Do you know that learning to fold paper into forms and shapes can lead to the development of new technology? Do it well and it can even allow you to make a living out of it.
Don't believe me?
Then take a look at the props used in this advertisement for Lancer Endeavor.
That's a lot of origami=$ to create for a commercial and you can learn how to create complicated ones like that by checking out the links posted on Dr Robert J. Lang's website. Dr Lang is so good at it that he has even created a free software, TreeMaker, to create mathematical lines for folding origami. Note his copyright terms should you take up this challenge.
So, what has folding papers got to do with science? Hear it from Dr Lang himself in this video posted by Ted.Com on YouTube.
So, don't waste those scraps of paper. If you are not going to recycle them, learn to fold with them.
Friday 29 August 2008
Thursday 28 August 2008
Save water? Found a way.
Do you feel that your children do not value water? Note that they are when they do one of the following:
1) Take long baths.
2) Don't turn off the tap properly.
3) Don't finish the water in their school containers.
4) Play water when they should be cleaning or watering the plants.
As soon as you see one of these signs indicating that they have taken water for granted, "shock and awe" them with this video.
You never know, they may be inspired to create their own version of "Watercone".
1) Take long baths.
2) Don't turn off the tap properly.
3) Don't finish the water in their school containers.
4) Play water when they should be cleaning or watering the plants.
As soon as you see one of these signs indicating that they have taken water for granted, "shock and awe" them with this video.
You never know, they may be inspired to create their own version of "Watercone".
Copyright? Animals can have that too.
Have you heard of "Animal Copyright Foundation"? This is a nonprofit organization launched by Gregory Colbert in 2006 to help preserve species and habitats around the world.
Advertisers who use animals in their publicity campaign are encouraged to contribute 1% of their media buy directly to conservation projects around the world recommended by the foundation or one of their preference. If they comply with the Animal Copyright Foundation standards they can display the Animal Copyright symbol on their advertising media and have their companies listed on its website as supporters of conservation.
Sadly, at this time of writing, the only contribution listed is Gregory Colbert's through his Ashes and Snow Exhibition, presenting images of human and animals interacting with one another. I hope someone will write to tell me that I have the website address wrong or that it has not been updated.
Gregory Colbert is also offering grants through his "The Flying Elephants Foundation" to support individuals who are working to benefit the environment through the arts and sciences.
I wish him success in all his green endeavours.
Tuesday 26 August 2008
Do you see what I see?
Here is a compilation of photos of some of the things I have created out of abandoned material. I missed taking photos of many stuff that I have created before I started this blog. If you have a photo of something that I have created, please email it to me.
Holiday Trip to Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary
The Sungai Long Buddhist Society has organised a trip to Kuala Gandah Deerland and Elephant Sanctuary for the National Day weekend. We are going! Let us hope that we will not have a rough day with nature.
Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre or Elephant Sanctuary is where wild elephants who became homeless due to clearing of the jungles and conflict with human are taken care of before they are relocated into bigger and safer jungle reserves land.
Going to Kuala Gandah Deerland will be like going to the zoo but over there, the animals wander freely. So you can get close and personal with the animals like monkeys, deer, snakes and sun bear. We will be taking our lunch by the river.
Watch out for photos of this trip. Meanwhile, enjoy some posted by former visitors, Dennis and Birdy.
Kuala Gandah Elephant Conservation Centre or Elephant Sanctuary is where wild elephants who became homeless due to clearing of the jungles and conflict with human are taken care of before they are relocated into bigger and safer jungle reserves land.
Going to Kuala Gandah Deerland will be like going to the zoo but over there, the animals wander freely. So you can get close and personal with the animals like monkeys, deer, snakes and sun bear. We will be taking our lunch by the river.
Watch out for photos of this trip. Meanwhile, enjoy some posted by former visitors, Dennis and Birdy.
Saturday 16 August 2008
There's money in mining landfills.
Did you hold on to your plastic waste as I have suggested earlier?
Recycling companies in USA and UK have started mining landfills for plastic waste. Don't believe me? Then read these articles for yourself
High price of plastics raises prospect of rubbish mining in dumps by Lewis Smith and Jill Sherman of Times Online
Where there's muck, there's brass. And, even better, plastic by Zoe Wood of Guardian.
So, Malaysian house buyers who have purchased properties on former landfill sites may have made good investments, afterall.
