• Sponsors







  • Recommended Reading


    Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style

    Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business

    The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World's Most Powerful Company Really Works--and How It's Transforming the American Economy

    Your Money or Your Life: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence

    Living Green: A Practical Guide to Simple Sustainability

    Ben Jerrys Double Dip: How to Run a Values Led Business and Make Money Too















  • Brighter Planet's 350 Challenge







    play & feed a hungry person!

    Craft Revolution



    As Seen on DelightfulBlogs.com

    Independent Fashion Bloggers

    Kiva - loans that change lives

    Green Web Hosting! This site hosted by DreamHost.

    GoodSearch: You Search...We Give!

    Levees.org

    Gigoit :: Choose to reuse









    Blog Carnival Index - browse the archives

    Find Blogs in the Blog Directory





Eco Indie Back to School

Posted by MissMalaprop on August 19th, 2008

The kids at the school around the corner from my house are back in session now, and when I talked to my Little Sister on the phone last night I learned she’s been back in school for two weeks already! (I’m a bad Big Sister, I know - I can’t believe it’s been so long since I talked to her last…)

I’ve been following the Back to School Guide over at Indie Fixx and it’s filled with so many amazing finds that I couldn’t possibly even try to repeat or compete with Jen’s compilation of cool stuff. Seriously, you should go check it out if you haven’t already seen it.

I did find out about these neat school supply kits from The Green Office that are offered for different age groups (there’s a teacher kit too). If you’re the kind that hates dealing with the craziness of an office supply store during the first few weeks of the school year, The Green Office has you covered. The kits are filled with necessities like notebooks and pocket folders made from recycled paper and pencils made from made from 60% post-consumer waste recycled newspaper.

The thing that I really like about this site is that they do a good job of explaining why each individual product is green and they show you just how eco-friendly it actually is. Each product has little icons representing if it’s made from recycled or biodegradable materials (it also shows what percentage is recycled). Even though it’s getting easier to find recycled and eco-friendly office and school supplies at the major retailers, sometimes it’s hard to quickly judge just what makes a product green or not.

It seems like The Green Office does a good job of making the whole process a lot more efficient. Because really… who wants to spend forever shopping for boring school supplies like notebook paper when you could look at fun stuff instead, like one of the reusable lunch kits found in the Indie Fixx guide?

Share/Save/Bookmark

Blogathon Auction at Never Silent

Posted by MissMalaprop on July 23rd, 2008

Betsi from zlanarama.com just emailed me to let me know about a fabulous charitable event she’s participating in.

Her friend Shira Lipkin is doing a Blogathon on her site, Never Silent, to raise money for the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC), and she’ll be posting to her blog every half hour for 24 hours on July 26-27 to raise money for this great charity.

In order to help raise funds for BARCC, Shira has coordinated an eBay auction with tons of handmade goodies, including this pink-yet-punk mirrored perspex skull pendant by Betsi. Every item in this auction will have a short-short story written about it during the Blogathon, and the winner of each auction receives a story card with their item. 100% of the proceeds of the auctions will go to BARCC.

Help a great charity and check out all the cool stuff up for auction!

Share/Save/Bookmark

Goods 4 Girls

Posted by MissMalaprop on May 7th, 2008

I’ve been meaning to mention Goods 4 Girls for awhile now, ever since I first found out about it through my friend Lara. I was reminded of it today when I came across Party in my Pants via Bust magazine’s newsletter. Party in my Pants (aka PIMP) makes reusable cloth menstrual pads and through their shop they offer a way to let you purchase pads to donate to Goods 4 Girls.Goods 4 Girls

Goods 4 Girls is a fabulous non-profit that collects new cloth pads to distribute to women and girls in Africa without access to menstrual care products. I was so happy when I found out that so many other people had the same reaction I did to companies like Tampax and Always, who have been recently airing commercials about how many young girls in Africa end up missing school due to lack of access to menstrual care products. Tampax and Always claim that by purchasing their products you help them fund sending lots of their disposables to these girls, thus ensuring they don’t miss school anymore.

Personally I think this is a little ridiculous. While the thought is nice, the way they’re going about it is all wrong (but of course they make the disposables, so they’re not going to advocate reusables). Deanna Duke had the same reaction to this issue and decided to do something about it by starting Goods 4 Girls. Check out their blog to see all the amazing work they’ve already accomplished in a very short time or donate to help out the cause.

Share/Save/Bookmark

Curious Tribe

Posted by MissMalaprop on April 28th, 2008

Curious Tribe - Art.Fashion.Culture.BlogI had the pleasure of meeting some of the folks from Curious Tribe waaayyy back during the Antigravity Expo in February. I just now got around to finally checking out their site. Why did I wait so long?? (The answer of course is that I’m insanely busy, but that’s no good excuse.)

The site was created by a group of friends intent on changing the world. It’s updated regularly throughout the week, and since it’s written by multiple people there’s a great mix of viewpoints and topics covered.

