Earth Friendly and Fabulous!

You Can’t Eat Organic Cotton….

2010-03-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

Many of us understand the importance of, and regularly spend extra money, on organic food. But we often forget, or are unsure of, the importance of choosing organic textiles. For those of us who need a little reminder, here is a quick refresher course on the importance of organic textiles, and in particular, organic cotton.

Threefish Baby Hat

Like organic food crops, organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.

About 25 percent of the world’s insecticide use and more than 10 percent of the world’s pesticide goes to cotton crops. Some of these chemicals are considered to be the most toxic chemicals in the world. The health risks of pesticide exposure include birth defects, reproductive disorders and weaker immune systems.

Funchi Baby Bootie

Pesticides, bleaches, and other harsh chemicals can remain in the fibers of cotton even after washing, and are easily absorbed by our skin. Our children are the most sensitive to chemical exposure and their immune systems are not equipped to handle toxin overload. Not only is the conventional cotton "crop" exposed to a multitude of chemicals, but during the process of converting raw cotton into finished textiles, chemicals such as petroleum scours, softeners, brighteners, heavy metals, flame and soil retardants, ammonia and formaldehyde, are added to the product. Choosing organic cotton products can help lessen the effects of these toxins on your child's system.

Organic Quilt Company Blanket Set

Wearing clothes, and choosing products, that are inherently chemical-free is just plain good for you and those you love. And when it comes right down to it, some of us do ‘eat’ organic cotton!

Ecoleeko Teether

Written by: Becky of the Organic Quilt Company

Meet the Team Green Works

2010-03-03T15:20:00.001-08:00

Your Name: Maura

Shop Name: Green Works

Etsy Shop Address: http://greenworks.etsy.com

Blog: http://nuorganics.blogspot.com

Website: http://nuorganics.com (work in progress)

Twitter: http://twitter.com/GreenWorksEtsy

Please start by telling us a little about yourself, your family, and your art form.

I'm Irish - born and reared in a rural village in the middle of Northern Ireland and moved to the big smoke when I was 19 where I've lived ever since. Growing up was a green experience - though as a child I didn't realize that. Sewing, knitting, crocheting and rug making were all crafts I learned from my mom and gram as a child while baking and cooking just fell under regular household daily chores. Nothing was wasted at home - food from one meal would typically be re-worked into another meal and vegetable produce that couldn't be used like peelings went into a special bucket which was collected every other day by a lady in the town who used the scraps to feed her pigs. Clothing was passed around siblings and cousins (I got the cousins as I had no sisters), clothes were taken up and in or down and out as required and mended till they became indecent - then they would find a new life cut up to be used for some other sewing project or dust rags. I remember there was always a stash of buttons, zips, broken jewelry and fabric scraps in the attic and I was what we called a plunderer - I loved rummaging through stuff as part of my daydreamer lifestyle.

Lots of relatives had animals - mostly chickens, ducks, geese and a few goats and cows. My great aunt made her own butter and taught me how to milk the cows and later let me help with churning (hard work!) and then patting the butter into shape. I never liked sweet milk but loved buttermilk and remember being able to take a glass out of the earthen dish - so cold and delicious! Collecting eggs was always a thrill especially if there were duck eggs, because I loved those, and she would let me take them home. Geese eggs were alright but a bit too big for me to finish off on my own. Another aunt had a huge garden full of vegetables and it was normal to be sent out to pick the spuds (potatoes) and other veggies for dinner. Fruit was more of a luxury product that we got from neighbors for jam making or from briars along the road - blackberries especially grew wild around town. But I'm digressing!

Art wasn't something that I experienced much until I went to secondary (high) school and while I didn't like the subject I do remember getting the chance to screen-print (once) and that that was interesting and fun. Maybe it's too harsh to say I singled out art as an unloved subject - in truth I hated the school and my time there and spent most of my time daydreaming about out of the place - so I didn't learn much of anything. Well except French - I enjoyed those lessons - because they offered a glimpse into a far away place.

So in essence I grew up during a time and in an environment where people lived close to nature and were thrifty - nothing was wasted. In part that was an economical necessity but also there was a strong awareness that in other parts of the world famine, starvation and poverty were rife. We were blessed - and waste was an insult to all those people who had nothing. So we re-used, recycled, re-purposed without really thinking about it - it was just part of everyday living and the ways things were.

Moving those experiences onto organic was a natural step really - the whole idea of living off the land as much as possible and being close too and respectful of nature is in my blood.

