Greetings!
Remember when
shelling out dough was all it took to impress? That's so last year.
As the U.S.
economy falls on hard times, more people are discovering the
benefits of creative conservation, and do-it-yourself lifestyles are on the rise.
The real beauty of DIY? It makes stretching the dollar fun. That's why we've put together
some of your best hands-on projects to fill our days with
tasty treats, stylish accoutrements and gifts of abundance -- for less.
DIY isn't just
fun and cheap-- it's also greener and healthier.
Need we say more?
Did you know? Our featured products and businesses are 100%
paid-placement free. They are solely intended to represent the
views of the SustainLane community. |
 Featured Product: ReadyMade Magazine
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 ReadyMade Magazine is the consummate
guide to do-it-yourself projects, recipes, and crafts. Whether you're
Martha Stewart, Bob-the-builder, or just like to tinker, there's bound to be a project to pique your interest. Click for ReadyMade Magazine The Key is "RE"  "Love this wonderfully wacky retro-modern
mag about making all kinds of useful and fun stuff! All projects are
evaluated on time, cost ($5+), ingredients, tools and skill levels:
monkey, Cro-Magnon, drudge and craftsman. The key is RE: re-dux, re-source,
re-style. . ." click to read more- Cris B.What do you think? Tell us at SustainLane.com!
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Easy DIY Recipes
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 Our DIY recipe feature
is brand new, but already the SustainLane community has taken it by
storm. From tasty noshes to window washes, we've seen oodles
of great submissions. Just check out these helpful household DIY's:
Homemade Household Cleaners
Make five non-toxic cleaners from ingredients
you may already have in your house. It couldn't be easier (unless Adam W. came over and did it for you).
Make Your Own Kefir
This live, probiotic yogurt-like food
is all the rage. Charles W. explains why making it at home is best.
Laundry Detergent Recipe
Jenn A. gives us the scoop on stirring
up suds. The cost savings are killer.
Agree? Disagree? Blog about it at SustainLane.com!
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Featured Business: Etsy
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Are you a do-it-yourself maven or craft connoisseur who aspires to a home full of handmade
wares? Then get ready for Etsy, an online shopping portal for
crafted goodies. Browse silkscreen shirts, funky jewelry,
even homemade olive oil! Fabulous finds abound and it's
a fun way to stay green and keep it local.
Click for Etsy
 "I've been buying and selling on
Etsy for about a year and half now and I'm loving every minute of it.
It's a great place to buy stuff that you know was made in good conditions.
I've gotten clothing, soap, stationary..." click to read more- Jessica T.What do you think of Etsy? Share your review
at SustainLane.com.
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Spotlight: Hands-On Crafts
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 Sometimes creative projects originate
from a real need to improve our lives. Other times we're just looking
for fun ways to use a heap of things we'd otherwise throw out. Here
are some hands-on projects that do both. After all, life is much better
when you've got pizza instead of a pile of rubble.
Old Pizza Box Gives Birth To Fresh Pizza
Make your own miraculous solar pizza
oven
This Story's a Wrap
Don't know what to do with old newspapers?
Your whole life is about to change.
Cozier Than Cardboard
When you've got some yarn left, but
not enough for a hat, you can make wasteful coffee sleeves a thing of
the past.
Add your two cents and
get into the conversation! Write a review.
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Staff Pick: Plastic Bags Into Yarn
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Crocheting your own tote bag has never
been more eco-responsonomical! Yes, we just made that word up. It may be a labor intensive endeavor involving hundreds of bags and oodles
of time, but if African tribeswomen can sustain their families for a
month by selling just one tote, it must be a brilliant idea indeed.
Click for Plastic Bags Into Yarn
  Turn Your Old Plastic Bags Into Yarn"This project is one of the best uses I have ever seen for all those
plastic bags, Basically, you cut them all into little strips and tie
them together, then use them to crochette just like you would yarn..." click to read more- Adam W.
Have something to add? Share your
knowledge at SustainLane.com. |
| Get 30% off at Indigenous Designs
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Indigenous DesignsGet 30% off beautiful clothing hand knit by artisans and made from the finest natural, organic fibers.
Coupon Code: IDSUST2
Click here to redeem coupon
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Offer Expires: 12/31/2008
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DIY News
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ROI For Your DIY
Elbow grease is the best ingredient
for cost savings, and this article shows you how to use it. Read on.
Hose Woes
Find out why washing your car is a
DIY no-no. You heard it here.
Punk In The Trunk
Vivienne Westwood, Queen of Punk Fashion,
pushes DIY dressing in tough times. Find out more.
Now You're Cookin' Baby
Organic home-cooking for tots can save
you lots. Learn all about this labor of love.
Inspired to discuss a story? Post
your comments at SustainLane.com.
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Help Us Help You
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 If you're inspired to
get crafty, enlist a friend and make a night of it. It's a great way
to share a relaxing evening. When you're done, log in to SustainLane
to share results and offer advice. You can even upload your own photos!
Posting to our site is a mini DIY project
that spreads good karma. Don't be shy. Go ahead and share that green
DIY plan or recipe you've got up your sleeve.
If you've got DIY tricks and treats,
we want to know about them! Visit SustainLane.com to participate.
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Video: Bath Mat From Old Towels
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Have three old towels ready for terry-tirement?
Don't throw them out just yet. Michelle Kaufmann has a solution to
beautify your bath-time. We've never seen anyone so excited about
bath mats -- and it's contagious!
Click to watch video |
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| SustainLane 2008 U. S. City Rankings |
Want to know where your city ranks in terms of sustainability? Check out the brand new 2008 U.S. City Rankings to find out.
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| Sponsored Business: Indigenous Designs
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What their customers are saying: "I love Indigenous. They are true pioneers in the organic + fair trade
apparel movement. I've seen them grow since they started in 1994..." - Tristin G. Click for Indigenous Designs |
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