Ethnotek announces new line of messenger bags!

You may remember my previous post last December featuring Ethnotek Bags (You know, the guys who make high-quality backpacks and messenger bags that incorporate hand-made ethnic textiles purchased directly from the artisans from around the world.)  Well, it is a very exciting week as their brand new line of sweet messenger bags have just become available!


But that's not all, my friends...oooh, no that's not all...they also have started up a new travel blog, where you can take in some of the sights and stories of the adventures of the creative minds behind Ethnotek as they travel the globe to create the latest and greatest new gear.

Not into the whole "reading words" thing?  Soak up some great visuals in their videos:


Cham Village from Ethnotekbags on Vimeo.



Cham Interview from Ethnotekbags on Vimeo.

Thrift Store Re-Use Idea: Plant Clipping Containers

If you're a plant person who takes small clippings from your thriving plants to turn into new plants, here's a little idea for you. 

I used to put my clippings in old jars and cups by a window, and they never really looked great.  But, lately I've been picking up pretty glass candle holders from the thrift store and using those instead, which makes the clippings look even prettier than potted plants while I wait for their roots to grow.

One of my favorite spots in our new house is this little window box right above the kitchen sink.  It's a perfect spot for plants and delicate things to keep them out of the kids' reach.  Plus, being in Minnesota in January, it's really nice to be able to look up while doing dishes and see green plants and colorful glass, rather than the usual brown and white.

A couple hanging candle holders from the thrift store, hung  with little screw-in hooks in the window box "ceiling"

I love this little blue one that hangs on it's own stand

Colorful glass bottles work great too, especially for this straight bamboo!

There are so many cool options for your clippings if you think outside of the box!  How about some pretty vases, or even wine glasses?  So next time you're in the thrift store or at a garage sale, if you're a plant person, be sure to peruse the glass and candle holder aisles...the possibilities are endless!

My Recycled Trivet Rug

If you are an avid reader, you may remember this post from over a year ago of a cool rug made from old trivets.  I've been collecting trivets at thrift stores and garage sales since then, and finally finished my own trivet rug!

 I incorporated a couple placemats and little coasters in there as well, which are made of the same material as the trivets.  I laid them out on the floor, then stitched them together with fishing line.  I was a little worried that these could scratch up the wood floor over time, so I glued a non-slip rug pad/mat thing on the back and then trimmed around the edges with a scissors.

It's not quite perfect but I still like it.  :-)  We'll see how it stands the test of time with two little boys and two big dogs!

 Speaking of dogs, here's Amos.  He thinks I should post about his awesome doggy self instead of that stupid rug.  He'll have to settle for a photo of himself AND the rug.  ;-)

Ethnotek Bags: Celebrating and promoting world culture one bag at a time.

It's been far too long since I've posted again...sorry!  I'm being sucked into the Thanksgiving-Christmas-Kids'-Birthdays vortex that is fall & winter around here!  But, today's post is just in time if you are still looking for a fabulous Christmas gift for, well, anybody who is cool or wants to look cool...

It's about time I finally do a post on Ethnotek Bags, a company started by a fabulous fellow designer friend who served in our local chapter of IDSA (Industrial Designers' Society of America) with me years ago!  Ethnotek makes high-quality backpacks and messenger bags that incorporate hand-made ethnic textiles purchased directly from the artisans from around the globe. 

The main front panel of each bag (below) is removeable so that you can change and customize your bag on a whim.  Ethnotek calls these unique textile pieces "threads," and for just $29 you can support another artisan and swap out your thread, transforming your backpack or messenger bag into a whole new look. 

Check out the Ethnotek website , find them on Facebook, and be sure to check out their adventures on their blog!  It's really cool to watch their videos and see photos of their adventures as they scour the globe in search of awesome textiles! (And by the way, Jake, sorry it took me SO long to finally post your suh-weeeeet products!!)

Amazing recycled ball gowns

I know, it's been forever since I've posted!!  Life sure is getting busy these days!  I came across this blog post today and just had to share these ball gowns made from recycled materials.  Check out the link to see more.

Also, here are a few other posts you may enjoy from my other blog:

• Homemade teacher gift ideas

• What we did for Halloween this year (including a homemade thrift store costume, & of course jack-o-lanterns)

• How to turn baby food jars into Halloween decor

• Egg carton pumpkins
• A very special garage sale find