Acknowledging Racism in the Ren Faire Community

As a Ren Faire patron for over 10 years and as an artist with fantasy/ faire influences, I was proud to see Digital Ren Faire acknowledge the existence of racism in the community and provide some resources to combat this behavior. I’ve quoted their June 1st Facebook post here, but encourage you to check out their pages for entertainment as well!

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A MESSAGE FROM THE WIZARDS: While the Digital Ren Faire usually attempts to provide a refuge from the weighty matters of the modern world, there comes a point where we must speak to provide clarity.

Each of us behind the scenes has struggled with the fact that while Renaissance Faires attempt to create an inclusive environment, they are often euro-centric places and sometimes do not foster good environments for performers of color. We have all heard horror stories from festivals where management and/or audience members have accepted the presence of dragons and fairies, but not a black man in noble garb. This is not what we are here to create.

There are parts of the history of the Renaissance to be acknowledged. For example, the Peasant Revolts (also known as “The Crisis of the Late Middle Ages”), during which rebellions sprung up across Europe, spurred on by a peasantry that had been oppressed for centuries. Without them, we might still be living in a feudal society. Also, the idea of “Carnival,” most famous in Venice, when performers could exercise free speech and critique those in power through elaborate revels. Or, if we jump a few decades past the Renaissance, the ideals of the Quakers, who often resorted to guerrilla tactics to protest for religious freedom, and who organized the first Anti-Slavery protest in the New World in 1688. This is the spirit of Renaissance history that we embrace.

As always, we are committed to providing a platform for performers of all walks of life, and we will continue to air programs full of music, laughter, and love that allow a short respite for those needing a breath of fresh air. Know that all are welcome and protected within our pixelated castle walls.

If you would like to pursue deeper exploration of these ideas, please click here:

Black Nerd Problems article: https://blacknerdproblems.com/yes-there-were-black-people-…/
Black Bristol Photo Album: https://blackbristol.wixsite.com/blackbristol
People of Color in European Art History: https://medievalpoc.tumblr.com/

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Some additional suggestions from Fired Figments for Black creators that faire-goers will enjoy:

https://www.instagram.com/brownsugarfairies/
https://www.brownsugarfairies.com/
https://www.instagram.com/neiceythefairy/
https://www.instagram.com/ginaxanadu/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackUnicornShop
https://www.instagram.com/mintfaery/
https://mintfaery.wixsite.com/mintcoven
https://www.instagram.com/averiverastudio/
https://www.averivera.com/

The Four Essential Renaissance Festival Accessories for Any Costume

It’s almost my favorite time of year - Renaissance Festival season! There are Renaissance Festivals happening all year long across the country, but here in New York, I’m prepping for the New York Renaissance Faire. There are so many costumes to choose from: royalty, wenches, pirates, fairies, fawns, rogues, mages, and more! But no matter what character you choose, these four accessories are essential for any costume.

1. Shoes

They say that shoes can make or break an outfit, and that is very true of any time period costume. The most important thing is to have shoes that are comfortable because you’ll be doing a lot of walking. But if you also don’t your shoes to break the immersion of your costume, there are some guidelines to follow. But don’t worry, you don’t need dedicated Ren Faire shoes - there are plenty of modern shoes that can work for your costume. Here are some ideas:

• Most leather-look sandals will work, but stay away from simple flip flops. You want something with straps that will hold the sandal to your foot - as much for style as for practicality while walking around the festival.

• Canvas slip-ons like TOMS or BOBS are a great option. Make sure you wear solid colored shoes, and not any with a crazy print.

• Other simple flats or loafers can also maintain the Renaissance look. The more nondescript, the better. Your shoes don’t have to be spot on, but the main goal is to not clash with the feel of your costume.

• Boots can complete your look, but make sure you don’t pick anything too modern. Think pirates, Robin Hood, or riding boots.

If you are ready to pick out special shoes just for the Renaissance Festival, there are lots of online vendors offering a variety of styles. You can even get custom boots or shoes made by artisans at the faire! The shoes in this picture are by Medieval Moccasins.

