We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stephanie Manning and Stephanie Torres. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stephanie, Stephanie below.

Alright, Stephanie and Stephanie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

We officially launched our business in the spring of 2020 and it could not have been a more perfect time. Rewind 20 years back. It was like love at first craft. One of us from the Midwest and the other from the East Coast, we were brought to the West Coast by our now husbands, both born and raised in Bellingham, Washington. Back in 2002, bonded by our names (Stephanie and Stephanie!) our creative adventures bloomed, beginning what would become a lifelong friendship.

We became the best of friends, doing what we loved most – using our hands to create, diving deep into projects like soap making, jam canning, bath salting, eye pillowing, knitting, sewing, and “sew” on. With lots of dinner parties and dancing in between!

The years went by, weddings were had, kids were born, pets came and went and came again, apartments turned into houses. One Stephanie even moved away but quickly returned, unable to resist the beauty and love for the Pacific Northwest.

Fast forward back to 2020, we were ready to turn our love for recycling and eco-friendly living into a business, creating and sharing products that we ourselves are so passionate about.

Life, however, took an unexpected turn as the world began to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. The projects we were excited to produce (and still very much are) were replaced with mask making, donating hundreds to front-line workers, as well as friends and families in need of protection. With piles of material on hand, (much of it donated by loved ones from coast to coast), we began making use of every inch possible to create comfortable, fun, face masks for adults, teens, and children.

Our product line grew and now provides items to help create a more sustainable home and life. We could not be more proud than to take part in creating a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Stephanie Manning moved out west from New York with a deep love for mountains, trees, and all things nature. She appreciated the way of life in the Pacific Northwest, people’s commitment to recycling and the passion in taking care of our planet. She comes from generations of sewers and her mother is an avid (an understatement!) quilter. To this day, she continues to provide us with lots of tips and tricks and sends us beautiful material to use for some of our upcycled products. Stephanie Torres moved out to the PNW from Kansas, having never been further west than Colorado. She immediately fell in love with the beauty of it all and was excited to meet another Stephanie who loved to be outdoors and spend time crafting! While she did not grow up sewing, she bought her first machine that year and quickly learned all the possibilities it brought.
While we have had several ideas for projects and businesses over the years, our true passion lies in sustainability and taking care of the planet the best we can. This begins with making choices that will have the least impact on our environment, choices that create less waste but also let us continue to live our daily lives as humans who eat, sleep, work, and play. For example, our REusable line focuses on doing away with single-use items like paper towels, cotton balls, plastic ziplock bags, and saran wrap. Instead of using these products once only to throw it away, we make ones that can be washed and reused many times, lasting years instead of a day.
For example, REtowels are “unpaper” towels, made from 100% cotton which are a washable, soft replaceable for paper towels. They can be rolled on a paper towel holder and conveniently pulled off as needed. The more you wash them the more absorbable they get!
REusable Snack and Sandwich Bags and Sandwich Wraps are lightweight, easy to pack, and machine washable. Lined with a laminated cotton that is OEKO-TEX & certified toxin-free, they are kid-safe and easy to wipe off or wash. REusable Bowl Covers fit nice and snug over bowls, plates, and bread pans. Great for bread making, potlucks, covering 1/2 a watermelon, cantaloupe, avocado, and onion, the possibilities are endless.
We also use upcycled fabrics to create totes, purses, dog “poo pouches,” and a rejuvenating lavender line of eye pillows, neck wraps, and sachets. Customers often tell us how much they love our fabric choices, fun colors, and unique designs! We strive for zero-waste in our production process, using every piece to create something new, whether it is upcycled or part of the REuseable line.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

At Coast to Coast Sustainable Solutions our mission is to provide people with eco-friendly, sustainable products that are made with quality and care and which can also be washed and reused. By reducing the amount of throwaways in our daily life we make a conscious effort to take better care of this incredible planet we call home. The love we have for nature and where we live motivate us to continue this creative journey and share it with others.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Shopping local and shopping small is becoming more of a trend lately, at least in the area we live in, and that is one of the best things that society can do to support artists and creatives. Seek out small businesses in your town, pop-up markets, art galleries, and local events. When you buy online, read more about who you are buying from. Know that your dollars are going back into your own community or even helping an artist/maker support themselves and their families around the country. The more we all do to support creatives the more creativity we will see growing all around us!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.c2csustainablesolutions.com
• Instagram: @c2csustainablesolutions
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/c2csustainablesolutions/
• Youtube: Coast to Coast Sustainable Solutions

Image Credits
Ourselves and Abbie Kunch Photography