A small business owner signs a merchant agreement on Monday morning. By lunch, they’re processing their first credit card transaction. This scenario sounds improbable when you consider how payment processing worked ten years ago, but several processors now make same-day or next-day activation routine.

Speed matters here for practical reasons. Every day spent waiting for account approval is a day without revenue. A restaurant opening its doors, an e-commerce store launching a flash sale, a service provider taking on a new client: these situations demand payment capabilities immediately, not in two weeks. The processors listed below have built their onboarding around this reality, cutting paperwork, automating verification, and shipping hardware that works out of the box.

Processing fees for small businesses in 2025 typically run between 2.5% and 3.5% per transaction. On a $100 sale, that amounts to $2.50 to $3.50 in fees. The differences between processors come down to pricing models, hardware costs, deposit timing, and how quickly you can actually start accepting money.

Onboarding Speed and Pricing at a Glance

Finix: Same-Day Activation With Direct Network Connections

Finix built its platform around instant onboarding and immediate device deployment for in-person payments. Where many processors require weeks for setup, Finix allows merchants to start accepting payments the same day they sign their merchant agreement.

The company maintains direct connections to all major U.S. card networks, including American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. This architecture enables faster approval and more control over payment operations. CEO Richie Serna has stated that the company developed its underwriting technology to increase efficiency without compromising risk management, allowing thousands of merchants to onboard within seconds rather than minutes or hours.

Finix offers Interchange-Plus pricing, meaning you pay the actual interchange rate set by card networks plus a transparent markup. For merchants who want to start accepting payments online without writing code, Finix provides pre-built checkout pages and payment links. When paired with an in-store terminal, the checkout process stays unified across channels.

The platform reports 99.999% uptime, which translates to roughly five minutes of downtime per year. Businesses running platforms or marketplaces tend to favor Finix because of its customizable fee structure and support for high-risk industries.

Stripe: Self-Service Setup in Under an Hour

Stripe allows users to create an account with only a name and email address. From there, you add personal identification, business details, customer support information, and bank account data. The entire process runs through a self-service interface with no sales call required.

Using no-code tools like Stripe Payment Links, Checkout, or Invoicing, businesses can accept payments within an hour. No custom code or technical setup is needed for these options. Users who already have a Stripe account can onboard onto new platforms in three clicks through networked onboarding.

Stripe charges flat-rate pricing with no setup fees, monthly fees, or hidden costs. The platform accepts payments in more than 135 currencies and processes over $1.4 trillion in payments annually.

Initial payouts arrive roughly ten days after you add your bank account and complete your first successful payment. This waiting period can decrease based on account activity over time. The longer payout window may affect cash flow for businesses that need funds immediately, though the tradeoff is a very fast initial setup.

Square: From Signup to Sales in Minutes

Square has positioned itself as one of the most accessible payment processors for businesses of any size. New users can start accepting payments in minutes after completing the signup process, though full bank account verification typically takes around five days excluding weekends and holidays.

Pricing sits at 2.6% + 15¢ for in-person transactions as of February 2025. There are no hidden fees or locked-in contracts, and you can cancel or switch anytime. Hardware costs stay low: the first magstripe reader is free, additional readers cost $10 each, and chip and contactless readers run $49.

Standard deposits land in your bank account within one to two days. Square also offers instant transfers for 1.75% of the transfer total, which addresses situations where waiting even a day creates problems.

The combination of free starter hardware, simple pricing, and fast deposits makes Square particularly useful for businesses testing new sales channels or launching with limited capital.

PayPal: Familiar Brand With Quick Access

PayPal lets small businesses accept and process payments both in person and online. Merchants can accept all major payment types without a monthly subscription, and customers do not need PayPal accounts to complete purchases. The platform supports sending and receiving payments in 25 currencies.

Current processing fees range from 2.99% to 3.49% plus a small fixed fee per transaction. Funds typically appear in your bank account within one to three business days, though timing depends on your bank’s processing schedule.

