Sustainable Sundays: new shops

Happy Sunday! I have searched our team's discussion board, Etsy treasuries, and our social networks, to bring you some amazing upcycled items to start the week.

July has been a great month.  Our shops are busy, the discussion board was hopping, and we've had more new shops join the team.

This week's Sustainable Sundays picks are for the July new Upcyclers members that have joined and introduced themselves on our threads.

Linen & Leather Kindle Case by Rally Made

Steampunk Heart-Shaped Lock and Key Necklace

by Smithfits Bazaare Emporium

Recycled rustic barn wood key holder by Quarry Designs Wood Working

With a growing team membership of over 2,200 upcycled Etsy shops, we are a great source for eco-friendly, handmade shopping. Use the red & white SHOP Now feature on our front page, or just search the tag teamupcyclers on Etsy!

Have a great Sunday and be sure to make it a sustainable one!

Thanks, Bee

The Wooden Bee

Love 2 DIY on the Weekend~ More Summer Projects!

We're in the middle of Summer and it's a hot one~ Make the best of it with some fun projects you can make over the weekend!

Hanging Herb Garden

Fish Lights made from Bottles

Nautical Upcycling

Upcycle Your Summer Seashells

Fabulously Funky Footwear!

More Upcycled Bottles

Upcycled Art for Your Walls from Apartment Therapy

So there you go~ a handful of projects you can do this weekend!

Enjoy~
;) Cat

'Upcycling' Water?

This might sound like a ludicrous notion, but in reality all water is 'upcycled' or recycled. It all goes back to the three part system I learned in grade school. Water is always in one part of the water cycle or the other, it is either part of a body of water on the ground, evaporating/ed and floating above our heads as clouds, or falling to the ground as a type as precipitation.

This is not quite as complicated. Here I am speaking only about reusing rainwater on a small scale. Rainwater can be collected and redistributed to your garden very simply. Instead of letting rainwater run from the gutters into the street and into the city storm water system, it can be gathered in rain barrels and used when most needed. 

Here are some places for learning about how to make your own rain barrels:

How to Build a Rainwater Collection System

Simple Rain Barrel Plans

As you can see from the plans a spout is attached to the base to attach a hose and make watering easy.

Another fun water use for the garden:

A bird bath!

Happy Gardening!

Nikki

This 'N That Creations

Sustainable Sundays: Back to School

Happy Sunday! I have searched our team's discussion boards, shops, and social networks! Here is this week's Sustainable Sundays picks!

You send your child to the schoolmaster, but 'tis the schoolboys who educate him.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Within the month students will be heading back to school. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about back to school items. There is still time to take advantage of worry free shipping and summer sales. 

Check out these upcycled back to school items:

School Pencil Case by urchinbags

made from reclaimed bike tubes and vinyl

Reversible Lunchbox Napkins from Blue Acres Farm

made from vintage bed linens

Padded Laptop Case for Mac from Lynn Minney Designs

made from vintage fabric, a vintage tie and a vintage button

and you can get in good with the new teacher by giving her these...

Repurposed Teacher Magnet Gift Set by believeinURdream

made from upcycled bottle caps

Enjoy your Sunday and be sure to make it a sustainable one!

Thanks, Bee
The Wooden Bee

Christmas in July: Etsy Sale

The annual Christmas in July event has been underway all month. This is a great time for shoppers to get a jump start on their holiday gift list and SAVE! 

The official Etsy sale dates are July 12th - July 22nd.  Soooo, that means this is your last weekend to save on beautiful handmade items!!!  Each shop has set its own dates though, and many are having sales until the end of the month.

Snooping around our Team Upcyclers Threads, I found an array of discounts and promotions going on this month! :)

Here's a handful of stocking stuffer ideas from Upcyclers shops having great sales this week:

Stocking Stuffer: Upcycled red apron with knot pocket

from Katiedid - Upcyled gifts for foodies and kitchenistas

Enter coupon code: SILLYSUMMERSALE at the check out for 25% off your entire purchase! Hurry sale ends Saturday July 21st!!!

Stocking Stuffer: Grow Necklace

from Madame Mummy's Attic - Steampunk, Industrial, Vintage, Punk & More

Enter coupon code: 7XMAS2012 for 10% off your order!

Stocking Stuffer: Mod Flowers Upcycled Earrings

from Design Renathe Schneider - resign jewelry

Entire shop has been discounted for this sale!

July 12th - July 22nd only.

Stocking Stuffer: "Tie One On Drink or Beer Holder" 

from Our Children's Earth - handmade treasures that are recycled, up-cycled, reused, and repurposed.
Enter coupon code at checkout:

CHRISTMASINJULY for 10% off your entire order!

Stocking Stuffer: Wine Cork Magnets 

WIN these corks from The Wooden Bee - ecofriendly home decor and DIY crafts 

Along with offering a coupon, you can win over $150 in handmade giveaways.

Enter coupon code at checkout:

DaytonaEtsy10 for 10% off your entire order! Offer ends July 22nd.

Stocking Stuffer: Scrabble Tile Earrings

from k5art - upcycled creations

Entire shop has been reduced by 20% July 11th - July 22nd only.

Plus, every order placed during the sale will receive a FREE GIFT!

Stocking Stuffer: Recycled Paper Christmas Card

from Elodie's Shop - handmade paper greeting cards 

LARGE Discounted Christmas in July section of shop!

Stocking Stuffer: Peace Ornament

from Sweet Someday - repurposed treasures

25% off everything in their CIJ shop section!

No coupon needed. Offer ends July 31st.

And now you need an upcycled stocking for those stuffers right?!

from GroovyGarbage - cool recycled goods

Discounts in the Christmas in July section of their shop until July 23rd.

You can also search Etsy with the words: teamupcyclers Christmas in July or CIJ, and CIJ Sale for more savings!!!

Avoid the rush and start the eco-friendly holiday shopping today!

Thanks, Bee
The Wooden Bee