Recycling companies in USA and UK have started mining landfills for plastic waste. Don't believe me? Then read these articles for yourself
High price of plastics raises prospect of rubbish mining in dumps by Lewis Smith and Jill Sherman of Times Online
Where there's muck, there's brass. And, even better, plastic by Zoe Wood of Guardian.
So, Malaysian house buyers who have purchased properties on former landfill sites may have made good investments, afterall.
Friday 15 August 2008
Papa & Mama Gray. Who Did They Inspire?
Karen's story:
My parents have had a "Green" Thumb in one way
or another all their lives. When I was younger they ran a gardening
business together for many years and basically lived and breathed
gardening their whole lives. Then when my mum got ill my dad decided
to semi retire early. He sold the business but just couldn't stay at
home and do nothing. He got involved with a group that carries out
reforestation projects in salt affected areas of Western Australia.
They work with farmers to plant native trees on their deforested
land. He's planted literally millions of trees in his time. The
group were having a hard time sourcing the trees so my Dad started his
own native plant nursery. Before he knew it he was getting orders for
trees and plant for all over the place - farmers, local councils.
mining groups much to my Mum's concern since she thought he had
retired. Then my Dad got fascinated with worms! "Oh no!" said Mum.
So then it was 10 years of breeding worms, selling the worms, worm
kits, and worm tailings as fertiliser. On top of that he gets invited
to speak at schools and community groups. They literally couldn't
keep up with demand. All this from their backyard - mind you they did
have a big back yard. Well I think my Dad had a good time although my
Mum was always wishing he would just take it a bit easier.
Then the government built a new highway just past their place and
overnight their property was worth three times what it was before.
Before long they had developer knocking at their door but Dad always
turned them away. But finally he had to admit he was in fact not a
young man anymore (he was still working 10 hours a day and 7 days a
week at the age of 75). So over a cup of tea he decided to sell and
buy a smaller place closer to my Mum's family. They made the decision
to sell on Sunday, engaged an agent on Monday, had three offers on
Tuesday, sold the place on Wednesday and bought a new place on
Thursday. (Needless to say when he makes a decision he doesn't mess
around)
Mum was ecstatic. The new house had her dream kitchen, french
windows, beautiful landscaped gardens, and a workshop and pretty vegie
garden for my dad (the man's got to have a shed). They had a nice sum
left over, They're not rich by any means - they mostly survive on the
pension with a little allowance from their investment. But you just
can't stop my Dad and he's been hard at work Greenifying their new
house. He's installed two rain water tanks, a new worm recycling area
for all their waste, replacing all the foreign plants with beautiful
natives and this week he has achieved his dream:
Their very own SOLAR POWER unit!
Only 1 kW but with plans to expand when they can afford it.
They are thrilled and we are all gathering to have an official ribbon
cutting ceremony. I like to share this story as it shows that little
people CAN achieve big things if they put their minds to it. My
parents never had very much money but they did what they could. I
hope others can gain some inspiration from this story.
Tuesday 12 August 2008
Trading without money!
When it is time for the next spring cleaning, make sure you take time to have a look at SwapTree. It is a place where you can post media in your collection that you are no longer interested in. This can be books, CDs, DVDs and video games you would like to swap with other users of SwapTree for free but you have to pay for shipping charges.
If you like the idea at SwapTree, maybe you would like to work on starting a swap for other kind of stuff with your friends and neighbours. I am sure that you will be able to find someone to take the stuff you plan to throw away and find stuff that you want and they don't in exchange.
I remember going shopping with my former American boss in a shop in Shanghai. There he came across an antique decorative wooden panel and I helped him to acquire it at a bargain price. I noticed another piece in better condition and suggested that he take that since the owner was selling it at the same price as the piece he had chosen.
To my surprise, he preferred the broken piece. He wanted it for its "antique" value and the more worn looking it is, the better, he said. So there! Somewhere, someone may be looking for what you are discarding no matter how shabby you think it is.
You never know, you may have swapped quite a unique collection locally to start a business trading them online. After all, what is common in your own country could be exotic over another end of the world.
If you need some inspiration, read what Greg Boesel, the co-founder and CEO of Swaptree has to say about how and why he started it.
If you like the idea at SwapTree, maybe you would like to work on starting a swap for other kind of stuff with your friends and neighbours. I am sure that you will be able to find someone to take the stuff you plan to throw away and find stuff that you want and they don't in exchange.
