Resource Woodworks, a branch of the Center for Resource Conservation in Boulder gathers salvage materials from deconstructed homes that are being remodeled at their Resource Yard.

These treasures are then reworked to make fine ‘resourced’ furnishings, lighting and garden accessories (planters shown here). Shawn Hovin head of RW, works magic into each new piece that can rival any overpriced version found at trendy retailers. So much character lives in each new piece, and this non profit is really doing the Boulder Valley a wonderful service by not allowing precious resources to go to waste.

Shawn and his team do some fantastic custom work too, so if you are remodeling your home and would love something ecological and unique, go in and visit them.

Where: 6400 Arapahoe Rd.
Boulder, CO 80303
(303) 419-5418

Fort Collins has an additional branch at:

1501 N. College Ave.
Ft. Collins, CO 80524
970-498-9663

]]> http://hautenature.com/local-artisans-resource-woodworks/feed/ 0 http://hautenature.com/emma-ware-recycled-inner-tube-jewelry/ http://hautenature.com/emma-ware-recycled-inner-tube-jewelry/#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:44:46 +0000 admin http://hautenature.com/?p=7237 continue]]>  

It is incredibly difficult to work with recycled materials and have the end result be something chic and exciting without looking well,…plain recycled. But chic is exactly the outcome for the jewelry made by UK’s Emma Ware, who has meticulously made futuristic adornment from simple rubber inner tubes. Lovely work.

One of the first things to come up in my garden in the spring is chard (because I have covered it over winter), so this exquisite quiche recipe is a Springtime go-to. Quiche always reminds me of Spring somehow…

This recipe is excellent, enjoy!

1 frozen pie shell (I sometimes use gluten free)

2T butter

1 large leek

1 tsp thyme (fresh is possible)

4-5 large leafs of chard

1 1/4 cup whole milk

3 large eggs+2 yolks

1 t salt, 1/4 t pepper

Melt butter in skillet and saute leeks add thyme, salt pepper. Cook until tender but not brown, approx 10-12 minutes. Add chard and saute 4 more minutes. Cool mixture. Preheat oven to 425F, whisk milk and eggs together, add cooled saute mix and blend. Pour into pie shell, bake 15 minutes then reduce heat to 350 and bake until set in center approx 15 min at sealevel and more like 35 minutes at elevation.

Bon Appetit!

Living in Colorado, it is relatively easy to drive down and spend a long weekend in Santa Fe to experience all the art that abounds there. Right now though, it is too easy as there is a wonderful exhibition featuring Georgia O’Keeffe  at the DAM Denver Art Museum. I love the museum in Santa Fe dedicated to her, the O’Keeffe Museum but this show at the DAM is nicely done and features rarely seen works.

Many of her kachina doll paintings were shown along with a collection of antique kachina dolls. Landscapes, still life and her signature florals round out the show along with a video about her. Worth the visit, so go!!

WHAT: Georgia O’Keeffe Paintings Exhibit

WHEN: Feb 10, 2013-April 28 2013, regular museum hours

WHERE: 100W 14th Pkway, Denver, CO 80204

My friend Andy Schulman is a bit of a lighting genius. Each one of his creations looks like he was channeling the famous Nicola Tesla while wiring them up. Andy, a fellow Boulderite originally from Pennsylvania can illuminate any object, transforming them into delightful franken-chandeliers. If you can believe this isn’t even his day job!….he is also a crafted motion graphics geek in the ad world. Gotta love the talent!

In his own words, “Call it industrial. Duchampian. Utilitarian. Whimsical. Whatever you want to call the work of Andy Schulman of Afterglow Studio, the one undeniable adjective is, “Illuminated.”

At their most elemental, Andy’s pieces are functional lights; at their most metaphorical are testaments to bygone eras. The marvelous sculptures that come out of Afterglow Studio resonate with an audience that appreciates upcycled materials and reveres the inherent nostalgia Andy offers, usually with a sidecar of humor.

Andy’s materials have been culled from years of crawling through old barns combing in markets and from dumpster diving. The shelves of his studio are lined with racks of yet reused car parts, shoe forms, antique kitchem utencils, glassware, instruments and unidentifiable mechanical ephemera.

To him, this collection of vintage cast offs are not obsolete items, but relics awaiting new lives as chandeliers and table lamps. He says, “I love and respect old things with history, character and that were built to last. They may be useless or dirty, but they shouldn’t go in the garbage…I want to tell a new story with them.”

His small-scale and large-scale projects have infiltrated the design world as interest in recycled materials continues to grow.”

Don’t throw that chair out, it could become a piece of art! Really interesting furniture remnant animals created by Marc Sparfel. 

I have taken a major hiatus lately from the blog, mostly working on another venture that I share with two other women, Firefly Handmade. Firefly is a series of seasonal artisan markets that happens three times a year here in Boulder, Colorado (and it keeps me incredibly busy).

We wrapped up our holiday market in December, which took place in the local modern art museum. The market was once again filled with amazing holiday cheer and wonderful gift buying.

Each time we organize a new market, the talent pool gets more and more professional. It is so fulfilling to watch new brands of handmade emerging from the Front Range area. I love being able to support local and handmade by offering this indie artisan opportunity for people to join in on. Colorado is crafty and talented indeed. Visit our Firefly site here.

The Rhode Island designer/craftsman, Jamison Sellers salvages old wooden pallets, turning them into furniture and shelving that are modern and textural. The many colored scrap wood gives a modern take to recycling. Materials he incorporates into each piece would otherwise be destined for the fireplace or landfill.

Sellers is mindful of environmental responsibility and additionally uses only natural finishes, free of VOCs and solvents.

Once again our Firefly Handmade Gypsy Farm Market was a very successful endeavor! This year we added ‘Little Gypsy’ a younger aged marketplace of talented young vendors. Shoppers, parents and younger crafters alike were pleased with the addition and all the fun!

We also added a lovely creative lounge full of sponsor given books and magazines for shoppers to peruse while resting on our fabulous straw bale sofa! Thanks to all the Boulderites for your support and attendance. If you are interested in learning more, check out the site: Firefly Handmade.

 Very cool adaptive reuse project in Brooklyn of an old water tower by Messana O’Rourke Architects.

Photos NYDaily News