For businesses needing capital, PayPal’s financing solutions use a streamlined online application process with minimal paperwork and no extensive credit checks. Approved loans fund within minutes. Since 2013, PayPal has extended more than 1.4 million loans and cash advances to over 420,000 business accounts globally.

The main advantage here is familiarity. Many customers already have PayPal accounts, which can reduce friction at checkout. For online sellers especially, adding PayPal as a payment option requires minimal technical work.

Clover: Plug-and-Play Hardware With Flexible Processing

Clover devices are plug-and-play, requiring no technical ability for setup. The interface uses a logical layout with separate tabs for reporting, orders, transactions, and inventory. The virtual terminal displays prominently as a green button at the top of the screen.

Clover is owned by Fiserv, which handles payment processing on the backend. However, merchants can choose their own processor, which adds flexibility that some competitors do not offer.

Total costs depend on hardware, software, and processing rates. Hardware ranges from $49 for Clover Go to $1,699 to $1,799 for Clover Station. Software costs between $0 and $84.95 per month for one register. Processing fees run 2.3% to 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction for card-present payments.

Additional costs include a one-time application fee of $150 and a debit card setup fee of $50. These upfront costs may be higher than some alternatives, but the hardware quality and software capabilities often justify the investment for businesses with higher transaction volumes.

Stax: Dedicated Support From Day One

Stax assigns every new customer a dedicated account manager to guide onboarding. Equipment purchased through Stax typically arrives within four to five days and works immediately upon delivery.

The company uses a subscription model with no percentage markup on interchange rates. You pay a monthly fee plus a small processing fee per transaction. No long-term contract is required.

In October 2025, Stax announced Stax Processing, marking its transition into a full-stack payments processor. The project was developed and managed entirely in-house. Since 2014, Stax has grown to process over $23 billion annually and serves more than 39,000 businesses and software platforms across the U.S. and Canada.

Businesses can contact support via phone, live chat, email, or a help ticket form. The dashboard interface is clean and intuitive, allowing first-time users to find sales data, send invoices, or view customer profiles without training. For business owners who value human support over self-service, the dedicated account manager model makes the slightly longer hardware delivery time easier to accept.

What to Consider Before Choosing

Transaction volume affects which pricing model makes sense. Flat-rate pricing works well for businesses with lower volumes because there are no monthly fees eating into margins. Subscription models like Stax become more economical at higher volumes because the per-transaction markup stays lower.

Hardware needs vary by business type. A mobile service provider might need only a smartphone card reader, while a retail store requires a full countertop terminal. Compare total hardware costs, including any setup or application fees.

Deposit timing matters for cash flow. If you need same-day access to funds, instant transfer options from Square or similar services may be worth the additional percentage fee. If two-day deposits work fine, you can avoid those costs entirely.

The global payment market was valued at roughly $122.32 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $712.14 billion by 2033. Digital wallets accounted for 50% of global e-commerce transactions in 2024. Choosing a processor that supports multiple payment methods, including PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, positions your business to accept payments however customers prefer to pay.

Each processor on this list has optimized for fast onboarding, but the best choice depends on your specific situation: your sales channels, your technical comfort level, your cash flow needs, and how much support you want during setup. Start by identifying which factors matter most, then compare the options that fit those priorities.

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To save the earth, or at least the word as we know it (from microplastics, greenhouse gases, pollution) all modern-day businesses must make some serious environmental sustainability efforts. These efforts have gone beyond getting employees involved in the business’s green initiatives; it requires being passionate enough about environmental sustainability to carry your customers along. Research shows that businesses that put the planet and ESG first, do better in the long run.

But part of future-positive thinking is helping customers along that path. And this path requires a large effort from inside the business but small things count too. Whether it is as little as selling reusable shopping bags to customers at reduced prices, offering to pack customer orders in custom drawstring bags or reserving the best parking spots to customers who drive environmentally friendly cars. Maybe even offering them EV charging stations for the Tesla. These efforts, if done the right way, always add up to save the environment.

Going green, as we known, is never a quick process; it’s a gradual change that requires constant communication and thought. These are a couple of strategies for engaging your customers in your efforts to go green.

