Easter is a wasteful holiday. The plastic packaging, single use baskets, plastic fake grass and the cheaply made toys that parents give to their children at Easter all contribute to unnecessary waste. Add in the non-organic, slave labour chocolate and the genetically modified ingredients in the candies and you have a high-consuming, environmentally impactful holiday.
This Easter, consider only gifting recycled, handmade fair trade items to your children. Imagine if everyone celebrated eco-Easter – what a difference it would make.
Lavender Rabbits
Sweet Lavender Rabbits are made from recycled vintage fabric and contain chemical-free French Lavender. “You can either place them on your pillow or dressing table to help you float off to sleep,” explains Nicola from Pouch, of the delightful rabbits. Children will love the sweet smell of a lavender bunny for Easter. Visit: http://www.pouch.etsy.com
Tin Bunny Beasties
Tin Beasties are made from recycled corrugated iron sourced from the artist’s old chicken coop. “This particular red sheet was made from a piece that used to be on the roof of our chicken house, so when the chicks got a lovely new coop I salvaged the tin to make things from,” explains artist Emily Engel.
To make each Tin Beastie, Engel cuts out the shape using tin snips, files down the rough edges and uses a nail to make the eyeholes. Finally a ribbon is added for hanging the Tin Beastie. Visit: www.kuber.etsy.com
Slipper Rabbits
“I am always amazed at all of the things people throw away. I try to imagine how these things can be remade into beautiful and useful new items,” explains artist Catherine Beckner of her whimsical sweet repurposed Slipper Rabbits. Created from recycled felted wool and wool blend sweaters, with soles made from suede thrift store garments, Slipper Rabbits will delight any child for Easter. Visit: http://www.4pippi.etsy.com/
Wonder Bread Bag Bunny
Artist Diane Kurzyna aka Ruby Re-Usable, makes fabulous works of art from recycled plastic bags. Her Repurposed Wonder Bag Bunny is the latest creation from the prolific recycled materials artist. Each sculpture is unique and upcycles plastic bags into an original piece of artwork. Kids (and adults) will love these trashy treasures. Visit: http://www.rubyreusable.com/
Yoyo Rabbit Dolls
Cuddly, soft and safe, Yoyo Rabbit Dolls are handmade by the Aymara Indians under fair trade guidelines and sold by Uncommon Goods. Yoyo Dolls are the stuffed animal versions of a communal quilt. Designed by Jenny Krauss and made in Bolivia, these bright cuddly toys will delight children of all ages. Visit: http://www.uncommongoods.com
Veggie Juice Bunny Rabbit
Artist Christine Esposito gathers aluminium cans and refurbishes them into metal Bunny magnets. The magnets are made by cutting the discarded aluminium soda cans into various shapes and figurines. The shapes are then backed with craft foam to make them more durable, explains Esposito. The Veggie Juice Bunny Rabbit is made from a recycled V8 can. Visit: www.funkyrecycling.etsy.com
Sock Bunny
The Sock Bunny is made from an entire recycled sock. “I designed it so that every square inch of sock is used; you could actually take it apart and piece together a complete sock,” explains artist Miranda Taylor. The bunny is filled with recycled pillow stuffing and the eyes are made from metal scraps. Visit: GooderGoods
Easter Bunny Crayons
Artist Becky VanGinkel makes her recycled Easter Crayons by breaking old wax crayons into small pieces and putting them into metal molds. The crayons are then melted in the oven and later put in the freezer to harden. “I always use multiple colors, even in the smaller 'confetti' crayons. Kids love to see all the different colors that come out of one crayon,” she explains. The Easter Crayons are shipped in a reusable container. Visit: http://scrappersbydesign.etsy.com
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