Competition.......

I have been looking into what other Eco-Friendly products are available on the market.  Whilst doing my research I have found eco-friendly paints, wallpapers, fabrics, even chandeliers amde from old kitchen utensils and cups and saucers!!

The Chandeliers are made by talented design 'Madeleine Boulestieix' who has always worked in the creative field, before embarking on her career as a full time chandelier designer, Madeleine worked as a photographer, theatre prop maker and even a teacher.  Using her creative side Madeleine makes her chandeliers using old recelyed kicthen utensils and other materials adn the result is just gorgeous!

 

On her website Madeleine says, "I started making chandeliers after finding about 40 facetted glass drops in a pile of rubbish. Initially I thought I couldn't make a chandelier with them because that would be too obvious, however, I later succumbed and have been making them ever since." (http://www.madeleineboulesteix.co.uk/index.html)

'Paint the Town Green' is London's first eco-friendly decorating company using only environmentally friendly paints that are free from odours and toxic fumes but look as good as any other paint on the market.

The great thing with the paint being free from odours and toxic fumes is that you can move straight back in to your newly decorated room without having to worry about any nasty smells!!

This has made me think about what paint I would use for my screen printing trials.  As I want to create an eco-friedndly fabric collection I feel that ALL areas of my design should be eco- friendly - including the paint used for the screen printing!

                           

'Pick Natural' are an American company who specialise in textiles made from sustainable and organic fibres. "Our goal is to responsibly develop and provide sustainable textiles. The products we offer are good for the environment and healthy for all of us, too." (http://www.picknatural.com/fiber_hemp.html)

'Pick Natural' use farbics made from wood pulp cellulose which are called 'Lyocell Fibres'(Tencel being its trademark name).  They also use other natural fabrics such as Hemp, organic Cotton and Linen, Bamboo and even Yak Down.

These are the sort of fabircs that I will be interest in for my 'Green' with Envy collection range. 100% natural & Organic.

'Harlands' offer an Eco-Friendly wallpaper range that are non toxic and completelt free of chemicals, so will be safe to have in any room in your home!

They are not only good for your health and the environment but they are also very easy on the eye with their gorgeous design.

This may be something I could add to my collection - wallpapers that compliment the fabric collection for 'Green' with Envy.



I will be talking about my screen printing experiences soon!! I even made my own screen printing frame, so will talk you through how I did it in my next blog!!!!

Bibliography:-

http://www.madeleineboulesteix.co.uk/index.html

http://www.picknatural.com/fiber_hemp.html

http://www.paintthetowngreen.biz/index.html

http://www.organic-furnishings.co.uk/wallpaper/24/

Eco Friendly Fabrics.....

After looking into Eco friendly fabrics I have found that there are many things that make a fabric 'Eco Friendly', not just being organic but also fabrics that are from Fair Trade, best land management and sustainable farming practices, as well as animal friendly fabrics. All of which have been developed with the minimum use of chemicals and pesticides and have a 'EU-Eco' (Eco-Friendly) label certification.

Whilst doing my research I have found many 'Green' fabrics, not just the usual "organic" cloths that you would immediately think of, such as silks, cottons, wool, linen and spider-web fabric.  But also natural fabrics such as Hemp, Calico, Hessian and even Bamboo fibre !! Bamboo Fibre is 100% biodegradable and, according to http://www.naturalenvironment.com/, is very comfortable.

I am going to try and do some experiments using Bamboo Leaves, Calico, Hemp, Hessian, Silks, wool, linen and cottons.  I will also be making my own handcrafted paper from old recylced bits of paper.  I will then try adding  colour and pattern to my experiments with applique, embroidery and even screen printing!

I will be recording all of my findings on my blog, so be patient and all will be revealed in due course!!!! :)

(ALL OF THE FOLLOWING IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED IN A BIBLIOGRAPHY OR BELOW IMAGE IN CAPTION)

3rd Year University, Design Intensives Project : 'Green' With Envy ......

My Project Proposal is to create an Eco Friendly soft furnishing range made from raw sustainable materials. My target market will be anyone who is after that little something different that looks great whilst at the same time being environmentally friendly.

I plan to experiment with different materials such as bamboo, dried leaves, silks, cottons, recycled handmade papers, recycled odds and ends, etc.  Once I have found how some of these materials work on their own and how they work together, I will then start to look at how they will work with screen printing, embroidery and appliqué.

The final outcome will hopefully be one that is environmentally friendly as well as being aesthetically pleasing.  The aim of the product is that all your friends will be ‘Green’ with Envy at the wonderful new eco friendly soft furnishing range that will bring a new lease of life to any room in your home.

For my Primary Research I intend to:

·         Experiments with different recycled materials.

·         Screen printing, appliqué and embroidery trials.

·         Photographs of all my experiments and how they are working

For my Secondary Research I intend to:

·         Investigate existing Eco Friendly products such as soft furnishings and wallpapers.

·         Collect information regarding Eco Friendly products

·         Analyse the competition.

All my research, findings and development will be shared on my blog.

I hope you enjoy reading about my findings and it helps to inspire you!!!