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10 February 2010
Posted in
5) Sustainable Celebrations
Most of us like to get a little something for our loved ones for Valentine’s day or on other days as well. But it’s nice not to burden Mother Earth in the process. On the heels of our Eco-Local Gifts ideas for the Holidays, believe it or not, we have a few more for you, for your sweethearts this winter, and all year long:
- Grund Jewelery
- Recycled Gold Rings
- Your Local Sweetheart
- Be a Sustainable Gift-Giver
Grund Jewelery
Have you ever thought you would like to capture one of your special passions in your jewellery? Or perhaps you want the symbolism of your favourite thing embedded in your ring so you can have it with you everyday? Maybe you need a little help figuring out the perfect style, look and setting for a jewellery piece you’ve been aspiring to own?
If so, drop into Grund Jewelery on Robie St (North End Halifax). Dana, the owner and artist/designer/creator behind these pieces, can do all this and more. He’s subtlety woven the look of freshly dried mud from a mountain bike trail into a band, and tastefully integrated ladybugs on an elegant diamond ring. And he can cleverly design and incorporate the look, feel, components and attributes you want in your next piece of jewellery.
And aside from the talent Grund Jewellery brings to the table, working with them allows you to limit your carbon footprint in creating a memorable piece for yourself at home, while at the same time supporting a local business in your community.
Appointments are preferred, but you can visit their website at www.grund.ca, or drop in to their Robie St. store during regular business hours to find Grund Jewellery patiently working on their craft.
Recycled Gold Rings
Because the winter season’s accompanying Valentine’s Day celebration promotes gifts for your ‘special’ loved one, we wanted to ensure one specific sustainable business listed in our Holiday Guide 2009 was not overlooked. ‘Love-gifts’ are so often equated with jewellery. As such, if you are considering buying a ‘special’ pre-fabricated piece, Christine Mighion is someone you could consider.
She is not local, but she does make her jewellery by hand, using “100% recycled metals (gold and silver)” and “non-conflict” precious and semi-precious stones, in her studio in Indiana. “Her line is a balanced vision of organic and modern. Imperfections and irregularities that mimic the course of nature greatly inspire Christine.”
Believing it is “crucial to act in a socially and environmentally responsible fashion”, Christine “supports a number of local and national charities”. She also strives to “work with reputable diamond suppliers”, committed to selling Kimberley Certified Conflict Free Diamonds. Additionally, she “seeks out ‘ethically mined’ coloured gemstones” and elects to “work exclusively with USA suppliers” (her home country), while “recycling as much of he own metal scrap as she can”.
Your Local Heart
Shower your sweetheart with local gifts this season. That in itself is a gift since it is more ‘green’ and more community minded. We’ve provided lots of suggestions for greener and more local gifts in past guides including our latest A to Z list of Eco-Local Gift-Giving ideas. Here are a few more gifts & get-aways to heat up this cold, but love-filled season:
- Locally-made Jewellery from local markets, Love Me Boutique, Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia and from other local craftspeople like silver jewellery artisan Torixo.
- Sugah! Boardgame (for couples) – NEW! (available at Uncommon Grounds during the winter)
- Green & Local Valentine’s gift ideas like jewellery, spa treatment & chocolate (from last year’s Winter Guide ’09)
- ABC Family Card – NEW! (from the owner/editor of HRM Parent, experts in helping young families thrive)
- Love HFX Local Contest (by the Uncommon Group and other local vendors) – Look for details at locally owned Halifax establishments near you. (package valued at $2,000 & opened only until Valentine’s day)
Be a Sustainable Gift-Giver
Lastly, the most important factor in ensuring sustainable gifts for Valentine’s Day or any day is your mindset. To that end, we’ll give you a few blasts from the past, to help you set your sights on sustainable gifts and gift-giving practices.
- Be an “Everyday Environmentalist for Shopping” (Holiday Guide 2010)
- Be an "Everyday Environmentalist for Valentine’s Day" (last year’s Winter Guide ‘09)
- Give “Gifts That Support a Cause” at Valentine’s Day (last year’s Winter Guide ’09)
- “Give Love VS Buying It” (from last year’s Winter Guide ’09)
- Take the “Eco-Consumer Challenge” (Holiday Guide 2010)
- Buy Recycled, Local and Canadian made Gifts (“Tis the Season to be Green” from last year’s Holiday Guide ’09)
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