Last week on Craft Thursday we profiled the local non-profit Trillium Artisans. This week we're looking at an international group that unifies crafters by family (ok, city), the Craft Mafia. Originating in Austin, TX, the reign of craft has spread to cities small and large, including Portland. EcoMetro cities Berkeley/Oakland and Seattle are suspiciously absent, though St Paul has a familia. Join the current family and climb the ranks of craft associates and bosses.  More...

Local non-profit organization Trillium Artisans has long been a favorite of Chinook Bookers (see their coupon for 20% off). Members must use a minimum of 50% recycled materials in their gifts and wares. The flower represents the three principles of people, planet and profit that guide this group in creating business opportunities for low-income artists. If you're an artist interested in small business counseling, networking, credit card processing and other benefits of the group, you must make less than the median income in Portland (below $33,950 for a house of four, $27,150 for two and $23,750 for one). Experienced indie crafters can join as board members and commit to helping the organization support sustainability and fair wages. This week we'll take a look at some of our favorite picks from the online shop. Visit in person at 9119 SE Foster Road in Southeast Portland. More...

Did you know that 18 tons of mine waste is generated in the production of one simple gold ring? More than 80 percent of all newly mined gold goes to making jewelry, yet there is enough gold already mined to satisfy all demands of the jewelry industry for the next 50 years. I'll cover the alternatives in this brief overview on how gold is produced. WARNING: It’s not very romantic! More...

Each Thursday we'll bring you our favorite gems picked out from scouring local craft markets, Etsy, Lov.li, and local craft sites. We'll also give highlights from our other EcoMetro cities. Materials must meet our environmental criteria, which include recycled/reclaimed materials and eco fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp, and soy fabrics and yarns.

Catch the maker of this lamp and other local artists at the Summer Artisans Fair August 19th and 20th, 8am-3pm at 2701 NW Vaughn.

Chandelier Lamp by Phoebe1, $180
Celebrate life before Flickr with this lamp made from slides taken by a traveler in 1960s Europe.

More of this week's crafters after the jump... More...

Greenloop, located at  8005 SE 13th Ave., is one of the foremost eco fashion boutiques around. Everything in the store is selected for green merits and owner Aysia Wright is up to date on fashion trends that the rest of the eco fashion world are still catching on to. This is a particularly good shop for men, who have limited eco fashion choices gathered in one place. Start with conventional cotton chemical facts if you need convincing.

For details and to view the Chinook Book coupon for Greenloop, read on... More...

Tucked into East Burnside is Redux (811 E Burnside) a boutique that carries repurposed jewelry, purses, and home accessories and hosts a monthly art show with recycled art from the area’s prominent young artists. They carry goods from the Seattle based company Alchemy Goods who make messenger bags from discarded bike tubes as well as one of our favorite market totes the Ad Bag, which is made from recycled billboards. More...