Yes, we’ve featured the work of Brooklyn woodworking artist Palo Samko in the past, but his work and craftsmanship is so compelling we couldn’t resist featuring some of his latest creations. Samko constructs his furniture primarily from the reclaimed and salvaged wood he acquires from local sources – including demolished buildings and salvage yards. His handcrafted furniture includes: dining tables, chairs, clocks, lamps coffee tables, benches and stools.

The hardwood timber he obtains from the reclaimed beams, joists and flooring of yesteryear possesses priceless character and grain patterns rarely available today. The use of reclaimed and salvaged wood in furniture making and building reduces the harvesting of living trees, protects existing forests and provides high quality raw materials no longer available to most craftsmen. (more photos after the jump) (more…)

It’s starting to be cold season with the accompanying coughs, colds and sniffles so we thought we’d shine a light on Maty’s Healthy Products – a line of safe and effective, all-natural cough and cold products for children and adults.

Maty’s provided us with 2 products for the purposes of a real, Tried and True Green Products Review. My 7-year old nephew, Austin, was deemed our primary product tester. (more…)

Who doesn’t love natural and organic body care products made from plant essences – without any Genetically Modified Organisms? Who loves them even more when they’re on sale?

EO = Essential Oils is celebrating NON-GMO month right now:

• Receive 50% 12oz liquid hand soaps and 8oz body lotions
• Receive FREE SHIPPING on any web order over $35
• Offer good through 10/23/11
• Find @ eoproducts.com

It’s sweater weather … time to grab one and stay warm. At all different price points, here’s a collection of 7 personal faves to keep you sustainably chic this season:

(above) Look on-trend and elegant in designer Julie Park’s Unbalanced Boat Sweater in stretchy and soft, merino grey heathered wool $180. Find this and more @ New York City’s beklina.com (more…)

Do you know a music lover who writes, or should write, a daily journal? How about getting them an eco-friendly journal that has a front and back cover made from their favorite artist’s best album? The folks at Vintage Vinyl Journals recycle used vinyl records into eco-friendly journals.

Every journal features a recycled vintage album – one side of the original vinyl album on the front and album cover art on the back. Album selections cover a wide range of genres and artists – from Bing Crosby and Al Green to Radiohead and movie soundtracks.

Each journal is handcrafted from recycled, environmentally friendly, 100% acid-free paper. Journals contain 240 pages, are 100% made in the USA and generally range in price from $19.99 to $44.99. Custom journals can also be requested and made at no extra charge, though the cost of acquiring rare albums will be passed along.

Makes a great green gift for you or the music lover in your life.

Note: because they’re old and used, the vintage albums may have slight imperfections in the front and back covers which only adds to the uniqueness of the item.

• Sadly, many of the big game animals are being killed…Ohio Posse Hunts Down Wild Animals on the Lam – columbus dispatch
• Alaska Voters Say No to Gold, Copper Mine – msnbc
• Yoga classes, clothing swaps and wi-fi…It Takes a Village to Occupy Boston – boston herald
• 1941 shipwreck could endanger California coast…Six Miles Offshore: The Wreck of the Montebello – npr
• Now we just need to protect our forests…Future Forest May Soak Up More Carbon Dioxide Than Previously Thought – sciencedaily
• The dangers of large-scale ocean fish farms…Scottish Fish Farms Facing Ban to Protect Wild Fish – bbc
• Bioluminescence? Key to Mysterious Giant Ocean Glow? – livescience
• Weird. This guy captured over 13,000 wild birds and kept some caged in his garage…Swedish Bird Catcher Convicted of Animal Cruelty – myway

The whole “Occupy Wall Street” movement may revitalize more than our political system – I’m now predicting a re-energizing of the hippie-chic fashion genre. All politics aside, winter’s fast approach makes the purchase of a pair cozy slippers a worthy and practical undertaking. The “house shoes” (pictured above and below) are handmade by Israeli artisan Lena Maikon, who hand-crochets shoes, clothes and decorative items from her own designs.

Her made-to-order, rustic, hippie-style “house shoes” are offered in a variety of colors and materials including: bamboo-wool, wool and organic cotton.

The slippers, which feature a naturally-colored, soft felted insole are custom-fitted to the buyer’s shoe size and color specifications. (more…)

Whether looking for a long relaxing rest, being productive, or anything in between, Michigan-based Bike Furniture Design has you covered. Bike enthusiast, machinist and founder, Andy Gregg, has come up with the perfect way for you to hold onto your bicycling memories, all while sitting in the comfort of your home.

The parts used for each piece can range from recycled steel and used bike tires to automobile windows for glass tabletops. These stylish creations can be ordered in five different iterations: tables, chairs, bar-stools, benches, ottomans, mirrors and miscellaneous seating that can be tailored to suit one’s own imagination … Gregg designs and creates custom furniture for both indoor or outdoor environments. (more…)

The consumption of wood to create new products and the resulting deforestation is a major worldwide problem, particularly in developing economies where forest management practices are rarely, if ever, practiced.

Products like this clock (photo, R) made in Thailand by local artisans from upcycled wood recovered from old boats and buildings help reduce the harvesting of old growth trees.

Note: due to the use of upcycled materials, no two clocks are identical.

$52 @ hipcycle.com

Related: previously on altCon, eco-friendly products for the home