I Tote Think So

A couple new tote styles for summer.   Even though at the moment Minneapolis appears to be experiencing gale-force winds and some ferociously grey cloud cover, the sun has to, at some point, reappear.  That's when you're going to want to leave your house and descend upon the beach.  Yay!  Enter the beach tote.  Generously sized for your towels, water-wings, and sea shell collection, the vintage-inspired design includes numerous pockets and a recycled-plastic-reinforced bottom panel for stability.  Made almost exclusively (everything but the straps) from found, vintage, or recycled materials, this oversized bag doubles as diaperbag, laundry tote, grocery sack, overnight bag, doggie carrier.   

On the smaller side is the new recycled plastic tote purse.  Made from plastic shopping bags, this new mini size features double handles constructed of heavy-duty webbing, a small interior pouch pocket for little items, and a zipper closure.  

Nerd Gear: A Home for Your Computer

I believe everyone has a little nerd in them somewhere. And if yours happens to be the computer-loving sort, then here's your gear. The laptop bag is lined with a quilted padding that utilizes layers of mini-bubble wrap. The recycled plastic material that makes up the exterior of the bag is weather-proof, and the flap clips down for safety. The heavy-duty polypropelene strap is adjustable and abrasion and mildew resistant. Everything that goes into this bag, besides the straps and hardware, is recycled or repurposed...for the eco-nerd in you.

Laptop bags are available by custom order only. Contact me via my Etsy site or at sweetsisterosoul@hotmail.com

National Respect for Chickens Day

May 4th is National Respect for Chickens Day.    In honor of this day, I'm sharing some photos of my backyard flock of cluckers, Sally, Henry, and St. Margaret the Barefoot.  We decided to add chickens to the menagarie after reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan sparked an interest in shortening the distance our food travels to our plates.  Most of America's chickens don't get any respect, but choosing organic free-range meat and eggs supports the farmers who do treat their chickens like chickens.  Our chickens are a fairly recent addition, and we've yet to harvest any eggs, but they're fun to watch, and are a bit hit with the dog and the kids.  Anyway, it's Respect for Chickens Day, so, you know, be nice to chickens. 

Vintage Textile Bag Show

It's time for my spring bag show at Re-Gifts in south Minneapolis.  Saturday, April 26th 10am-5pm.  This season the show features bags made from vintage textiles of all kinds: leather, vinyl, canvas, cotton, and lace.  Find these designs there and more.

The Moth and The Sweater are Friends

This custom order was pretty unique because it came with three paper grocery sacks of moth-eaten sweaters. I shrunk the wool down as an extra measure against unravelling seams, patched them into the shape of a bag, and announced: Better Luck Next Time, Moth!

The Robot Feels Angry

My newest t-shirt design is ready. I designed the angry robot for the following reasons:

1. Robots are awesome.
2. Robots are awesome.
3. Robots are rad.

Oh, and also:

4. Robots have feelings.

Find these styles in my Etsy shop or order up a custom shirt (sweetsisterosoul@hotmail.com).

Gettin' Press

Good News: Recycling is Rad has gotten a little attention lately, thanks to local writer Stephen Regenold. His article appears today in the Twin Cities' Star Tribune, and has already been shown up in a couple of other papers across the country (find the links on the left to read the article).

I'm definitely excited about the press, especially as such a small operation. And stay posted for details on my upcoming show at Re-Gifts featuring vintage textiles for spring and summer.