Cut Down on Waste and Inspire Customers to do Same

One of the most effective ways of cutting down waste is recycling. Your business can prompt customers to consider ways to increase the lifespan of products that would have otherwise been considered waste. Research from Greenpeace shows that most plastics aren’t recyclable. So find ways of reducing plastics and packaging from the beginning, and think about Cradle to Cradle. It’s an oldie but a goodie.

Customers could be prompted to recycle if the business makes a point of making reusable items whenever possible. Such items could be reusable cans, clothing, bags, and bottles. Businesses not recycling are missing out on a lot of untold benefits. For one, recycling comes with positive emotions, and you can evoke these emotions in your customers by encouraging them to recycle. Recycling is also inarguably good for the environment and saves both the business and its customers a lot of money in the long run. 

When a business adopts great recycling practices, it puts them in the enviable position of being able to discourage behaviors that are likely to harm the environment. Sometimes all consumers need is a little push to do what’s right. For instance, discouraging customers from using plastic bags goes a long way, as only 5% of America’s plastic gets recycled. When supermarkets in the UK stopped giving out free carrier bags and started selling them, the number of customers who bought plastic carrier bags fell drastically in no time. 

Be Transparent About Your Business Processes

To promote attitudes of sustainability with customers, one must adopt a transparent approach. This involves being open about such important factors as the business’s supply chain. Be open about who supplies the business’s essential product, who does the manufacturing, and how the raw materials are sourced.

When customers are armed with such valuable information as how the products are sourced, it will be a lot easier to convince them to adopt an environmentally friendly approach. See the Connected Butterfly Mark. Of course, it goes without saying that the business at this point should be dealing with suppliers, manufacturers, and associates who adopt environmentally friendly practices. Studies show that customers may even be willing to pay a lot more for products bought from companies that share details about their supply and manufacturing processes.

Use Social Media to Encourage Customer Participation

Since businesses have learned how to leverage social media to improve customer communication, doing business has been a lot easier for businesses who do it right. Social media is a great platform to talk about your business’s effort to remain environmentally friendly. You may show the business’s achievements and goals and also ask for customer suggestions.

Efficient communication systems can help reduce unnecessary resource use and better align business operations with sustainability goals. One approach is using Amazon Connect as part of the infrastructure to streamline customer interactions. This kind of setup can help minimize energy consumption associated with traditional call centers while maintaining responsiveness and accessibility. Clear, well-managed communication also makes it easier for customers to stay informed about sustainable practices and options.

Many businesses do this on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and through their own websites and blogs. These types of social media efforts are typically more effective when you show rather than just tell. Show customers on your social media platforms the things you’ve done to lessen your environmental footprints. Give them pictures of communities you have impacted.

Ways to show could be anything from showing how your products are locally sourced or providing specifics on recycling and energy efficiency practices adopted by your business. You can show this off on packaging and labels if you have joined green or eco associations like B Corp, Fair Trade or if you are a luxury goods item and have earned the Butterfly Mark. 

Lastly, you can also use these online platforms to encourage customers to go green. This includes encouraging them to ride a bike or walk rather than drive a car the next time they come to the store. Encourage customers who do this by offering a discount or other incentives. These challenges give you an idea of how many customers are influenced by your green practices.

Pay More Attention to Stories, Not Just Data

Rather than just show off data on how much your business has done to help the environment, you should focus on putting a human face to your efforts by collecting stories from customers and employees. Get people whose lives have been negatively impacted by pollution to speak on the topic. Also, get people who have been positively affected by environmentally sustainable practices to talk about its benefits. These stories can be told on recyclable bags, fliers, banners, TV, magazines, and social media. These types of stories make an impact on people, and more importantly, they encourage sustainability.

The post Ways to Engage Customers in Your Green Efforts appeared first on Green Prophet.

Founded by Mostafa Talaat and Kareem El-Shaffei, who had $12K seed funding at their disposal when they set out to start a social marketplace for local design, CIRQY provides a platform for conscientious buyers to support Middle Eastern artists and designers.

