Gail Marie is an upcycling wizard with a magical wand that doubles as a dowsing rod for hidden treasures. You’ll find Gail Marie – with wand in hand – digging through odd lot boxes of castoffs at yard sales and flea markets that even die-hard bargain hunters shy away from. (You may think Goodwill hunting is a movie but to Gail Marie it’s a shopping safari.) 

With a touch of imagination and a twirl of her wand, bits of this and pieces of that morph into something magical. She sees new life where others have given up hope and refashions unlikely combinations into sometimes practical, sometimes whimsical treasures.

And that ability is a gift that saved her life.

You see Gail Marie has upcycled herself. She is a cancer survivor four times (more…)

“Turning a landfill into a windfall for those in need.”

My mac was in a browser landslide. I had procrastinated all I could. Denial was no longer an option. (Not that it ever is.) There were no browser upgrades available for my current system. A new computer was not in my business plan. (Mostly because I hate change when it comes to technical stuff.) I had to bite the bullet. What to do? I didn’t want a new mac. I still needed my classic mac environment for my older applications. A used mac seemed to be the answer. But where do I go? I called a friend. Then another. And another. And finally the name “Justin Kenagy at Onyx” was dropped. My browser landslide slid to a halt and all my problems were solved. (Ok. Well, not all. But when you are a techno-phobe like me, instilling a sense of security and confidence counts for a lot. Thanks, Justin.)

If you are looking for a great resource for reconditioned computers (PCs and macs) pay attention because, with these folks, everybody wins. 

So, what’s the big deal? The OCF is a non-profit (more…)

Repurposed. Refashioned. Reincarnated. Recycled. Reworked. Remarkable! 

Recycled-fashion designers are popping up everywhere and creating amazing garb with ‘cast-offs’ from our closets, thrift stores, attics, and salvage stores. (You name the place, they’ve likely scavenged it.) 

In their passion to refashion, nothing is tossed out. From upscale couture to whimsical funky, even the smallest scrap of fabric serves a ‘higher purpose’ when seen through their eyes. Sweater sleeves cuff a soft linen blouse. A vintage tablecloth merges with a sweatshirt to make a dress. Grandma’s lace doilies and Grandpa’s argyle socks create focal points on a gently worn cashmere sweater turned into a vest. Antique door hinges and old game pieces rebirth as jewelry.

 A Few Names to Get you Started

“Repurposed clothing is not only gentler on the environment, it also inspires uniquely beautiful garments that have stories woven into them.”   Kat O’Sullivan, Yoga Journal, May 2008 

• See more of Kat’s creativity expressed at katwise.com or go to her shop at etsy.

Kat O'Sullivan's Whimsical Green Dragon Hoodie

(more…)

Some creative, last-minute holiday ideas that are gentle on the environment as well as the spirit.

LOW-STRESS GIFTS

• Gift a service. Housecleaning, clutter clearing, yard work, car detailing. Pamper with a massage, facial or pedicure.
• Gift art lessons, music lessons, dance lessons or a pottery class.
• Gift an introductory coaching session in an area of interest. A writing coach for a blossoming novelist. A nutritional coach for someone wishing to change their eating habits. A creativity coach for someone who needs a jump-start back into their art.
• Gift your time after the holidays. Help with a project or take someone out for a play date.

LOW-IMPACT GIFT WRAPS

• Remember how Grandma used to press and save wrapping paper? Start your own tradition of “re-use.” Silk drawstring bags with beaded tassels can hold all kinds of goodies and be used by the recipient the next season for their gift wrapping. The year’s recipient can toss in a “fortune cookie” wish as they pass it on. What fun you will have watching those fortunes grow within your circle of family and friends! (more…)

Do you get lost in a blur of expectations?

One of the stressful aspects of holidays is when traditions collide with life circumstances. Add to that the expectations exalted by the media for a ho-ho-holiday and you have the recipe for stress and the ho-hum-holiday blues.

If your life looks anything like ours, you find the picture shifts – not so predictably – from one year to the next. All sorts of transitions can occur in a year’s time. Relocations. Job changes. Children leaving home. Children moving back in. (Yipes!) Aging parents. You name it. Life does not stop for the Kodak moments of the past to catch up with the present.

With all that in mind, Ray and I want to share a little secret that has maneuvered us through many holidays with low to no stress.

Ritual-making. The kind of ritual-making that supports tradition but does not need tradition for its power. Add a dash of creativity to the mix and you will uncover (more…)

The May-June 2007 issue of Spirituality & Health has an excellent article entitled “Can You Say No To Too Many Choices?” In the article, Barry Schwartz eases us into the idea that more choices do not necessarily give us a greater sense of freedom with his visit to a local market where he encounters

“285 varieties and brands of cookies, 75 iced tea drinks, 40 toothpastes, 230 soups, 175 salad dressings, and 275 cereals.”

What’s the big deal, you say? Studies are showing that more choices have not made us more happy. More stressed? Yes. More depressed? Yes. More anxious? Yes. 

Humbling? Yes. This is not where we thought we were heading a generation ago.

Fine. Lets go back to food choices then. They’re easy. Right? That is, until your partner asks you where you want (more…)