Recycled owls are a hoot. Win one in this Green Prophet giveaway.
Conveying a wise message of reuse that suits their owl-like form, Inbal Weisman’s fabric owls are made exclusively out of upcycled fabric and buttons. Hoot! She sources her materials from a variety of sources, including the open trading market at Nahalal, her grandmother’s sewing box, stained children’s pajamas, lining samples from furniture shops (used to make the three owls above), and a local studio for cloth bags and other fabric goods called “Talking Fabrics” in Nahalal.
(As a side note, the monthly free exchange market in Nahalal, which meets on the last Saturday of each month at the Yesh Meain ecological/agricultural/educational farm, attracts all kinds of ecologically minded folks and has grown steadily in popularity. People who are concerned with responsible consumerism meet inside a mud and straw building to exchange clothes, school supplies, books, appliances, and everything else.)
But beyond creating her eco-friendly fair feathered friends, she teaches Israeli natural healing methods, using herbs and plants. She integrates this practice into her doll-making by making some of her owls carriers for aromatic oils, such as lavender. The lavender colored owl to the left also comes with lavender oil made in Nahalal that is meant to be drizzled on the owl’s head so as to spread the aromatherapeutic smell.
In her own words, “I find inspiration in everything I do.” She enjoys staying at home to take care of her two kids, caring for her home and garden in environmentally sustainable ways, and visiting the trading market at Nahalal often.
Inbal is graciously offering one of her owls to the reader that comes up with the most creative packaging and/or fabric stuffing ideas (from ecologic sources, of course). She would also like readers to write what their favorite owl is from her shop. Please write your entries in the comments section below.
To see more of Inbal’s owls check out her Etsy shop.
Read more about other eco-friendly crafters::
Rima Malallah Brings Handmade Art and Love on a Bike to Amman
Dria Peterson’s Handmade Creations, Born From a Genealogy of Vegetarianism and Recycling
Limor Matityahoo Thinks the Sky Is the LIMITZ For Designer Recycled Products
Dear sir/madam
I would like to know whether there is a possibilty for me to use some of your images off of your website for my ict controlled assessment as I have to find photos of upcycled objects and I really like the images on your website.
Thank you
Yours Sincerely
Lauren Taylor
This might not sound too nice… but perhaps you could fill it with cat nip & a bell, as a cat toy. I'd feel sorry for the owl though ;_; Or maybe you can make the owls like babushka dolls; a tiny owl in a small owl in a medium owl?
How about filling it with bird food, so that it can be thrown outdoors for the birds?
Fill it with rice! Or stained clothing that were going to be rags anyway. Or dried herbs or lavender to make a little incense holder out of it.
Inbal's owls are perfect!!!The details, the colors, the elegance…Just perfect!!!
Beautiful owls! Great work!
Love your owls Inbal !!!
They are so cute!!!
Fantastic owls! too cute 🙂
What a sweet owls!I love Inbal's shop!
Inbal's owls are very unique!
thanks for the article!