MANTUA, Ohio — Ann Ellis has always used her hands to create things and the holiday season is no exception.
Ellis’ speciality isn’t only wrapping and decorating things in a more personal way. The materials she uses keep the planet in mind.
At her store, Bibury & Company, which she opened in 2020, the shelves are filled with local and sustainable items, many of which she makes and designs herself, including Christmas cards.
“I would take images that I found (in) different places and make them into cards. As time went on, we started designing the cards and we started cutting all the little pieces of paper out collaging them together,” Ellis said.
Ellis said she is motivated by her children.
“One of my kids said to me once, ‘Your generation has really screwed things up for us.’ So, I was like, okay, well, I’m not going to be that person. So, I’ll do my best,” Ellis said.
She came up with ways to keep the planet’s health a priority, especially around the holidays when wrapping paper usually goes to waste. Ellis uses recycled wrapping paper and other items and materials to cover gifts and create name tags.
“Holly is great because it’s got that like, real smooth texture, but I think you could use eucalyptus if you had it,” she said.
While she offers many of these sustainable products in her store, Ellis encourages gift givers to look around their homes and online for inspiration. She said being crafty, creative and planet-friendly may be easier than most people think.
“I think a lot of people are like, perfectly willing to do the more sustainable thing,” Ellis said.
