflict that comes with wearing diamonds and other mined gemstones. Other conflict free jewellery includes the GreenKarat and Liana Kabels designs. We love this anti-diamond ring, the envy ring and the best friend ring, each ring is reconstructed from found jewelry and hand sewn/embroidered and embellished. ::recycled rings ::via modish and CRAFTzine. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

DIY: Slippers From Discarded Blankets

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 11:14:34 GMT

We have said at TreeHugger that some of the most important ways to live a green life, lie in the small simple things. One suggestion towards this is wearing slippers around the house instead of turning the heating up. TreeHugger does love a good slipper, like these folding felt slippers, the renew slippers and the po-zu natural slippers. If you are crafty why not try recycling some warm worn old clothes and make yourself a pair of cosy slippers. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere these will be particularly welcomed. ::Sew Green slipper tutorial... Read the full story on TreeHugger

DIY: Upcycling Men's Shirts for Women

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:13:48 GMT

Burda style is a website dedicated to sewing clothing, techniques, patterns and how-tos. All you need to to do is download the patterns and follow the directions. Its a great resource for DIYers, Nikki, the powerhouse behind .... has a tutorial on how to turn men's old shirts into funky fitted shirts suitable for a woman's shape. TreeHugger previous posts on refashion includes t-shirts and sweaters ::Burda style ::Recycled shirt tutorial... Read the full story on TreeHugger

DIY: More Fused Plastic Bags

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:22:47 GMT

A while ago we wrote about fusing plastic bags together to make a hard wearing plastic fabric that can be sewn into something else. Etsy Labs published a tutorial on this process and CRAFTzine and WhipUp both published stories on this technique. Now there is more and it seems that lots of people are discovering some creative recycling fun with this simple way to make use of discarded plastic shopping bags. Betz White, known for her creative re-use of discarded woolen garments, has put her creative energies into experimenting with this fusing process with layering, and plastic applique techniques, with some great results (see above image). ::Etsy Labs fusing plastic tutorial ::Image at Betz White ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Thousand Year Bloom: At the Taipei Biennial

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:34:59 GMT

The fifth Taipei Biennial (4 Nov 2006 - 25 Feb 2007) with a theme of "dirty yoga' attempts to explore the conflicts that exist among different extreme values, and was translated by participating artists into works about consumerism, youth culture, identity and other 'hip' subjects within contemporary art. E Chen is one artist whose work invites viewers to see mass-produced objects in a new way. His installation "One thousand year bloom", described as a "poignant meditation on consumption", reflects on Taiwan's position within the phenomenon of globalization. It consisted of a roomful of knitted random objects, such as flower pots, fire hydrants and cacti, which were slowly mechanically unraveled over the course of the exhibition, leaving piles of discarded yarn in their wake. For another yarn art project which discusses environmental issues see this previous TreeHugger story about a crochet coral reef.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Green Lawn: A Monument to Suburbanites Recreational Activities

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:28:07 GMT

Portia Munson's work Green Piece: Lawn is a colourful display of consumer waste products. She collects and catalogues man made plastic garbage to create a tension between the artificial and natural within our consumerist leisure obsessed society. She says "we as a culture are defined by the objects we mass-produce, consume, and throw away. ...[this current work] "Lawn" is made up of found green plastic objects laid out in patches of greens resembling a suburban lawn. ... We think of the lawn as a natural phenomenon, but really, it is a man-made thing. It is said that the lawn is the biggest agricultural crop in the country." Portia Munson, Green, was as P.P.O.W gallery Jan 5 - Feb 3 2007. Check these other recent TreeHugger stories on art with a environmental message: Recycled Public Art, the tree museum, and the pet project. ::Portia Munson... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Etsy & Instructables: Sew Useful Contest

