Image from The Embellished Nest.

There are so many items that most of us buy and own that we don’t even think about. Shoes, books, cellphones…How many people stop to think about where those items come from and how they’re produced, or if they’re sustainable? Seriously, when was the last thought you gave the calendar hanging on your wall any thought green-wise?

Simple things, such as calendars, may not seem like a big deal on the environmental scale, but they’re made from precious resources, in  potentially harmful ways (paper manufacturing is a common source of pollution), and you can bet that nearly every single house in America has at least one. So this year, if you’re still shopping around for the perfect calendar to hang in your kitchen or office, try making one instead! The above pictured calendar is a handmade version by Laura from The Embellished Nest. Using a simple background which she painted herself, Laura simply printed her own calendar pages at home and sewed them onto the decorated platform.

Not only is this idea simple and easy (you can even get the calendar template free from her website), but it also gives you the control over the specific design aesthetic as well as the greenness of it. You can use recycled paper, re-purposed paper, and even eco-friendly inks and paints! It’s the perfect combination of craftiness and environmental responsibility.

For more eco-friendly calendar ideas, head on over the TLC website to find some inspiration!

Image from Better Homes and Gardens.

Now that all the fuss of the holidays are over, maybe you’re finding that you have a little more time on your hands. Go ahead and enjoy that hard-earned break from holiday shopping, decorating, and present wrapping, but once you start looking for another project to occupy your time, why not try something like this eco-friendly and chic DIY birch table from Better Homes and Gardens?

This stylish table isn’t only stunning visually and fully-functional due to its industrial casters, but it’s also a green alternative to store-bought furniture. Since it’s made of mostly reclaimed birch pieces and can be constructed in your own home with non-toxic materials, you can be sure that it’s not harming the environment. Plus, it’s always neat to be able to tell guests after they admire it, “Oh, yes. I whipped that up a couple of weekends ago!”

All you need for this project are the following materials:

Birch logs cut 18 inches long
4×8-foot sheet birch plywood
Wood glue
Wood screws
Grout
4-inch casters
Clear polyurethane

And these tools:

Circular saw
Miter saw
Cordless drill
Grout float
Putty knife

If you have some of these items on hand or can get access to them (many home improvement stores will allow you to rent these tools by the hour, for example), try your hand at this awesome and unique project by following these detailed instructions. You’ll love the look and the zero-environmental-impact that it creates!

However, fret not! There’s a simple solution to this dilemma: handmade gifts. Not only can many DIY gifts be made from things you already have on hand, but it’s also a thoughtful and green way to say you care during the holidays. There are tons of options out there, ranging from simple to complex, and from minimal to fancy. Below are a few last minute gift ideas that will leave the recipient smiling, both at your commitment to being eco-friendly and at your daring know-how!

Image from Design*Sponge.

These simple and beautiful boxes are super easy to make and can be used as the gift itself, or to put other gifts in. Plus, they’re reusable, so you can rest assured knowing that less perfectly-good wrapping paper will be going into the garbage this year! Simply follow these instructions to turn some ordinary boxes and spare ribbon into a gift that will continue to get use after the holidays are done.

Image from RealBeauty.com

What better gift than that of a little bit of relaxation? Well, maybe some organic and homemade relaxation! By whipping up some simple and chemical-free spa treatments, you can help your nearest and dearest de-stress and detox after the holiday scramble is over. Some examples of stellar spa treatments found at Design*Sponge include the Mush Ado About Nothing face cream, the Air Supply aromatherapy diffuser, and the Well Oiled Machine bath soak.

Image from Design*Sponge.

These cute little crackers hold a variety of surprises inside. The first surprise is that they’re very easy to make and can be whipped up within a few minutes, and the second surprise comes when they’re opened, revealing all kinds of goodies, from candy to confetti! They’re also a great gift for New Year’s Eve and birthday parties!

Think these grilling utensils aren’t special enough? Think again! This set of six grilling tools by Outset are made from recycled stainless -steel and farm-raised bamboo. They even come in 100% sustainable packaging, and since the set includes a spatula, locking tongs, fork, grill brush, flex griddle spatula and 3-in-1 locking claw tong, he’ll never need to buy another grilling tool again. It’s the perfect gift for any grilling-enthusiast in your life!

