Name: Julien Jaborska
Shop: Rebicyclist
Website / Blog: www.rebicyclist.com / julienjaborska.etsy.com
Location / Hometown: Portland, OR from Hillsborough, NJ

What do you make, and how are your products environmentally-friendly?
My main product is the bicycle tire belt, made from used bicycle tires. On a local scale it's keeping tires out of landfills, which is definitely a good thing for the environment. I'd also like to imagine, though it might be wishful thinking, that it reminds my customers to take their bikes instead of their cars once in a while.

After sizing the belts, I'm left with lots of tire scraps. I just started turning these into keychains, dog collars, and have some other ideas in the works. This keeps them out of the landfill that is the corner of my garage, which is another good thing.

I take other used bicycle parts, like cogs and chains, clean them up with a degreaser, (also environmentally-friendly, just requires a little more scrubbing) and use them in artworks. This art usually involves mounting the cleaned pieces onto locally reclaimed wood.

Why did you start making earth-friendly goods?
In the case of the belts, I wanted one for myself, and it just kind of spiraled out of control from there. With my cog and chain art I was thinking that these parts just look so cool that it's a shame to throw them out.

What is your favorite material to work with? Why?
I'm really enjoying the wood/metal mix of the cog and chain artwork I make. It's just satisfying to lay them out in interesting ways and see what results. It's especially fun incorporating the knots and broken sections of wood as visual elements into the pieces.

What's your favorite thing you've ever made? Why?
This tends to change as I make new, exciting things. For now, it is one of my cog artworks. I just really like the look of this one. I have some ideas for even cooler ones in my head though, so this one may get ousted once they get made.

Give us a link to one of your favorite resources for running your business:
I started using Outright.com to keep track of the moneys and it seems like it'll make tax-time easier to manage. Other than that, I am flying by the seat of my pants.

Give us a link to one of your favorite handmade artists.
www.brianmock.com - I met him at the Portland Saturday Market. Amazing artwork, and a super nice guy!

What's your #1 tip for living greener?
If you live in a location that allows it, ride your bike instead of taking the car.

What's your #1 tip for crafting greener?
Try to get as many of your supplies as locally as you can. (And by bike, if possible!)

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Being able to ride a bike like this guy.