So you wanna kick some ass while at the same time sending a message about sustainability? Growing Jewelry’s brass knuckles feature inset Icelandic moss that the owner has to lovingly water and trim. At last, bar fights with a purpose.
Are you the type of person who holds onto stuff? Do you cart unopened boxes of family heirlooms from house to house? Is your grandmother's wedding china gathering dust in your cupboards? Lucky for us the designer behind the The Broken Plate has found a way to make use of your family treasures in a creative way. She will take that special treasure of yours, break it, and create a gorgeous piece of jewelry unique to you. Finally, granny's china sees the light of day. (via The Budget Ecoist)
A necklace that doubles as a clock - who figures this stuff out??? Thankfully someone does because few things sound better than giving my jewelry a day job. The designer Thorunn Arnadottir explains:
The necklace can also be taken off the wheel, worn and even moonlights at Arby's on the weekends. Genius.
To me, one of life's greatest joys is waking up early, grabbing a latte and looking for that diamond in the rough. Still, there are flea market staples I see all the time that no one seems to be able to find a use for - racks of holey, leather jackets well-past their prime, mismatched silverware, discarded drawers with no home - the list goes on... The ladies at Wis Design in Stockholm tackled just such a problem - the result being one of the most whimsical collections I've seen in awhile.
The Decades chest of drawers (above) is made entirely from rescued one-off drawers they gave a new home to. 
Made entirely from unwearable leather jackets this modern chair gets a touch of craft With the simple addition of this beautiful, scalloped leather trim this plain white chair become somewhat of an art piece. Gorgeous!
Even that old jewelry you don't ever seem to wear becomes instantly chic when adorning this stylish metal lamp, no?
First, I want to give a warm welcome to two new Design^Sprout writers Claire and Kristen. I fell in love with their blog So Sweet & So Cold awhile ago and pestered them to share their green and handmade finds with us! They are both creative and crafty on their own so I'm sure we're in for some inspiring finds. Welcome guys - so glad that you're here!
Below is Kristen's first post ....
I get the feeling that the folks behind these fantastic & unusual
illustration pieces are the sort who doodled on their desks and book
covers in elementary school. I guess I'm in good company, then.
Gorgeous illustrated tea set by Esther Coombs (above) depicts buildings from New York City & Amsterdam.
Unusual illustrated pendant. I love the detail, and also the weird combination of the Victorian-style face and the television. From Tilly Bloom whose entire shop is just delightful.
Original paper & acrylic
artwork. The strange, fluid shapes, from Rochelle's Little Ones, contrast so well with the text
behind them. I love how this appears so casual & doodle-esque, but
has an amazing attention to detail as well.
While having dinner with a girlfriend last night she mentioned her fiance and how everything would be just peachy between them if he didn't have such a complete obsession with his bike. "Seriously," she said. "He's on the internet everyday looking up bikes and bike paraphernalia and people writing about their bikes and artists who paint their bikes... I almost wish it was porn so then I could at least be mad at him! They don't have support groups for insane bike love!" I did the obligatory friend nod then went home to see what the fuss was about.
Sorry friend - I'm on the man's side of this one. Bike's are freaking adorable - not to mention-green! Check out these fun finds and see if you don't agree. Maybe we can start a support group together?
These cute graphic bike mugs (above) would perk up any morning!
Can't say I'd object to keeping my coinage in this cute purse. These vintage buttons add a whimsical touch to a dresser - maybe to your adorable baby bike fan's changing table?
Bike necklace from Etsy seller Liz Mathews. Go green with a bike grocery tote while showing support with these cute magnets. 
Your tot would rock this dress! How cute!
Bike art looks good anywhere! Add a wall decal to keep you motivated.
