BOOKS:
currently reading
Getting Things DONE,
study and research
Cradle to Cradle,
The Travels of a T-Shirt in a Global Economy,
Big Cotton,
life changing books
Healthy at 100,
The Seven Mysteries of Life,
The I Ching,
the child inside
Lorax,
Above All Be Kind,
stories of harmony
In Pursuit of Weasure,
Trees Talk,
May 7, 2008
One of my fantasies was fulfilled this week. Harmony Art fabric made the COVER of a magazine. Living Crafts is a thoughtful publication and we are honored to have our Eyes of the World fabric featured in their summer issue.
April 25, 2008
Ok, that's a tad dramatic but I have to celebrate a wee bit. On April 8th we sold out of Sweet Jane. The new batch arrived at our warehouse on April 25th. Why all the excitement? Timing a production run of organic fabric is VERY hard. The lead times are long and keeping fabric in stock is a serious challenge. The fact that we timed it within days is next to amazing. It helps that we printed this in the USA, but I am still reveling in the timing. Hopefully all the new runs will go so smoothly. (Hey, I can dream!)
April 25, 2008
Just over a week ago, we took a road trip to Santa Barbara. On the way, we detoured to see "the babies". My brother's twins are now 13 months and SO much fun. You can see them pictured here wearing bibs generously gifted to them by Deanna of Ja*lu. THANK YOU Deanna! They will be well used and loved.
April 15, 2008
As some of you know far too well, leading a balanced life while running a new business can be a serious challenge. I have been trying hard to make some life/work adjustment and have recently been experimenting with the concept of one computer-free day a week. I have even been calling it my sabbath. Today, I received a link to this New York Times article from my friend Kate from Bebop Baby Shop. She also sent this photo of the creatures she has created using our scrap fabric. Both the photo and the article are good reminders to lighten up. Thanks Kate! I can use all the reminders and support I can get!
April 14, 2008
We were happy to participate in the "A Night of Eco Chic Entertaining" which occurred April 10th in NYC to promote green event planning. This is a picture of one of the tables that Danielle Venokur of dvGreen styled using our digital printed organic fabric. I think she did a beautiful job. You can read more about the event on the ecorazzi blog. Photo credit: Ron Holtz.
April 11, 2008
Have you heard there is 1/3 pound of pesticides in your average t-shirt? Read Coral Rose's blog to get the full, true, updated info about this often quoted statistic. I suggest reading all 4 parts of her Fact Check series. I am SO grateful for people like Coral who are committed to honest, thoughtful information about organic fabrics. THANKS CORAL!
April 10, 2008
If you are in the greater San Francisco bay area, here's another upcoming event you might be interested in: Designing with Conscience ::: A Sustainable Fashion Symposium. It is May 18th at UC Davis and is free and open to the public! The line up of speakers looks fantastic and I know Susan has been putting a lot of work into making this symposium thoughtful and thorough. You can visit the blog for the event to learn more. I believe that LOOK Organics will be in the fashion show. Should be a great event!
April 9, 2008
No, not the state... the fabric. We have just received our very first organic jersey fabric. It is non-optic white and a very nice light-weight fabric. With all the challenges we have had with the interlock knits this may be the solution we have been looking for. I look forward to getting your feedback on this new knit.
April 6, 2008
I am writing this from the airplane on my way home from what definitely classifies as another weasure trip. Back in March of 2007, I was asked to speak as part of a panel for the SAQA/SDA Breaking New Ground Symposium on April 5, 2008 in Wayne, PA. That event finally arrived yesterday.
March 26, 2008
As some of you may have read on my faq page, I am very much in favor of hemp. We have been working on r & d for a hemp fabric and I recently received the first sample swatch. We are still investigating the production of it... so stay tuned.
March 25, 2008
If you have been reading this journey you know I have been struggling with my emails being rejected by hotmail. I am happy to report that issue seems to be finally resolved, but now yahoo mail is rejecting my emails! This is getting very tiresome. If you have a yahoo account and you are not hearing back from me in a timely manner, you may want to pick up the phone and call me. There is a good chance my response is lost in cyberspace.
March 23, 2008
On Easter Sunday, we had a lovely brunch at Victoria and Andy Thomas' house. The food was delicious, the company engaging, the sun shinning and to top it off this incredible one-of-a-kind bird hat, worn by Mike Laine. In speaking with Mike, we learned that he is a woodworker specializing in Japanese design and that he knows and has worked with our very good friend Da'vid Sipos (remember our teahouse from the LA textile show we did in 06?). Small wonderful world.
March 19, 2008
On labor day 2006, I was hiking the annual circum- ambulation (21 mile hike through The Sea Ranch). It was the last few miles of the hike, when I found myself in step with Maryann. We had never met before, but the last few miles flew by as we shared hopes, dreams, visions and philosophies.