I remember going shopping with my former American boss in a shop in Shanghai. There he came across an antique decorative wooden panel and I helped him to acquire it at a bargain price. I noticed another piece in better condition and suggested that he take that since the owner was selling it at the same price as the piece he had chosen.
To my surprise, he preferred the broken piece. He wanted it for its "antique" value and the more worn looking it is, the better, he said. So there! Somewhere, someone may be looking for what you are discarding no matter how shabby you think it is.
You never know, you may have swapped quite a unique collection locally to start a business trading them online. After all, what is common in your own country could be exotic over another end of the world.
If you need some inspiration, read what Greg Boesel, the co-founder and CEO of Swaptree has to say about how and why he started it.
Monday 11 August 2008
Lantern decorated! Take a look.
I mentioned earlier that I will be decorating this lantern I have created for Calvin to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
This is the makeover result...
...with the help of this worn out paper bag.
I was inspired by this wooden cupboard in my dinning room and...
the paper cutting presentation I have posted earlier.
Interested to learn? View the tutorial in slides I have posted on Creative Recyclers.
This is the makeover result...
...with the help of this worn out paper bag.
I was inspired by this wooden cupboard in my dinning room and...
the paper cutting presentation I have posted earlier.
Interested to learn? View the tutorial in slides I have posted on Creative Recyclers.
Sunday 10 August 2008
What is Chris Landry up to?
Chris Landry is the Director of Development & Communications for the Sustainable Food Lab. He is working with many of the world’s leading food companies as well as with respected organizations like Oxfam and World Wildlife to find solutions to complex problems that we should all be interested in, such as:
1) hunger and poverty issues
2) public health issues such as obesity and diabetes
3) land, water, and climate issues
Here is a presentation on why and how he is trying to create food supply chains that are economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable through Sustainable Food Lab:
How did I discover Chris Landry? His presentation won the 3rd prize on SlideShare in 2007.
1) hunger and poverty issues
2) public health issues such as obesity and diabetes
3) land, water, and climate issues
Here is a presentation on why and how he is trying to create food supply chains that are economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable through Sustainable Food Lab:
How did I discover Chris Landry? His presentation won the 3rd prize on SlideShare in 2007.
Friday 8 August 2008
Holes in boxes? Great for lanterns.
What can you do with fruit boxes with holes for ventilation cut into them?
The mooncake festival is around the corner, so, I created a lantern with one of them.
Calvin love it. So, what am I going to create for my little girl? Is this OK with you, Callie?
I made them with this sheet found in the fruit box.
Like it? Oh, great! Now all I have to do is to decorate it some and add handles. What material am I going to use? Abandoned material, of course! Watch out for my free tutorials on Creative Recyclers.
If you can't wait for the instructions, I have last year's designs for you to work on.
The mooncake festival is around the corner, so, I created a lantern with one of them.
Calvin love it. So, what am I going to create for my little girl? Is this OK with you, Callie?
I made them with this sheet found in the fruit box.
Like it? Oh, great! Now all I have to do is to decorate it some and add handles. What material am I going to use? Abandoned material, of course! Watch out for my free tutorials on Creative Recyclers.
If you can't wait for the instructions, I have last year's designs for you to work on.
Thursday 7 August 2008
A green job on Dirty Jobs
Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs found himself learning how to make cow pots by creator, Matt Freund, a dairy farmer in Northwestern Connecticut. The following video clip shows only part of the process which is long and arduous, not to mention dirty and stinky.
So what are Cow Pots?
They are pots made out of manure collected from cows at Freund's Farm. As the manure has gone a drying and composting process, the pots created do not smell and are great fertiliser for plants. Just dig a hole in your garden and push pots and plants right in to grow.
You can see photos of the biodegradable plant pots sold at Cow Pots.
So what are Cow Pots?
They are pots made out of manure collected from cows at Freund's Farm. As the manure has gone a drying and composting process, the pots created do not smell and are great fertiliser for plants. Just dig a hole in your garden and push pots and plants right in to grow.
You can see photos of the biodegradable plant pots sold at Cow Pots.
Going green as vegetarians.
Find out how vegetarian are saving the environment.
I discovered this slide by Deniau Sylvain on SlideShare.
I discovered this slide by Deniau Sylvain on SlideShare.
Going green as Freesouls.
I love the concept of Creative Commons. You can find many resources there that allow you, in your capacity as an author or a scientist or an artist or an educator to work on and expand on the knowledge readily available there.