2. Belt

A belt is used for both function and fashion at the Renaissance Festival. You can usually spot a life-long festival goer by their loaded belt. Their belt will be filled with pouches, a fan, a goblet or tankard, plus a half dozen little accessories that can be bought on the festival grounds. It’s rare to even see their belt under all the trinkets that can be kept on it. At its very base purpose, a good belt can keep you hands-free at the festival by carrying your last two essential accessories. Make sure you pick out something wide and sturdy so that it can support carrying everything you need. I found this vintage belt at a thrift store, but you can also find a beautiful artisan-made belt right at the festival.

3. Pouch

Also known as a “bag of holding,” your pouch will act as your purse for the day. There are lots of options for pouches right at the festival. Some are more structured with loops on the back to hold on tight to your belt. Others are simple bags like the one in this picture. I bought this pouch from Potomac Leather over ten years ago and have used the same one ever since! I call it a Mary Poppins pouch because it fits EVERYTHING. Here’s what I can fit in my pouch all at once:

• Water bottle (standard plastic bottle size - I don’t bring these anymore - see accessory #4)

• Car keys

• Wallet

• Phone

• Lip balm

• Festival map/brochure

• A sandwich bag of almonds

• A sandwich bag of grapes

I stuff everything into my one big pouch, but you can also buy a few smaller pouches to decorate your belt and reduce the need for digging through your bag.

4. Ceramic Bottle

Hydration is key. You’ll be walking around the festival in the summer sun and need to make sure you stay hydrated. A ceramic bottle gives you a costume-appropriate way to carry water with you and let’s you skip buying a disposable plastic water bottle at the festival. Plus, here’s a cool tip: Fill up your bottle and put it in the fridge overnight. Ceramic is a natural insulator so it’ll stay cold longer throughout the day. You can find my handmade ceramic bottles online or at the New York Renaissance Faire!

I hope this article helps you plan your festival costume! Is there anything already in your closet that you will use? What’s on your shopping list?

Shoppers: How to be the BEST Art Festival Customer EVER!

Summer festival season is kicking off and art festivals will continue into the fall and through Christmas. Art festivals and craft fairs provide a unique opportunity for artists and customers to come face-to-face. It takes a lot of guts for an artist to present their work to the world, and rude customers can ruin a whole show. Even well-meaning comments can come off as insults when piled in with less pleasant experiences.

How can you know if you’re accidentally insulting an artist? Well, after five years of selling at art festivals and talking with fellow artists, I can tell you what artists love to hear, where you should tread carefully, and what you should NEVER say!

Please Do These Things:

“You have very beautiful work” or “I really love your style.”

Really any sincere compliment should be well met. Some artists might be a little sour if they’ve been getting only compliments and no sales, but if an artist responds negatively to a compliment, then they need to work on their customer service.

“I follow you on [Instagram, Facebook, etc.]”

Awesome! It’s so cool to put a face with the username! Meeting customers face-to-face is the best part of art festival so don’t be shy! Bonus points if you talk about a favorite recent post.

“Hi” and “Thank you”

Sometimes artists are nervous about greeting every customer and don’t want to seem too eager to make a sale. A simple “hello”, smile, or even a nod helps the artist know you’re friendly. Saying “thank you” when you leave the booth, even when you didn’t buy anything, is a nice way to show your appreciation to the artist for taking time to attend the festival.

Take a business card, postcard, or sign up for the email list

Artists (should) understand that not everyone is in a position to buy, but any of these actions show that you are interested in their work and will hopefully be a customer in the future.

Proceed With Caution:

“How long did this take to make?”

This may seem like a harmless question, and a go-to conversation starter, but it can make an artist go on high alert. Artists might be wary of giving an exact number because they’re waiting for you to multiply the hours given by minimum wage to come up with a value for their art. Please know that there are two things wrong with that formula:

1.) A working artist should not base their prices on minimum wage since minimum wage is not a living wage.

2.) Isolating a product to the time it takes to produce ignores the time spent learning the skill, designing the product, and maintaining business responsibilities like websites, social media accounts, shipping, and even the time spent attending the current festival. Not to mention material costs, studio rent, and more!

Artists that have had too many guests criticize their prices right after a question of time, might not be happy answering this question. Some similar, safer questions to ask are:

• “How long have you been [painting, making pottery, sewing, etc.]?”

