Second Runway

Before I forget - tomorrow night, all you Twin Cityites should go to Second Runway at Goodwill/Easter Seals (553 Fairview Ave N in St. Paul). Designers re-create items purchased at local Goodwill stores.

Old CD Craft Project #1

So my first study in making stuff out of old CDs: "Do scissors cut them?"

Yes they do! And they helped me make my first old CD mosaic.

9 CDs down, 41 to go...

Things I learned:
1. Scissors cut CDs with little effort.
2. Scissors do not always make 100% clean cuts.
3. The foil gets everywhere.

Two more ideas I'm excited about from Instructables:

A CD rack from old CDs
CD ROM fish (slightly less practical)

On Old CDs

Over the New Year, I sorted through my CD collection and decided to get rid of a few old mixes I'd made.

And by few, I mean 50.

so many... so pretty!

I hear Earth 911 will tell me where to recycle them, but I'd much rather make an art project out of them - preferably one that doesn't involve melting them and releasing VOCs, etc.

Any ideas? I'm taking suggestions!

Secondhand Shops Become Popular in Poland

Now that Poland is finding itself richer than before, secondhand shops are gaining in popularity, finds an article in today's New York Times. The young, with a growing environmental consciousness and fatter wallets, are finding that thrift stores are a great place to create a stylish wardrobe while waiting for wages to catch up to those earned in the rest of the EU.

image from tomitex.com.pl

For some, there is still stigma attached - the photographer for the Times article was cursed for taking pictures of some who are ashamed to be seen in the store. One even cursed him as another complained that she would look poor.

Once you were waste, now you are disaster relief..

Earthquake! We had an earthquake last night - minor, as it epicentered 2 hours south in San Jose-ish - but it inspired me to offer you the most duh green tip ever.

Take every water bottle you've used once - preferrably glass jars - and fill them back up with potable water. Store them in the back corner of your fridge (or freezer, if they're plastic).



1. Full fridges are easier to keep cool (take less energy).
2. A new use for that old bottle!
3. You'll never notice them.
4. You will have safe drinking water if THE UNTHINKABLE occurs. And I bet no matter where you live, there is some kind of unthinkable that might occur to your water supply, even if it's not an earthquake.

And on that scary doomsday note, I leave you to your filling.