Winter 2000

In This Issue:

1. Sustainable artists and authors
Bernice P. Arthur, The Art of Recycling
Bobby Hansson, The Fine Art of the Tin Can

2. How to Stamp Out Junk Mail

3. Subscribe to the eco-artware Recycling Rag

Sustainable artists and authors

Many of the items in eco-artware.com's catalog are the results of these transformational efforts. Take a look at our frames made from bicycle parts, bookends from motherboards, footstools from egg cartons, and pins from Mardi Gras costumes.

Recently we met up with two professional artists who have written books about sustainable art, and practice what they preach.

Bernice P. Arthur is an artist whose paintings, prints and mini-sculpture are exhibited in galleries in the Boston, Massachusetts area. She's written and self-published The Art of Recycling, a book of ideas, to help teachers develop stimulating projects. You may order her book from Bernice Arthur; 122 Longmeadow Drive, Apt. 29; Holbook, MA 02342. Price 415--check or money order.) Her insights on what to do with old maps may be found in our Crafts by You archives.

Daisy Montage by Bernice P. Arthur using typewriter ribbon cover, Scotch tape dispenser, metal brooch, typewriter ribbon, vintage typewriter ribbon holders and mat discards.

When Bobby Hansson suggested a book on tin can art, many people--including his publisher--thought he was crazy. But The Fine Art of the Tin Can, which showcases 101 projects made from tin cans is so successful, it is spawning a sequel.

For 35 years Hansson did photography for art museum catalogs and crafts books before deciding to do his own book. Hansson's book was inspired by his genuine love of tin cans. As a kid he recalls making tin can headlights for his box cars, as well as walking stilts.

He also wanted to promote the concept that materials such as tin cans should be thought of as resources, rather than waste.

Briefcase by Bobby Hansson Briefcase made with three types of tin cans.

How To Stamp Out Junk Mail

Overwhelmed by a mountain of unwanted advertising in your mailbox? To save your time and reduce towering stacks of wasted paper, register with the Direct Marketing Association. Ask them to tell marketers to remove your name from their mailing lists. You may also specify that you would like your name removed from marketers' telephone lists. Contact: Mail Preference Service; Direct Marketing Association; PO Box 9008; Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008; (212) 768-7277.

The Center for Democracy and Technology's (CDT) Operation Opt Out (http://www.cdt.org) makes it easy to get your name off lists. It provides forms which you fill in, print out and then send to banks, the Department of Motor Vehicles, Direct Mail companies and Telephone solicitors. It also provides links to companies that let you opt out online.

You can also request that credit bureaus not sell your demographic data to direct marketers and list brokers. Contact: Consumer Opt-Out, TRW Inc.; PO Box 919; Allen, TX 75002; (800) 353-0809. Once call will remove your name from Experian Inc., Equifax and Trans Union.

It usually takes a few months for this information to enter the system. However, in the event you continue to receive unwanted mail from a company, do not mark it "junk mail" and send it back. The post office will throw it in the trash. Instead, tell the company that is sending you the mail to put your name on its "in-house suppress file" and remove it from any lists it rents out.