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:00:51 GMT

Etsy and Instructables have partnered for their 'Sew Useful' contest. Etsy is a marketplace for independent artists and craftspeople and Instructables is a web community of makers who share their how-to's, visiting both sites are an excellent way to get into the handmade craze, either by doing or buying others creations ... Entering this contest is a great way to live the handmade lifestyle and sharpen your competitive edge. Contest closing date is July 16, 2007 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, there are prizes for the winner and Etsy will donate $1 per entry to the One Laptop Per Child project read more about the $100 laptop project here, here and here. ::Etsy ::Instructables ::Via Whipup ::Contest page... Read the full story on TreeHugger

DIY: Recycling Floppy Disks

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:21:22 GMT

The floppy disk was the medium of choice during the 80's and 90's, they are now relegated to landfill, and cost dollars to dispose of correctly. People are great at finding ways to recycle and are making the floppy disk into something useful! Instructables has a great 'how-to' on how to make stuff out of floppy disks. Try your hand at making a bag or if that is too much for you get some crafty geekery for your home office with this floppy disk pen holder from Etsy. Others ideas for re-using these floppy disks include, notepads like this or this and there is a simple little 'how-to' at gear log for these and more fun floppy disk geekery, but for something slightly more stylish try this bag. ::Instructables how to make a floppy disk bag ::Floppy disk pencil holder from etsy... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Extreme Knitting in Action

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 06:08:13 GMT

Knitter Ingrid Wagner is breaking the world record for big knitting, she is using knitting needles bigger than broomsticks and knits with recycled materials to make a rug in a day. The current world champion for knitting with the biggest needles is Julia Hopson of Cornwell (see image). But this begs the question why? Not why bother breaking a world record? (that is question for a psychologist), rather why knitting? This example of extreme knitting is just one episode in an international knitting epidemic, famous people, children and hipsters are all taking up the needles. Some say it is due to the meditative qualities of knitting, for others it is a response to how we feel about the environment and mass consumerism, it is part of a broader collective urge to simplify our lives. We at TreeHugger are having our own love affair with knitting, check out stories on World wide knit in public day organic wool sweaters, green yarns, and other eco friendly yarns, book reviews: No sheep for you, and the natural knitter, and for more extreme knitting check out these: knitted houses, a knitted river, knitted graffiti, and knitted tree sweaters. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

DIY: Plastic Bag Fabric: Reclaiming Plastic Shopping Bags for Good

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:38:14 GMT

Plastic shopping bags are a scourge on the environment. What to do with all those plastic bags that seem to be just hanging around everywhere. One idea that seems to be a hit amongst the DIY and creative arty crowd is to fuse various plastic bags together and make fabric out of them. The basic process is to iron the plastic bags, with a sheet of baking paper between iron and plastic, until two or more sheets fuse together. Sound easy - well in theory it is, but it takes a little practice to get the timing and heat just right. Once you have it down, you can start experimenting with colours and patterns, using the plastic bag labels as decoration. And then you cut, sew, glue or whatever the plastic fabric together to make all manner of things. Such as this plastic bag wallet at Vestal Design, and Karin Carter's SLiK Nonwovens: Textiles made from recycled plastic bags. We at TreeHugger love to see new uses for all this rubbish, check out previous posts on making cool things from plastic bags such as Anna Roebuck's designs, plastic bags into chairs, plastic jewellery, or try crocheting plastic bags.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Design for the Other 90%

Sat, 16 Jun 2007 12:25:22 GMT

Design for the Other 90%, on view at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum through September 23, 2007. Of the world's total population of 6.5 billion, 5.8 billion people, or 90%, have little or no access to most of the products and services many of us take for granted; in fact, nearly half do not have regular access to food, clean water, or shelter. Design for the Other 90% explores a growing movement among designers to design low-cost solutions for this "other 90%." ... Design for the Other 90% demonstrates how design can be a dynamic force in saving and transforming lives, at home and around the world. See innovations in shelter, water and transport, such designs as Domed Pit Latrine Slab kit by Martin Fisher, will help with health issues with the concrete lid creating a tight seal to keep the smell in and the flies out; and the wire handle heats up from sunlight, killing germs and reducing contamination. And the Bamboo Treadle Pump by Gunnar Barnes allows poor farmers to access groundwater during the dry season, is is able to be made locally from cheap materials thus producing income for the community as well.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Anni Rapinoja: Wardrobe of Nature

Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:47:43 GMT

Wardrobe of Nature is about the naturally occurring variations of nature, and humans as a part of nature. Anni uses plants to make clothing, shoes, bags etc for people in a very beautiful way. The works vary, with some the shape is taken from the human world, and others nature is the driving force. Anni Rapinoja is a Finnish environmental activist and artist, whose work explores Government decision making for the environment and the overlooked/forgotten fact that humans actually need the environment and are part of the whole eco system. Anna sees art as a strong way to affect change. Her new work 'Wardrobe of Nature' series will be at Arte Sella in Val di Sella (comune di Borgo Valsugana, provincia di Trento) June 30th to September 30th, 2007. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

DIY: Reclaiming Trash to Make Books

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 10:35:26 GMT

A good way to recycle paper that is used on only one side is to make a blank journal from the papers. There are excellent instructions at instructables on how to use simple binding techniques to bind together the cut papers with a thicker cover of your choice holding it together. To explore recycling paper options more check TreeHugger's guides to how to green your recycling and how to green your work. You can get really inventive with doing this, using all sorts of different papers, from copy paper, to graph papers, tracing papers and even gift wrapping. For the cover there are really so many choices to re-use your trash or otherwise discarded items to make a very funky cover, such as cassette tapes, bingo cards, vintage magazines, junk food cartons, even floppy discs and wood. ::Instructables book binding tutorial ::etsy store to purchase these books from the tutorial ::Book binding tutorial ::top image from this etsy store... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Beanie Festival in the Australian Desert Unites Communities

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:44:54 GMT

The Alice Springs Beanie Festival is a community based event that began in 1997 with a -beanie party'. The festival was organised to sell beanies crocheted by Aboriginal women in remote communities. It has grown into a fun event where Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists share their culture and exhibit together. The festival's aims have always been to develop Aboriginal women's textiles, promote womens' culture and the beanie as a regional art form, as well as promote handmade textile arts. The festival includes a series of workshops and is a unique opportunity to spend time with traditional Aboriginal Pitjantjatjara women and share their skill and knowledge as internationally renowned weavers and spinners. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

World Wide Knit In Public Day: June 9

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:31:16 GMT

World Wide Knit In Public Day (aka w.w.k.i.p.d), is a once a year event where young urbanites, hippy chics, grandmas and snags alike can put their differences aside and revel in what they have in common - knitting. Knitting is undergoing a huge resurgence as it is discovered by a new generation looking for something more out of life, trying to get away from the slick western lifestyle full of conveniences and technology and make sense out of our modern life. Many knitting communities use knitting as a peaceful way to demonstrate their anxieties about government policy, poverty and the environment. Check out a knitting club near you or meet some fellow knitters at w.w.k.i.p.d. The website has a listing of local meet ups. ::w.w.k.i.p.d ::image from femail... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Book Review: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Wed, 30 May 2007 10:05:47 GMT

A year of food life by Barbara Kingsolver and with contributions by her husband Steven L.Hoff and older daughter Camille Kingsolver. Her younger daughter also plays a big part in the story. This as you can see is a family adventure into living courageously. Together they pledge to eat only food that they either grow themselves or if they knew who did (with exceptions, such as coffee, purchasing only fair trade). Growing and eating their own produce includes animals too, with excellent chapters on the history of breeding eating turkeys, a restaurant that uses only local produce and the changes in small independent farming. Explorations in food includes making cheese, organising a party for over a hundred people using only produce from neighbouring farms, the romance of the first asparagus of the season and the practicalities of raising chickens. The everyday life on the farm is intermingled with Barbara's intense, passionate and well researched history and knowledge of food production and fuel consumption in America, Camille's teenage viewpoint and recipes, and Steven's deeper investigations of certain subjects. It is the whole package that makes this story work; a families life adventure turned into a family project of writing the book. Full of irony, wit and love this book is a must read for anyone interested in growing their own food and everyone else interested in how the food they eat arrives at their table and the consequences of our indulgences for the planet. ::Animal, Vegetable, Miracle website... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Newspaper Jiffy Pots