March 18, 2008
I am super happy to report that Eddie's Quilting Bee in Sunnyvale, CA now carries the Harmony Art line! If you live in the San Francisco bay area and want to see and feel the fabrics, please take a trip to Eddie's store. The selection he carries is amazing. Big thanks to Eddie for taking the chance on the Harmony Art line. We hope this will be just the beginning of a great relationship.
March 17, 2008
Having spent time in the belly of the beast in a past life, I am still interested in this sort of report from Stanford Social Innovation review. I said it back in 2004, and I will say it again... the evil-empire has the potential to become the eco-empire. Love them or hate them, Wal-Mart's influence on the movement can not be ignored. I am VERY happy they have decided to embrace GOTS. I find this very encouraging on many levels.
March 15, 2008
The latest news about water contamination by pharmaceuticals in 24 major US cities is another sign that our current system of relating to our environment is not working, and we are still at the beginning stages of discovering how we are inadvertently polluting our water, air, soil, and selves. CNN gives the scary details as does Natural News. I liked their recent article on cotton too.
March 11, 2008
The "green movement" talks a lot about fair trade, liveable wages, no forced labor, etc. While I was in NYC recently, I had a chance to reflect, and it finally hit me. We have labor laws for a reason! It isn't healthy to work 14 hours a day 7 days a week. We all need "down" time, family time, relaxation time. I have been working an average of 70+ hours a week for the last 3 years straight. As many start-up business owners will tell you, running your own business is a 24/7 commitment. You never are really away from your work... even if you are lying on beach in the Bahamas your mind will be thinking about your business.
March 7, 2008
For the last 2 weeks, almost every time I try to send an email to someone with a hotmail account it gets bounced back to me. The message I get says that the address is bad but the code references my ISP being blocked as spam. I have called my ISP repeatedly and the latest news is that 2 of the 13 MSN mail servers have us blocked. We are at the mercy of MSN to release the block. My ISP's advise was to just keep sending the messages until you get an unblocked server. Lovely. Seems like 5 out of 6 times my messages come back (not 2 out of 13). It is getting very old. If you have a hotmail account, don't think I am ignoring you, just frustrated with your bouncer. If you have a different email account, please use that for now and feel free to complain to MSN that you aren't receiving mail from your friends who use Starband. Thanks! . . . and thanks for letting me vent.
March 4, 2008
After traveling for most of 2007, I took a vow of travel celibacy for 2008. That said, there are a few exceptions (things I had committed to prior to my ban on travel). Last week was the first exception. Sus and I were in NYC for the Green Products Expo. The event itself was only 4 hours long but when you live 3 hours away from the closest airport getting anywhere takes you an entire day - each way.
March 3, 2008
My friend Debbie recently told me about the Kitchen 08 marketing summit happening April 23-24th in Portland. The line up and speakers look very interesting and inspiring. If I wasn't on my travel celibacy year I would definitely be interested in checking it out. Maybe some of you in the NW might want to attend. If you do, I would love to hear about it.
February 13, 2008
It is not too late to participate in the International Fiber Collaborative. All entries must be received by March 15th. The goal of the project is "to provide an opportunity for people who enjoy working with crafts, whether professional artists, hobbyists or students to come together from all over the world to express their concerns about their countries extreme dependency on oil for energy". Their plan is to completely cover an abandoned gas station in central New York State with 3 foot by 3 foot panels of fabric/art donated by artists all over the world. I stitched a bunch of outdated swatches together to create my square.
February 11, 2008
We were shocked to find out that our fabric appeared last week in the House of Organic Sustainable Fashion Show as part of NYC fashion week. Our fabric wasn't in any of the clothes (that we know of), but rather the underwear that Summer Rayne Oaks, the host for the night, started the show wearing. The designer of the underwear (aka knickers) is Jennifer Ambrose founder of Enamore. What a fun and funny surprise! Click on this link and scroll down to see for yourself. One of our favorite bloggers Jasmin Malik Chua made the post and also our recent feature on Treehugger. Thanks Jasmin!
February 6, 2008
Our good friends at Truly Organic are doing a survey asking consumers about their thoughts/feelings on organic cotton and natural dyes. In exchange for completing their survey they are offering a 10% coupon to be used in their soon to open online store. If you have a minute, please take their survey and give them your input. Act quick, the survey will only be up for a couple of weeks. If you are going to be at MAGIC you can stop by their booth #919 at POOL. We wish them all the best!
February 5, 2008
Having left you hanging in my previous post on Jan 22nd about the predicament of Alphabet Soup, this week's episode brings some progress to the situation. The plan as it stands is to collect and ship back to the printer all of the goods for re-finishing to help solve the shrinkage/expansion issue. This particular print has been so much trouble I am beginning to think it is better defined as my situation comedy than my daytime drama. I am reminded once again of a quote from a favorite song, "nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile."
