Number Crunching

Been crunching those numbers in excel lately. Looking back in order to look forward. Taking a breath (or two) to collect my thoughts (and dreams). Analyze and strategize.

Thanks you for making those numbers possible and for your support in 2008. I'm looking forward to new collaborations of all sorts. Cheers!

Evolving Into Something Great

Wow. A mention by name and photo in yesterday's CNN.com story 'Eco-fashion: Transforming trash into treasures' made for quite a busy day around here.
Joyce Justicz deserves a lot of credit for Reiter8's mention. She is the owner of Evolve Boutique in Atlanta, Georgia who has stocked Reiter8 bags and pillows since they opened. She is as cheerful as they come and a wonderful spokeswoman for fashionable upcycled products. She comments at the beginning of the video segment. (If you look quick and close you can see a blue star Reiter8 pillow on the shelf behind her!)

I thought the article was interesting. I had always wondered where all the wrappers came from for those Ecoist bags! (watch the video and find out!) I did notice that the comments seemed to focus on a small negative part of the story (Timbuk2 using fused plastic bags some of which have the Target logo and Targets legal issue with it) rather than the spirit of the article which was how people are reusing materials creatively in an effort to be eco friendly.

I must weigh in and say that it's a real effort to use reclaimed materials. It's much more time consuming to seek them out not to mention prepping them. I'm glad I do it though. I've never used a more interesting material and met better people throughout the process. My foremost intent always is to have a positive impact on the environment. And the rest (not without some effort, though!) seems to fall into place.
(photo credit: Ashley Preskar/CNN)

Etsy Virtual Labs

Ok, this is way too fun. Etsy has created a virtual lab were members can drop in on scheduled classes and discussions. For example, Wednesdays at 3:00 the Marketing Room holds classes like 10 Minute Marketing, Marketing Your Shop 101 and Marketing on a Shoe String.

Fridays at 1:00 there are shop critiques in Shop Setup. Daytime hours not convenient? Shop Critique is also offered in the Tree house on Thursday evenings at 9:00. Check the Storque for upcoming schedule and archives of past classes.

Once you settle into the room (yes, the very interactive interface allows you to change seats, spin, raise your hand, laugh, blush, send little hearts, cupcakes or paper airplanes flying) there's valuable info to taken in. The moderators are on a video link and can upload pics and post links. Everyone can comment and add to the content. Voting and polls are periodically run real time and there's no lurking as your icon shows which way you've voted or if you abstained.

It's fun and fast and informative. Thanks Etsy!!

WIP - the sampler

I am taking part in the Brooklyn Sampler! The Sampler is a collection of small items from indie crafters, artists, shops, zines and even record labels who together create a great collection that is distributed to subscribers and Media Reps from all over the world. I promised 100 somethings...(I will reveal my finished contribution after the sampler goes out). They are to be finished and dropped off by Sunday. A sick kid has put a little wrinkle in the schedule today. But I think I had enough padding in the plan to avoid a sewing session that lasts into the wee hours of the morning.



As you can see the back of my tags suggest that you 'consume consciously' and this morning I noticed this blog on Conscious Spending. Lots of good resources - check it out.