Abigail Doan

Abigail is an environmental artist, writer, and regular contributor to Inhabitat.com as well as other eco art and DIY blogs. As a mother of twin baby boys, she is doubling her efforts to try to make the world a more sustainable and visually inspiring place for all. Abigail currently divides her time between an urban nest in NYC, an organic farm in rural Italy, and a vibrant, up-and-coming community in Sofia, Bulgaria. When not crocheting with tencel, hemp, or handspun, she can be found gardening and dreaming about her next green enterprise.

‘Heart for Haiti’ Limited Edition Tees for Valentine’s Day

by Abigail Doan, 02/08/10

The folks at Positively Organic are positively impressive when it comes to combining super cute baby onesies and tees for tots with a socially-responsible business practice. Their 100% organic cotton and sweatshop free designs are great mix-and-match attire for little ones on the move. If you are looking for an eco-friendly way to share in environment and social outreach this Valentine’s Day, look no further than Positively Organic’s ‘Heart for Haiti’ limited-edition baby bodysuits and varsity tees. 50% of all sale proceeds will go to CARE‘s Haiti Relief Efforts. Not only is this a great way to contribute to Haiti’s rebuilding efforts, but it is also a unique opportunity to spread the message of doing good for one of the year’s most touching occasions.

+ Heart for Haiti infant onesie retails for $22 (2 for $40)

+ Heart for Haiti varsity tee retails for $22 (2 for $40) available in four colors

+ Positively Organic

Beetle Blocks Turn Wood Waste Into Wonder for All Ages

by Abigail Doan, 01/05/10

Beetle Blocks are not your typical building blocks. Handcrafted from Ponderosa Pine in Western Canada, their naturally-stained geometric blue pieces are the dye work of a local species of bark beetle that kills and tints the grain of the Ponderosa tree rings. Thankfully, this ‘dead wood’ has found new life in Beetle Block building sets that are not only engaging with their limitless construction possibilities, but also a great way of crafting nature’s leftovers into interactive toys for all ages. Perfect assembled on a playroom shelf or scattered underfoot in the living room, these gorgeous block sets transform a sad tale of destruction into one of resourcefulness and adaptiveness.

+ Beetle Block sets retail for $50 at TRUNKSHOW

Thanksgiving Goodness: 88 Bikes Foundation Gives Children in Developing Countries A Lift

by Abigail Doan, 11/26/09

The art of spreading joy translates to all cultures and peoples, and really has no limits when it comes to locale or economic conditions. 88Bikes Foundation is heroically going the distance to share this message with its global “buy a child a bike” initiative. With the goal of providing a sustainable and empowering form of transportation to young people in developing countries (typically “in situations where children have been challenged to be their own heroes due to war, conflict, poverty, disease, or other regional hardships”), 88Bikes is making a real difference in the lives of kids who otherwise have a very difficult time experiencing the freewheeling spontaneity of childhood and good time fun.

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Matchstick Garden Creates Green Thumb Magic

by Abigail Doan, 10/18/09

If you have been looking for a clever way to spark your little one’s interest in gardening and the great outdoors, consider these super-cute matchstick garden sets that are not only eco friendly but biodegradable, too. Each paper matchstick holds the secret to green thumb success with a savory mix of seeds embedded at the tip for simple planting in either your backyard’s garden soil or a sunny window box. There are ten matchsticks per book, and the culinary options abound with four styles to collect and harvest: Mixed Herbs, Wildflowers, Italian Garden, and Mixed Greens. Each matchbook is a pocket-sized 3”w x 2”h, with simple planting instructions included. They will help you to cultivate some green magic as party favors, stocking stuffers, or even Halloween treats!

*We suggest that parents first talk to their kids about the difference between igniting a passion for gardening and playing with dangerous household matches, though.

+ Matchstick Garden books are available for $3.50 each from ROMP

Home on the Go: Eco-Friendly Pack Away Campervan for Traveling Tots

For any family that is ‘on the go’ as much as mine is these days, it is great to come across pack away toys that are both imaginative in concept and eco-friendly. Home on the Go is a cute little campervan that your wee ones can tote along, no matter how far from the nest you opt to venture. Cleverly designed as a 13 block set that allows for 1300 ways to arrange the pieces, this versatile and colorful play kit has no limits in terms of getting some very good mileage out of imaginative play.