recycled packaging

I'm always trying to work out more sustainable ways to package parcels so I love this tutorial over on A Beautiful Mess for recycled kraft packaging.


At the moment I'm using recycled envelopes from Scribble Shop, Flight Industries and Chicuff for my smaller items and I'll definitely be aiming to make my own recycled packaging for larger items. It may take a little longer but it will be so worth it. Don't you just love receiving special mail!

The little bookmarks on the package above have been going out with more recent purchases, they're made from recycled scraps of paper and card, mostly old gallery invitations. What do you think? Is the bookmark better than a business card?

Saturday Shopping List featuring Ghost Nets

Image from flickr user Scripps Oceanographer

While up North I came across the Carpentaria Ghost Nets Programme, a set-up for Indigenous communities of the Gulf of Carpentaria to work together to get rid of ghost nets and marine debris from their oceans and land. Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been abandoned at sea causing disruption to the natural ecology. Due to strong currents a huge amount of them end up on the beaches of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Chantal Cordey's guitar strap made using nets and marine debris

During the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair the Ghost Nets Programme ran Indigenous weaving workshops using the nets. The Programme is doing amazing things to deal with marine debris problems but (obviously) the concept of re-purposing the nets in a creative way appealed to me and I'm looking forward to seeing more ghost net woven bags and baskets in future.

And so, this week's shopping list is inspired by creative ways of weaving re-purposed materials:


1. Recycled Woven Plastic Shoulder Bag-VL 114 from permanent baggage

2. Handwoven Recycled T-Shirt Rug from five forty

3. Eco Cuff - Woven Innertube Cuff - 8 Strand from The Inner Works

4. Woven pendant with leather cord from recycled tin from wear wolf

I highly recommend checking out the other items in these shops.

For more Saturday Shopping Lists or to feature some of your Etsy faves check out Fancy Picnic.

Saturday Shopping List

The best thing about buying re-cycled/up-cycled products is your own personal justification that a little bit of indulgent retail therapy is helping the planet.

1. Basic Upcycled Long Purse / Wallet No.10 from Notty Pooch Design

2. Pretty in Pink (and blue and white) bag from Lamp & Motor
Lamp & Motor is a new Brisbane based etsy shop where you can indulge in very special one-off handbags created from gorgeous recycled and 'found' vintage and kitsch fabric. Take a closer look at the little fan detail on this bag – very cute.

3. Suave 70's Mini Notebook from Jellygnite

4. Love Is All Around Recycled Long Tshirt Dress from fink

And, I simply can't send you all off on a re-purposed shopping spree without mention of these two very special etsians:


Fabulous and brilliant solutions to re-purposing supermarket non-woven green bags over at Chicuff including cuffs, hair pins, rings and wallets.


And finally, the etsy sellers I have to show the most restraint around for fear of spending all grocery shopping money for the week, Bec and Jade have a new range of Pochettes in store and they're just too good. I need to turn off the computer now before my hand accidently slips on the mouse while it's hovering over add to cart. For a closer look pop over to Beckybean.

For more etsy treats or to show off your weekly faves check out Charlotte's place.