February 3, 2008
I met with Jeanelle Dech last year when we both found ourselves in North Carolina the same week. Jeanelle is the owner and founder of Adaptive Textiles, a digital textile printer in Pennsylvania. I am happy to report that they have recently added our organic sateen and denim to their base fabric offerings. Digital printing is an exciting technology that allows for on demand printing with zero minimums. We look forward to helping them grow their organic cotton print business. Feel free to visit their web site and/or contact Mandy for more information.
January 30, 2008
Okay, it isn't the denim's fault but I have to admit the latest qc issue is down right aggravating. The white denim arrived at our warehouse at last, but I found out this week that it was not whitened! Aye Caramba. Some days this business just makes you want to scream. I am grateful to report that the few customers impacted have been very understanding. On the bright side, we have consequently added a natural denim to our selection and will be getting the true (god willing) non-optic white denim in a few more weeks. Some months it really feels like one step forward, two steps back. . . but at least we are still heading in the right direction. I hear Mars is in retrograde, maybe that explains it!?
January 24, 2008
Last night I attended a lecture at the Gualala Arts Center about the Usal Redwood Forest acquisition. 50,635 acres of contiguous land is now under the ownership of the Redwood Forest Foundation, Inc.. What makes this land deal so exciting (and Don my redwood superhero), is the landmark way the deal was structured... "the country's first forest acquisition by a nonprofit using 100 percent private capital to close the deal." It is too complex to try to explain in this blog, but the basic premise is a triple bottom line (environmental, social, and financial). Their goals are LOOOONG term - and if they are successful will happen long after we are all dead and gone but the deal is set up to benefit the entire eco-system including the animals, plants, and people that live in the community. This sort of creative problem solving that brings people together, gives me hope.
Januray 23, 2008
My dear friend Jon Sherwood whom I have known since I was 14, just got a new job as the financial manager for Engines and Energy Conversions Lab (EECL). If you have the time, I suggest watching this video and checking out the exciting things that are happening at Colorado State. When I spoke with Jonny tonight, he asked, "What was your favorite part?" My response was that the EECL is grooming and growing agents for real world change. How cool is that?
January 22, 2008
Sometimes this journey feels like a carnival ride, the kind that makes you head and stomach hurt. Today was one of THOSE days.
January 16, 2008
The first roll of the new print run was received today! I have been on pins and needles in anticipation of what the response would be to our new and improved printer. Here's what Deidrea from Hot Mama Gowns reported:
January 14, 2008
Here's a link to an interview on NPR with Scot Case that does an excellent job at defining "greenwashing". I personally try very hard to not criticize others. I know nothing we do is perfect, and I know there are lots of things we, here at Harmony Art, could do better. However, when I see a well-known, national brand (Pottery Barn) putting out statements like, "Oeko-Tex is the world's definitive ecological certification process", I just can't keep silent.
January 12, 2008
Last night after an impromptu hike at the urging of my artist and chef friend Sue Friedland, I ended up back at her house for two bowls of delicious, homemade, vegan split pea and shitake barley soups. Joining us for dinner were my husband, Sue's husband, and renown quilter, Joan Schulze. Joan was in town for the "Out of the Box" show that is opening tonight at the Gualala Art Center.
January 10, 2008
Today we received another big shipment, this time from our domestic printer! In addition to having Alphabet Soup back in stock (now on natural), we also have a new release Moon on a light weight flannel. You may recognize this design from its former life as Pink Moon. It feels great to be (almost completely) back in stock! Enjoy! I feel like the spirits and stars must all be aligned.
January 9, 2008
The wait is over! We now have back in stock: Whispering Grass, Pale Aqua, Whispering Grass black/white, Let it Grow, Light Green, Vein and Light Blue. Since I didn't personally oversee this production run (done in India) I will be relying heavily on the first recipients to give me feedback.
January 2, 2008
As many of you know, we have been patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) waiting for the shipment from India to arrive. I am happy to report that the fabric cleared customs and is now in transit to our warehouse in South Carolina. With any luck (and no new hold ups) we should receive the fabric tomorrow. Since there is SO much arriving, it may take a few days for our warehouse to unpack and sort it all but rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to get these fabrics available as soon as possible. Since, I have not personally been able to inspect this run, I will be counting on your feedback . Thanks for your patience!!!! We will soon have back in stock: Whispering Grass, Pale Aqua, Whispering Grass black/white, Let it Grow, Light Green, Vein and Light Blue.
January 1, 2008
For the 7th year in a roll we have rung in the new year with gratitude. This year's list of 2,008 things we are grateful for was started (appropriately enough) on Thanksgiving and was finished before midnight last night. This year's list was done electronically with the help of many contributors with special thanks to Mary Sue, Bob, Sus and Martje.