Patriotic Prairie Pinwheel ornament made with repurposed fabrics.

Hello! My name is Ellen Helms.

The mission of Earthwise Emporium is providing products by repurposing fabrics for consumers who make conscious choices to encourage slow fashion and reduce waste. They are concerned about using resources as wisely; they want to reduce what goes into their trash as well as recycling containers and focus on the circular use of products. 

My grandmother was my first example of following a low waste mindset: in the 1920’s, she took worn out clothing to a rug maker.  My mother said she and her sister had so much fun playing on the rugs, looking for pieces of their old clothes!   I learned from her that Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Repair, Repurpose aren't just words, they are a way of life!

I love all kinds of needlework: I began knitting as a child, sewing as a preteen, crocheting as a teenager, cross-stitch as a young adult, adding other skills along the way from taking classes.

Using and honing my needlework skills were vital for me as a stay-at-home mother and helped our one-income family use money wisely when creating clothing for myself, my children, decor for our home and for presents.

The passion I bring into my shop includes considering where the fabric came from and who owned it, what plans they may have had for it before they chose to clear it from their stashes. This adds meaning to the process of giving the fabrics new life while making the bags and ornaments.

Crafters appreciate and use the project bags and accessory pouches for their knitting, crocheting, cross stitch and/or sewing.  Other customers use the small bags for stashing essentials for running errands while store markers, pencils, crayons or snacks.  The larger bags are being used as knitting, crocheting, cross stitch project bags or as emergency baby clothes bag in the family car or organzing for a trip, etc. 

Customers appreciate the ornaments that honor our faith, country and various holidays; some of these fabrics came from other small businesses that are also working hard!  

Packaging, similar to my products, is simple and pretty! Everything is wrapped in white paper tied up with a lovely piece of yarn. All products are wrapped as a gift whether it's for the buyer or they are giving it to someone else!

All products are made with the care and attention I put into making things for my family and myself! The process of making them may be a drop in the bucket of repurposing fabrics but it is my hope that others will appreciate these products and join in on living a low-waste life!

Thank you for visiting!

FAQs

Q Where does the fabric come from?

A  1. I use fabric that has come from people who are clearing out their fabric stash because they don't want to throw it away and end up in the landfill when it's in perfectly good condition.  I use my own remnants from my own sewing.  All fabric is washed before being made into something new.

2.  When necessary, especially for ornaments, I buy fabrics from other small businesses

Q.  Why don't you add the handle to the side of the bag like I've seen on other bags?

A.  I add a handle with a lobster clasp to the zipper tab because I, and my customers, have found that it's easier to open rather than fiddling with a zipper tab by itself.  Having the handles added this way make it more accessible to those who may have pain in the hands, e.g. arthritis, which makes it harder for them to get hold of the zipper tab.

Q.  All the linings look like they're white, why not use colors.

A.  1.  I inherited a large quantity of sheets and since they didn't fit our beds, it made sense to use them as the bag linings.

2.  I've found that a light colored lining helps the contents to be seen more easily.  I've been given some lovely project bags with lining that are dark prints and it's harder for me to see if I've left something at the bottom, like a small pair of scissors (or maybe my eyes are getting old ;-)