There are hundreds of stock photos licensed for free commercial and non-commercial use. Try goodling 'Creative Commons free photos" and see what you can discover. If you use them, remember to attribute the creators for their efforts.
Here is an example of a presentation of "Freesouls" by Oliver Ding with images from Creative Commons.
There is another aspect of sharing that I would like to highlight again. Films for traditional cameras need chemicals to process while digital cameras need batteries. They can become environmentally hazardous when they are discarded indiscriminately. Sharing means that less of these will be required.
Share with Creative Commons for a better and greener environment.
There are hundreds of stock photos licensed for free commercial and non-commercial use. Try goodling 'Creative Commons free photos" and see what you can discover. If you use them, remember to attribute the creators for their efforts.
Here is an example of a presentation of "Freesouls" by Oliver Ding with images from Creative Commons.
There is another aspect of sharing that I would like to highlight again. Films for traditional cameras need chemicals to process while digital cameras need batteries. They can become environmentally hazardous when they are discarded indiscriminately. Sharing means that less of these will be required.
Share with Creative Commons for a better and greener environment.
Wednesday 6 August 2008
Carving. When soap won't do...
Other than wood, or soap, what else can you learn to carve on? Check this out.
Tuesday 5 August 2008
Working with fabrics? Match the colours.
I think that colours are the most important aspect of craft. The better you are at matching colours, the easier it will be for you to work with scraps in your craft. Here is a "Quilter's Color Wheel" I discovered on SlideShare that you will give you an idea on how you can work with the colours of the materials you have on hand.
Now you can choose colours to stitch with or work on your pin cushion or sew a costume more confidently.
Now you can choose colours to stitch with or work on your pin cushion or sew a costume more confidently.
Monday 4 August 2008
Who is Rachel Louise Carson?
Rachel Louise Carson was named by Times as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century. So, what did she do to get her there?
She was the writer of "Silent Spring" in 1962, which brought environmental concerns caused by synthetic pesticides to the American public. Her efforts led to the ban on DDT and other pesticides in USA and inspired the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
I came to know about Rachel Louise Carson because Thankachan was inspired to create a presentation about her and had it posted on SlideShare.
Who is your inspiration for a green lifestyle?
She was the writer of "Silent Spring" in 1962, which brought environmental concerns caused by synthetic pesticides to the American public. Her efforts led to the ban on DDT and other pesticides in USA and inspired the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
I came to know about Rachel Louise Carson because Thankachan was inspired to create a presentation about her and had it posted on SlideShare.
Who is your inspiration for a green lifestyle?
Saturday 2 August 2008
Zero Waste Stadiums. Is that possible?
Members of GreenYes are actively looking for ideas towards "Zero Waste Stadiums" It started with a request for ideas from the University of Colorado's Athletic Department to meet the school's carbon neutrality goal through waste reduction, packaging changes, and trash can removal.
What ideas can I contribute towards a future of "Zero Waste Stadiums"? Let me start from my experience from years helping out at the Asian Aerospace Show in Singapore for my former company.
The company gave away beer mugs as souvenirs with logos of the company and the aerospace event printed on each sides of the mugs. As the event occurs every two years, customers enjoy collecting them as the year of the event is printed on one side of the mug.
The same idea can be adapted for stadiums anywhere in the world. Encourage sports fans to buy cups or beer mugs or food containers sold at the stadium. Call it the "Be Sporting Green" programme. The price for these F&B containers can be reduced by getting sponsors to advertise on one side of the mugs along with that of the sporting event.
Owners of these F&B containers can be encouraged to use them by offering them discounts at outlets when they buy their drinks or food with them; not only at the stadium but at participating outlets in the country. Since the stadium do not have to engage more staff to sort or pick up recyclables F&B containers from waste, the savings can allow them to consider reducing rentals space of F&B outlets in the facility to encourage owners to participate in the programme.
Set up a dish washing station in the stadium so that customers can opt to wash their containers at this station if they do not want to carry dirty containers with them. Should they be charged for this service or can this be factored into the purchase of tickets, containers or food? The message to project with this dish washing station is "Wash only when full". So, instead of waiting for the cleaning process to start or finish, customers will be given a clean set on hand.
If that is not a good option, then a special bag made of drip proof and washable material will have to be given out to customers who buy the F&B containers. Make it free by getting sponsors to supply them as a green initiative.