This reclaimed wood cribbage board by Wood from the Hood is a great gift; it’s not only fun to play, but it’s also made from sustainable materials and crafted to last generations! The board is made from reclaimed ash trees, which would have been chipped and buried otherwise, and even the metal game pegs come from recycled materials. Small magnets in the board ensure that the pegs stay securely in place. We recommend that this board be given only to guys ages 8 and up, as the small pieces may present a choking hazard.

This 1 liter, stainless-steel, BPA-free water bottle is the perfect gift the green guy on the go! Made by EarthLust, each water bottle is crafted by hand from high-quality food-grade stainless steel, which is naturally safe unlined, and each is decorated with non-toxic paints in a variety of designs, then topped off with a BPA-free safe polypropylene #5 cap. He’ll definitely appreciate the convenience of this durable, handy, and attractive bottle, just as he’ll appreciate how it helps him eliminate plastic-bottle waste and stay green year-round!

This set of six coasters is the ultimate in sophistication meets sustainability. These functional coasters are made with 100% industrial wool felt from factory excess and cut and sewn in a modern design. They make the perfect gift for the sustainable man and are guaranteed to protect his furniture while looking stylish in the process.

To search for other green gift options, head on over to the Olive & Myrtle website. From November 25th to November 28th, the entire website is up to 25% off! We’ve already posted our 2011 holiday green gift guide for her, but be sure to check back in the upcoming weeks for additional gift guides for children, babies, and pets!

This refreshing Artemisian Lemongrass Kobo Candle not only has a fine fragrance to stimulate the senses, but it’s also made of pure soy wax, which means that it will burn longer and cleaner. This beautiful candle has notes of lemongrass, thyme leaves, and sage, and will encourage her to take a moment for herself to relax this hectic holiday season.

Another great option that she’ll love is this beautifully textured, ivory cotton blanket by Loop Organic. This soft, durable throw is the perfect wrapper to cuddle up with this winter, and it’ll warm her heart knowing that this sustainable blanket is 100% organic, as well.

These beautiful ash frames come in a variety of sizes and are beautifully designed with a slight taper, offering the best viewing angle for your loved one’s photos. In addition to their sleek and timeless design, these frames are also about as sustainable as it gets! They’re made by Wood from the Hood, a company which salvages trees which are otherwise headed for the wood-chipper and turns them into these gorgeous picture frames. Even the glass is recycled and comes from old windows! They’re the perfect choice for any woman in your life.

The O bowl by perch! is a multi-functional, gorgeous ceramic vessel made by hand using entirely non-toxic glazes. This bowl is the perfect green holiday gift because it really is up to the recipient how they want to use it. It looks beautiful holding an arrangement of flowers, lovely as a catch-all on an entry-way table, or stunning when displayed as a piece of art on a shelf. The eco-conscious woman in your life is sure to love this versatile ceramic piece!

To search for other green gift options, head on over to the Olive & Myrtle website. From November 25th to November 28th, the entire website is up to 25% off! And be sure to check back in the upcoming weeks for gift guides for men, children and babies, and pets!

Photo from DesignSponge.com

During this time of year, it can be tempting to buy new holiday décor for every occasion. You know the kind we’re talking about: white porcelain deer for the coffee tables, sparkly new napkin-rings for the dining room, and beautiful glass candlesticks for the mantel. And while there’s definitely a time and a place for giving into those holiday-décor desires, why not also incorporate some sustainable elements into your entertaining?

This Thanksgiving, make use of a free, natural, and bountiful resource…fallen leaves! Autumn leaves offer the savvy entertainer the opportunity to bring beautiful fall colors into any centerpiece or tablescape. Use these fiery beauties by themselves in a vase, grouped with berries for a festive bouquet, or as filler for a bowl of fruit. And if straight up leaves doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you can always disguise them as something else—like roses!

This simple tutorial from Design*Sponge will show you just how easy it is to transform a handful of backyard rubbish into a bouquet of beautiful, crimson and gold flowers. So not only will you have a great, handcrafted centerpiece to delight your guests, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that you did your part to reduce waste this holiday seasons!