• “Can you tell me about this piece?”

• “What inspired this design?”

“How did you make that?”

Similar to “How long did this take to make?” too many artists have been bitten by this question. It can imply that you have some basic skills in this craft and want step-by-step instructions to recreate it when you get home. Try instead, “Can you tell me about your process?”

“I have always wanted to try [calligraphy, pottery, macrame, etc.]” or “[Drawing, embroidery, jewelry-making, etc.] looks like so much fun!”

You might be trying to create a connection with the artist and show interest in their craft, but these comments can often feel demeaning. Artists work very hard to become professionals in their field, and even though they may have started by taking a community class just like you, they went beyond that intro class and invested in their own studio and materials to develop this craft into a business. Comments like these suggest that you see their work as just a hobby. Of course an artist likes what they do, but making art to sell is a lot more involved than just spending your free time to make art for your friends and family. Try these questions instead:

• “I really admire the work of [metalsmiths, sculptors, photographers, etc.]. Do you have any suggestions for someone trying to start out?”

• “Do you teach any workshops?”

• “I took a [pottery, knitting, needle-felting, etc.] class last year. I definitely have a newfound appreciation for the skill required”

Taking pictures

It is always best to ask an artist for permission before taking pictures. Many artists do not allow pictures so that their work is not copied. If your intention is to copy the work at home, please reconsider. Here are some good reasons to take pictures:

• “I’m thinking of getting this as a gift for my mom, can I send a picture to my sister to see what she thinks?”

• “Can I take a picture and tag you on Instagram?” - bonus points for giving the artist credit!

Stop! Never Do These Things!

“Can I get a discount?” or “This is too expensive.”

Art festivals are not flea markets. Artists spend a painstaking amount of time calculating their prices, and many are still undercharging for their work! They are probably already self-conscious about their prices, and asking for a discount is an insult to their work. Remember that artists need to pay for materials, education, equipment, studio rent and utilities, website hosting, business insurance, shipping supplies, and then pay themselves for their time spent designing, producing, photographing, and marketing their work. Plus, some artists can price based on demand. It might be your first time seeing this artist’s work, but they might have a following more than happy to pay those prices. If the price doesn’t meet your perceived value, then you don’t have to buy it. However, if you are truly in love with a piece, but just can’t afford it right now, try these questions instead:

• “Do you offer a payment plan?” - some artists might be willing to work out a few month payment plan with you so you can have the piece once it is paid in full.

• “Do you take custom orders?” - If an artist takes custom orders, you can save towards the piece and commission them when you can afford it.

• “Where else can I buy your work?” - Just like custom orders, buying online let’s you wait until you have the money to spend.

“Can I pay cash to skip the sales tax?”

No. This is straight up illegal. Professional artists have a state issued Sales Tax ID and are required by law to collect sales tax.

“This is so ugly” or “Who would like this” or “My kid could make this”

This should go without saying, but don’t insult an artist’s work while you are standing in their booth. You don’t have to like all kinds of art, but there is no reason to be so rude in front of the person who has put their heart and soul into creating. You aren’t walking around a store as an anonymous buyer. The artist can hear you, and they can definitely see you.

“Hey, [friend’s name], will you make this for me?” or “I’m gonna make this at home.”

Anything that implies that you are going to copy an artist’s work shouldn’t be said. And you shouldn’t copy for that matter, either. Obviously, no one can stop you from making a ceramic mug, or a cross stitch hoop, or a mosaic picture frame, but you should never copy an artist’s exact design.

“I’ll be back later” when you won’t be.

When an artist is having a bad show, they might be counting on all those “be back later” customers to make their sales goals for the day. When you don’t show up, it just adds insult to injury. If you’re trying to find a polite way to leave the booth, simply say, “You have very beautiful work” or a similar, sincere compliment. Even just taking a business card and smiling it better than giving false hope.

What do you think? Have you unknowingly done any of these festival fouls? Which tip did you find most helpful or surprising?

If you’re an artist and need some ideas on how to respond to these tricky questions, check out my post Artists: How to Answer Your Most Dreaded Art Festival Questions!

