Today is the final day of Greenies. I don't have anymore interviews but I still wanted to post the artists who didn't get a chance to answer the questions. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started this project. I thought I would just be posting a couple pictures everyday. I am really happy that I decided to do the interviews because I have learned so much about what I can do to make a difference not just with art but in my everyday life. There are so many creative and inspirational people out there who have something unique and wonderful to share about creating and living a sustainable life. Thank you to all the artists who particiapted and to everyone who stopped by to read what they had to say.
Ta-Dah Handmade 
Gush 4 Plush
1. When did you decide to start making eco-friendly stuff and what triggered your going green?It's not so much that I make eco-friendly stuff, but how I make it. Several years ago our local utility (Menasha Utilities) began offering a wind energy program. Basically, you pay a little extra for your electricity which helps them offset their costs associated with developing and maintaining the program.I make pottery, and fire it in an electric kiln. My 'studio' is actually the basement of our home. We (my husband and I) decided that we liked the idea of supporting green electricity, and innitally opted to have the pottery business purchase enough wind energy to run the kiln. We found that we barely noticed the increased utility cost, and several years ago decided to buy enough wind energy to power the whole house. It's a great feeling! Guess I don't really know what triggered it - it just sort of evolved.
2. What recycled, reused, or eco-concious materials do you typically use? What is your favorite? The two major ingredients in both clay and glaze are alumina and silica. Once fired, they last a very long time . . . but they do eventually break down. I am very proud to be able to offer people alternatives to plastics - cups and bowls that (hopefully) add beauty to their every day lives and that cause no long run harm to the environment.I also recycle all of my unfired clay scraps, and take care to use all of my glazes. In the last few years, I've been thinking a lot about the emissions from my kiln, and have been trying to take steps to improve effeciency and reduce emissions.
3. What non-art or craft related things do you try to do to lead an eco-savvy life?As I think about it, we have gotten more eco-conscious over the years - without really noticing. Menasha also has a recycling program - so our paper, glass, and most plastics get recycled. We also compost and think more about the environment when we make purchases (i.e. compact florescent light bulbs, etc.) The biggest change for me, though, has been that I have gotten into biking over the last few years. We are fortunate to live in a small community, so nothing is a very far ride. I ride my bike to work (I work half time at my 'real job' - !!although my hours will further reduce this spring as my pottery business has grown!) in all but terrible weather, and also do errands on my bike. The biking started as a personal physical challenge - it just happens to be green.
4. What is the one thing you wish people would do more of to contribute to the green cause? Believe that what they do makes a difference.
5. Do you have a green hero? Artist or environmentalist or just uber-eco friend?Wisconsin Public Radio in general, and also Al Gore. I listen to Public Radio in the studio, and they are constantly showcasing green ideas and programs. It makes me feel hopeful and proud of the many people who are committed to this issue. And, I love Al Gore - his book was an eye-opener.
1. When did you decide to start making eco-friendly stuff and what triggered your going green?I don't really like the phrase "going green" I guess I have been "green" before it was trendy. I hate seeing things go to waste and I have always cared about the health of the planet, my parents tought me to recycle and not to litter when I was very young.
2. What recycled, reused, or eco-concious materials do you typically use? What is your favorite? My next weaving project is using some of a big bag of fabric scraps to make yoga mats, and perhaps some more rag rugs. I save all of my old clothes that I wear out and use them for lining bags as well as in my rag rugs. My newest favorite material is bamboo, it's an incredibl material, and it's a weed! It grows really fast and it's super sustainable. Bamboo fiber is not only sustainable but it's extremely strong, super soft with a really nice sheen, naturally antibacterial, warm in cool weather, and cool in warm weather. It has the most gorgeous drape too! I am also in the process of trying to figure out a good way to make business cards using handmade paper made from recycled school notebooks.
3. What non-art or craft related things do you try to do to lead an eco-savvy life?At 21 I still don't have my drivers lisence, I ride my bike or walk and when I do need to go a long distance I have to carpool. Sometimes this can be difficult, but it works really well for the most part and not having my lisence prevents me from getting lazy and driving when I don't need to. I hate seeing people drive 2 blocks to the store! I also go to "the greenest college in the world" according to Grist. I try really hard to reduce my waste, I avoid plastic whenever possible, recycle as much as I can, and compost when the weather is warm. I also try to buy local food and handmade or thrift store for my other items. I eat a mostly vegetarian diet supplemented with occasional local free range poultry or fish.
4. What is the one thing you wish people would do more of to contribute to the green cause? Buy local! Locally grown produce hasn't traveled across the country before getting to you so it's fresher, tastes better, and very little pollution was used to transport it. Generally buying local is better than "organic" because the organic guidelines have been so stretched and it's still corporate factory farming. Buying from small local farms is much better for the land and better for you.
5. Do you have a green hero? Artist or environmentalist or just uber-eco friend? Captain planet!
3. What non-art or craft related things do you try to do to lead an eco-savvy life?The biggest thing my family has done to live a more carbon-neutral lifestyle is to move to a community where we could live within walking distance to work, stores, banking, the post office. We drive less than once a week, which has had the hilarious result of me not knowing what the price of gas is at the same time many people are fretting about it. Our community also gets its energy from one of the largest windmill farms in the U.S. We use a low flow shower head, an Autralian style half-flush toilet, front loading washer, and do not keep a green lawn. Instead we opted for plants like lavender that grow well in our area without watering. If I had to pick one thing we could do better to live a more green lifestyle, it would be putting more insulation in our attic.
1. When did you decide to start making eco-friendly stuff and what triggered your going green? I decided to start making eco-friendly glass work when it occured to me that so much of the old glass from churches and houses, along with the wooden frames were ending up in landfills. They are such a rich resource of not only beauty but history. I've always found it rather silly to throw away perfectly good, reusable items. As for what triggered me to go green, I was born in the 60s and my teen years were the 70s. I remember seeing so much waste and was "on board" during the formative years of environmental issues. 
