Father's Day is coming up fast. Here are some eco-friendly handmade finds that dad will love!

Sure, it's probably faster to hit the big box store for Father's Day, but handmade gifts have so much more heart than mass-produced items from chain stores. Not only are handmade finds more fun but they're often a lot better for the planet and probably produced under much better conditions than factory-made gifts.

Beer Soap

Is your dad a beer drinker? Treat him to a pack of handmade, vegan stout soap! The soap comes with an upcycled gift tag made from an old beer box.

Garden Bon Bons

This is no box of chocolates! If your pops loves digging in the dirt, hook him up with an awesome set of seed bombs just for his garden. Each bomb grows a bouquet of edible flowers. Yum!

Aviator Locket

These cool interchangeable, magnetic necklaces are made from used steel car parts. No, really! They've got awesome aviator artwork on the outside and space to put a photo of you on the inside.

Mother's Day is just over a week away, which means there's still time to buy handmade for your momma!

Handmade gifts have heart, and there are so many handmade artisans out there that are not only making products on a small scale but using eco-friendly materials to do it. When you buy handmade, you support an artist that's living her dream, and when you buy environmentally friendly handmade products, you're helping the planet, too. What better way to honor your mom than with a gift that does good, right?

Is your mom into gardening? These Garden Bon Bons are just the thing! They look like decadent truffles, but they're actually seed bombs loaded up with edible flower seeds. Mom can plant them in her food or flower garden and harvest beautiful edible flowers to spice up salads or even garnish cocktails. Fun!

If mom's more of a jewelry gal, she will love these reclaimed sea glass pieces from Sea Find Designs. I just love this necklace with the sweet little bird on it. Go ahead, make a Portlandia joke! Birds are pretty, and I'm not sorry!

Of course, you want to top off your Mother's Day gift with a sweet card that's as eco-friendly as it is beautiful. I'm loving the elegant simplicity of these recycled brown bag Mothers Day cards from Baci. She prints them on reclaimed paper grocery bags!

Can you believe that Mothers Day is less than a month off? It's coming up fast on May 8th, and if you're looking to buy handmade now's the time! Finding just the right Mother's Day gift can be tough, so we've rounded up some beautiful, eco-friendly finds that are sure to make mom happy!

>>Next: Antique Locket

I just learned that the kids here in Atlanta start school again on August 9th! That seems crazily early to me. Didn't school start closer to fall when we were kiddos?

My running partner and I were talking about that first day of school. Her kids are so excited! They've already picked out their first day of school outfits, and they're on the hunt for bags, binders, and other school supplies to get them ready for class.

Are your kids getting ready to start classes again? Why not send them off with some of these eco-friendly, handmade finds!

Get those kids organized and ready for class with:

1. They can tote their supplies in style with this organic messenger bag.
2. Keep those pens and pencils in order with a cute quilted pouch made from reclaimed fabrics.
3. For taking notes, this recycled paper notebook is just right!
4. Help them organize their assignments with an upcycled magnet board.
5. A recycled clip board made from an old circuit board is perfect for doing homework just about anywhere!
6. For younger kids, this coloring bag made from repurposed jeans is handy for toting books and art supplies.

When do your kids start school again? Are you picking up new school supplies for them, or are they reusing items from last year?

Father's day is coming up on June 20th, and I don't know about you, but I have the toughest time shopping for my pops! I like to either make gifts myself or purchase handmade if that isn't a possibility, and there just isn't as much handmade goodness out there that's dad-appropriate.

A bit of diligent internet-scouring turned up a nice batch of handmade Father's day gift options from eco-minded crafters. All of these crafters use repurposed or organic materials to create awesome gifts that any dad would love!

1. If your pops is a busy fella, help him tote his stuff in style with this recycled man bag from Mandinka Designs. They make the bag entirely from revamped suits, and it's got plenty of pockets for all of his gizmos.
2. Strawberry Hedgehog has your Father's day covered with her all natural shaving set! It comes with a handmade shaving mug, vegan shaving brush, and her mending minerals shaving soap.
3. Don't you just love Pierogi Picnic's twist on the usual necktie? Her Blue Skies Tie is made from a thrifted t-shirt.
4. From Marz makes these sweet mp3 player stands using all reclaimed wood. They double as business card holders, if that's more your dad's speed.
5. Really, what would dad like more than to spend some time with you? Tanja Sova's reclaimed wood tic tac toe game promises quality time long after Father's day is over.
6. Is your father a creative type? Does he love jotting down his thoughts or making lists? He might dig this upcycled blank book by Monkey Dog Studio. Not only does she make her journal covers from old record albums, the pages are 100% recycled paper, too!

Have you guys run across any good handmade Father's day ideas? We'd love to hear about them in the comments!

Still haven't found that perfect Valentine's day gift for your sweetie? Rather than hitting up a big box store, you can show a little love to your giftee and an independent artist at the same time with one of these eco-friendly, handmade finds.

Even last year when spending was down, Americans shelled out over $17 billion for Valentine's day presents! Imagine the difference that money would make if your dollars went to support an indie businesses making eco-friendly products! Not only are these finds better for the planet, they're helping the handmade community continue to thrive.

It's getting down to the wire, and items that are coming in the mail may not make it in time for the big day. If you're worried about showing up empty handed, you might try printing out a picture of your in-transit gift on recycled paper and including it in a card. Maybe with some recycled forever flowers?

Go to the Valentine's Gift Guide →

Image Source: Spirit Cloth & Jude Hill on Flickr

A great way to go green this holiday season is to take the Handmade Pledge at BuyHandmade.org.  We've assembled a list of great handmade gifts that'll lighten your footstep and lighten the heart.

Go to the Handmade Gift Guide...

Also, if you aren't taking the pledge check out our 2009 Holiday Green Gift Guide too.