Discover Five New Earth-Friendly Exhibitors at Carbondale's Mountain Fair
The Carbondale Mountain Fair began in 1972 with 20 booths showcasing local artists and artisans. This year, 145 vendors will bring their unique and diverse homemade wares to town.
Image: Courtesy Carbondale Arts
Headed to Mountain Fair in Carbondale this weekend (July 29-31)? Among the dozens of artisans who will be selling their wares are a handful of Mountain Fair rookies who practice sustainability by using recycled items, locally sourced materials, and organically grown fabrics. Here, five to check out as you take a break from twirling in front of the music stage, noshing on fare from the food trucks, and catching up with friends you haven’t seen all summer.
The Crystal Bling bracelet from Velo Bling Designs.
Image: Courtesy Velo Bling Designs
Velo Bling Designs: Decorate yourself in jewelry fashioned from gear bits and other recycled bicycle parts. This Lakewood, Colorado–based company also makes bike-themed wine stoppers, keychains, clocks, and home accessories that incorporate repurposed cycle pieces.
Black Canyon Restorations’ bench uses a vintage Cadillac bumper.
Black Canyon Restorations: This Idaho-based couple is doing their part to prevent landfill overflow, using vintage tin and salvaged windows, doors, and hardware to create one-of-a-kind furniture and home accents like mirrors, chalkboards, and coat racks.
Hippy Chic Designs’ belts are made of recycled fire hoses.
Image: Courtesy Hippy Chic Designs
Hippy Chic Designs: Adorn your hips with a belt handmade in Hawaii from repurposed fire hoses, complemented by brass and decorative stitching along the edges. Shorter remnants are made into drink koozies, keychains, and wallets. Designer Dale Coarsey also crafts belts and other accessories out of brightly colored (and new) ribbons.
An intricate necklace from Chaos Creations.
Image: Courtesy Chaos Creations
Chaos Creations: The metaphysical is the fuel to Dan Abernathy’s creative fire, providing inspiration for his fanciful jewelry. He makes all of his pieces—think steampunk with an industrial-chic vibe—out of recycled wire and vintage objects, as well as beads, rocks, and crystals.
Goddess Gear is "casual yet contemporary, but never trendy."
Image: Courtesy Goddess Gear
Goddess Gear: Bamboo, hemp, organically grown linen, and recycled cotton are among the earth-friendly fibers used to create this line of relaxed, modern—and reasonably priced—women’s clothes made in Denver.
