Aroundsquare

Aroundsquare is a small social enterprise  - not a business - "devoted to healthy development inside and out". It is involved in a variety of endeavours with leverage creativity and learning and strives to provide high quality, beneficial products and services for greater good.

It's founder, educator, eco-toy developer and international consultant Matt Hiebet claims that his toys "’ll knock the ever-blinkin lights right out of the cheap plastic disposable whizimagig that’s collecting dust at the back of your closet". You've probably already seen or perhaps bought his award-winning Twig building blocks, but it's his colourful Goodwood Deconstruction Blocks that caught my eye. 

 Committed to sustainability, aroundsquare's  Goodwood sets are made from forest-friendly wood in a small, ethically run Chinese factory (yes, that's right, China). You can even donate a playset to a childcare centre in the developing world for just $12.

Simple, no-fuss packaging, colourful and sustainable - One I will obviously be keeping an eye on!

via

Zaishu

Gaskets
Nordic Needlework

Australian Bushland

My Australian readers won't be surprised to see this brilliant design company on my blog. Just look at those patterns! Zaishu Studio make these stylish Japanese-inspired seat-tables from eco-sustainable native Australian Hoppie Pine. The name Zaishu is derived from the Japanese word 'zaisu' which refers to a seat without legs used in traditional homes.Their seat-table was inspired by the slot-together wooden beams found in Japanese Buddhist temples as well as the Japanese respect for natural materials and rationalization of forms.
Placing five panels of a Zaishu seat/table flat on the floor references the lines and curves of a traditional Japanese Kimono dress.

Sturdy but lightweight, artistic but functional, handpainted, handprinted and easy-to-assemble, these Zaishu seat-tables seem perfect. A suivre...


Found via Inaluxe