Where and how did you start or learn your medium?

Screen-printing I learnt about 3 years ago and it was a pragmatic decision. I had started to buy organic and hemp clothing and wanted to make a living reselling these as part of being involved in promoting a greener more organic way of life. At that time no one in Northern Ireland sold hemp ... and organic cotton garments were a crazy price. Plus everything was very plain and needed some color and design! Thankfully my friend is artistic and can produce designs - so his designs with me screen-printing led to Green Works. We took a pitch at a local market but most of the local consumers weren't ready to pay a bit more for organic so that was limited and there weren't that many craft events around - so when I found Etsy as a venue it seemed perfect. The objective was, and still is, to make organic and sustainable clothing affordable and more mainstream.

Will you share at least one thing that defines or inspires you as an artist?

Fair play. From a selfish perspective I worked in the social care arena for years and have little to show materially (like a pension) for that - but I did burn out. That sounds a bad and maybe needs clarified - I have always lived simply and never felt the need for the latest gizmo's/latest fashions etc but when working is all about giving your heart and energy and you're left struggling to keep up with the most basic of bills something isn't right. So I reached a point of self-determination that inspired me to work for myself and re-nurture my spirit. From a global perspective I see the earth also being abused and reaching the end of it's tether.

What defines and inspires me is the belief that we can all make a difference that in the end can benefit us as individuals as well as collectively. One of my favorite quotes and source of inspiration is:

“Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.” - Cree Saying

The Planet Green design is a play on words - we wanted a design that would overtly promote the green message - while at the same time incorporating a more subtle reminder of the adverse impact of the other green (money) on our planet.

What is the best piece of advice you can give aspiring artists?

Try to find a community of like-minded people for support. Teams on Etsy can be one way if you live somewhere isolated. Go to as many craft fairs/events as you can - they are a great way to meet other crafts people and get feedback from customers. Feedback is very important as I think many (or most?) people who create have more than their fair share of self doubt - which is natural when you think about it - as creating is really about exposing an inner vision in an exterior product.

Do you have any short or long-term goals you would like to share with our readers?

Short term I really want the nuorganics site to get up and running and be successful. It has been in the pipeline for too many years. Short term too I want to master marketing! I need to shed my reticence and put myself out there - all tips welcome!

What first attracted you to using organic materials?

Hemp was actually my first love and as more certified hemp becomes available that is where I see the nuorganics site focusing on. It is such a marvelous and versatile fiber and any plant that can rejuvenate the earth has got to be promoted.

How do you think that buying and manufacturing organic handmade products benefits society?

There are many benefits - the positive health aspects that wearing, eating, using products which aren't laden with chemicals, pesticides etc brings, the fair trade policies and fairer distribution of wealth that genuine organic supporters believe in and adhere too, the global care of our most precious resource - the earth itself, the self determination at the heart of homemade products, the connectedness between producer and consumer ... and if I can dream the ultimate downfall of the large corporate machine as people re-learn how to value themselves and each other :)

Where or how did you come to start selling on Etsy?

I can't remember where but I read a blog article that mentioned Etsy - so I checked it out - liked what I saw and joined.

How did you come to find a home on the Etsy Organic Team?

For me it started way back in April 08 when I first met organicdog another seller on Etsy (who has since left) on the forums. She had tried to drum up interest previously in an organic team but had no joy progressing the idea. We ended up chatting about it over email and it took off from there. The Etsy Organic Team was then founded in July of 2008 and the rest is history.

Meet the Team Flower Child Creations

2010-02-24T13:07:00.000-08:00

Your Name

Dhanya Falkenstein

Shop Name

Flower Child Creations

Shop Address

www.flowerchildcreations.etsy.com

Please start by telling us a little about yourself, your family, and your art form.

Hello, my name is Dhanya, pronounced dawn-ya, and I am an artist. There is not a medium I haven't tried, well maybe not welding, yet! I run a small shop on Etsy called Flower Child Creations. We offer organic, airbrushed, earth friendly, one of a kind and few of a kind, wearable artwork, for babies to kids, adults, and some of my paintings are listed as well.

Painting shirts and one-pieces for our little girl’s arrival two years ago is what initially inspired the Flower Child line. At the time I was a full time massage therapist and Asian body-worker only painting part time preparing for our daughter’s birth. Although my parents, who are also artists, and I have been airbrushing children’s and adult clothing for over 30 years between us and have sold at craft shows and boutiques all over the world Etsy is my online selling debut.