“CIRQY brings you the hottest, creative designs that will add something new to your everyday life and allow you to express yourself differently,” according to the website.

“On CIRQY you can follow your friends and discover things together; buying, sharing, recommending and collecting your favorite items from your favorite independent artists and designers.”

On offer are art and home decor, accessories, apparel, toys, and stationery, along with various miscellanea.

Both buyers and sellers have to set up an account, but otherwise the platform is very simple to use. It’s possible to search for goods via categories or a search box.

Granted, the quality of the design is not yet as good as Etsy, and it is possible to find Middle Eastern artists and designers on Etsy. But there are some neat creations available on CIRQY that are handmade, mostly, by local artisans – and that is worth a lot.

We particularly liked the shelving made from recycled tires, some sweet dreamcatcher earrings, and a set of seats/tables made with repurposed crates. The latter makes a great gift for a college student or someone who is getting their very first apartment but don’t have a lot of money.

Sellers have to apply to participate, and it costs nothing to open their own store on the site, but they will collect a 25 percent commission when an item is sold.

:: CIRQY

The post Ditch Etsy for CIRQY, the Middle Eastern Alternative appeared first on Green Prophet.

Whereas most Hookah pipes are mass produced in factories, this gorgeous new interpretation is handmade in the Netherlands out of matte ceramic, granulated cork, which is one of the most sustainable materials on the planet given how quickly it is reproduced, earthenware, dolomite and other materials.

“The stiffness of ceramics is used in an optimal way,” according to Studio Lorier, which advertises this and other ceramic goods on Etsy.

“Even the cup for the tobacco is integrated in the ceramic top part. Sealing the hookah on crucial parts will be achieved by the flexibility of cork.”

The ceramic base is filled half way with water and the tobacco is placed loosely in the integrated ceramic cup. A stainless steel ring, which is provided, seals the aluminum foil on top of the cup, upon which the charcoal is placed. The product even comes with tongs, as well as a six foot black pipe.

Given the use of natural materials, this handcrafted, artisanal hookah makes conventional pipes look kind of sleazy, but we would be remiss to glamorize the practice of smoking.

(Related: Shiazo’s Burn and Stink Free Shisha Hits the Streets)

For a long time, people assumed that smoking shisha is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, since there are no added chemicals and it isn’t addictive, but a lot of research has come down the pipes to suggest otherwise.

In an earlier BBC article, the paper reports that teens who smoke shisha were found to have high levels of carbon monoxide in their bodies as a result of their exposure to the charcoal.

They had triple the amount coursing through their bodies than those who had not smoked shisha, while the feeling of being high, say experts, may be an early indicator of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The BBC’s Claire Hammond also reported that since people end up smoking a pipe for up to an hour, they end up taking 100-200 times more puffs than they would on a single cigarette.

We hate to be party poopers, especially since smoking shisha in the Middle East is considered every bit as acceptable as binge drinking in some western countries, but we say – if you’re going to do it, you may as well do it in style and in a way that is a little more earth friendly!

The post Handmade Earthen Hookah Pipe Adds Class to Middle East Past Time appeared first on Green Prophet.

Chocolates are fattening and the flower industry is often horribly destructive to the environment, so your special eco-friend is unlikely to be impressed with these last minute valentine gifts. (Unless of course you care to make Miriam’s carob balls, which will convert even the most committed Nestle addict.) This year for Valentine’s day, why not surprise your girlfriend by planning ahead? Here are a few creative and perhaps unconventional ideas.

1: Books

What women want has plagued men since they stopped pummeling them over the head with clubs. It wouldn’t be fair to generalize, but many emancipated women today – who have more going on than what shade of polish to use on their toenails – often want to be valued for their minds. To show that you appreciate your loved one’s beautiful eco-mind, why not surprise her with a copy of an environmentally-themed book.

