Storage

The trouble with found objects, recycled and reused bits and bobs is that they don't come with boxes to store them in! The problem is usually easy to remedy, though.
However careful we are to buy only environmentally-friendly packaged food, there are usually a few items that can't be had without glass or plastic jars. Instead of putting them straight into the recycling, get into the habit of thinking, can I craft with this, or use it to store craft items?
I'm a big fan of sojasun vegan desserts (the lemon one tastes like cheesecake). The glass jars (on the left in the photo; sorry it's blurry, my arms are rubbish) come with a little cap that is *very* reusable, and I keep loads of these with drawing pins, sequins, tags and all kinds of other stuff in. The jar on the right had Butler's sugar hearts in it; it has four compartments and so is ideal for keeping different colours of gems, sequins etc in. You almost certainly have similar items in your kitchen from time to time.
Larger items can be kept in shoeboxes or other cardboard boxes; if you work in an office or have a friend who does, get them to keep suitable containers for you. If you have a friend who works in a warehouse, they may be able to get hold of fantastic containers, even big wooden boxes, for you - and it's all other people's waste.
What if you need an actual piece of furniture to keep your craft stuff in - a chest of drawers, a filing cabinet, or a desk? Your best bet, both for the environment and your pocket, is freecycle. It's a genius idea - basically people give away items they no longer need or want, to people who do need or want them. Fantastic! you can find your local freecycle group here if you live in the UK: http://uk.freecycle.org/ . If you don't have a local group - start one! A word of warning, though - some groups are so busy that you can get hundreds or thousands of emails per day, so it might be worth signing up with the Daily Digest option. Personally I've got rid of all kinds of odd things, from some bottles of Diet Pepsi to an exercise ball, and I've received all sorts of useful things - most recently a 21" TV! Try it to clear your own clutter and get the things you could really do with.
What if you need something even larger - a new flat?! My books and craft bits are taking over! If anyone has the solution to this (apart from ridiculous ideas like getting rid of books, craft stuff etc), then please let me know....
Happy storing!
Jehanine x

Party Invitations

Look at most craft advice re. the making of bulk invitations, and you'll be told to keep embellishments to a minimum and to make them all the same. Congratulations - you just became a production line! I can sympathise with the idea, particularly when making cards to sell or for a charity event, but not really the creative or environmental ethos. I have to admit that for my recent 40th birthday, I sent most invitations by that most environmentally friendly medium, email. For people not plugged in or whom I wouldn't see in person, though, I made invitations - and not by buying embellishments and making identikit cards. Most were designed for the recipient,with images I'd saved that I thought suited him or her. For instance the arty image above on torn scraps of fluffy waste paper and textured with 3D foam, went to my friend Caroline who is incredibly artistic and creative. The lady with parasol on the right went to my friend Mysty, who has a strong connection with the Victorian era. And so on and so on, as you can see by the pictures. It wasn't all about art, though - I used up many odds and ends to make the cards - you know, those scraps of paper (they were mostly turned into wine glasses or bottles), single brads and pins that don't really go with anything else - it took me several days straight and was quite intense, but the results were much praised and appreciated. For the lettering I decided to do simple calligraphy (I adapted my renowned 'struggling with arthritic fingers clumsily' font) for the most part, which looked nice - a decent pen and ink can be a good investment for the crafter. Even if your handwriting isn't gorgeous, it adds such a personal touch.
Ooh, and if you're one of the guests (as I know a few of you readers are!), many thanks for coming! the party was one of the happiest nights of my life, and being 40 rocks!
Love to all,
Jehanine x