I grew up in a small community of artisans in southern Oregon who expressed themselves through a variety of cottage industries. There were basket makers, a button maker, weavers, drum makers, a blacksmith, seamstresses, farmers, potters, glass blowers, bakers, the list goes on and on. So I feel right at home in Etsy's hand made community.

I live in AZ with my little girl (she’s 19 months) and her father and love every second of it! Together we run a small, family owned hotel in Sedona as our regular “day job” and juggle our toddler between artistic pursuits and the hotel’s daily tasks. We feel very fortunate to spend so much quality time together as a family. It seems rather rare in this day and age.

When we are not on duty we spend as much time as we can walking in canyons, riding bikes, swimming, listening to music, drawing, painting, exploring fields of grass with our little girl, pointing out birds in the sky, stacking blocks, singing kids songs, reading children’s books (one of my dreams is too illustrate children’s books one day), rummaging through thrift stores, preparing yummy organic food, and so on.

Where and how did you start or learn your medium?

The first time I touched an airbrush I was about five years old. Both of my parents are talented multi-media artists and I was always around airbrushes as a child. I dabbled with the machine as a youth but I didn’t get serious until after high school. I was more interested in dance, music (I was a pirate/community radio DJ for almost 10 years as well as doing shows and parties), photography, and traditional brush painting techniques in my younger years.

I took an airbrush portrait painting class in college that really sparked my interest in the craft. Airbrush can be extremely challenging at times and very technical. The mechanics are one of the things that take the most time to figure out and are the biggest turn off for a novice. Lots of patience and practice make for a successful airbrush artist. You have to love doing it and be prepared to mess up or break something important on occasion.

Will you share at least one thing that defines or inspires you as an artist?

Love.

Does where you live and create influence your creative process?

Yes, it’s almost over whelming at times. I have to really focus to get thing accomplished. There is inspiration everywhere I look around Sedona. Talk about eye candy it’s hard to drive here sometimes there are so many beautiful views.

What is the best piece of advice you can give aspiring artists?

Be yourself. Trust yourself. Listen to yourself. Follow your gut. How ever you want to say it. Life is way too important and way too short to be taken seriously. Art is a life long path and life is art. Take your time, slow down, enjoy the process even if it is challenging at times, being creative is it’s own reward.

Do you have any short or long-term goals you would like to share with our readers?

I am currently working on new adult line (under a different name) that I will preview on Etsy prior to launching our website. Having a toddler makes for time frames to be a bit looser than in the past but with luck it will be done with in the year (fingers crossed).

Our family’s long-term goal is to build an Earthship here in Northern Arizona. An Earthship is a sustainable home that uses rain caught water, is built from 90% recycled or reused materials, and is completely self sufficient, self contained structure. It uses mainly passive solar energy to heat and cool itself and is perfect for the desert. The largest community of them is outside of Taos, NM. Who knows we may turn it into a Bed and Breakfast.

Where or how did you come to start selling on Etsy?

I opened my shop in September 09’ after a long summer craft show season. Everyone I've met is so helpful and ready to share his or her experiences it's great! Etsy is a truly wonderful community of artists and I am thrilled to be part of it. I am inspired every time I browse through categories, read about other artists, do random searches, there is always something new to discover.

What first attracted you to using organic materials?

I have always used organic materials in the way of food, bath and beauty products, and fabrics. The hand-made, do it your self, ‘organic’, ‘green’ lifestyle is how my parents raised me.

We started using organic fabrics in our clothing line as soon as we started finding affordable sources. They were scarce a few years ago or super expensive. The organic line of shirts we use today costs the almost the same as conventional cotton clothing. We are committed to using only socially and environmentally minded materials in the making of our line. We also do our best to run a zero waste studio by reusing and recycling anything we can there by lowering our over all environmental impact.

How do you think that buying and manufacturing organic handmade products benefits society?

Buying and selling organic makes the world a cleaner, healthier, happier place to live. We cast a vote every time we spend our money on goods we put into and onto our bodies.

When we choose organic and sustainable products to eat and wear we are sending a message on a vibrational level to everyone we come in contact with. It's like a silent bill board saying "I care", I care about myself, I care about the planet, I care about you, I care about the person who made the clothes I'm wearing and so on. We essentially surround ourselves with a thoughtful presence that makes an impact on society at large whether they or we are conscious of it or not.

I see the green movement becoming more widely accepted and understood every day and it puts a smile on my face. We are moving toward a brighter more beautiful tomorrow for all the kids. They deserve to inherit a beautiful, clean, peaceful planet.

