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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 24, 2010)
WORK FROM BRING RECYCLING’S “VISION/REVISION” SHOW Reduce, Reconnect, Rejoice! MORE IDEAS THAN JUST “COUPON GOOD FOR ONE MASSAGE” by Zanne Miller N ot to put a damper on things, but according to Consumer Reports, 13.9 million Americans are still paying off last year’s holiday spending sprees. And then there’s the oft-cited statistic about holiday waste from recycleworks.org: Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we generate 25 percent more waste per week than during the rest of the year — an additional six million tons overall. If those aren’t good enough reasons for you to get into a less consumptive spirit this season, consider this: One-of-a-kind, handmade gifts from recycled items not only reduce the impact on the planet (and in certain cases, your wallet), but they are gifts your friends and loved ones will cherish because they are made (or found) by you. Seriously, there’s a good chance your mom still has that yarn you glued on cardboard to make her an ornament in preschool, but can she remember all of the sweaters and scarves? Probably not. Let’s assume we believe you when you say you’re not creative or don’t have time. www.eugeneweekly.com In that case, consider a recycled item or a handmade gift (or even just some wrapping paper) made by someone else. Less Is Best At the Materials Exchange Center for the Community Arts (MECCA)’s Less is Best Fair on Dec. 3 and 4, you can view and purchase work from local artists who reuse materials to make everything from shadowboxes and mixed-media mirrors to painting and sculpture. You can also create some of your own art, decorations or gift wrap. According to Mija Andrade, MECCA’s executive director, 10 to 15 local artists will gather for the fair. Past years’ demonstrations have included tin can luminaries, juice- can lid ornaments and origami gift boxes, to name a few. The event is also a great opportunity for children to make a few gifts (defi nitely a cut above the yarn-on-cardboard variety), including rag dolls or potholders from T-shirt scraps. Craft kits for purchase ($2 to $5) include magnetic poetry kits, no- sew fl eece hats and a tambourine made from bottle caps (you may choose to make the gift from the kit or just give the kit as a gift). MECCA’s studio is always open to the public by donation (10 am-3 pm Tues., Wed. and Thurs.; 6 pm-9 pm Thurs.; 11 am-3 pm Sat.) and, according to Andrade, there’s usually someone available to help you assemble and work on your project as well as a library of art books and a collection of reuse ideas. Some of the many suggestions from Andrade include tote bags and purses or placemats and napkins from upholstery fabric (MECCA has sewing machines for This is Ryan, the Provisions wine guy. He spends his days obsessing about wine and food. We like him because he brings in the BEST DEALS on FOOD FRIENDLY wine with a SENSE OF PLACE & a natural, unmanipulated state. He runs an exceptional WINE CLUB, (great gift, by the way) offers screaming-good prices on rare bottles & picks BOXED WINE that will make you forget the bad rap. Seriously, come in and find something unexpected. shop online & sign up for the wine club www.marcheprovisions.com NEXT TO THE FOUNTAIN 5TH STREET PUBLIC MARKET 541.743.0660 7 DAYS Eugene Weekly’s GIFT GUIDE 2010 3