Some of the posts are uniquely New Orleans, but there’s also a lot of cool stuff about culture, fashion, music and more. I discovered quite a few great new artists while browsing back through the archives.

These guys are working on getting a print magazine started as well. They’ve got a lot to say, so go check it out.

Share/Save/Bookmark

Latest News from MissMalaprop

Posted by MissMalaprop on April 27th, 2008

dismantled handmade fleur-de-lisLong time no post, eh? I’ve been staying pretty busy, as usual, these days. A full-time job and writing for multiple blogs and a monthly magazine column and running dismantled and being a member of the New Orleans Craft Mafia and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life sure is a lot to juggle. It’s totally worth it, of course, but it does feel like a lot sometimes.

I’ve been trying to bring more of an indie-friendly and eco-conscious vibe over to Styledash via my posts there. I’m proud of one of my recent Earth Day posts about the Top 5 ways to green up your wardrobe. I’ve also been doing a regular series called Indie Designer Interviews and trying to showcase more independent artists there.

I’ve got a couple of shows coming up in the next few weeks here in New Orleans as well. I’ll be doing a trunk show this Thursday evening with some other local artists & designers, including some of my fellow New Orleans Craft Mafia members and local Etsy artists. If you’re in town, come by this Thursday, May 1st from 6-9pm. We’ll be at Magazine Metals (2036 Magazine Street) and there will even be free beer (while the keg lasts of course). I’ll also be at the Crescent City Craft Market on Sunday, May 11th from 2-6pm at The Big Top gallery.Envirosax kids reusable shopping bags

What else? This blog is really cool if you want to read more about environmentally friendly style and design. Oh, and I’m totally in love with this adorable dino bag from the new Envirosax kids series of reusable bags. Is it wrong that I kind of want one of the kids bags for myself now?

What have you been up to?

Share/Save/Bookmark

Mariann Johansen-Ellis Whimsical Artwork

Posted by MissMalaprop on March 22nd, 2008

Mariann Johansen-EllisMy old co-worker Erin recently got in touch with me to get some feedback on an Etsy shop she’s helping her friend set up.

I went to check it out and immediately fell in love with the enchanting artwork! Erin’s friend is self-taught painter and printmaker Mariann Johansen-Ellis who creates whimsical pieces inspired by childhood. One look through her Etsy shop or website is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Mariann was born in Denmark, has lived in southern Spain and now resides in Singapore, where she is collaborating with Sunbear Publishing to create a series of illustrated children’s books to illuminate the plight of endangered species.

To find out more about her work or see films demonstrating her printmaking process, check out her blog.

Share/Save/Bookmark

100 Great Etsy Artists & DIY Recycling

Posted by MissMalaprop on March 21st, 2008

apak printI realize I haven’t been posting very much lately. I’ve been busy with my new job and it’s that wonderful time of year here in New Orleans where the weather has warmed up but it’s not stupidly hot yet and all I want to do everyday is sit outside and read. And make things. And do… well, just about anything but sit inside in front of the computer. That said, I have some catching up to do. Here are some quick links to some cool things I’ve missed while trying to avoid computer time:

100 Great Etsy Artists - this fabulous list was compiled by Anne at a thing of beauty… This is quite the impressive list and I discovered a lot of artists I’d never seen before on Etsy, like APAK, the art of Aaron and Ayumi Piland. (Just check out their beautiful limited edition print at right!)dusterreplacements.gif

Make your own reusable Swiffer refills. Stop wasting money and throwing away all of Swiffer pads and go DIY and green with these fleece alternatives.

If you live in New Orleans, be sure to take time to fill out the recycling survey that the city is currently conducting. The easiest way to fill in the form is to call 311 and take the survey over the phone or go here and print and mail it in. It was published a couple of days ago hidden in the last pages of the Times-Picayune. Unless it’s better publicized, it’s very possible there will be a low response which the sanitation department will interpret as a lack of interest by the citizens, as opposed to a lack of promotion by the city. So do your part to bring citywide curbside recycling back and fill out the survey. (Although I still think Phoenix Recycling are doing a fabulous job and I respect what they’ve done for making recycling possible while the city is taking its own sweet time.)

Share/Save/Bookmark

Energy Efficiency on the Web

Posted by MissMischief on March 8th, 2008

BlackleLast year, writer Mark Ontkush argued for a Black Google site. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors, which account for 25% of the world’s computer monitors, use more electrical wattage on white display than on an all black display (comparably, 74 watts versus 59 watts). By a major website such as Google changing a simple code, they would save approximately $75,000 per year in money and 8.3 Megawatt-hours of energy per day.

As a response, Blackle was created as a customized search engine designed to use a lower energy wattage. For those interested in utilizing lower power wattages on their own personal websites, journals, or computer monitors in general, EcoIron published Emergy-C Low Wattage Palette, complete with coding and the six lowest consuming colors. EcoIron provides additional information on Blackle and other darkly tinted Google alternatives.

