Jeanee Ledoux's blog

Garth's book, 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse, will release Nov. 1. He worked with Quarry Publishing to compile inspiring photos of high-quality crafts made from recycled/upcycled materials. Like those glass button rings at the bottom left of the cover? I designed them for Honeydoux! My cardboard ottoman, a featured DVD project, also made Garth's cut. Go team Re-Con!

Following July's successful experiment, Re-Con will host another Craft Supply Swap at the Kraftwork market Oct. 1. Local makers, join me at Atlanta's Young Blood Gallery from 7 to 10 p.m. for this fun way of recycling. Drop off any craft-related fodder in good condition, and pick up free materials! Also shop from local artisans and enjoy some finger foods.

Anthropologie showcases an immense wire hanger mobile even Joan Crawford would love

One of my favorite craft-friendly mags, Bust, plugged Re-Construct in the Aug/Sept issue! We have a blurb on p. 23, nestled among recipes for gourmet popcorn and DIY kombucha (a fermented tea). I take my tea sweet and unfizzy, but I can't complain about our first mainstream print review! Woohoo!

Time for a new project, don't you think? I knew there was a reason I'd been hoarding security envelopes for a year. Just needed a little inspiration to figure out what to craft with these graphic beauties. My home office has metal walls and perpetually messy to-do stacks, so I'm shocked it took me so long to invent this magnetic organizing solution!

Labeled magnets punched from envelopes can help organize your office.

Since leaving Renegade Craft Fair last weekend, I’ve been nursing achy muscles and complaining about all the heavy cases I hauled, all the standing I did. I’ve been groaning about not making enough money to justify the San Francisco flight and hotel. But today, as my energy returns, I’m feeling happier than ever to be a part of the DIY movement, and I’m proud that Re-Construct and Honeydoux were accepted to this competitive show.

Garth and I are selling Re-Construct at the 2nd annual San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair this weekend! Can't wait to meet new fellow makers, see some familiar West Coast faces, and gawk at the wares of more than 200 indie vendors!

Renegade

Larissa and I had a great time at our pilot Craft Supply Swap at Young Blood's Kraftwork July 2. To our surprise, we left with far more supplies than we showed up with! The donation bins quickly filled with fabric, yarn, beads, papers, and more.

Working with used materials is one of the simplest ways to green your craft. Do you have some unwanted yarn, paints, beads, DIY books, tools, or other craft supplies in good condition? Would you like to exchange them for free, fresh ingredients donated by other makers? Bring your stash to Kraftwork at Atlanta's Young Blood boutique July 2 between 7 and 10 p.m. and rendezvous with me and Larissa at the Re-Con swap table.

I've been wishing for an online marketplace specializing in eco-friendly products. I've been longing for a curated site that separates the crafty wheat from the green-washed chaff. It's as if Liz Grotyohann and Jeff Fein-Worton of Cosa Verde answered my mental pleas. Their beautiful gallery, launched in February, connects indie makers with environmentally conscious shoppers.

A sampling of Cosa Verde's 120 eco-conscious vendors