You could try:

Hot, Flat and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman, a good starter book that covers many of the most important environmental themes that every informed citizen should be aware of. Or, if your girlfriend is already super savvy and wants to take the next step, perhaps try A Good Life by Leo Hickman, a guide to living ethically. There are literally hundreds of new books on the shelf, but for serious environmentalists, used books are by far the better option. Also, be sure to check up on your partner’s wish list so you don’t  give her something she has already read.

2: DIY Project

I’m going to take a lot of heat for this, but I would swoon over dead if my (future) partner brought home a recycled, do-it-yourself project that we could do together. Maybe a groovy new  coffee table made out of recycled materials, or some kind of upcycled arts project – like something that might come out of Junktion Studio perhaps.

Not only will this inspire quality time together, but joint creativity often brings the best out of couples. Of course, if your girlfriend is not artistically inclined and would only get frustrated by her inability to do the project, skip to idea number three.

3: ETSY

She may not be so skilled in the DIY or arts department, but that doesn’t mean you can’t melt her heart with a carefully-selected  piece from Etsy.

Everything is handmade and supports every day people who have infused their creations with love and patience. You can find jewelry, wool products  such as Paula Leven’s bags, and all kinds of art. Be sure to familiarize yourself with her style, don’t get anything too off-the-wall – since art selections are often deeply personal; and if you do go a little wrong, she will nonetheless treasure this thoughtful gift for life.

4: An Outing

If, like me, your sweetheart enjoys the outdoors, you can’t go wrong by planning an outing. Something different. Depending on where you live, you might decide to go on a bike ride along the Mediterranean, or in wine country.

Or bundling up in something warm and going for a long, refreshing hike that will not only reinvigorate your body, but will catapult you out of the hustle and bustle of fast life that can often drain your love. Just taking the time to plan something special will let her know how valuable she is to you.

5: Dinner

Maybe both you and your partner are so busy that you don’t have time to take out the whole day to do something, or maybe you have been married for a long time and have babies such that merely getting out of the house for a meal would be an amazing treat.

In that case, why not take your eco-conscious loved one out for a delicious vegetarian meal.

On the other hand, if you are a typically urban couple and eat out all the time, surprise your sweetie with a home-cooked meal. Miriam always has tons of recipe ideas, starting with Baba Ghanoush, which – coupled with a glass of organic wine – should end on a very satisfying note!

:: images via Spixey, longhorndave, liquene, Felix Francis

More valentine ideas from Green Prophet:

Give “LOLI” Organic Sweets to Your Valentine This Year

KAPARA’s Upcycled Gift Ideas (and last year’s giveaway)

How Fair is That Rose, Dear Egypt?

The post 5 Green Valentine Ideas For Your Eco-Girlfriend appeared first on Green Prophet.

For example, the next souk event is scheduled for September 14, the next market event October 5, in their respective locations.  Usually, about 200 merchants set up shop on an exhibition day.

Ads for ARTE advise, “Take the pledge; Buy handmade in the UAE!”  Passers-by can find loads of handmade crafts, from pottery to clothing to kitchenware, in the stalls.

And the marketing people who made that ad announcement weren’t kidding – handmade in the UAE is the number one criterion for any item on display.  Imported goods are a no-no.

Crafts have to have been created in the UAE, and by the stallholders themselves.  That also means that these craftspeople are truly passionate about their work; they can’t slip some cash to a friend to cover their “shifts” at their stalls to do their business.

Some of these artisans aren’t your everyday run-of-the-mill craftspeople.  They “think outside the box” and find new ways to create things of beauty.

Table decorations from driftwood collected on the beach is just one example of something rare and beautiful, not to mention environmentally smart, that will be on display September 14.

The plight of small business (tiny business!) owners like these individual artisans is felt by ARTE co-founders Paul Townsend and Miriam Walsh tell The National: “It can be very difficult to set up a small boutique…you need serious money. We’re offering a cheap alternative so that people can test the market and see if a product actually works…  We’re not in it for the money; we’re there to promote handmade products in Dubai. There is a huge number of people in this city with a lot of talent who need to be seen and appreciated.”

And there is the proof, ladies and gentlemen: where there is art, there is love.

