Katya the Intern again with part 2 of my Eco-home tips & tutorials series (here’s part 1). I will be adding new posts to this series about every 2 weeks, all summer long!

Lately, I’ve been cleaning out things and revamping my desk/craft area. It helps to create a much more pleasant working experience when everything is organized. Plus, you can recycle all the junk you find in the back of your desk drawers (you know you have some!) Good for the Earth, good for your organizational sanity.

Another bonus is that rather then paying for all new notepads and desk organizers, you can dig around your house and find plenty of things to use to herd your pens, pencils and papers. By using the ‘trash’ around your house, you are helping to keep our landfills a little emptier, your wallet a little fuller and your life a little more organized.

I’ve put together a few tips, tutorials and finds to get you started on the process. Everything here is meant either to tidy up or cute up your workspace.

1. Recycled soda bottle organizer from Craftzine
2. Recycled tin message board from Design*Sponge
3. Cardboard cord holders from Sei Lifestyle
4. Recycled notepads from Paper n Stitch

5. Fabric tape from Annekata
6. Recycled woven notebook from CraftStylish
7. Tree bark pen holder by Martha Stewart
8. Coffee can cubbies from Leethal Blog

9. Cardboard box notepads from Craftypod
10. Security paper business card holders from Crafting a Green World
11. Recycled cork containers from Paper ‘n Stitch

One thing I’ve been meaning to do since I’ve gotten back from vacation is to thank my wonderful guest bloggers. They made my break possible and I’m so grateful.

So, here’s a great big giant thank you going out to these ladies:

1. Victoria Smith of sfgirlbybay
2. Christine Martinez of LAMA Designs
3. Ellen Baker of The Long Thread
4. Nicole Docimo of Blue Bicicletta
5. Erin Loechner of Design for Mankind
6. Constança Cabral of Saidos da Concha
7. Natalie Zee Drieu of craftzine + coquette
8. Margie Oomen of Resurrection Fern
9. Amy Ng of Pikaland
10. Nicole Robertson of Little Brown Pen
11. Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl
12. Kelly Rand writer for DCist.com and Crafting a Green World.
13. Bonnie Forkner of Going Home to Roost
14. Diahn Ott

Diahn Ott shares some road trip inspiration. I’m be back on Monday after my own trip! - jen

By guest contributor Diahn Ott

There are days when inspiration seems to come out of the woodwork, and everywhere I turn I see a new idea for a painting, or a composition for a photograph. And then there are those other days. You know the ones I mean…Those are the days that stretch into weeks and occasionally into months where it seems that the ideas get stuck in the mire of everyday life and nothing is working.

There’s only one cure for those days…

Road trip!

It’s always amazing to me how getting out of the ruts we create for ourselves can spark a new idea…a new feeling…a new color palette…I recently took a road trip and ended up in Jefferson, Texas – a small town near the Louisiana border. I have a feeling I’m going to see a lot of these colors showing up in my own paintings very soon.

You don’t have to go far, you know. Just take a walk, or drive a new route to work one day. Go to a different park and walk your dog in a different direction. Open your eyes to a way out of that creative rut and get busy making those fabulous things you make.

About the contributor: Diahn Ott is an eclectic, self-taught artist, working primarily in water-based media such as gouache, watercolor and acrylics. She loves combining paints with ink, images with words, and natural with industrial elements. What separates Diahn from other artists is her ability to locate, and accentuate, the beauty in the ordinary by manipulating layered elements with the purity of line work. Her work can be viewed on her blog, Ottwork  and purchased at her Etsy shop, Ottwork Studios. 

Bonnie Forknor from Going Home to Roost returns the guest blogging favor today with a post about handmade garden goodies.  - jen

By  guest contributor Bonnie Forkner

Hi everyone! I’m so happy to be posting here for Jen today, and so excited to meet you! Even though my thumb is a bit of a muddy green, I’m a garden junkie. Digging in the dirt, raising chickens and picking flowers are all passions of mine, but I love to take gardening even a step further. With indoor planters and garden inspired art and jewelry, I can keep the warm and sunny feeling of spring around me at all times. I hope you enjoy some of these handmade garden goodies!

I’ll be sharing some more garden goodies over at going home to roost today, so be sure to stop by and take a peek!

Clockwise :: how does your garden grow, hanging airplant pod, navy slugs, vintage yellow tin watering can, farm fresh eggs, the earth is alive, herb garden plant markers, double flower sterling and pearl love ring

About the contributor: Bonnie Forkner is the editor of going home to roost. There, you’ll find her sharing diy projects, recipes, gardening ideas, handmade finds and passions for embracing a simpler way of life!

My former intern, Amy, put together an Indie Style 101 outfit that’s just perfect for the beach. - jen

By guest contributor Amy Anderson 

1. Sandals from Elena’s Designs   2. Towel from Turkish Bath   3. Earrings from Punky Bunny   4. Bag from Bayan Hippo   5. Swimsuit from Anazara    6. Sunglasses from Takemoto

About the contributor: Amy Anderson is a former Indie Fixx intern and a recent graduate of Northwestern University. Amy has wanted to be a journalist since she was just 5 years old and she’s into the indie design and crafting scenes as well.

Kelly Rand, from Crafting a Green World & DCist.com, has put together a summer tutorial roundup. - jen

By guest contributor Kelly Rand

Now that it is officially summer, thoughts tend to wander to laying on the beach, at the pool or just hanging out in the backyard with a cool glass of lemonade soaking up the sun. Here are some great summery tutorials to get you beach, pool and backyard ready.

As the temperature rises and the sun’s rays a little harsher, light and breezy clothing is just what the doctor ordered:

This shirred dress tutorial by Kuky Ideas can be altered to any size and is the perfect light summer clothing option. Bonus points? It can be worn as a beach cover up.

Speaking of the beach, a good beach bag is very important and one made from old beach towels is super thrifty, eco-friendly and fun.  Alisa Burke shows you how to combine several patterns and colors for a fun and funky bag.

Swimming is one of the best parts about the hot months. Getting into cool, clean water and splashing around is simply the best. Help a boy out and make him these smart and sassy   swim trunks from  BurdaStyle.

Still have some leftover terry cloth from your beach bag? Then make this adorable  pool cover up by Prudent Baby for your little one. The tutorial is thorough, clear and well thought out.

Need a beach tote that’s a bit more grown up? Try this altered tutorial by Say Yes to Hoboken. This beach tote is a perfect carry all with pockets for an ipod and all your trashy beach reads.

For another great summer clothing option, this great top by Laura Nelkin is an ideal pattern for beginner crocheters and sewers. Its simple design is airy and light, and perfect for those lazy hazy days of summer.

What’s your favorite summertime tutorial? Please share in the comments!

About the contributor: Kelly Rand is staff writer for DCist.com, lead writer for Crafting a Green World, and is co-founder of Hello Craft, a non-profit trade association dedicated to the advancement of indie crafters and the handmade movement. Kelly is a compulsive knitter and avid maker who believes that handmade will save the world.