The good, bad and the ugly

It seems that everyday when I log onto Facebook or check my yahoo account somewhere in the world, beautiful animals are going extinct, ancient forests are being torn down and there is toxic lead in our water.  It depresses me most of the time but also makes me determined.

I ask myself, what can I do? How can I help make a difference in the world.  I'm sure some of you have the same thoughts going through your head.  Or perhaps you don't know about the fact that palm oil is used in many American products such as coca-cola, snack etc. however palm oil comes from Indonesian and South American countries specifically it comes from the habitat of animals like the orangutan and tigers which no longer have homes due to the destruction of forests with palm oil.

So I decided to come up with suggestions and ways you can 'take action' from the comfort of your home.  Simple everyday steps that help protect your environment and ones far away.  Some of you may think, 'what difference does it make?'  but that question is very easy - a BIG difference.  When you multiply you times a thousand others it creates a huge effect.

1.  Send emails, calls, faxes to your members of congress, legislators and council members.
Dedicate an email address specifically for your calls to action, that way you won't get spam mail to your personal address.
Some of my favorite organizations are:
The Ocean Conservancy
Alaska Wilderness League
Sierra Club

2.  Share this information with your family and friends, educate and urge them to take action.  The more the better!

3.  Do your part.  Recycle, reuse, reduce.  It is that simple.   Pick up trash on your walks and throw it in the trash bin. 

• Reuse shopping bags
• Donate old clothing to homeless shelters or use them as drop cloths
• repair and maintain the stuff you do have instead of throwing it away
• Use a water bottle instead of purchasing more water bottles
• Volunteer in your area or get to know where you live.  

If we all do just a little bit, that compounds into huge changes. 
thank you for reading and stay lovely!
Lisette
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Speaking on and protecting cats

With my Bast Collection coming up, cats have obviously been on my mind.  And not only for that reason, I've also read about endangered larger cats in several regions and countries.  So I wanted to take a moment to urge you and hopefully your friends to take time to send messages to your senators, persons in power to designate lands and areas for our fellow animals that we share the planet with.

Key word is SHARE our planet and regions.  We don't need more strip malls, or parking decks we need more land to enjoy and make this earth keep healthy and growing.

I recently read of a mountain lion's death due in part to the major highways surrounding Los Angeles, it's sad to think an animal can't roam freely due to traffic and cars.

Then of course we heard about Cecil, the beautiful lion that was shot by Dr Walter Palmer when on a hunting expedition in Zimbabwe.  Large cats are endangered and so few of them exist.

So the question is how do we protect these animals?  There are several things you can do from the comfort of your own home, without having to get out of your chair!

1.   Adopt an animal via the World Wildlife Fund.  Here's a link to adopt a lion. 
2.  You can give a donation to the Center for Biological Diversity (one of my favorite nonprofits).  Eilisain Jewelry donates to them twice yearly.
3. You can email your Congressperson today and tell them to support legislation that restricts deforestation and protecting habitat for endangered cats 
4. Talk to your friends and family about taking proactive steps to protecting animals and wildlife by signing petitions and posting on social media
5.  Take an active part in learning about the wildlife and animals in your region and how you can help maintain their habitat.  IT all starts in your backyard.

 I hope you will take a moment to do something, no matter how small or big.

Thank you for reading and sharing this message!
Stay lovely,
Lisette
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Oppose the Pebble Mine at Bristol Bay

Ethical Metalsmiths sent me an email several days ago to contact the EPA and urge them to oppose the proposed Pebble Mine at Bristol Bay in Alaska.  I hope you will too.  

Bristol Bay's salmon run provide 14,000 jobs to Alaskans, food and sustenance to the people and wildlife of Bristol Bay; building a mine would pollute the water and atmosphere.   It's so simple and powerful to send a message to the EPA and make your voice heard!

As jewelers and metalsmiths I think it is very important to be aware of where the materials we use come from and to be ethical.  It's hard to but it's the little steps that add up.  Like keeping your bench and floor sweeps for cleaning and reusing.  Or finding scrap metal to make jewelry (it's actually more fun in my opinion!).  And more importantly being aware and educated on where your materials come from.

Bristol bay

Thanks for reading and taking action!

PS - Join Ethical Metalsmiths, I did and I know it'll be put to good use!

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