I’ve been looking to replace the flood light in my small backyard because it makes a loud annoying buzz and puts out a cold unwelcoming light. I suppose these are not bad qualities to keep burglars away, but I’ve wanted something a bit quieter and warmer, while of course making an environmentally conscious purchase.

So I started checking out floodlights powered by their own little photovoltaic cells. I was surprised to find a pretty wide selection. SmartHome.com and SolarHome.org were two of the sites I spent some time on comparing features and prices. Both sites are pretty cluttered and a bit tough to navigate, but while SmartHome has better product information, SolarHome (as the name would imply) has a broader product selection. 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...

The dark of night has an incredible impact on humans. It limits our vision and heightens our sense of vulnerability. Neighborhoods that are friendly, bustling or eclectic during the day become vacant no-walk zones after sundown. More...

How many Oregonians does it take to screw in an energy efficient light bulb? The answer is just one, and the results are big. Each standard bulb you replace with a compact fluorescent light will keep one ton of CO2out of the atmosphere and last long enough to save you the cost of purchasing 5 old-fashioned light bulbs. More...