How to Convince People to go Green

Have you ever heard of those psychology experiments where they put a rat in a cage, it presses a lever, and gets a shock? Well, the theory behind it is simple. The rat performs a behaviour, gets punished for this behaviour, then never does it again. Funny enough, the same reasoning can be used to get people to go green. Are you laughing yet? Well, grocery stores have recently placed a cost on plastic bags...a punishment! And ever since then, just about everyone brings their own bags! Its genius. I myself do it for the environment. But for some, money talks.

Eco bags are even cooler when they're hand made and local! To check out my eco bags, see my etsy store!

Locally Made T-shirts

I recently wrote a blog about the importance of buying local. A few years back, a discovered a great line of clothing made right here in America called American Apparel! I can notice the better quality immediately. Buying locally made clothing helps our planet and keeps dollars in our economy. I've printed several T-shirts using American Apparel shirts, if you would like to see them, check out my etsy site or my website!

Overcome artist Block

I reported one way to do this in an earlier post. It involved getting inspired from others and experiment in a new medium! I am now reporting another method: do custom orders! Often people make requests that throw you out of your box! They request an idea that you may not have thought of, and if one person wants an idea, chances are more people would be interested as well! I've recently been requested to do a screenprint of a Volkswagon van. Here it is with white paint!

To see my other crafts, check out My Website!

Why shop from local artisans and other local sellers?

My husband and I have been trying our best to shop locally.

WHY???!!!!!!!!!!! Here's why:

-To support local farmers who treat animals better than factory farms!

-To NOT support slave labor!

-To get better quality products (cheap jewelry (or cheap) anything breaks fast!)

-To keep dollars in our local economy!

-To help save our environment (it may cost a touch more but it'll last longer, not get trashed fast, and therefore save you money in the long run)!!!!!!!

-You get things that are so much more unique!

-You get way better service!

-You help create community!

-You make friends!

So shop local, go eco, yay!

If you want to see some of my crafts, check out my website!

Surrendering to the Universe and Wrapping Stones!

I learned most of my stone wrapping skills on the road. Usually when I was travelling with no expectations and no destination. I enjoyed surrendering myself to the universe because that is when the magic happens. Magical situations that is, meeting incredible people, finding yourself in incredible situations, being completely fascinated by the moment, and by nature. I found that when my travels let me closer to my hometown, situations presented themselves in which I was taught a new technique about stone wrapping. I began wrapping rocks that I would find, pieces of glass, and other curiosities. I then started going to scrap yards to get aluminum and copper, which are easy to wires to bend. I then realized, however, that aluminum has negative properties that can be harmful, and of course, it eventually tarnishes! So I started ordering tinned copper wire that has no harmful properties, and is anti-tarnish! I now also wrap semi-precious stones with healing properties for those who wear them!

Check out some of my wraps on my website! Thanks!

Ravens

I started painting ravens from a dare. A friend told me that a raven I had painted looked more like a chicken! So I was determined to paint the best raven I could! Then...it became an obsession! I couldn't stop painting ravens! Now I even make raven printed bags and T-shirts. Turns out my native horoscope is the raven. I also found out that the raven is known as the trickster because he stole the sun. But it was actually the raven who returned the sun back to the sky after he stole it from the real thief! So..the raven is a nature lover, like me.

If you would like to see my creations, check out my website!

How I began to paint native art

I was part of an activist group hoping to save a piece of native land from being paved. I spent a night in a teepee druming and put a lot of time planning a fundraiser to help support some of the direct activists. One night while painting posters for the fundraiser, I did a painting that most thought was unmistakably native inspired. Ever since then my paintings have all had a little haida and ojibwe flavor to them. I love to paint animals, especially birds. They are often accompanied by trees and rich sunsets.

If you would like to see more or my original paintings, please see my website at Kerri's Creations.