Several weeks ago, I attended a function to benefit the Itafari Foundation, an organization supporting innovative community projects in Rwanda.

An undulating wave of beautifully colored, handmade baskets greeted me as I walked through the door. I’ve never completely understood the essence of basket weaving yet at a fundamental level these objects are a symbol of giving and sustainability within a community.

Looking over the pieces, I felt a sudden loss as I remembered a friend saying, “When you find your basket, you’ll just know it’s the right one.” I chuckled to myself when she said this to me, because I couldn’t conceive of the day when MY basket would appear.

So I took the challenge. I decided to pick up each basket and hold it.  What was I looking for? The right texture, weight, color, or size?

Suddenly it all started making sense. Once I put a basket in my hands, a modern day Goldilocks took shape. “No, this one is to wide. No, this one is the wrong color. No, this one is too light.” Finally I kept coming back to the same basket, and I just knew she was the one for me.

A powerful sensation resides in depths of a handmade object. These baskets were lovely to look at, but when I held one in my hands and connected through touch, I began to understand its story and the passion woven into its structure by a group of resilient people. These baskets are created by women in Rwanda and are part of a sustainable income project partnered through Macy’s. When I lifted the basket to my nose, I could smell the fresh cut grass, and instantly imagined the hands of the woman who brought it to life.

This Rwandan basket now rests on my desk, softening the sharp edges of my computerized space, while holding and transforming bits of my life. I think it’s fitting to have baskets be one symbol of building peace in Rwanda.

During this season of giving and gratitude, I look forward to celebrating and contributing to projects such as the Itafari Foundation, who seek to support the reimagining of a sustainable and creative ecological culture in Rwanda.

Question: I would like to paint my front door a new color. Are there any colors that are a “no-no” in Feng Shui? Is shiny black O.K?

LS - Portland, OR

Cheryl: Here’s my answer. Traditionally, in Feng Shui, the door is painted red. Since the house in feng shui is sometimes seen as the body, the door is considered the tongue and when it sticks out, it’s like the red carpet at the Oscars; hot and fiery and where a lot of positive energy can find you. However, it’s not always pleasing to the eye to use red since it might not compliment the exterior palette. The door is the point of entry and in my opinion, it should be bright and happy, something that lifts your heart to the sky. Since I’m not a traditionalist and always consider how the heart feels, I would advise you to consider how a black door might feel to you. And if it feels right, go for it.

When an old chair gets a re-cover of 100% recyclable polyester felt, it becomes a marriage of high-fashion and eco-furniture. That and my heart beat goes pitter-patter. Isn’t she fabulous? Her name is Jenny.

Jenny, recently shown at SaloneSatellite in Milan, was created by young Swedish designer Fredrik Färg who presented a range of found chairs that he re-purposed with recycled felt coverings.

Jenny and Arthur (shown above) blend an elegant male/female combo. The fabric design was inspired by vintage tailoring.

Looks like Arthur has some competition in a face-off as Jenny waits to the side. Who will win her affections?

From the designer:

By using old chairs from flea markets and removing the backrest, replacing it with a new textile dress/structure of mouldable polyester felt, I am creating “slow fashion” furniture, giving the old chairs a new glance.

The project, according to the artist, “looks to the beauty of those shapes that never change.” Fredrik takes his inspiration from classic tailoring, such as suits and dinner jackets that never go out of style.  Fabulous.

For more on the designer visit www.fredrikfarg.com.

Question: I read somewhere that it is not good Feng Shui to place mirrors in the Love and Marriage area of a home or bedroom. Is this correct?

The reason I ask is because I want to purchase two matching bedside tables and it just so happens that these have antique mirror tops.

One of the tables would go into the Love & Marriage area of the bedroom. I don’t want to make a mistake that I’ll later regret.

Please advise.

–Deanna

Cheryl: Thank-you for your question. In Feng Shui, the Love and Marriage area of the Bagua reflect the earth element which translates in soft, nurturing, love and Mother Earth energy.

Mirrors in Feng Shui (depending on who you ask) represent the water element and therefore, when placed in the earth element of the Love and Marriage area will tend to water-log the element of earth and thus, decreasing its effect.

In this area, you would want to increase the element of earth and reflect love in your life with symbols that reflect your current or desired relationship. In addition, mirrors in the bedroom activate energy and have been known to cause disruptive sleep patterns.

I recommend going with another set of bedside tables without the mirrors. You can also purchase the bedside tables and simply remove the mirrors. Also, remember to check to see if your bedside tables have soft rounded corners (sharp corners cause agitation energy and can be harmful if you bump up against them) and most importantly, that you absolutely LOVE them.

This story came to me via The David Report and was just too cool for school.  I’ll say it again: I am absolutely enamored with Cultural Creatives thinking outside of the box.  Here’s the story written by David Carlson:

UFO  (Unidentified Feeding Object) is a mono-use disposable plate designed by Andrea Ruggiero for InDisposed – an exhibition which invited designers to address notions of disposability in everyday products.

Lightweight and rigid, UFO is designed to to be used at picnics, garden parties, beach parties or barbeques and disposed of by launching it into the bushes – exactly like a frisbee.

Upon impact, the plates break into smaller pieces and then serve to feed birds, squirrels or rodents, referencing the waste=food principle. The very act of launching the plate makes its disposal shameless and fun (a cross between an olympic discus event and a Greek wedding) and the impact of the plate becomes a necessary component of the process.

In Italian, such mono-use objects are referred to as “usa e getta” or literally, “use and throw” in English. Though semantically disturbing, this was the inspiration behind the UFO concept. UFO is made of a unique composite of blended bird seed, potato starch, guar gum, and a seaweed-like binding agent. The plates are highly resistant to wet foods, vinegars and sauces, yet completely biodegradable, non-toxic, and vegan.

P.S. I heart The David Report.