If you’re in Dubai and in the mood for a shopping spree, choose a day when ARTE is coming out and strutting its stuff!

P.S.  ARTE also sells some items on Etsy here!

::ARTE Facebook page

The post ARTE for Artisans of the Emirates – A Middle East Craftsperson’s Extravaganza appeared first on Green Prophet.

Colorful plastic bags are both the canvas and the paints in Aviva Sawicki’s artworks.

Plastic bags are a ubiquitous and un-eco-friendly material that many sustainable and upcycling designers have tried to reuse.  One designer has turned plastic bags into shoes, another has made plastic bag wallets, and plastic bags can even be used as crocheting material to knit reusable shopping bags.  There does seem to be a common trend among these designers, though, in that they fuse plastic bags together in order to make them more durable, usable, and pliable.

Israeli artist Aviva Sawicki is no exception, but she certainly is unique in the visual effects and textures that she creates in her plastic bag fusions.

Of her art, Sawicki writes that “the fusion of colored plastic bags becomes a vivid palette that allows unique color combinations, transparencies and textures which [are used] to create a vibrant transformation from rubbish to relevant.”  Who knew fused plastic bags could be so Rothko-esque?

“The unique thing about the recycled plastic bags original works,” she continues, “is that unlike my previous work which was characterized by using self-made recycled paper as my support for paintings and prints, now the fusion of recycled colored plastic bags becomes both canvas and medium.  No painting, not even one drop of paint!”

Sawicki is not only concerned with the visual, however, and her work has a clear environmental message.

Using only plastic bags that she procures from her local supermarket in northern Israel, she hopes that her artworks “remind us that we are a mainly consuming society and appeal to awareness of our environment.”

To see more of Aviva Sawicki’s work check out her Etsy shop, AVIVART.

Read more about other plastic bag designs::
Bag It Up: Inbal Limor Recycles Plastic Bags Into High Art
Tali Gordon Bleicher Puts Her Money Where Her Upcycled Plastic Bag Wallet Is
Plastic Bag Shoes and More Sustainable Design from Israel at Milan Design Week
Recycling Plastic Bags Into… Beautiful Handbags
Think Again: How to Fuse Your Plastic Bags So You Can Make… Fill in the Blank

The post Rothko-esque Plastic Bags Go From Rubbish to Relevant appeared first on Green Prophet.

Origami and some creativity saved these Earl Grey tea bag wrappers from the recycling bin and made them functional again.

We are constantly surrounded by paper.  It is in our mailboxes, surrounding our dry food items, and pretty much everywhere.  It is all too easy to toss unwanted or used papers into a wastepaper basket or recycling bin (a more valid ecological choice), but it would be even better if one or more uses could be gotten out of something before it is recycled.  Israeli crafter Ruti Ben Dror, who has a love for reusing pre-existing materials and color-matching, has found a use for her used tea bag wrappers and other paper scraps in the form of origami.  Her origami creations are not merely decorative, however, and are highly sturdy and functional.

Describing her love for the craft, Ben Dror writes that “in recent years I have been drawn to the magic of folding recycled paper and creating various works of art with them.”

“This kind of art combines my passion for shaping and color-matching with my love for nature”, she continues, “while attempting to preserve and reuse pre-existing materials.”

Ben Dror’s Etsy shop displays masterful origami bowls, magnets and swans made from as many as a couple hundred individual pieces of paper that have been painstakingly chosen for their color or design.  Scraps from old maps or Earl Grey tea bag wrappers are purposefully folded together to create visual harmony, or different colored papers are combined in order to create geometric patterns and designs.

The papers are bolstered by glue and a cardboard base, so they form a durable and sturdy structure.  Ben Dror suggests that they be used to store small items.

Check out more of Ruti Ben Dror’s upcycled origami items at her Etsy shop, Ruti’s Roots.

Read about other upcycled paper designs::
A Wastepaper Basket Made From Wasted Paper
10 Upcycled Paper Cypress Trees to Be Built as Part of Interfaith Ecological Celebration
Liat Yaniv’s Colorful Newspaper World and Upcycled Paper Dolls

The post Upcycled Tea Wraps Into Miniature Origami Masterpieces appeared first on Green Prophet.