Sun, 27 May 2007 09:55:55 GMT

Making your own bio-degradable pots from old newspapers is good for your garden, your plants, your pocket and the environment. Make your own newspaper seedling or jiffy pots, by using this nifty little wooden tool. Available at BritishEco, Hen&Hammock, living art and probably multiple other eco gardening shops as well. Check out how to make your own at home. Learn more about TreeHugger gardening tips: Indoor gardening, wearable gardening stool, lazy gardening, urban gardening, guerrilla gardening,, how gardening can slow climate change, sustainable gardening and how gardening can effect change.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Cotton Monsters

Wed, 23 May 2007 10:27:48 GMT

Kids need toys, one or two anyway. Many studies show that when kids play, they are actually learning, we are not talking about 'educational toys', but soft cuddly toys too. Using dolls and monsters and other plush toys help children to use their imagination, role play various scenarios from real life and learn about their environment and their role in it. The plush monsters made by Cotton Monster, hold plenty of imaginative possibilities. These cotton monsters are all handmade from recycled materials, making them not only pretty cool and unusual but eco friendly too. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Improvised Quilts of Gees Bend

Sat, 19 May 2007 11:35:44 GMT

Gees Bend is a small African American community in Alabama. The town's women developed a distinctive, improvised geometric designs from salvaged work clothes, faded jeans, worn dresses, mattress ticking and cotton feed sacks, nothing is wasted. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Crochet Coral Reef

Wed, 16 May 2007 12:34:18 GMT

Image: "Crochet Coral and Anemone Garden" with sea slug by Marianne Midelburg. Photos by Alyssa Gorelick. The Institute For Figuring (IFF)is crocheting a coral reef: a woolly celebration of the intersection of higher geometry and feminine handicraft. The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia, is one of the great wonders of the natural world. With the threat of global warming and agricultural pollutants, scientists believe the reef will be dead in 30 years. The founders of the IFF, the Wertheim sisters - who grew up in Queensland - have instigated a project to crochet a woollen reef. Check out previous TreeHugger stories on coral reefs here and here.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

How to Green Your Baby

Mon, 14 May 2007 11:45:00 GMT

What's the Big Deal?

A new baby entering your life can create an enormous number of unexpected changes. Along with the little one comes a whole new category of things to purchase-not only the obvious large items like furniture and diapers, but also all the unforeseen extras that seem to accumulate. While having a baby is consumer heaven, the key is to not be gulled into an unnecessary buying frenzy. In truth, a baby has very minimal needs. On the flip side, there is more to a sustainable life with your baby than cloth diapers, organic baby food, and fair-trade clothing...read on for more.

... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Eco Friendly Yarn

Sat, 12 May 2007 13:29:17 GMT

The resurgence in knitting has created great demand for eco friendly yarns for those knitters who who want to reduce their eco footprint. Green options says: synthetic yarns are also bad for the earth, since they are made from petroleum. Vegans object to using wool, and, although great for many heirloom projects, are just not as sustainable as some of the newer options. Industrially-produced cotton brings with it a slew of environmental problems, including water and soil pollution. TreeHugger has highlighted a few eco yarn options, such as repreve, yarn recycled from post industrial waste, green yarn from Alpaca and recycled saris, hip knitting options, yarn made from corn, and bamboo yarn. Soysilk is another renewable yarn made from the residue of soybeans from tofu manufacturing, the process is 100 percent natural and free of petrochemicals, soy is a completely renewable and biodegradable resource. (check out the tofu bear made from soysilk mentioned in this previous TreeHugger post). ::via The Arizona Republic ::soy silk... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Gary Harvey: Couture Fashion with a Conscience

