Earth Day is Every Day at From The Blue Bag
Deby is trained as a glass artist, and has taken her training and skills to create functional recycled art from trash.
Bottled Up
Click to learn more about Deby and From The Blue Bag
Earth Day Year Round
It's Earth Day year round at the From the Blue Bag office and studio, ever since Deby Cowdin decided to start a business that focused on using her art to creatively convey the importance of recycling to everyone.The company began with one product, a flattened wine bottle cheese tray that was an improvement on an existing concept that Deby had seen at a friend's house. But the line expanded and business really took off when the food functional serving trays and dishes were developed with a little help from the ingenuity of husband Scott. All of the items in From The Blue Bag's current product line are food functional, meaning they are freezer, oven and dishwasher safe.
From the Blue Bag obtains their materials by engaging local bars and restaurants to join in its bottle recycling program. The company provides a collection receptacle and comes to empty it once a week. They also encourage these companies to recycle their stryofoam peanuts and bubble wrap, both of which do not biodegrade in a landfill.
The gift industry is constantly looking for new and innovative gifts. The green movement is spreading so rapidly some couples have even planned their weddings with completely environmentally aware products and services. From the Blue Bag filled this gift niche by investing in equipment that can laser etch an invitation right onto a bottle. They can also personalize any of their other products.
Who knew trash would be in Deby's future? She sure didn't.
Brooke Cowdin
Freelance Writer
Flea Market Style
What Makes the Idea Work?
The reason Deby has been so successful is the level of dedication she has to her company and her product. Deby accepts no less than the perfect product each time, and is completely focused on the customer. She is fast and efficient and keeps her promises.Deby also works extremely hard at finding opportunities to show her product. She spends much of her time on the road to different art shows, wine shows, and various other themed shows that can bring the products directly in front of the end customer.
And she tirelessly sells her company and product everywhere she goes.
Added to that, she often helps fellow artists and entrepreneurs to get their foot in the door of various opportunities.
To keep her product fresh, she is constantly looking for new ideas based on her original premise.
Why Should I Recycle?
Why Should I Recycle? (Why Should I?)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/11/2009)
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Don't Throw It Out: Recycle, Renew and Reuse to Make Things Last
Don't Throw It Out: Recycle, Renew and Reuse to Make Things Last
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 07/11/2009)
Review
The book covers virtually everything inside and outside the home. For example, the kitchen, chapter one, addresses everything from how to get the most efficient life out of your appliances to elongating the life of food. That's the practical side of the book.
Then there are the creative aspects--the renewing. Have an old wood table that is beyond fixing the marred surface? No problem--make a tile top!
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How Are You Helping Shrink Our Landfills?
Do you contribute to the problem or the solution?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byI recycle by. . .
glassjubo says:
i also slump old bottles into cheese platters etc. i have been doing this since 2000. Its a very good idea for recycling for glass artists and is a good source of 'bread and butter' income.
Posted May 16, 2009
Don't really care too much about recycling.
Deby Cowdin: Making a Difference
Deby Cowdin Interview
I Can Save the Earth!: One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Meet Max the Little Monster. He is a cute, furry green monster who is an environmental nightmare. Among other things, he leaves on all the lights, keeps his computer plugged in, blasts the TV, hoards his old toys and uses so much toilet paper it clogs the toilet until finally, his excessive ways cause a power outage. With no TV to watch, computer to play on, video games to play with, Max finds there is a whole big world outside that he can make a difference in the environment.
Kids can follow Max the Little Green Monster's journey to environmental awareness and learn tips on how they can become little green monsters themselves. A kid-friendly glossary of terms is included in the back of the book.
This 8x8 paperback is perfect bound and will be printed on 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy-ink. The paper is FSC certified.
I Can Save the Earth!: One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (Little Green Books)
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 07/11/2009)
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The Wedding Bottle
A Custom Gift Perfect to Celebrate the Occasion
Deby has created the perfect gift for any bride and groom and customers are eating it up.Deby will take a champagne bottle, create a cheese tray out of it, then laser engrave an exact copy of the actual invitation on the front. It comes with a stand, ribbons and rings for just $89.00.
And the gift is green to boot. Saving the ecology of the world one bottle at a time.
To purchase this or any items, Click here.
Suncast Recycle Bin Kit BH183PK
Suncast Recycle Bin Kit BH183PK
Amazon Price: $54.99 (as of 07/11/2009)
Every day is Earth Day. ~Author Unknown
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Do You Like Being Green?
mulberry wrote...
I suppose many people can make something beautiful with beautiful things, but to be able to do it with waste, discards, and so forth is really, really impressive!
Posted May 03, 2009
stargazer00 wrote...
I love how she has built a business around items that would otherwise be thrown away.
Posted April 21, 2009
TheGreenerMe wrote...
Welcome to the Million Ways to Go Green! Very unique creations!
Posted January 05, 2009
Stazjia wrote...
It's wonderful that artists like Deby are turning trash into art. Welcome to the Art & Design Group.
Posted November 11, 2008
a_willow wrote...
Welcome to Reuse it all! group! Wonderful! It's always delight to see different ways to reuse things!
Posted November 03, 2008
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