Elemental Threads Blog » Eco Living

More Organic Cottons Have Arrived!

emily — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 19:25:14 +0000

Great news for you eco-minded fashionistas – we have added a fabulous array of organic cottons to our fabric options! Now you can design your own bag with even more eco friendly fabrics to choose from! To see the entire selection, just choose any bag you wish and click on the “Organic Cotton” tab above the fabric swatches. There are two main color pallets and all the coordinating solid colors + a few wonderful extras. The Organic Cotton is soft, vibrant and versatile, perfect for your next custom-made bag. All our orders are shipped in recycled packaging, so you can design your own eco-minded bag and rule the green world. This is my favorite combination – which one is yours?

The Ideal Indoor Plants

emily — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:22:31 +0000

This is a great article from agreenliving.net about the best indoor plants. I stumbled upon it at the perfect time because we just moved into a new studio and as the final touches are coming together, I’m realizing we need some green life in there! Plants add such a warm feeling to a room. Plus, they help purify the air and are known to make you feel happier! (There’s science behind it, but the overall consensus is that plants boost your spirits, aid with depression, help reduce stress and induce calm.) I’m heading to our local greenhouse this weekend to find the ideal plants with this handy guide in mind. My favorites are bamboo and jade – do you have a favorite potted plant in your house?

eThreads rePurpose Testimonial: Trina J.

emily — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:40:24 +0000

We recently launched eThreads rePurpose, a service in which we turn your old favorite t-shirts, jackets, blankets, etc… into fabulous new bags! Trina J. sent us two amazing pieces that she picked up in Japan – a large square tapestry and small scarf – to be transformed into new bags:

We had just enough fabric to create the Ruffle Tote and Kiss Frame Purse for Trina and here are the results…

Trina was very happy with the bags:

“I got it!!! I absolutely love them!!! I will carry them with pride. Thank you so much. I am sure I will be telling your story to many many people.”

Thank you Trina! Do you have a favorite item of clothing or piece of fabric? Let us make you a fabulous new bag! Send an email to emily@elementalthreads.com for more info.

eThreads rePurpose: Small Tote “Legend” T-Shirt Bag

emily — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:59:44 +0000

This Small Tote is made from a recycled t-shirt! It has a gorgeous texture with woven threads and “Legend” stitched on the front. It’s unique and eco-friendly because we’re recycling materials – everybody wins! This Small Tote has navy blue cotton lining, padded handles, interior zipper pocket, interior key ring loop and magnetic closure. It measures 14″H and 12″W and is a perfect size to carry your sunglasses, wallet, cell phone and other daily necessities.

Do you have a favorite t-shirt of item of clothing that you can’t bear to throw out? Repurpose it! Send us your old t-shirts, skirts, jackets, baby blankets — whatever — and we’ll lovingly repurpose into a bag of your choice! Send an email to emily@elementalthreads.com for more info.

$SOLD OUT

eThreads rePurpose: Large Pouch Hard Rock Cafe Butterfly T-Shirt Bag

emily — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:59:18 +0000

This bag is made from a recycled Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt! It features a painted butterfly on one side and guitar-shaped etchings on the back. It’s unique and eco-friendly because we’re recycling materials – everyone wins! This Large Pouch measures 6″Hx10″W and is lined in a kelly green nylon for durability. The Large Pouch is a great size to hold your sunglasses, wallet, keys, cell, makeup and a few other necessities. Add a wrist strap to carry as a wristlet or a ring to clip onto your belt loops!

$Sold Out

eThreads rePurpose: Large Pouch Napoleon Dynamite T-Shirt Bag

emily — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 00:58:20 +0000

This Large Pouch is made from a recycled t-shirt! The shirt was a green adult Napoleon Dynamite t-shirt with the phrase “Don’t be jealous that I’ve been chatting on-line with babes all day!” We cut up the t-shirt so the full phrase is on the front and the back is plain. This bag is perfect for any Napoleon Dynamite fan! The bag is 6″H x 9.5″W and is lined in a purple nylon for durability. The Large Pouch is a great size to hold all your necessities – sunglasses, wallet, cell, keys, makeup and a little room to spare! Add a handle or ring to carry the bag like a wristlet or clip to your belt loop.

$26

Testimonial: Karen G.

emily — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:37:13 +0000

“Jay and I received your amazing amazing amazing t-shirt bag! Wow!!! WE LOVE IT! The idea is genius.”

Karen G., Sunnyside NY

Do you have an old t-shirt, jacket, etc…that you love but no longer wear? Repurpose it! Send us your old t-shirt, jackets, baby blankets — whatever! — and we’ll lovingly repurpose them into a fabulous new bag. eThreads rePurpose makes a thoughtful and unique gift. Click here for more info.

eThreads ecoTip #4: Send E-Cards

emily — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:15:29 +0000

Is your best friend’s birthday coming up or your parent’s anniversary just around the corner? Instead of sending them a paper card — which uses paper and ink — think about sending e-cards! E-cards are more environmentally friendly because they use less paper and no ink. In fact, FriendsoftheEarth.com estimates it takes 200,000 trees to make the 1.7 billion holiday cards sent in the UK each year alone. Imagine how many trees are used for greeting cards around the world the rest of the year! Also, not only do e-cards reduce waste, they cost less too — many are free! So next time there’s a birthday, anniversary or the need to send party invitations, use e-cards to send your greetings — they are environmentally and budget friendly.

eThreads ecoTip #3: Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water

Ashley — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 05:12:00 +0000

If you like to save money you’ll love this eco-tip! It’s easy to do — simply wash your clothes in cold water. Using cold water 80% of the time (not even every wash!) can save you $60-$100 a year on energy costs according to PlanetGreen.com. Imagine what you’ll save if you wash your clothes with cold water 100% of the time! It’s easy to do: just push the “Cold/Cold” button on your washing machine before starting the load. That’s it! I’ve been doing my laundry in cold water for months and the clothes feel just the same as using hot water. Not only are you saving money, you are reducing your waste. According to PlanetGreen, 90% of the energy used in washing clothes is to heat the water! So if you use cold water you’re using only 10% of the energy used in a typical laundry load. Washing your clothes in cold water saves money and reduces carbon dioxide emissions! Sounds pretty good to me.

eThreads ecoTip #2: Watch Your Windows

Ashley — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:04:49 +0000

Spring has arrived, but there is still a chill in the air. If you’re feeling the frost, take a look at your windows. One-third of your home’s heat loss usually occurs through windows and doors, according to SimpleSteps.org, a website for better health and sustainable living. Luckily, there are a few easy fixes to reduce energy loss and retain the heat in your home.

First, you can install window films to retain heat. According to GreenYour.com, a guide to green living, adding one isolating window film to your window can help retain 55% of the heat in your house!

If you rent your home or just want to save money, install heavy drapes or curtains to regulate the heat in your home. When it’s sunny keep the curtains open to absorb heat, and as soon as the sun sets close close your curtains to trap in the heat. I made curtains for my apartment out of some old corduroy and we can totally feel the difference! So when you want to feel the heat, keep your windows closed and use the curtains. It will save you money and cut down on your waste!