New Directions

It's been a crazy past few months- taking on a hectic school schedule (and surviving!), traveling to the Adirondacks and Montreal, Canada, moving into my first apartment, and canvassing for a non-prof for a month. Since I start school in a week and canvassing full time was a bit much anyway, I started looking for a part time job- restaurants, grocery stores, cafes, the usual suspects that hire undergrad students. But then, a friend suggested that I look into selling crafts- crocheted/ knitted items, recycled t-shirts, handmade trinkets, etc. on Etsy. And the ideas started flowing . . .

Now this blog will be taking on the task of documenting the process of my craft and starting my own business. It only seems fitting- I've always loved creating with my hands and doing things on my own time. I'm hoping this will be helpful to anyone else looking into doing the same as I am, as well as providing me with a space to share my creative endeavors.

So here are some ideas/ themes I'm looking at pursuing:

-Travel: duh--- I'm hoping to make things that will assist in the travel process and that are practical, useful, and comfortable as well as unique

-Eco-friendly: recycled t-shirts, sustainable/ recycled fabrics, reusing old items

-Simple living: having items that are usable/wearable everyday as well as being affordable

-Creative/ Unique/ Whimsical: Everything will be handmade/ refurbished; I am also thinking of showcasing some photography

Here's a few items I've already made:

                       

Red Halter top made out of recycled t-shirt.

 

 

 

Blue tie-back athletic top also made out of recycled t-shirt.


 

 

My very first crocheted hat! Rasta style (someone could fit some serious dreads in there)

 

 

Athletic top #2 in green.

 

Fringe top made out of recycled t-shirt. It reads: Crusin' with the Monadnock Oldies- god, I love thrift stores.

I'm in the process of crocheting a backpack too, so I'll show pics of that when it's done!

Also here is the link to my Flickr account; not many pics and I might switch to Photobucket soon, but just to give you a kind of, sort of idea: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gc003/    

If you have any tips/ feedback on the vision/ items I've already created, please leave them here! I welcome any suggestions :) Check back soon for more updates on the process!

*Special thanks to Jill, Therese, and Chris for modeling/ assisting/ playing music for the photo shoot . . . it was quite a good time!*

Money, money, money . . .

   So before I start belting out ABBA lyrics, I'll write down some musings from work today:

   I feel so conflicted about cash. It has such high value in our society, yet it's just PAPER. People say you need it for security, but how can you rely on something that can be destroyed by a single tear, flame, or one good cycle in the washing machine?
   Money itself is not valuable. It's the value we put into it that makes it of value to us. It's value is man made- illusion.
   Even people who believe money is not the most important thing to them (including myself) believe that on some level it's necessary for things to function. But really . . . was money here when the world began to play it's game? It's such a recent, but powerful phenomenon.
   I love traveling, but I constantly get feedback that it's an expensive endeavor. But, even on "expensive" trips (like my one to Europe earlier this year) I managed to keep costs to a minimum, yet have an amazing time, everyday. Maybe quick fix vacations, though, are expensive because they are meant to be . . . meant to keep you on a system of punishments and rewards. "Hey, I've been working 50 weeks of the year doing something to earn money so I can blow it all now on these two weeks that are supposed to be pure relaxation and bliss- so, what's the easiest, most typical thing I can do?". . .
   Maybe, if you want to stay in the system, you DO need money, even if it's not a lot of money. But what if you want out?
   There's still so much to think about. There is still so much to experience.

   So, in my not-so-sure about money state, I looked up websites that catered to people looking to reach out and give without using money as a tool. So here's some stuff I liked:

WWOOF: World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farming http://www.wwoof.org/
   Work on organic farms around the world and you can stay there for free, meals included. You help the farm, they teach you sustainable farming. Awesome. I really want to do this soon . . . and by soon, I'm thinking SOON.

Couch Surfing http://www.couchsurfing.org/
   I've never tried it, but I think I definitely will one day. You basically contact people who offer their couch up to travellers for free. No strings attached.

Hitch Hike! I found a great article on hitch hiking a few years ago . . . I'll try and see if I can find it again.

Free Campsites http://freecampsites.net/
   Offers a directory of campsites you can stay at for free or very little cost.

Dumpster Diving and Freeganism http://freegan.info/
   Dumpster Diving is so much fun! I've done a bit this summer and it's been a blast as well as very fruitful. Our local Trader Joes throws sooooo much stuff out that is perfectly fine- I've gotten packages of veggies, melons, bananas, pre-packaged foods, salads, dips, flowers . . . it's pretty insane how much is thrown away that is perfectly good for consumption.

Freecyle http://www.freecycle.org/
   Awesome, awesome site.

Might add more soon . . . but these are all fun and useful sites I've found over the years that I definitely check quite often.