5 Tips to Keep You Looking Eco-Fabulous Before the Holidays

Black Friday was as busy as ever this year with people wanting to catch good deals while they lasted. For you, the green connoisseur, the luxurious but still very eco-conscious consumer, here are some tips to keep you fashion forward this winter, but without environmental blunder or busting your budget. 1) Don’t Forget Your Layers Layering items is the best way to stay warm and show off your fashion sensibilities in the winter months. Instead of wearing your biggest and warmest winter coat all through the winter, check the weather and see if you would fair better pairing your favorite sweater with a stylish vest and a lighter jacket over-top. Enough layers can keep things interesting and keep you warm. 2) What’s Old is New As you might be looking through your current wardrobe and wanting something new, think about your friends who might be having the same thought. Hosting a swap-party or else just inviting a friend over to raid your closet and then having them return the favor is a great way to recycle by bring new-to-you items into your wardrobe. Swapping clothes, shoes, and accessories with your friends is a great way to spice up your attire while helping out a friend and without spending a dime! 3) Just Sew It! Some items are too precious to ever let go, no matter what shape they’re in. Beloved sweaters with holes, ripped jeans, and purses with broken straps are a few of the thing that you might have around the house that could still be used in a fabulous way. A needle and thread can do wonders towards transforming an unusable item back to its original state. If it seems hard to find the time to sit down and sew, try doing it while watching your favorite television show. For ripped jeans, think about adding a patch with a flash of color to update the look. 4) Reclaim it In the course of life, things get broken or lost. Earrings with missing partners or broken jewelry or ceramics are a part of this system, but there are new creations to be made out of the remains. For single earrings, try using a necklace chain and fashioning the earring into a pendant. Broken jewelry can often be made into either charm bracelets or another useful jeweled item like a wine glass charm. Broken ceramics can be saved and used for pottery projects for you or an artistically inclined friend. 5) Remember the Internet For those items that don’t hold the same sentimentality, remember that there are many more way to sell them than to host a yard sale. Using websites such as Ebay and Craig’s List are an easy way to sell your unwanted items. The profits made from the sale could give you the chance to turn around and purchase new-to-you replacement items on the aforementioned site. So, while saving up to spoil your loved ones, use these tips to save money and the environment this winter while still remaining fashion forward. Image Credit: A Little Girl Talk, Flickr, Chica and Jo

Recycled Jewelry: Sea Glass & Vintage China

With two painters for parents and displaying an interest in elaborate beaded jewelry at an early age, it was inevitable that Jessica Lee would fall into a career that allowed her to explore her artistic roots. Equipped with a college education in jewelry design and apprenticeships with notable silver smiths, Lee now sells her own eco-friendly trinkets in shops all over the world.

In the world of jewelry making, Mother Nature often inspires artists to look deeper into their surroundings for ideas and materials to create their next masterpiece. In this case, Jessica Lee was introduced to the natural beauty of sea glass found along the Californian coast. Thanks to the ocean, lost glass vessels are broken, washed away, and naturally smoothed over by constant love from sand and waves. This means that each piece of sea glass possesses its own unique shape, size, and texture – making both unpredictable and one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. Today, Lee's product line includes sea glass necklaces in hues of green and amber; rings with sterling silver surrounding antique Coca Cola bottle sea glass; and amber-tinted sea glass double earrings. She also expanded her recycled wearable art to include stained glass, carved stone, and themed pottery pieces depicting floral and Asian designs. Sea Glass Bracelet From amber to green to gray, you can proudly wear the colors of sea and earth with this striking sea glass bracelet that offers exclusive shapes fashioned directly from California waters. Handmade in Bali and California, each piece is hand bezeled in sterling silver. Pottery Watch Some watches were just born to leave a statement and this Jessica Lee creation accomplishes just that with bold pieces of pottery that certainly catch the eye. The combination of sterling silver and inviting designs immediately draws attention. The watch face showcases a stainless steel back. The entire piece is handmade in Bali and hand finished in California. Lee is quite adept in creating the perfect match of materials. Other creations include red and white vintage pottery paired with clear sea glass; hand-carved pottery pieces in the shapes of leaves and flowers; and floral pottery pieces and pearls. Sea Glass and Vintage China Leaf Bracelet I absolutely love this bracelet, as the soft tones of green are not only soothing to look at, but the detail is also extremely interesting to explore. Comprised of vintage china and sea glass, this bracelet is sure to transform your wrist into an intriguingly delicate sight. This is just one of the many displays of what Jessica Lee can produce with vintage china that she collects from antique shops, auctions, resale stores, family, and friends. Handmade in Bali and hand-finished in Oregon, this bracelet is absolutely unforgettable. To browse an assortment of colorful sea glass and pottery jewelry by Jessica Lee, including rings, earrings, and pins, don’t forget to visit her store. Photo Credits: Uncommon Goods