Artists: How to Answer Your Most Dreaded Art Festival Questions

Art festival season has officially begun!
The good part: You finally get to meet your customers face-to-face!
The bad part: You have to deal with customers face-to-face.

Whether you are a seasoned festival artist, or are headed to your first craft show, there are questions that customers are guaranteed to ask and will likely trip you up if you haven’t planned how to respond. After 5 years of selling at art festivals and talking to other artists, here are my best ways to deal with those tricky questions.

“How long did this take to make?”

I know, you’re breaking out in a nervous sweat wondering if this person is going to recalculate your pricing based on minimum wage and the time you give. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Many customers ask this question simply as a conversation starter and don’t realize the weight this question can hold. Here are some ways to answer:

• Talk about the general steps it takes to make your product. Listing out the steps can better represent the effort it takes to make art. I might only spend X amount of active time on a mug, but making pottery is a long process. I have to throw the mug, let it dry to leather hard (1-3 days), trim the foot, carve the design, attach the handle, let it dry to bone dry (up to a week), bisque fire (a firing that takes 8 hours and requires over 12 hours to cool,) glaze, and finally glaze fire (a firing that takes 16 hours and requires over 16 hours to cool.) My hands might only be on a mug for X minutes or hours, but it can take up to two weeks to finish a mug! If your list of steps feels a little short, try these other responses.

• Talk about your design process. When did you first come up with this idea? How long did it take to develop? Did you have to redesign the product? Talk about the changes you made and why you found those changes to be an improvement.

• Talk about your education. Even if you are self taught, how long have you been practicing your craft? Say, “ I could never have made this when I first started, but after X years of working, I’ve gotten pretty fast at it.”

“How did you make that?”

It might feel like a customer is asking for step-by-step instructions to duplicate your art at home, but this question is really just the simplest way to express curiosity. You can answer this similarly to the last question:

• Again, talk about your design process or the general steps you take to make your product. For example, an embroidery artist might say, “I start by drawing my design with pencil on the fabric. Then I pick out my color scheme and buy the thread that I need. I stretch the fabric in the hoop and use various stitching techniques to make the design.Then I have to knot off the thread in the back and cut loose strings.” The artist has talked about their process without giving a pattern for someone to copy.

“I’ve always wanted to try [your craft]” or “[Your craft] looks like so much fun!”

You worked hard to become a professional at your art, and now it feels like this person thinks it is easy. Don’t get defensive, try these answers:

• Give an anecdote about when you first started. I always like to tell people about my first wheel-throwing class and how we spent the first 4 weeks making cylinders. You were not allowed to move on to anything else until you could make 4 identical 6-inch cylinders. This story proves that pottery takes dedication, and is a lot harder than it looks.

• Offer suggestions of local places to take classes. This person probably won’t ever become your competition and you look like an expert in the field, so there is no harm in offering a little advice.

• Do you offer your own workshops? This is a great opportunity to talk yourself up!

“Can I get a discount?” or “Why is this so expensive?”

You’re probably undercharging for your work already, so don’t haggle on your prices! Here are some responses:

• Offer a payment plan. Instead of just saying no to a discount, this option might get you a sale you would otherwise lose. If someone really loves your piece, they might jump at this opportunity. Require a deposit on site (at least 25%) and then get contact information to send invoices for a few months until the item is paid in full. Only give the product to the customer once it is paid in full.

• Pick your battles. You can usually tell by the person’s tone of voice if they simply want to complain and probably won’t value your work at any price, or if they would be open to some education. If it is the latter, talk about all the time spent learning your craft, the materials you buy (you do not need to tell them the exact numbers), and all the business side of things that people tend to forget. Other times it’s best to just ignore the comment (like if it wasn’t actually directed at you, but to a friend.) Don’t say, “Well, X number of people don’t feel that way.” You’re not winning an argument with a statement like that.

• Let the customer know that you sell online and that the product will be available when they have the money to purchase. (Remember tone is important here - you don’t want to come off as rude.) Only use this method if the customer seems interested in your work, but is upset that they can’t afford it (and so it must be “expensive”), not if the person simply does not value your work.

“Can I pay cash to skip the sales tax?”

