Junk Mail!

Just look at this photo!  This is what's left behind after opening and sorting a typical day's mail!

I've shredded almost this much, and I've even removed the brightly colored and interesting bits that I'll recycle!  What an unbelievable waste of resources!  While I'm not a "tree hugger", I do believe strongly in managing our resources, and I hate waste!  Almost daily I receive several 9x12 flat envelopes that contain only 1 sheet of paper!  Often they contain a commission check worth less than the cost of postage!   And there are always duplicate envelopes from the same company.   Whatever happened to a system that gathered correspondence from all departments and combined it before shipping?  Could it really cost more than all the added postage and supplies?  It makes me very sad.

However, this waste is my inspiration for our JunkMail Jewels.  While they don't actually save many trees, they are symbolic of the problem and inspire me to do more.  I use them as magnets, garlands, ornaments, jewelry and hair clips.  They remind me to recycle, to be creative, and they often invite others to share the mission.  Please take a look at our creations.  Maybe you'll find a piece you love or an idea you could share.  We'd love to hear your ideas for creative ways to use all this wasted paper!