Earthwise Emporium

Hello! My name is Ellen Helms.

The mission of Earthwise Emporium is creating products using vintage fabrics for consumers who make conscious choices to encourage slow fashion and reduce waste. They use resources wisely and appreciate artisans who do the same.

Needlework has been a part of my life since I was a child. Later I honed my needlework skills as a stay-at-home mother creating clothing for myself, my children, decor for our home and for presents.

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 others 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 organizing for a trip, etc.

Customers appreciate the ornaments that honor our faith, country, first responders and various holidays.

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 upcycling 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. 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.