No. This is illegal. Don’t do it. It’s your choice to absorb sales tax into your listed price, but make sure you increase prices to account for this expense.

“This is so ugly” or “Who would like this” or “My kid could make this”

These aren’t questions, but you still might hear them. Insults hurt, but here is where you need to put on your customer service hat and bite your tongue. Usually this comment is being said to a friend in the booth, and the person isn’t even thinking of the fact that you, the artist, are sitting right in front of them. It is not your place to jump into the conversation to defend yourself. You might come off as rude and other potential customers in the booth might be turned off by your tone and leave. Now, if the insult is being said directly to you, put a positive spin on the exchange by taking the opportunity to talk about your inspiration and why your work looks the way it does.

“Hey, [friend’s name], will you make this for me?” or “I’m gonna make this at home.”

This is another time that it is best to bite your tongue. Again, the customer is probably talking to their friend and not to you, so your attempt to educate against the wrongs of copying will likely not be well received. If you are worried about copying, make sure you have visible “no photos” signs near your work. Even if someone does try to copy your work, it will never be like yours.

Bonus Tips:

Here are some ways to put your best foot forward at all times.

Accept Compliments Graciously

It can be frustrating when every person at your booth says “This is so cute!” or “You have beautiful work!” and none of them make a purchase. However, you should understand that festivals are a form of free entertainment, and not every person is in a place to buy. A customer has no way of knowing that you’re having a bad sales day, and you shouldn’t make it obvious by responding poorly to a compliment. Instead, say “thank you” and offer them a business card or your show schedule so they can find your work when they are ready to buy.

Say “Thank you”

Even if a customer doesn’t buy anything, thank them for stopping by or for checking out your work. Leaving a friendly final impression might inspire them to reach for a business card on their way out, or even to loop back around before they leave the festival.

Don’t Use Passive Behavior

Don’t sit at your booth reading a book or scrolling through your phone. This makes you look uninterested, uninviting, and unprofessional. It’s ok to bring some in-progress product to work on at your table. In fact, it might even spark conversations about your work. However, don’t be so involved in your work that you don’t look up to greet customers.

Avoid Eating Messy Food

I know all the food trucks at the festival are tempting, but it’s probably not the best to have BBQ sauce all over your face from that pulled pork sandwich when a customer walks into your booth. Pack small snacks that are easy to pop in your mouth during those brief moments your booth is empty. If you want to indulge on festival food, make sure you have someone to cover your booth while you chow down away from potential customers. And make sure you have mints for afterwards.

Don’t Pack-up Early

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. By agreeing to vend at a festival, you become a representative of that festival and it is your duty to be professional even if the last hour, or even the whole show, has been slow. What message are you sending to the customers who maybe work weekends and just got out of work with a half hour left of the show? They were so excited to see all the artists, and now all they see is a bunch of half-empty tables and boxes. I’ve been known to take down a few of my more expensive and fragile pieces that require more delicate wrapping when there is fifteen minutes to go. Maybe I’ll collect my display rings from the ring dishes, take the spoons from my spoon rests, and consolidate my business cards into one pile. But I do all of this from behind my table so it isn’t obvious that I am calling it quits, and a customer would never look at my table and know I am packing up. A last-minute customer should never feel like they are disturbing you by wanting to look at your product. If a show ends at 4:00 pm, you should not be loading your boxes onto your handcart and rolling away at 4:00 pm. You should be actively displaying through 4:00 pm. I know show days are long days, but you agreed to this commitment, so follow through.

I hope you found this post helpful!

Which response or tip had you never though of before? What other questions or encounters are a struggle for you? Let me know, because I would love to help!

Mini-Tip: Ethically Wrapping Large Presents

This year I was faced with a little dilemma involving a big gift. Looking at this large present, I couldn't fathom wasting so much wrapping paper on such a large gift - not to mention how difficult it is to paper wrap cube-shaped packages! I tried searching the stores for a large "Santa Sack" but nothing was wide enough to fit this box. I could make my own "Santa Sack" to use for years to come, but my timetable did not allow for that kind of project this year. 

Last night I had a sudden epiphany! I could use the Furoshiki style of fabric wrapping, but super-sized with a flannel sheet to fit this large box. The best part? This whole process probably took less than 2 minutes. 