What do you get when artists and environmental awareness collide? It’s called “eco-art!”

Eco-art is any kind of art that seeks to improve the natural world we live in. These pieces of art may raise awareness of our relationship to the planet, educate us on how to become better stewards of the planet, or enlighten us on the complexity of our ecosystem.

For example, in the 1960s artists from different disciplines; painters, sculptors, conceptual artists, and performing artists; started a movement to make art that highlights the natural beauty of the earth and the importance of cleaning up after ourselves. In 1970 an artist named Robert Smithson created the Spiral Jetty along the northeast shore of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. This 10 acre piece of land art demonstrates the natural power of the earth by simulating a giant whirlpool.

On a smaller scale, gardening enthusiasts have taken their creative talents to the backyard by creating artistic gardens. These gardens treat nature itself as a canvas as these artists use their natural surroundings to showcase their unique ideas.

South American artist Bruno Torfs has no problem mixing fantasy with reality in his stunning pieces of nature art that tell the stories of his culture’s folklore.

Artwork by Bruno Turfs. Photo courtesy of Style Frizz.

Some of these great pieces of art are available to purchase! Eco-artware is an online store, not unlike Olive & Myrtle, that specializes in selling artistic products made from recycled, reused, and natural materials. Who says junk can’t be turned into treasure?

Eco-art is a fascinating concept that knows no boundaries. Whether you use a 10 acre beach or a pile of old telephone wires and wine bottles, anything can be used to make beautiful art as long as you have the creative juices to make it happen.

Simply put, Ecodesign refers to the approach of creating a product that takes into consideration its environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle.

Any product, from a paper coffee cup to a diamond engagement ring to a cell phone, leaves behind some sort of environmental impact. But companies that take ecodesign into account can help alleviate that impact.

The ecodesign process includes these steps and more:

1. Development – What raw materials are being used to create the product? How are these materials being extracted? Does extracting these materials harm the environment?

2. Manufacture – Is the product being manufactured in an energy-efficient manner? How much land is being used? What chemicals are being emitted during the manufacture process? Are the people who make this product being paid an equitable salary?

3. Use – Does using the product harm the planet in anyway? What if it breaks? What can people do if there is a problem?

4. Disposal – Is the product biodegradable? If not, is there a user-friendly system in place for people to dispose of it? Can any of the materials be recycled?

5. Assessment - Is there a system of assessment and accountability to make sure nothing goes wrong? Is there a way to make improvements and adjustments? How can our company respect our customer’s need for transparency?

Ecodesign can also refer to building construction, landscape design, infrastructure, and other non-retail related projects. Luckily, there are ecodesign teams who recommend best practices and strategies for eco-conscious businesses as well as ecodesign watchdogs and international ecodesign commissions.

No product is perfect, but there are systems that are better than others. Manufacturers who take an ecodesign approach to creating their products do their part by doing business in a way that keeps our planet and future generations happy.

Here at Olive & Myrtle, we consider ecodesign into every product we sell. Check out our website to see what ecodesign means to us.

Olive & Myrtle is happy to announce our recent move to the Pacific Northwest! It was a big decision, but one that we know will be perfect for us. We look forward to getting to know sustainable designers, artists and companies in Seattle. Our new office is located in Belltown, and came with fabulous views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains! Olive & Myrtle can still be found 24/7 online, across the country, but we will be looking for just the perfect spot to open our first store in one of Seattle’s fabulous neighborhoods in 2012. We look forward to being the #1 Seattle retailer for beautifully-designed eco-friendly products for the home.

Reclaimed Coconut Shell Bowls by Bambu

This could be the perfect eco-friendly gift for the person who is way into living green! Every reclaimed coconut bowl is unique and beautiful. First it is cleaned and polished, then finished with a durable food safe lacquer, and finally accented with a bright bold color. Great for salads, serving snacks, or purely decorative uses. These gorgeous sustainable coconut bowls are sure to please and be a great conversation piece around the home.

The coconut bowls are made by Bambu, makers of 100% organic bamboo products for the home and kitchen. Bambu has earned the Green America Seal of Approval for their commitment towards fair treatment of workers, preserving the environment and providing quality products.