Eco-Friendly Jewelry: Tips to Add More 'Green' to Your Jewelry Box

Accessories truly are the icing on the cake. Jewelry has the power to bring an entire outfit together and create an attractive, polished look. Whether you’re the kind of individual who enjoys making a simple statement with just one or two pieces, or you prefer a more flashy finish to your daily attire – eco-friendly jewelry can make you feel great about your accessory choices. You’d be surprised to learn that being ‘green’ doesn’t mean you have to compromise one bit when it comes to your bling. Diamonds, Gold and Silver If you’re a fan of diamonds, gold and/or silver - you’ll be delighted to know that you can make choices in jewelry that really make a difference. For instance, Brilliant Earth features stunning diamond, gold, and silver jewelry that not only helps you look amazing – it helps our planet and the animals, plant life, and other people we share the planet with. These diamonds are harvested from Canadian mines which monitor local wildlife and aquatics to ensure that neither is disturbed. Brilliant Earth’s partner companies provide them with recycled gold and silver for their exquisite pieces to reduce ‘dirty’ mining – and all of their diamonds are conflict-free. A portion of profits also goes to help African communities which have suffered due to conflict diamonds. Unique and Vintage Jewelry For those of you who appreciate jewelry that is artistic, unique, and features hints of days gone by – there are many possibilities. KYYOTE is one company bringing eco-friendly choices to individuals who love staying in style as much as they love the planet. KYYOTE uses rescued exotic woods, found objects and items that others would consider ‘trash.’ Once these materials are in the designer’s hands, they are transformed into wearable art for sophisticated tastes. Some of the materials found in KYYOTE pieces include rescued ebony wood, organic and humane feathers, and Bakelite plastic. Natural Jewelry If you enjoy a more natural, untamed look for your accessories – why not choose jewelry that Mother Nature has provided? Eco Artistic Products is a company offering a wide array of accessories created from natural products; exotic wood that has fallen to rain forest floors, coconuts, seeds, and other natural items. From beautiful hair clips and necklaces to beaded bracelets and belts – Eco Artistic Products creates eco-friendly jewelry for the nature-loving spirit. One of the greatest things about Eco Artistic Products is that each and every piece is unique – no two pieces are identical. So, when you wear it, you’re wearing a functional and unique piece of art that no one else will own. Each of these choices is a great one for your jewelry and accessories – and there are thousands of other companies that create eco-friendly and beautiful products which will complete your look and reflect your own personal style and taste. Photos Courtesy of www.brilliantearth.com, www.kyyote.com and www.ecoartisticproducts.com

Mark Edge Jewelry - Chic and Recycled Eco-Vintage Line

Mark Edge has created gorgeous handcrafted jewelry for more than two decades. His stunning creations, once only available near his hometown of Atlanta, GA, now accent the wardrobes of women around the world - including a number of celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Sophia Choi of CNN, and View hosts Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Joy Behar.

The latest addition to the Mark Edge jewelry line is the eco-vintage collection, a timeless assortment of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces fashioned from reclaimed gems, reused charms, and vintage chains.  Each piece within this green jewelry collection is remarkable and unique with styles that complement every mood and occasion.

Sterling silver, brass, and vintage chains are the foundation to most of the Mark Edge eco-vintage pieces, although a few of his recycled creations start with a deep, rich strand of chocolate suede for a sophisticated, but trendy flair.  

Earrings, bracelets, and intriguing necklaces make up the 75-piece line of eco-vintage jewelry, ranging in price from $79 to $284.  The collection, appealing to both men and women, features fun, classic charms like the vintage peace sign and handcuffs with key, as well as timeless pendants including reclaimed cameos and vintage crystals.  Mark Edge enjoys integrating the colorful beauty of turquoise into his wearable art as well. 

If you're interested in owning a piece of recycled jewelry, handcrafted by Mark Edge, you can order online at his website for international delivery or you can find Mark Edge jewelry in a number of fine jewelry and department stores in 27 different states.  If you're giving a Mark Edge creation as a gift, complementary wrapping is included with most items.

Visit Mark Edge Jewelry for more information.

Images via MarkEdge.com