For me it was only a nightmare. For the animals on our planet and in our oceans and waterways? It is a living nightmare.
I have always been a firm believer that my dreams are a source of inspiration for me. And many times the message is one that I need to really pay attention to. You know, suffocating has a way of making you pay attention, right?
So, I am blogging about this issue, I've posted about it on my Facebook, I'll post about it on All About Beads....wherever I think I can get anyone to pay attention.When I couldn't fall back to sleep easily, I spent the time thinking of ways that I can reduce the amount of plastic I use in my everyday life. Now mind you, I run a beadstore.....plastic is in abundance...sadly. All the seedbeads and packaged in plastic tubes, the little doodads and sparklies people pick out one by one get stuffed into plastic ziploc baggies for the trip home where they are most likely moved from there to a plastic storage box of some sort. Ugh!
Is everyone taking the time to recycle all those ziplocs?
Is everyone taking the time to recycle all those ziplocs?
If you're going to go home and sort your beads out anyway, why does every single style you just bought at the store need to be sorted into individual bags for you? Enjoy the sorting process...you're a beader because that type of activity feels good. The tiny little bits of glass being put into their own special place, whether with needle and thread or with your fingers when you place them into their own compartment in a case.
From now on we will encourage our customers to let us put as much as we can into as few ziplocs as we can.
You know that jumbo soda you got from the drive-thru? Why not take the cup home, wash it out and put it right back in the car. When you order your next soda, tell them you brought your own cup! These cups can be used many, many times over.
If you shop at a grocery that still uses plastic bags, encourage them to switch to the soy based bags. NEVER opt for plastic when asked. Or, if you will be using it, return to the store with them! They can be used again, too!
I have several of the reusable bags I've purchased from Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Safeway, wherever I've shopped...and up until today I also spaced out and left them home. I vow from today forward to put my groceries away and immediately take the bags back out to the car....along with my plastic drink cup!
What other ways can we reuse this stuff? Cut back on how much of it we use?
I know there are a million and one causes out there. But this one doesn't have to cost you a single penny (altho there are many places you could donate financially to help clean up the mess we've made)! All you have to do to help is to be a little more conscientious. Just a little bit....please?
For more detailed information on this issue, here are some links:
The Planet Archives
The Planet Archives
The beading fun begins on Thursday, Oct. 1st with several 
a bracelet 
Then Laura Timmons will teach this Crocheted Wire & Swarovski Crystal necklace.
After you've beaded the afternoon away, there will be a scrumptious dessert social and Meet the Teachers event that evening where you'll receive your gift bag loaded with goodies from some very generous sponsors and donors. plus the raffles begin with some awesome products also donated by many wonderful companies and individuals!
and me! (Yay!)
If you're interested in joining us, go get your reservation in now! The seats are selling really quickly! Check out the 