I watched this video for a quick tutorial and then applied the practice to my larger sheet. 

Shown here is a twin flat sheet folded in half. The box is lined up so that the flat sides are facing the four corners of the sheet. Generally, Furoshiki is done with a square piece of fabric, but since my box is a little taller than a cube, it worked out that my sheet wasn't perfectly square. 

Take one corner and pull it tightly over the top of the box. 

Take the opposite corner and pull it tightly over the top of the box. Fold under the pointed tip to create a straight seam. 

Take the remaining two corners and pull them tightly over the box. Tie them in the middle to secure your wrapping. You'll notice that some excess fabric will be sticking out at your edges. Simply tuck these in to create a smooth edge. 

And that's it! The quickest wrapping job you'll ever do! No cutting, no tape, and no waste! You can dress up the package with a pine sprig or some reusable ribbon if you'd like, but other than that, you're done! You didn't waste money using half a roll of wrapping paper on one gift, and since you'll take your sheet back home after gift-giving, you've once again eliminated the burden on your recipient to dispose of the wrapping. You could also use a blanket for this wrapping method and let the recipient keep the blanket as a bonus gift!

Furoshiki is also great for small-scale presents. Try wrapping small gifts in scarves, fabric napkins, or fabric store remnants for an Eco-Friendly alternative to gift wrap. This link has a great diagram of different wrapping techniques, including a very chic-looking way to wrap bottles!

DIY Pillow Boxes

Let's be honest for a second: You're sitting on the toilet and you finish a roll of toilet paper. You grab a new roll and toss the empty tube in the trash. I know, it's convenient. You don't want to run an errand to your recycling bin after leaving the bathroom. However, it is important to consider how seemingly small choices can have a big impact. Millions of pounds of toilet paper tubes are sent to landfills every year even though they are an easily recycled product (source.) To make recycling less of a hassle, think about placing a small recycling bin next to the trash bin in your bathroom. That way you can collect toilet paper tubes, soap boxes, and other recyclable products to carry in bulk to your outdoor bin. Making one trip every so often feels like less of an effort than several trips multiple times a week. 

Around Thanksgiving time, I asked my family of three to set aside their empty toilet paper tubes. In about a month we went through almost 15 rolls of toilet paper which calculates to an average of 180 rolls per year. That's a lot of cardboard that should at least be recycled. But, in the spirit of good, better, best, let's talk about one way to reuse a toilet paper tube before sending it to be recycled. (You can Google "Toilet paper roll crafts" for lots of project ideas.)

Christmas is just a couple days away, but you'll probably be meeting with friends over the next few weeks to catch up and exchange gifts. Maybe just a little something like a handful of candies, a sweet piece of jewelry, or a gift certificate to your favorite local spot. Pillow boxes are a great way to dress up a little gift, but you don't need to buy any - make your own with cardboard tubes around the house! This is also a great project for using up your empty wrapping paper rolls once all the paper is gone. Just cut the tube down to your preferred length before starting. 

Pillow boxes are pretty simple to make. Just use your thumb to bend down the edge of the tube. Start in the middle and and spread out to the sides to make a smooth curve. Repeat on the other half to close off the end. Fill your tube with your gift and then fold off the other side to complete your pillow box. 

Now it's time to decorate!

L.L. Bean recently sent us some catalogs for the holidays so I took the theme of reusing another step further. I pulled out some pages that I liked and cut them into strips to wrap around my pillow boxes. I secured them with a small piece of tape on the back. This is also a great opportunity to use up those narrow strips of wrapping paper too small to wrap anything else. If you want to stay paper free, you can decorate your tube with a paint marker before folding it. 

Last but not least: ribbons! Americans throw out 38,000 miles of ribbon each year (source) so it is important to save and reuse ribbons. Here I reused some yarn from the packaging of a handcrafted pair of earrings. You might remember from my last post that I said to avoid curling ribbon since it is made of plastic. However, my co-workers gave me a few balloons for my birthday so I saved the ribbon from the balloons to reuse rather than throwing it out. I will admit that the white ribbon is new because I bought it for another project, but since it is a fabric ribbon it can be reused. If you think that your friends and family won't reuse certain pieces of packaging, don't be afraid to speak up and ask to collect reusable items. It's as simple as saying, "I'll take that ribbon if you're going to throw it away."