To go one step further, create a website to sell these F&B containers from previous years. If customers know that what they bought from a stadium they have been to a few years back can become collectors' item they would keep them with more care. If this idea catch on globally, they can also exchange what they have with sport fans worldwide. This should eliminate the fear that these F&B containers will end up in landfills.
How's that for an idea? Want to join in the fun? Take a look at the following links suggested by other GreenYes members and see what you can come up with:
* Oakland Coliseum Complex
* CRRA's Venues and Special Events Recycling Council
* CIWMB Venue
* Del Mar Fairgrounds
* The University of California Davis has a Zero Waste stadium.
What ideas can I contribute towards a future of "Zero Waste Stadiums"? Let me start from my experience from years helping out at the Asian Aerospace Show in Singapore for my former company.
The company gave away beer mugs as souvenirs with logos of the company and the aerospace event printed on each sides of the mugs. As the event occurs every two years, customers enjoy collecting them as the year of the event is printed on one side of the mug.
The same idea can be adapted for stadiums anywhere in the world. Encourage sports fans to buy cups or beer mugs or food containers sold at the stadium. Call it the "Be Sporting Green" programme. The price for these F&B containers can be reduced by getting sponsors to advertise on one side of the mugs along with that of the sporting event.
Owners of these F&B containers can be encouraged to use them by offering them discounts at outlets when they buy their drinks or food with them; not only at the stadium but at participating outlets in the country. Since the stadium do not have to engage more staff to sort or pick up recyclables F&B containers from waste, the savings can allow them to consider reducing rentals space of F&B outlets in the facility to encourage owners to participate in the programme.
Set up a dish washing station in the stadium so that customers can opt to wash their containers at this station if they do not want to carry dirty containers with them. Should they be charged for this service or can this be factored into the purchase of tickets, containers or food? The message to project with this dish washing station is "Wash only when full". So, instead of waiting for the cleaning process to start or finish, customers will be given a clean set on hand.
If that is not a good option, then a special bag made of drip proof and washable material will have to be given out to customers who buy the F&B containers. Make it free by getting sponsors to supply them as a green initiative.
To go one step further, create a website to sell these F&B containers from previous years. If customers know that what they bought from a stadium they have been to a few years back can become collectors' item they would keep them with more care. If this idea catch on globally, they can also exchange what they have with sport fans worldwide. This should eliminate the fear that these F&B containers will end up in landfills.
How's that for an idea? Want to join in the fun? Take a look at the following links suggested by other GreenYes members and see what you can come up with:
* Oakland Coliseum Complex
* CRRA's Venues and Special Events Recycling Council
* CIWMB Venue
* Del Mar Fairgrounds
* The University of California Davis has a Zero Waste stadium.
That old tree's dead. Now what?
I could not provide you a picture of the head with flowing beard created out of a wooden stump and roots, that I wrote about, but this should give you some ideas of what you can do with wood from trees.
When lots of practice is required. Save good paper.
Here is another reason to keep your junk mails. A lot of practice is required if you would like to be able to cut paper the Chinese traditional way.
Not into cutting? Then try folding. Picking up origami needs lots of practice too.
paper art Paper cutting crafts
view presentation (tags: crafts)
Not into cutting? Then try folding. Picking up origami needs lots of practice too.
Friday 1 August 2008
Sewing? You need pin cushions.
If you are sewing, you will most likely end up with scrap materials. Since pin cushions can be handy, might as well learn how to make one with your scraps.
Instead of using cotton wool, consider crunching up some plastic bags for stuffing your pin cushion.
Instead of using cotton wool, consider crunching up some plastic bags for stuffing your pin cushion.
Those pencils sculptures? Don't huff and puff at it!
Remember the sculptures made out of short pencils I wrote about earlier? Don't huff and puff at them!
I discovered from SlideShare that they were created by Jennifer Maestre and she makes a living with them exhibiting or creating pencils jewellery to sell on Etsy!
So, before you chuck those short pencils that your children have abandoned, take a look at the techniques she shared on Reuben Miller. And after reading that and you need to know how to stitch your pencils together, remember that I have that covered.
I discovered from SlideShare that they were created by Jennifer Maestre and she makes a living with them exhibiting or creating pencils jewellery to sell on Etsy!
So, before you chuck those short pencils that your children have abandoned, take a look at the techniques she shared on Reuben Miller. And after reading that and you need to know how to stitch your pencils together, remember that I have that covered.
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