More shops jump on the green bandwagon with eco-friendly products

Consumers who care can breathe easy knowing there are plenty of places in Seattle to spend their cash responsibly. Shops that carry eco-friendly products, organic items, products using sustainable materials and recycled goods are proliferating, providing green options for everyday living.

The likely suspects for shopping are salvage stores, but producers of home furnishings, gifts and fashion have jumped on the green bandwagon, too. Home stores and boutiques now offer earth-saving knick knacks, furniture and clothing made from recycled and sustainable materials. So go ahead – continue to consume with a clear conscience. Here are a few spots to visit and products to consider.

Home Furnishings & Gifts

Bitters Co.: Sisters Amy and Katie Carson shop the world over, stocking their store with artisan finds, many of them made from recycled materials. Among my favorites are the colorful flip flop mats made from production scraps of foam rubber sandals ($20-$75 depending on size), and recycled confetti bowls made in the Philippines from old magazines ($24-$36). Amy Carson also designs minimalist furniture and home accents from salvaged woods and other found materials.

Custom Hand Weaving: Susan Snover turns old clothes, upholstery cuttings, wool scraps and sample fabrics into woven rugs. Snover estimates she's made 9,000 rugs and kept 27,000 pounds of fabric out of landfills. Choose from a wide variety of colors ($18 per square foot for rugs up to 58-inches wide; $20 per square foot for 5-to-10-foot rugs).

One Earth One Design: This shop has it all, from baby items to dining room tables to organic cotton mattresses. I like the recycled glass dinnerware in soothing soft shades of celadon, cantaloupe and citron. It comes in 11 shapes and sizes and 12 colors ($22-$130 per piece). The yummy Nandina towels made from organic cotton and plantation bamboo are super soft and absorbent ($12 for a washcloth to $88 for a bath sheet).

Bedrock Industries: This is one of the largest recyclers of glass on the West Coast. They also have a staff of glass-fusing artists who make beautiful paperweights with swirly colors and sparkles, coasters ($28.50 and up for a set of four), dishware ($11.25-$105), mobiles and wind chimes ($12 and up), and glass hearts in dozens of colors ($5.50 and up). They also have huge barrels of tumbled glass for yard décor and projects.

Portage Bay Goods: This shop carries functional and unusual gifts including Vy & Elle handbags, laptop bags and yoga bags made from reclaimed vinyl billboards ($42-$120); recycled Fire & Light glass bowls in clear bright colors ($16-$24); Resource Revival bicycle chain frames ($36-$40); notebooks, coasters and card cases made from computer motherboards by Motherboard Enterprises ($8-$29); and rings made from old silverware ($12).

Fashion & Accessories

FASHION FIRST

Bamboo jersey racer tank ($60) and slouch pant ($120) by Lizzie Parker.

Lizzie Parker: Local designer Lizzie Parker makes a clothing line using ultra-soft bamboo jersey. Choose from racer back and basic tank tops, pencil skirts, cuffed bubble hem skirts, hoodies, T's and a combination skirt/tunic. Pieces come in light blue, grey, black, white, pink and butter. The fabric is derived from the pulp of the bamboo, and if you've ever had the prolific plant in your yard, you know why it's sustainable. Parker also points out that dying and production are done right here in the Seattle area, eliminating the toll that shipping takes on the environment. Her affordable line is available at Olive ($50-$70).

La Rousse: Boutique owner Amanda Rosenthal has two great spring lines in her Belltown shop. Del Forte Denim is made in the United States out of organic cotton. You'll find four styles including slim leg, boot cut, skinny leg and wide leg ($194 a pair). She also has bamboo clothing by Sameunderneath from Portland. The fashion forward tops, hoodies and dresses are $54-$154.

Accessories

English Retreads: These recycled-rubber handbags go the extra mile. Made from discarded truck and tractor inner tubes, the stylish bags are tough and some feature seatbelt handles and straps ($68 and up). Available at Click! Design That Fits.

The News Los Angeles: Jaywalk in Madrona carries this line of accessories made from recycled newspaper covered with water-resistant laminate. Catch up on your reading with a cosmetic bag, clutch or tote ($28-$46).

Jewelry

FANCY + PANTS

Jewelry designer Emily Baker uses found objects including auto parts and rings for her Clever Castle jewelry line.

Clever Castle: Local jewelry designer Emily Baker uses a variety of found objects including auto parts and rings for her Clever Castle jewelry line. Her earrings are available at Fancy + Pants ($25-$40). (Don't worry, she cleans the grease off first.)

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