Jeanee Ledoux's blog

Before she begins her graduate studies in accessory design at Savannah College of Art and Design, multitalented artist Larissa Greer is spending the summer interning for Team Re-Construct. Her interest in reclaimed materials and green biz practices -- not to mention enthusiasm and shining personality -- makes her an ideal match for our project.

At last weekend's Indie Craft Experience in Atlanta, I met some kindred crafters who wowed me with creative recycling!

Our hammy host has blogged on Crafty Stylish about the making of Re-Construct. Garth's dramatic account reminded me that we almost had to scrap the shoot when he developed laryngitis on day 1! Luckily his voice returned after a dull day of drinking tea and sticking his face in a vaporizer (I called it his va-POO-rizer). Read more behind-the-scenes scoop here.

Happy Earth Day Eve, everyone! Did you know that it's grown to be the largest secular holiday? More than a billion people will celebrate tomorrow with community service and educational activities. The Earth Day Network has a handy tool for finding events in your area. Click on the second bullet in the "Network with Us" box on the home page, then enter your zip code. Hmm, should I plant native species in the park or help the Sierra Club to collect recyclables? If your day job won't let you get away, at least take a moment to reach for your wallet.

Re-Construct got its first press yesterday, a wonderful review by Diane Gilleland of Crafty Pod. She's also offering our DVD as a give-away to a lucky reader, and the response has been great! Here's hoping that this article is just the tip of the media iceberg. Diane, I'm raising a gin fizz in your direction.

I gasped when I saw the April/May ReadyMade cover project: a rainbow of wall-mounted books, with a striking similarity (at first glance) to Re-Construct's floating book shelf. But on closer inspection, RM uses visible corner braces to support piles of books for an art wall effect, while our book shelf has a hidden hardware trick and is intended to showcase a small vase or knickknack. Turns out they're totally different animals, but it's funny how we recycling/upcycling types gravitate toward the same materials and concepts.

I'm thrilled to be attending the Summit of Awesome in Washington, D.C., May 1-3. Organized by Hello Craft, this weekend conference looks to be the ultimate educational and networking opportunity for makers, craft fair organizers, and business owners. The schedule is dreamy; I can't wait to learn embroidery from Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching, and to hear a panel discussion on green crafting.

I'm no guru of green. Like most people I know, I'm still learning how to incorporate eco-friendly practices into my everyday life. As I said in my DVD interview, when a know-it-all (aka "green meanie") is lecturing you about your carbon footprint, it can feel like being bopped on the head with a hammer. Your mind races ahead to a grim future where your car and other beloved but polluting possessions are relinquished, and you shut down. The best way to avoid being overwhelmed by change is to take baby steps, just like your mom always said.

In a world where communication has been reduced to "tweets," we thought our favorite magazines and newspapers would appreciate a handmade press kit. Graphics diva Tina Lauffer designed a beautiful, dual-purpose envelope: it holds our DVD and has our media information printed on every flap and cranny. I cut and folded a limited edition of 20, finishing off the closure with a zigzag stitch. We hope this labor of love scores us a few features!