Share/Save/Bookmark

Styledash

Posted by MissMalaprop on January 10th, 2008

StyledashI’ve got a new gig, blogging over at Styledash. I first learned about this blog almost a year ago when they linked to my post about my entry in Etsy’s Upcycling contest. Since then I’ve been following it regularly, and now I’ll be writing for them as well! I’ve already got a few posts up here.

Miss Brache's Inc. Charlie DressI’ll be posting there about some of my finds that just don’t quite fit here. (As much as I love indie designers, occasionally I do like to take a peek at what mainstream fashion is up to. Not to mention my major weakness for Fluevogs.)

I will be bringing an indie perspective to the fashion coverage over at Styledash though… One of my first picks was the gorgeous Charlie Dress by Etsy’s own Miss Braches, Inc. There’s just too much great stuff to talk about… I’ve got to spread the love around!

Speaking of posting at other blogs, have you checked out Miss Mischief’s own blog, dramatis personae? I’m biased, of course, because she’s my best friend, but it’s one of my favorite blogs on my feed reader.

Share/Save/Bookmark

Craft Congress 2008

Posted by MissMalaprop on January 5th, 2008

Craft Congress 2007You might remember me posting about attending the first ever Craft Congress in Pittsburgh last spring. Well, plans are currently underway for the second annual Craft Congress, which will be held April 5 & 6 2008 at Brava Theatre in San Francisco’s historic Mission District.

If you’re interested in helping to organize this event, they could definitely use some volunteers in the Bay area. To get involved, head on over to the Craft Congress yahoo group and join up.

If you want to find out more about what Craft Congress was all about, Christy Petterson of GetCrafty and the Indie Craft Experience wrote a great post about the event here.

Share/Save/Bookmark

The Ultimate New Year’s Resolution

Posted by MissMischief on January 4th, 2008

Here at Miss Malaprop, we support social justice, sustainable living, independent business, and while these are great ways at making the world a better place, sometimes we need to remember the basics. And if I can’t sing it loudly and proudly enough, perhaps someone else can.

As dictated by the Manolo (he is full of the wisdom, you know).

And thus the Manolo only has one standing New Year’s Resolutions:

Make the world more super fantastic.

Be kinder to strangers you meet on the street. Tip waitresses generously. Smile at small children and dogs, even when they are naughty. Have the kind word for shop girls and cab drivers. Engage random strangers in pleasant conversations about growing flowers, and your last trip to the circus. Resist the urge to use your walking stick to pummel rude people who talk loudly on cell phones.

These are the sort of small things that make the world the better place, and contribute to social harmony and understanding. Even better, they are painless and pleasant, and make others happy.

Happy New Year’s; go forth and make the world a more super fantastic place.

Share/Save/Bookmark

‘Show Me Your Indie Loot’ contest

Posted by MissMalaprop on December 28th, 2007

Jen at Indie Fixx is running a great contest right now, called “Show Me Your Indie Loot”. You could win this messenger bag from Gerbera Designs and these dangling raindrop earrings from Wired Originals.

All you have to do is leave a comment on the post at Indie Fixx with links to the indie product(s) you gifted and/or received as gifts or links to pictures of you gifting or receiving your indie loot. Jen will pick one random commenter to win the Gerbera Designs bag and the Wired Originals earrings (pictured at right). The contest ends January 5th at 11pm EST.

Personally speaking, my favorite indie gift this holiday was the one I wanted so much I managed to receive it twice! Remember the amazing octopus tentacle earrings I posted about here?

Well, I raved about them to both my mom & my boyfriend and they both got me a pair! Which is great because anyone who knows me knows how obsessed I am with octopi. I think I’m actually going to get a second set of holes pierced in my ears just so I can wear both sets of earrings at once. Maybe one day I’ll work my way up to being able to rock a full set of 8 tentacles in my ears!

Share/Save/Bookmark

Bracelets That Benefit Charity

Posted by MissMalaprop on December 10th, 2007

Sherry Truitt braceletI came across this cool bracelet from a post Phyllis made on her blog, Personal Treasures, called “Gifts that Benefit Charity - Part 2″.

This unique piece of jewelry features fair trade coffee encased in a glass vial, on a hammered sterling silver bracelet. This piece is part of designer Sherry Truitt’s hunger series of jewelry: 20% of the purchase price will go to support Doctors Without Borders. I’d love this bracelet anyway, but the fact that she’s donating part of the proceeds to such a great charity makes it that much cooler.

CIVIC braceletSpeaking of cool bracelets that benefit charity, Nicole, who works for the non-profit CIVIC (Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict), wrote to tell me about a holiday fundraiser that organization is doing.

CIVIC advocates on behalf of innocent civilian individuals in conflict-torn regions all over the world. In their online shop, CIVIC carries these handmade bracelets, laced with nine silver beads which represent the fact that nine out of every ten victims of war are innocent civilians. The entire proceeds from the sale of these bracelets will go directly back into CIVIC’s advocacy work.

Share/Save/Bookmark