I’m a little late to this dance, but I found Josh D’s DIY take on the iPod to be interesting, nonetheless.  Josh’s ingredients: one Mini iPod, one Dremel, some Australian red cedar, a few screws, some double-sided tape and more than a modicum of woodworking skill.  The result:  one crunchy, custom iPod case.

He even recreated his iPod dock in wood. (below)

The pix are from his Wooden iPod Flickr page.

via: design boom

Modern home furnishings and accessories all made from sustainable cork with little waste and a teensy carbon footprint.  What’s not to love?  Lisbon’s Corque Design creates modern furnishings and items for the home, with an eye on both style and the environment.

find out more @ corquedesign.com

In these trying economic times, many of us are making-over our homes and offices as cost effectively as possible, and oftentimes this means doing it ourselves.  A great green resource for eco friendly building and home improvement supplies is Green Depot.

On the Web for the past four years, and with a new location in Manhattan, everything from eco-minded flooring, paint, tiles, countertops to cleaning supplies and home decor are all (more…)

A Cirque du Soleil moment?   If you have storm damaged trees in your yard or woodlot, you might want to consider this DIY project.  Designer Jurgen Bey created this fusion of nature and furniture out of a log and a few bronze, classical chair backs.

Arborists and tree surgeons should note that as an art furniture project the bench is list priced for an incredible $20,200 – yet, since tree trunks are locally available it’s stated that only the chair benches are for sale @ droog.com

My girlfriend, sensitive Sue’s been mixing together baking soda, tea tree oil and peppermint oil to concoct a Do It Yourself blend of toothpaste.  After just a handful of uses, her pearly whites are brighter, and her dentist even complimented her on how great her teeth looked when she visited him last week.  She prepares enough paste for about a week, and stores it in a clear glass jar.  Gotta get me some peppermint oil and start DIY-ing. (see comments for proportions)

Is precycling the latest eco-word?  Home soda maker, Sodastream is bringing its line of home soda makers to the mass market at Kohl’s stores nationwide in what must be the 4 billionth Earth Day marketing tie-in.  Sodastream’s soda maker makes nicely carbonated soda right in your home (we’ve tried it) without the disposable packaging associated with bottled sodas and beverages.  A nice way to keep all those cans and bottles out of the landfill.  Now about that word, precycling….

via: prnewswire.com

Related:  previously on altCon
Sodastream – let it pump you up (12.9.08)

Is your studio apartment a little space-challenged?  Freshen up in front of your Vanity Suitcase, or, if what you see in the mirror is just too frightening, hit the Liquor Cabinet for a stiff drink. Products made for the urban nomad – vintage, re-purposed suitcases become functioning mini-cabinets.

Find these or order a custom cabinet from Vanitycase’s Etsy Shop or dig that old suitcase out of the garage and start your own DIY project.

via: re-nest

Aspiring green inventor, Knut Karlson, has come up with an innovative design to recharge batteries and reduce the toxic waste associated with battery disposal.

He created his DIY prototype, the SunCat solar rechargeable battery, by affixing flexible solar cells to existing NIMH rechargeable batteries. Though still a prototype, I suggest he contact his local patent office forthwith … via: crave/cnet

The MetroCabin is designed for people looking for an easy-to-erect, prefabricated small space.

Measuring 16 feet deep by 20 feet wide it’s an ideal size for an artist’s studio, pool house, extra room or a place to store your visiting relatives.

Insulated and constructed with FSC certified wood and toxic-free glues, the cabin has a roomy nine foot-nine inches of ceiling height in the front, Andersen doors and windows, and doesn’t require a foundation.  Comes without electric or plumbing, which, along with the front deck, can be added as options.  Two people can assemble the cabin in as little as two or three days.  Base price: $32,500.

more details @ metroshed.com

For that feathered friend who just wants to get away…

Winter’s a great time to get out your power tools and create some bird-friendly housing.

$27 @ etsy