Greenie #4

Today's Greenie came to me by way of Tuesday's Greenie - Tanis Alexis - and I couldn't be happier about it! Tomate d'epingles makes the sweetest jewelry out of reused buttons, silk and leather scraps, and found objects. My mouth is watering over those leather rings! I'll let them take it away and tell you a little bit about the shop!

A bit about my shop and me: tomate d'épingles is a sister act, featuring Guylaine and Isabelle, self-taught jewellers, who share a love for all things shiny and fashion! Combining vintage, recycled, retro and new materials into unique creations, our quirky handmade jewellery and accessories will surprise you!
1. When did you decide to start making eco-friendly stuff and what triggered your going green? As long as I can remember I have been eco-conscious, and in love with old objects that have a history. It just seems natural to me to try and use something instead of throwing it out. Both my grand-fathers where pack-rats, and it turned me into an eco-conscious pack-rat as well ;o)
2. What recycled, reused, or eco-concious materials do you typically use? What is your favorite? Vintage buttons, vintage leather, vintage jewelry that I take apart and re-assemble differently, various found objects. Even my packaging is 100% recycled. I have a soft spot for recycled paper and recycled fabric.
3. What non-art or craft related things do you try to do to lead an eco-savvy life?For my etsy shop, i use recycled packaging and even fabricate my own enveloppes with recycled paper. In the "real world" haha i do a various things to keep it green... Its a mix between prefering handmade items over mass-produced ones, encouraging local economy to reduce emisions in transportations, and other smaller steps like bringing my own bag to the market, walking instead of taking a car or the bus, choosing to buy items with less packaging......
4. What is the one thing you wish people would do more of to contribute to the green cause? WALK! I walk everywhere and its the easiest ecological thing to do. It doesnt cost you anything to start doing it, it keeps you healthy, you dont live the stress of traffic (who needs it? haha), and it even saves you a ton of money. If you really cant walk (living in the suburbs / working down-town for example), you could take the public transport or car-pool.

5. Do you have a green hero? Artist or environmentalist or just uber-eco friend? David Suzuki is my eco-hero. http://www.davidsuzuki.org/ The David Suzuki Foundation is a science-based Canadian environmental organization, working to protect the balance of nature and our quality of life. Suzuki has a very good understanding of the important ecological issues, but what makes him different is that he also understands human nature ;o) and strives to prove that being eco-friendly is not only for the earth, it is really easy and highly economical, so there really is no good reason not to be eco-savvy.
Thank you so much for your eloquent and thoughtful answers (I didn't have to change a thing!).

P.S.: Don't forget to check out their blog for more creative creations!