Unfortunately, toilet paper tube waste is really just the result of a much bigger problem - the overuse of toilet paper in America.

Americans use 8 million tons of toilet paper a year. It takes 37 gallons of water to make one roll of toilet paper (source) and at least 27,000 trees (globally) are cut down each day just for the production of toilet paper (source.) In many other countries, the popular use of a bidet reduces the need for toilet paper. One Zero Waste blogger mentioned that her toilet paper usage decreased by 60% with the addition of an inexpensive bidet attachment in her bathroom. If you're not ready to make the leap to a bidet, there are many other ways to reduce your toilet paper footprint. Most toilet paper is made from virgin pulp. America's annual toilet paper demand uses 15 million trees, over 473 billion gallons of water, 253 thousand tons of chlorine for bleaching, and 17.3 terawatts of electricity, not to mention the additional resources for distribution (source.) If every US household replaced just one roll of virgin toilet paper with 100% post consumer recycled toilet paper for a year, it would save 423,900 trees (source.) Check out this blog post for a list of recycled and tree-free toilet paper options. 

Mini-Tip: Gifting T-shirts Wrapping-Free

Tonight I met a friend for dinner and gifted him a T-shirt as an early Christmas present. The T-shirt already had a cool all-over pattern, so it made for a pretty presentation all on its own. By simply rolling a T-shirt you can hide the main graphic and your recipient will have fun unrolling it and revealing the design! One of the best things about wrapping-free gifts? You eliminate the burden on your recipient to dispose of the wrapping.

Here's How I Rolled My T-Shirt:

1. Lay T-shirt flat with the front facing upwards.

2. Fold sleeves over front of shirt. 

3. Fold shirt in half from shoulder to shoulder so that the front graphic is hidden. 

4. Starting at the collar, tightly roll the shirt to make a neat cylinder shape.

5. Tie shirt with some twine, ribbon, or yarn. You can add a pine sprig or other small item as a decorative topper. Unfortunately the candy cane I used is not zero waste because of the plastic wrapping - there's always room for improvement!

For this shirt, I used a piece of yarn that I had saved from the packaging of a pair of earrings I bought from a small business artist. Americans throw out 38,000 miles of ribbon each year - that's enough to tie a bow around the Earth! (source.) Keep a stash of reusable ribbon, yarn, etc. from presents that you receive so that you don't have to buy new every year. And forget those 6-inch ribbon curls - curling ribbon is made from polypropylene (plastic.) (source)

Americans spend $7 billion on wrapping paper (trash) each year (source)*. If you're struggling with the idea of not wrapping your presents, just remember that going green usually also saves you some green. Remember my good, better, best philosophy from my last post? If you're not ready to give up gift wrap completely, try to think of some creative ideas to reduce your wrapping paper consumption. Giving multiple shirts to someone? Skip the individually wrapped shirt boxes and roll them all into one box or gift bag. T-shirts themselves can be used as creative wrapping for other gifts!

* Please do not use wrapping paper as a fire starter - it can cause chimney fires and the dyes let off toxic chemicals (source.)

Reducing Holiday Waste: Christmas Cards

I’ve always felt a sense of responsibility to the environment.

Image from: Penn Waste

As a child, I took home my classmates’ tests in a big stack at the end of a unit to recycle because I couldn’t stand to see so much paper in the trash. Now, I am even more aware of our throw-away society, I have tried to increase my efforts to limit my contribution to our global waste. Ceramics is a very permanent craft. Raw clay can be dried out, watered down, and used again and again, but once it is fired, it’s in the world forever. The power of this permanence inspires me to be environmentally conscious in my life and business. All of my shipping materials are reused from local Rochester businesses and I find alternative uses for my flawed pottery.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Americans produce 25% more waste equaling 25 million tons of extra trash.