Used copper bullets found at a firing range transform into sculptural objects incorporated into rings.

Bullets are, objectively, ugly things.  They have an ugly purpose, and are not much to look at, either.  But what would happen if you removed a bullet from its violent context?  Could it be beautiful?  Israeli designer Adi Zaffran Weisler (the same designer that created the wooden branch and rubber stool) seems to think so, and has created a line of rings in which used bullet cases (found at a firing range) serve as the sculptural centerpiece.

While not the first designer we’ve seen use upcycled materials to create jewelry, he’s definitely the first one we’ve seen use bullets.

In telling the story of how this jewelry line came about, Weisler writes that

“For this work, I collected spent bullets at a firing range and made jewelry out of them.  The rings that were created remove the bullet from its original function and they surprisingly turn into a bejeweled object and emphasize the beauty and aesthetics of the bullet when it is distanced from its surroundings.  Every bullet retains memories and traces of the journey it underwent from the moment it was fired until it was picked up.”

The bullet rings are an experiment in transforming our visual associations with an object, as well as a lesson in recycling.  How can we change the context of other discarded or grotesque objects in order to view them as beautiful?

Since each spent bullet is different, every bullet ring is one of a kind.  The ring bands are all made from sterling silver, and the spent bullets are copper alloys.

See more bullet rings on Weisler’s website or purchase them from his Etsy shop.

Read more about eco-friendly jewelry::
Ecco Ukka Weaves Love, Magic and Recycled Materials Into Fabric Jewelry
Going For the “Green” in Gold Jewelry
Yoav Kotik’s Upcycled Beer Cap Jewelry

The post Adi Zaffran Weisler Makes Upcycled Bullet Jewelry, Not War appeared first on Green Prophet.

Made mostly from used and vintage scraps of fabric, Timo Handmade’s new creations have a warm, old-world feel.

Fabric scraps can be used for lots of things, and we’ve seen designers refashion them in all kinds of ways – like use them to make repurposed fabric shoes, purses made from upholstery fabric samples, and even fabric scrap necklaces.  Israeli designer Timor Cohen, the brain and creator behind Timo Handmade, is no exception, and uses her collection of fabric scraps and knick knacks to create one-of-a-kind dolls, fabric books, blankets and handbags and rid the planet of a little more waste.  In using upcycled and repurposed materials that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill, TIMO’s creations eliminate waste and reduce the need for new materials to be created.

Sustainability is part of the line’s objective, and Cohen writes that

“TIMO is part of the EcoDesign trend, standing up for the right consumption and the right manufacturing, alongside recycling, minimization of manufacturing waste and simplification of processes… The materials are mostly recycled, or scraps of designers’ fabrics.  Scraps of fabric piled up in the studio are used later as stuffing or as material for other products.”

The materials may be secondhand, but the design is completely contemporary and chic.  TIMO’s fabric toys may be suited for children, but they are endowed with sophisticated design that will make adults smile as well.  Likewise, “the objects’ design is current and classic, but the methods of manufacture are traditional.”

With the fabric scrap collection from which TIMO’s products emerged, it is no wonder that they are so charming.  As Cohen describes the collection, it is filled with “a small case of multicolored threads I once inherited, a well-loved shirt, wrong sized, I couldn’t pass on for its magnificent texture… a handkerchief with grandpa’s initials… a romantic dress once found in a second hand shop abroad…”

If only all of us could find great uses for our own collections of scraps.

Check out more of TIMO’s creations at Timo Handmade.

Read more about other designs made from fabric scraps::
Neta in Wonderland (via Tel Aviv)
Zohar Yarom Rethinks the Furniture Fabric Sample
Ecco Ukka Weaves Love, Magic and Recycled Materials into Fabric Jewelry
Inbal Weisberg’s Upcycled Fabric Owls Are a Hoot

Images via: Timo Handmade

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