Julia Andrus is an author, TV moderator, product development specialist, wife, mother, grandmother, and a cancer survivor. She and co-founder Susan Sepaniak launched their company, Eco Green Crafts at the recent CHA (Craft and Hobby Association)trade show in Anaheim, California. Their latest business venture and mission is to protect workers, artists, crafters, and kids from the potentially harmful effects of dangerous chemicals and materials often found in everyday arts supplies.

I am so excited to be bringing all these great, eco-friendly products to the world.


I am very devoted to this project for many reasons. I personally survived a mean cancer (which was a great surprise to my doubting doctors). After learning the 3 major factors that contribute to health (genetics, lifestyle and environment), I realized that although I can’t do much about my genes, I can do something about my lifestyle and personal environment. This inspired me to really look at my life and the things I could change that might make a difference for my future health. Working for years, first in industrial chemistry and then in pigment development, I began to evaluate what the accumulative exposure to certain chemicals might be. I was stunned to discover how many truly toxic materials are in every day art and craft supplies. These materials are considered “safe” because exposure is low, but some of the latest research suggests that even small exposure to toxic materials can be dangerous for many people, and especially for children. I made the decision that I would never use or promote another toxic product. As a result, Eco Green Crafts was born. I found others who shared this same vision and we have gone to great efforts to improve upon and re-invent the most commonly used art and craft products in eco-friendly ways.


We are proud of this line of products. They are of the finest quality and performance—best of all, we are providing a better environment for our manufacturing workers and for those that use our products. For those of us that are avid artists and crafters, and for the children in our lives, this may make a big difference. Cancer is a very difficult thing to overcome. I know this from my own experience, and I had to survive a very tough regime to save my life. It changes your body for the rest of your life and it effects everyone around you. It is the wish of my heart that no one else will have to go through this. Helping create eco-friendly art and craft products is my contribution to making the world safer for my fellow “creatives” of all ages. I like to think this is one of the purposes of my life that cancer taught me.


Our labels are simple and printed on recycled paper. We have used eco-friendly materials whenever possible, but there are some products that we artists can’t live without, such as metallic paints, which do contain some VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). We have anchored them in no VOC bases and improved the ratios of metal pigment to base as much as possible to retain color integrity—although not perfect, this is a great improvement over traditional metallic paints. We use recycled paper materials whenever possible, and our exclusive glue is made from an indigenous plant found in only one place on earth! We are proud of our research and our devotion to product excellence.


We will keep you posted as to the latest research on commonly used art materials so you will be able you make the best choices in your own creative spaces.Thanks for your interest and hopefully you too will have a healthier environment in which to create!


All my best wishes, Julia Andrus

PRESS RELEASE

“GREEN” is the universal color that is saving the world! A new company, Eco Green Crafts, is the first environmentally conscious company to launch a complete line of eco-friendly art and craft products.


This comes in light of consumer demand for products that are safe for their family and better for the environment. Eco Green Crafts products are made from non-toxic, recycled, and environmentally-friendly materials. The Founders of Eco Green Crafts, Julia Andrus and Susan Sepaniak, are both professionals with broad areas of expertise within the art, craft, and home decor industries. Through their collaborative efforts they developed the Eco Green Crafts product line after Julia won her battle with a rare form of cancer. They are now advocates for healthy alternatives to consumer products.


After years of product and pigment development, as well as work in industrial chemistry, Julia began researching the possible effects of chemicals and other substances found in our everyday environments, especially those materials and products that artists and crafters might be exposed to on a regular basis. The results were stunning; the majority of craft products tested contained high levels of volatile organic compounds (“VOC’s”) as well as caustic preservatives, airborne irritants and numerous other potentially harmful substances.


With those findings in hand, Julia and Susan set out on a mission to make safe, eco-friendly products that are harmless to consumers, manufacturing workers and the environment. This team combined their talents to carve out a niche in a highly desirable market, providing customers worldwide with high quality, safe alternatives in art and craft products. Susan emphasizes their company tagline “Where creativity comes naturally™”. Julia states that “One of the things I learned during my own experience with cancer is that there are three basic factors that contribute to serious health issues, these are genetics, lifestyle and environment. While there is nothing we can do about our genetic make-up, there is plenty we can do to improve our personal environments and lifestyles. Using leisure time for creative activities has been proven to reduce stress. Using safe, eco-friendly products for creative projects is a tremendous contribution that can make a healthy difference, especially for children and active crafters.”


The Eco Green Crafts team wanted to start at the beginning of production focusing on the manufacturing environment, so they created a business relationship with an Asian manufacturer, Shenzehn Wingart Art Supplies Co., Ltd. that has the same vision. Shenzehn Wingart is known for creating non-toxic kid’s paints and craft materials for worldwide distribution. They stand apart from most paint manufactures in the world because of their highly trained chemists and devotion to advanced formulas. Sharing a single goal; to make better, safer paints and craft supplies, a “natural” partnership blossomed. The Eco Green Crafts team is invested in green solutions as part of their manufacturing processes, using organic pigments, recycled materials and other non-toxic elements in their products and packaging. They are committed to bringing many more quality craft products to market in the future. They are enthused by innovation!


The Eco Green Crafts product line to be launched in January 2010 at the Craft and Hobby Show in Anaheim, Ca. includes: craft paints, stamping inks, organic glue (all with no and low VOC’s), rubber stamps using no hardwood mounting, recycled paper surfaces, board books, plant fiber clay and clay moulds, artists mediums, recycled glass embellishments, and more.


Eco Green Crafts is a provider of environmental and consumer-friendly craft products. Based in Salt Lake City, the Company is dedicated to another important message “in the world of art, ‘GREEN’ is more than just a color™” with their innovative product line.

Eco Green Crafts Contact Information

Ph: 801.733.4716


Fax: 801.733.4719


For questions regarding orders or products: orders@ecogreencrafts.com


For more information: info@ecogreencrafts.com


For media/advertising inquiries: media@ecogreencrafts.com