When it comes to the holiday season, it’s easy to be swept up in the magic of entertaining and gift-giving, but I can’t help but to think about the pressure to spend and the mass consumption that comes with it. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Americans produce 25% more waste equaling 25 million tons of extra trash (source.) Just think about all the novelty gifts, gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper, greeting cards, and decorations that you buy during the last two months of the year.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t give gifts and spread joy to your friends and family. However, a little extra thought can go a long way to reduce your holiday waste. Perhaps you’ve heard about the Zero Waste movement. At first, the idea of zero waste can seem pretty intimidating, especially with the popular visual of a mason jar containing all of a person’s trash for the year. But, it’s important to remember that zero waste isn’t a strict rule, it’s a goal to help aim your daily practices.

REFUSE
REDUCE
REUSE
RECYCLE
ROT

You’ve probably grown up with the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Zero waste taught me that there are two others: Refuse and Rot (composting) which bookend the original three R’s. I look at these five steps on a scale of “good, better, and best.” Refusing wasteful practices and reducing your waste are the “best” practices you can employ. Reusing falls under the “better” category, and recycling and rotting are “good” when you can’t achieve the others.

In this mini-blog series for the holidays, I want to give you some “good, better, best” options for minimizing your extra holiday waste. For this first post, I’d like to start with some alternatives for sending holiday cards.

The billions of Christmas cards that are sent each year could fill a ten-story football field (source.) In 2011 I did some market research for a greeting card business. The Greeting Card Association no longer had this information on their website, but in my 2011 research I found that they conducted a national survey in which almost a third of respondents said that they keep cards “forever.” What that really means is that over 66% of people dispose of the cards they receive! I tend not to send cards for any occasion because there is such a high chance that they are going straight into the garbage. The one card I do remember sending this year was, of course, from a small business. If you picture the lifespan of a product from purchase to landfill, greeting cards have a pretty direct line from shelf to trash. Check out these tips for increasing the life cycle of the cards you give and receive:

Good: (Recycle)

• Buy cards made from recycled paper and post-consumer waste

• Avoid buying cards with foiled accents and glitter because they cannot be recycled

• Recycle cards that you receive instead of throwing them out

Better: (Reuse)

• Even if a card will ultimately be recycled, expand its lifecycle by reusing it first

  • The cover of the card is usually blank on its backside. Cut off the cover and write on the back to send a holiday postcard. Keep the original note sent to you, use it as scrap paper, or recycle it.

  • Put the card in a frame for seasonal decor. Keep your favorite cards to swap out throughout the year.

  • Cut out the main image and hole punch the top to make a paper ornament

  • Cut the cover into a few rectangles or other shapes to make gift tags

  • Do you have a large back-stock of greeting cards? Use several cards to create a DIY paper wreath

Best: (Refuse and Reduce)

• Only send cards worth sending

  • I have a friend whom is the master of card giving. He writes lengthy, meaningful notes that are impossible to throw away - I cherish my collection. A generic card from the store with just your signature probably won’t be saved by the recipient.

• If you have a tradition of sending family photos and a yearly newsletter, consider pruning your list of recipients.

  • Send an email newsletter when you can and save the hard copies for family and friends without email. Post your family photo on social media for all to enjoy and save the prints for those who truly want them and will keep them beyond when next year’s replacement arrives.

  • Eliminate the need for a yearly newsletter by making an effort to stay connected through email, social media, and phone calls all year long.

• Feel like you need a holiday card to keep a gift card in?

  • Create even less waste by sending an e-gift card

  • Stay tuned for some future tips on alternative wrapping for gift cards

• Not only does reducing your holiday cards help save paper, you also save money on all those high printing fees and pricey seasonal cards!

Luckily, paper is one of the most successful recycling efforts out there. Paper recycling is easily accessible and more paper is recycled than is sent to the landfill (source.) Of course, there is always room for improvement. Each year, 4.5 million tons of office paper is thrown away in the United States. The average American uses two pine trees worth of paper a year (650 lbs.) (source.) By recycling paper, you can help save 33% of the energy needed to make new paper (source.) Reusing paper before recycling it ultimately extends the life of that paper, and reducing your paper use will have the greatest impact of all.

In the remaining two weeks before Christmas, I hope to post a few other holiday waste tips. Next, I’ll be tackling some alternatives to wrapping paper and paper gift bags.