Why I'm Jealous of my Shower

I had the opportunity last November to hear one of the founders of Method, Eric Ryan, speak at the Designature conference that I volunteered at here in St. Paul. (In case you're just now tuning in, in addition to being the Junk Mail Gems creator, I am an industrial designer) Ryan, if you happen to come across this blog, you did an awesome job. I was the huge, 8 month pregnant woman who held up time cards for you. ;-)

I still remember the day that the Method Dish Soap package stopped me dead in my tracks at Target. They have such beautifully designed packaging. Since then I never could stop myself from checking out every new product I saw on the shelf with each shopping trip. That is the curse (or blessing) of being a designer.

But, after hearing more about Method from Ryan himself, I learned of it's environmental benefits. The products are made of natural, bio-degradeable, and non-toxic ingredients. They smell great, and, here's the kicker...they WORK. For some crazy reason people today think that for a cleaner to be tough and work, that it has to be poisonous and burn off your nose hairs. I got fed up with giving myself the feeling that I was in a gas chamber ever time I cleaned my shower with Tilex, while my husband (a chemical engineer major) repeatedly reminded me how dangerous the fumes were. I got more concerned about breathing this toxic stuff when I was pregnant, and now that my baby is here, and while I plan on installing those annoying child-proof cabinet locks, I'm thinking that it's worth an extra buck to get cleaners that are not "fatal if swollowed."

So, when I was running errands at Target yesterday I finally picked up some Method cleaning products to try...the daily shower spray and the tub & tile cleaner.


This stuff is great! I must say though, after taking a shower, I was a little jealous that my shower smelled better than me. They could put a "body spray" label on this stuff and I'd spray it all over myself. I happen to have been born with a particularly sensitive sniffer, and it was so refreshing not to have to turn on the vent fan and air out the bathroom after cleaning it to clear out the fumes. I actually wanted to sniff the bathroom more because, like the packaging notes, it smelled like a spa. Mmm... Let's just say that as my other poisonous chemicals run out, I will be replacing them with more Method products to try! It did work just as well, if not better, than the nasty Tilex.

I admit that I frequently make a "green" choice based on reasons other than their green-ness...like compact fluorescent bulbs & cloth diapers because they just save so much money in the long run...and now these cleaning products because everything else STINKS and is toxic for my baby. But, I figure, the planet doesn't care why you went green in the end...it's just happy you got there!

Recycled Light Bulbs

Now that I've switched over to compact fluorescent bulbs in my house, what do I do with the old incandescents as they die off? I just finally discovered this cool blog, Design Sprout, and came across this fantastic project for turning light bulbs into flower vases and salt/pepper shakers:





After more searching I found quite a few fun ideas out on the blogosphere. There are some really cool ornaments made out of light bulbs at 3r:



Bulbs Unlimited also has several cool ways to recycle old light bulbs into new lamp shades!



How about a miniature greenhouse? I just think a bunch of these lined up on a windowsill would look so cool!



This is a great way to turn those halogen bulbs into angels! I have these things in my kitchen...they are expensive and burn out all the time so I'm happy to find this new use for them!

Recycled Phone Sheep

I have not had a corded phone in years...in fact I haven't even had a land line in over 5 years now. What will happen to these phones when they become extinct? Only the lucky ones will get to retire and live out their final days in greener pastures (or in this case, tile floors) in their second lives as sheep! (via Geekware)

Michelle Stitzlein's Recycled Art

Michelle Stitzlein's work is just too cool for words. Check out her beautiful moth sculptures, made entirely out of recycled "stuff." SO incredible!!




(via eco-artware)

Recycled Bike Art

I used to often ride my bike to work (in the summer, as this is MN!) when I was working as a display designer for the Best Buy corporate office a little over a year ago. I have a super cool baby blue Electra bike...I can't wait to get back on it! I didn't ride last summer as I was very pregnant, off balance and top-heavy...and this summer my baby boy is still too small for the pull-behind cart I got. But, next year I'll pump up your tires and get you out of the garage, girl, I promise! In the meantime, I'll check out other people who bike and the creative things that these ladies have done with recycled bike parts...

Check out this great artwork made out of recycled bike parts! Angela Armstrong and Angela Kelly of Maine have a beautiful selection of everything from wine glass charms to coasters to framed art. Wonderful work, ladies!

DIY - Turn an Old Plate into a Mosaic Vase

The folks at Eclectic Products (who make the EcoGlue I use for my Junk Mail Gems products) recently asked me to be a guest blogger and share a project using EcoGlue. It has been posted today...check it out here at the Eclectic Blog for step-by-step instructions to turn an old thrift store plate into a beautiful mosaic vase!

DIY - Make Your Own Cloth Diaper Insert Sock

Okay, one last cloth diaper related post. This is the tutorial on making your own cloth diaper insert "sock" that I promised I would post. Above is a photo of the one I made for $0.47, next to the one I bought from Cottonbabies for $2.99. Can't tell the difference? That's the idea. I'm sure Cottonbabies won't be thrilled about me posting this, but I think I've given them enough free advertising in my 4-part cloth diapering adventures postings, plus have spent hundreds with them already, so that's how I'm justifying it! ;-) This is at least one way you can save some money...


Click on this image above to see the instructions larger. It's really very simple! These are worth making (or buying from Cottonbabies). Slip an ordinary cloth diaper in them and they act like the fancier BumGenius diapers: soft & fuzzy and keeping the moisture off of baby's skin.

1) Cut a piece of 6.5" x 34" microfiber. I couldn't find anything called specifically "microfiber" at my fabric store but found something called "buttersuede," which felt the same, was made with the same material, and worked just as well in the end. It cost me $4.19 for a yard (30% off on sale), which made 9 socks. Here's a close-up below...you want it to be slick on one side and fuzzy on the other:


2) Fold about 1/4" over on each end (slick sides together) and iron. Sew these seams.

3) Flip the whole thing over so it's fuzzy size up. Now fold 2" over on one end. This will be the overlapping flap that covers the pocket opening. Iron.

4) Fold the other end over to lie flush with the fold you just ironed.

5) Sew down each of the two long edges.

6) Turn it inside out and you're done!