Fun news! Pure Green Living has launched their first E-Zine today. I was excited to hear from Celine this morning that she had featured a couple of my posters in their first issue. Beyond that, there is so much eye candy in this eco-minded magazine, that I wanted to be sure to share it with you today, it’s online – and free for you to read. Click here to view the magazine.

~Posted by: Amy

Nixxi Fall Preview

It’s pretty clear I’m falling for Nixxi’s autumn collection! I had one look at their fall preview and knew I needed to post about it. Nixxi is a Vancouver line and you’ll find that their collections are always sleek, wearable, and great for the environment too. This season’s collection is constructed from soft fabrics like organic cotton, organic wool, and hemp jersey. You’ll find the collection in stores and online here in mid-August!

~Posted by: Amy

So fun to find a Vancouverite’s etsy shop I’ve not seen before.

Down Home Amy’s gorgeous handmade items all feature her own illustrations – they’re fun aren’t they? Amy screen-prints and sews each item in her east-side Vancouver studio. It’s great to see that her creations are made from organic cotton and earth friendly fabrics.

Click here to visit her shop.

~Posted by: Amy

Affordable, eco-friendly fashion can be so hard to come by. And that’s where vintage comes in! Your local vintage shop can be a treasure trove – with a surprising number of wonderful finds.

Etsy is stocked to the brim with wonderful vintage shops as well.

Today I thought I’d share some finds from Verseau Vintage on Etsy as well as some tips for shopping for Vintage online or locally.

1). The Search
When shopping at a local store it’s best to go in with an open mind. Who knows what you might find?! The thrill of the hunt is the best part – you’ll be surprised with what you come home with.

Etsy is different – because you can shop by color or type of item it’s a great way to narrow things down. Want a red dress or black shoes, great! Just filter for “vintage” in Etsy as you’re searching and things will be narrowed down for you.

2). Sizing
One thing to consider when shopping vintage is that over the decades, different sizes have had different measurements, above and beyond the difference in sizes you’ll find from designer to designer today. So whenever you can be sure to try things on! Not able to find the perfect fit? Not to worry – since you’re getting such a great deal, consider having things that don’t fit altered. If you’re shopping online consider buying things that seem to be just a little bit larger than what you’d otherwise wear so that alterations are still a possibility for you.

3). Damaged Goods
Give everything you’re planning to purchase a good look to ensure that there are no stains or other signs of wear that can’t be easily mended. When shopping online carefully read the product descriptions – the shop owner should note anything that is wrong with the item. Most items also have close-up views which allow you to get a better look at the item.

Click here to shop Verseau Vintage.

Are you a big fan of vintage shopping? We’d love it if you shared your tips in the comments below.

~Posted by: Amy

Clearly I’m on a vintage kick lately! Why vintage? Well – the prices are usually very affordable, and often times the items you find are of a better quality than what you can find in most mall shops. And if a vintage style appeals to you now – it seems that even when you tire of it there’s a good chance that in a couple years that item will appeal to you again – as fashion trends are pretty cyclical. Also it’s so eco-friendly. You’re using something that already “exists” – avoiding the need for something new to be made… As I see it – it’s guilt free shopping at it’s finest!

Click here to shop The Vintage Wren’s Etsy store – she has brought together a wonderful selection of clothing, shoes and home decor items.

~Posted by: Amy

Drawing inspiration from the concept of the artist’s studio, Stewart and Brown’s Spring 2010 collection is a treat. I love the soft and feminine look of their new pieces, and I was happy to see another strong line from this eco-friendly fashion duo.

~Posted by: Amy

Being green. Because I agree with Kermit, I am always impressed with the Etsy shops I find whose owners have a strong commitment to keeping it green.

Do check out Enhabiten’s gorgeous pillows and home decor here. For the key racks above and more repurposed home decor from half pint salvage – click here.

~Posted by: Amy

I’m a big fan of Uzura’s lovely t’s and totes – all have pretty details and are available in a wide range of beautiful colors. Prettiness aside I’m so impressed with Uzura’s commitment to making items that are kind to the earth. All of the items are screenprinted with her original designs and made from either hemp or organic cotton. Have a peek at her shop to see the whole line!

Here at Handmade Evolution it’s important to us to feature local artists and events when we can (from the 3 cities where we have writers – Portland, Toronto, and Vancouver) as well as creators who go that extra mile to create goods that are eco-friendly. I was very pleased this last week when a friend recommended the work of talented Vancouver local, Laura Bucci, to me. Her work is playful yet functional, eco-friendly, and available on Etsy as well as at many stores throughout the Lower Mainland and in the US too. For more on Laura, visit her website here.

~Posted by: Amy

Photos – Left: Twist Tube Dress, Top Right: Brace Blazer, Bottom Right: Ballet Bubble Dress, Photos courtesy: Martin Krzywinski

Vancouver Fashion – Adhesif’s Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

Adhesif Clothing’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection is now available, and we’re excited to see all of the innovative new designs and fun Alice in Wonderland theme. Vancouver local Melissa Ferreira has designed pieces that are whimsical and flirty, that you can feel good about wearing. They are all made from reworked vintage material so they are very eco-friendly.

Melissa Ferreira started sewing at a young age and is mostly self taught, with a few lessons from her mom. We love that one of the philosophies that drives her work is, “waste not, want not.” It’s a good rule to live by, and a great way to start off 2010!

Adhesif designs are available on Etsy (limited selection currently available), as well as in boutiques throughout Canada, visit the Adhesif website here for a full store listing and to see the rest of the collection.

~ Posted by: Lisa