Wed, 09 May 2007 10:40:07 GMT

Image: Newspaper dress, made from 30 copies of the 'Financial Times'. Gary Harvey's first collection showcased nine of his stunning dresses at the Estethica exhibition at the London Fashion Week (Feb 07). The collection creates a dramatic display designed to change people's perception of second-hand clothing and create fashion with a conscience. Gary uses material he finds in places like secondhand clothing stores to avoid waste, he says of good quality second hand clothing, people "wear it one or two times then discard it because it's suddenly deemed aesthetically unimportant and out of date when there's years of life left in the garment." His collection "was a comment about thinking about the real cost of the garment that you buy, about that cost being natural resources, exploitation of labour, the biodegradable nature of garments." Check out our previous post on London Fashion Week for more eco fashion.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

DIY: Socks to Sock Monkeys

Sun, 06 May 2007 09:24:21 GMT

Sock monkeys are a classic do-it-yourself homemade toy. Traditionally they are made of red-heeled socks, in order to use the red heels for the luscious red lips. However changes are a happening and while the red-heeled socks still rule - sock monkeys are now coming in all shapes. The picture above is a Mr T sock dude, check out the life size anatomically correct sock monkey, the meditating pregnant sock monkey and the totally cool pirate sock dude. The great thing about sock monkeys (apart from their classic styling) is the fact that they are supposed to made from 100% recycled re-purposed socks. Directions available online, you can use up your old socks or find some from a charity shop, of course if you are not into DIY you can always get online and buy someones handmade creation. Sock creatures have been called one of the top 50 greenest products ... not into cutting up odd socks, why not find an unusual way to stash them. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Quirky Handmade Toys of Jess Hutchison

Wed, 02 May 2007 11:35:27 GMT

If you are going to buy toys for your kids or friends kids, and you will, then instead of purchasing nasty generic mass produced acrylic or plastic toys, you should choose something from an indie toy maker. Yes thats right, handmade toys are huge right now, and Jess Hutchison's toys are something really special. She makes knitted robots, strange little cute painted and knitted dolls as well as generously providing free patterns for those who are interested in making their own versions, and nothing says eco like really getting back to basics and making something with your own two hands. If you can't do that then sites like Etsy, featured here, are a fabulous way of finding something handmade by an independent crafter. Jess Hutchison's toys are not only handmade, but the designs are her own as is the fabric - yep hand screen printed. The toys have real personality really unique items, such as hand painted fabric ghosties and knitted robots. Check them out.... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Found and Fossicked Jewellery

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 12:26:40 GMT

Rebecca Ward is an Australian based Jewellery (Jewelry) artist (born in New Zealand) who specialises in using found materials for her unusual, humourous and addictive pieces. She scavenges pebbles, glass and other detritus from beaches in New Zealand, and other materials come from rifle ranges, demolition yards, second hand shops and roadsides. We at TreeHugger really love recycled jewellery, such as Mark Vaarwerk's and Spacefruit's recycled plastic jewellery, and Melissa Kolbusz's industrial recycled materials jewellery. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Recent Posts by TreeHugger's Kathreen Ricketson, Canberra, Australia

Biosculptures: Filtering Water the Natural Way

DIY: Root Cellar

Futurefarmers Victory Gardens

Aurora Robson's Recycled Plastic Sculpture

Anti-diamond Ring

DIY: Slippers From Discarded Blankets

DIY: Upcycling Men's Shirts for Women

DIY: More Fused Plastic Bags

Thousand Year Bloom: At the Taipei Biennial

Green Lawn: A Monument to Suburbanites Recreational Activities

Etsy & Instructables: Sew Useful Contest

DIY: Recycling Floppy Disks

Extreme Knitting in Action

DIY: Plastic Bag Fabric: Reclaiming Plastic Shopping Bags for Good

Design for the Other 90%

Anni Rapinoja: Wardrobe of Nature

DIY: Reclaiming Trash to Make Books

Beanie Festival in the Australian Desert Unites Communities

World Wide Knit In Public Day: June 9

Book Review: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Newspaper Jiffy Pots

Cotton Monsters

Improvised Quilts of Gees Bend

Crochet Coral Reef

How to Green Your Baby

What's the Big Deal?

Eco Friendly Yarn

Gary Harvey: Couture Fashion with a Conscience

DIY: Socks to Sock Monkeys

The Quirky Handmade Toys of Jess Hutchison

Found and Fossicked Jewellery