Fashion & accessories
As the global mountain of plastic bags grows ever higher, so too does the stock of creative ideas for turning bags into something new. One of the most stylish I've seen yet has got to be these plastic bag boots, fashioned out of carriers by Chilean fashion design student Camila Labra. Labra created the effect by fusing later upon layer of plastic to create a thick, robust material so that as well as looking good, the boots have the added advantage of being very weatherproof.
[Via Treehugger]
Related: Bag Ladies: Kathy Kasdan's plastic bag chic
Green News
We've been fans of Moo cards here at Shiny for some time, and who wouldn't love a service that allows you to have anything from your own artwork to a lovely picture of your cat emblazened on your business cards?
Great news then, that you can now get the cards printed on recycled paper. While the 'classic' card used by Moo is already sourced from sustainable forests, their new 'green' option uses 100% recycled fibre, is totally recyclable and biodegradable and is also chlorine-free.
Green News
The Tate in London has a tradition of inviting an artist to create a Christmas tree for the gallery each year, and this time around it's the turn of Bob and Roberta Smith (aka Patrick Brill) who has responded by making a 'tree' from recycled timber and lamps, which are powered using a bicycle generator. Visitors will provide the energy needed to keep the lights glowing.
I can't help thinking this echos everything that's going on in the underground world of craft at the moment, from the choice of scrap materials to the harnessing of renewable energy to create dazzling results.
Follow the jump to see a video of the tree in pedal-powered action.
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Home & Garden
Here's another great example of how old furniture can have a lifespan beyond its original purpose; in this case with commendably green results.
An old bathtub makes an excellent DIY wormery, as the owners of Lifeboat Farm found out. Much more attractive than an old plastic vat, and by attaching a tap to the bath's existing plumbing, they get liquid feed in industrial quantities [Via Craftzine]
Related: Wiggly worms work | Compst crock for your fruit and veggie scraps
Ethical & green gifts
We've done some fairly extensive research into what eco-minded individuals want as treats this Christmas, but what do you give the green guy or girl who is already knee deep in energy-saving gadgets, vegan shoes and paraben-free face wash?
One idea that's bound to go down well (and you'll also still be able to get your hands on three days before Christmas, ahem) is films, books and other forms of entertainment based around the very subjects that have us going green in the first place: what I will clumsily refer to here as eco-entertainment. And this year, shop shelves have been brimming with it.
Follow the jump for a roundup.
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Green News
We're used to green politicians being the quiet voices of reason, the unsung heroes whose role often seems to be little more than to disagree with the actions of those in power. But all that may be about to change with the news that Barack Obama has appointed a strong team of environmentalists to head up his science advisory body when he takes up the US presidency next month.
Related: Obama: how green is your president?
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You may recall that back in September, Origins launched a competition to see who would construct the best 'eco-friendly gingerbread house' ever; a strange brief that I felt sure would result in some interesting and inventive constructions. If nothing else, I'm pretty sure I've never seen a gingerbread solar panel before now, and that had to be worth waiting for.
And as they invariably do, the crafting community have come up trumps on this one, totally unphased by the challenge. Some entries have been uploaded to flickr, where I picked out my favourite, which is by Neviepiecakes. Not only does the house feature an edible wind turbine, it also has recycling bins, organic garden and a bicycle.
Follow the jump to see more of the house
Related: Origins seek architects for eco-friendly gingerbread house
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