Andrea Williams of Bound Earth is devoted to nature in all aspects of her life, from collecting seedpods on her frequent outdoor hikes to using only non-mined materials in her work and encouraging other jewelers to do the same. Her goal is to share her sense of wonder and reverence for the earth, and to help develop a communal sensitivity and respect for the gifts that it provides. Her pieces bear that message beautifully…bold balanced designs, gently uniting person to place.

Andrea seamlessly unites her playful creativity and her love of nature with her holistic work ethic. She uses metals from reclaimed and recycled sources, and she never uses mined gems…instead she chooses alternative materials such as smooth cool beach pebbles. Her New England home was designed by a green architect and is powered by renewable energy. Her studio was built in a renovated barn alongside her beloved bees, chickens and organic garden, and it too uses renewable energy. In her practice she opts for organic solutions such as citric acid in place of the harsh chemicals often found in the metalsmithing process. Her message to other craftspeople is to do the same…question the process, educate yourself and change what you can to better align your work with the natural world.

Andrea’s commitment to truly ethic-driven craftsmanship is inspiring, and her talent for elegantly harmonious designs is remarkable. In fact in 2011 she won (more…)

• The giant oil companies own many of our politicians… Obama Stands by Energy Initiatives Despite GOP Criticism – msnbc
• We may import as little as 36% of our oil by 2035 – down from 60% in 2005…Foreign Oil Imports Drop as U.S. Drilling Ramps Up – npr
• I know you’ve been wondering about this… Shar-Pei Wrinkles Explained by Dog Geneticists – bbc
• Illegal fishing and by-catch threaten mammals… Human’s Taste for Dolphins and Manatees on the Rise – livescience
• (pictures) Oldest Dinosaur Nests Found in South Africa – natgeo
• House rich and cash poor… ‘Billion-Euro’ Home: Irish House Made From Shredded Money – huffpost
• Queen’s Brian May Joins Campaign Against Beagle Breeding Farm – ecorazzi

image credit: wind turbine photo via shutterstock.com

Here at The Alternative Consumer we’re attracted to things that harm neither planet nor person; are useful as well as multifunctional, and made in the USA. When they’re fun as well – that’s the icing on the cake.

We’re shining our Tried and True Review spotlight on SOS Novelties, a company with three signature blends of soy candles that can be used in three different ways:

• when lit – they provide light, ambiance and scent in a room
• 30 seconds after blowing out the candle – they may be used as a silky massage oil
• while cold – the soy wax can be applied to the body to pamper dry skin or act as a perfume

Each 3-in-1 scented soy candle is crafted with: Aloe Vera oil, apricot oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, Shea butter and vitamin E. Rather than derived from petrochemicals, this candle is derived from biodegradable, non-toxic soy, which ensures a slower, cooler, and soot-free burn. The soy wax is both paraffin- and lead-free. The candles are made by hand and free from sulfates, pertrochemicals or animal byproducts; the wick is 100 percent cotton.

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