Aaron Cohen

Eco Gift shopping not easy - go to alternative channels

Tuesday Dec 12, 2006

OK, I'll admit it: it's still not easy to find eco gifts online, and furthermore there is not a one-stop shop for everything eco. It's really unbelievable.

You have to have incredible amount of patience, and a lot of creativity and positive energy. I have been looking for a post-consumer/eco-friendly/reclaimed-materials padfolio as a gift suggestion for myself for a while now and have had no luck whatsoever. I was even searching for 'recycled alumininum padfolio' to try to get more specific. A padfolio are notepads for professionals that sometimes have a leather holder sometimes with a zip around. I wanted something a little funky, and to show my eco consciousness in meetings.

So far I've found the best way to find these things is to go through alternative channels: to local art shops or craft fairs like Crafty Wonderland, which had a line out the door to get in yesterday. These artisans are just that, crafty, and many of them are very eco conscious.

I bring this up because it's time to shop for family members and I'm having a hard time following my own rule. I will not give up and will report back.

I did purchase several wallets and purses from Mugwump at the fair made from reclaimed materials such as old contact paper, vinyl, and other scraps. I didn't get the one below (made from old maps) but probably should have. I got one that has a vinyl woodgrain.

So for the eco shopper, there are challenges ahead, at least going through mainstream channels.