Environmental Poetry – Nature, Energy and Expression

Here at The Chic Ecologist, I like to highlight all types of businesses, products, arts and artists, but it’s rare to find an environmental poet! Here are three selections from Robert Lopez, an electrical engineer major focusing on sustainable energy at Cornell University. His full bio can be found at the bottom of the post. Enjoy! Untitled Might we view …

Reclaimed and Repurposed Automobile Furniture – Oxyd Factory

I love the idea of re-purposing discarded trash into art and functional pieces, just as Oxyd Factory has done with junked automobiles. The idea of repurposing and upcycling is a common topic here on The Chic Ecologist, primarily because I love the creativity and reduced environmental impact born out of the transformation. You may have seen other recycled automobile tables …

Understanding Sustainability Conference – Portland

It seems that it’s conference season these days. Another interesting Green event that would definitely be worth checking out is the Understanding Sustainability: Perspectives from the Humanities Conference. The event takes place May 20th through the 22nd in Portland, Oregon. It’s free and open to the public, and sure to be very educational. Acknowledging the varied understandings of the term …

Stylish Sustainable Furniture in Tel Aviv – Ubico Design Studio

With so much trash and waste in the world, it’s great to see individuals like Ori Ben-Zvi turning into something beautiful and useful. With stylish and thought provoking designs, Ubico Design Studio has been converting reclaimed materials into works of functional art since February of 2008. Materials are collected from dumpsters, renovations works and the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel …

Chris Jordan – Environmental Awareness Photographer

I have always been fascinated with photography, its ability to tell a story in a single frame. Sustainable and environmental photography hardly ever gets its place in the spotlight, mainly because the images can be so graphic or disturbing that nobody wants to put them on their wall at home. Chris Jordan may be one of the only exceptions in …

Julia Failey Unique Eco Jewelry

There is something about artisan jewelry that captures me, but only when it is beautiful and unique. Julia Failey embodies that spirit with her wonderfully designed nature inspired eco jewelry. I am especially drawn to the pieces displayed below, and it was the rose vine bangles that really captured me. Designed and crafted in her Chicago studio, Julia uses sustainable …

Eco Friendly Reader Suggestions – Green Jewelry and Sustainable Furniture Design

When it comes to green design, there are some really cool eco-friendly artists out there doing some amazing work. Here at The Chic Ecologist, we like to bring to light some of these beautiful sustainable designs. I have had a lot of great ‘reader finds’ and small design shops and artists send me some of their works and designs, so …

Beach Trash to Ocean Animals – Plastic Bag Sculptures and Jewelry

These really captured my marine biologist heart when i saw them- sea creatures crocheted from discarded plastic bags found on the beaches of Australia (and wherever else her travels take her). Not only is it a wonderful example of reuse (of already discarded trash), but it actually helps save the creatures she is creating with the trash. I’m speechless of …

Simply Wood Rings – Eco-Concious Jewelry

Simply Wood Rings are some of the most unique and beautifully designed jewelry I have ever come across. With the help of a two apprentices and one office worker, Gustav Reyes employs a relatively cutting-edge method of wood-working to create durable, one-of-a-kind rings. Using bent lamination, a technique used in furniture construction, Gustav cuts thin strips of wood that are …

Junkyard Tables

As soon as i saw one of these tables, i was in love. They have everything. Reused materials, beautiful design and textures, modern style, and each one is unique. It isn’t rocket science, but it takes skill and craftsmanship. Creating elegant metal tables out of salvaged vintage American automobile hoods is a great idea, and Joel Hester does it with …