How did you some to find a home on the Etsy Organic Team?

EOT was the first team I explored, I poked around the team members’ shops, read their philosophies, and I felt like there were like-minded people involved. I applied and I am so happy I did!

Come see our new home!

2009-08-20T22:28:00.000-07:00

The EtsyOrganicTeam is back and open for business. We're accepting applications.

You can find all of the info at www.etsyorganicteam.com

Come join us and help share the organic mission!

Building up!

2009-07-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

if you've been following the development of the website, you know that it's going through a growing phase, linking sections, building new sections, and tweaking everything until it's juuuust right. Oh, and fixing typos!

A cursory check of the site might not lead you to all of the nooks and crannies that are now part of EtsyOrganicTeam.com. So how 'bout we take a short tour? :)

First, we have the Etsy Shop. Here, we currently have a couple of listings from founding members. Each member will be able to have a couple of listings in the Etsy Shop that will redirect to their Etsy shop directly. Another great way to get people into your shop!

Next we have a Meet the Team section. Each category will have their own, customizable page where they can put up a photo gallery, their category requirements, special team promotions, etc. There will also be a team directory where people can look for organic sellers in particular categories and find all of the information they need to know. This section will also have 'spotlights' on team members and team categories. These interviews and write-ups will be featured on the blog, as well.

Our For Members section is dedicated to EOT members' needs. We have a section where members will be able to check out and pay their membership dues -- the money directly being deposited into the team treasury. There are also forums where team members can chat, discuss promotions, work out category issues, and generally be a team.

One of the issues with the past forum set up was members not wanting to visit another website each day. Now, members will be able to subscribe and respond through email. Stickies will keep important information to the top, and the divisions will make pertinent information easier to find. Or so we hope!

There is also a new, organic reference and resource section. This is handy for non-members, as well, so feel free to share your favorite organic link!

Make sure to check around the website and see all of these nifty features yourself!

Introducing.....WindyHillFibers!

2009-06-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

Shop Name: WindyHillFibers

A Little About You: My name is Christine Vivian, and I live on six acres in Iowa farm country with my husband and a number of (formerly) stray cats who adopted us. I was diagnosed with lupus in late 2000, and my business evolved from the process of learning to live with the subsequent changes in my life.. Since I had always been interested in the fiber arts, my business naturally developed from what had previously been a hobby. Having my own business allows me to work when I want, and to rest when I need to, which is important when living with a chronic illness.

A Little About Your Products: I create clothing and accessories from natural materials,
including organic fabrics, natural fibers, and all-natural colorants. I love historical and vintage clothing, so my clothes are inspired by the clothing of previous eras, but I try to make the styles appropriate for a modern woman. I want my customers to feel good in my clothes, so I always keep design and comfort in mind. Because many of my pieces are one-of-a-kind, women have a chance to purchase something that is truly unique.

What about the organic mission inspires you? Having grown up in a home with a huge backyard, I have a well-developed affection for nature. I believe we must respect our ecosystem and all the creatures that share it with us. My husband and I try to live a green life by eating organic food, growing our own organic fruit and produce, and trying to be energy-conscious.. Every time I am out in the yard, I see something in nature that amazes me, even if it’s something as simple as the way a pea plant curls around the trellis, and this reminds me of how important it is to preserve all the diversity of life on our planet. My business reflects this commitment to the planet, which is why I use organic fabrics and natural dyes. I want to bring my customers clothing and accessories that are eco-friendly in multiple ways, that are as "green" as possible, and that are good for them and the planet.

I recently wrote a post for my blog detailing all my efforts to make my business as eco-friendly as possible, and you can read it at: http://windyhillfibers.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-does-eco-friendly-mea n.html

What’s your current project? I am currently working on transitioning to an all-organic product line, while working more with natural colorants, such as plant dyes and earth extracts. While I do enjoy some aspects of summer, my favorite season is autumn, so I am already planning my fall line, which will be all organic.

Where Can Your Products Be Found? My clothing and accessories are available through my Etsy
store

Blog: http://windyhillfibers.blogspot.com and
Twitter :http://www.twitter.com/windyhill

Team Member Special

2009-04-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

All my Mama Love gift sets are on sale -- this week only -- for 30-40% off! Mama Love perfumes are all natural and, depending on which one, 98-100% organic. Great for Mother's Day and other gift-giving occasions or use them for yourself. Mama Love combines the emotionally uplifting and healing properties of flower essences and aromatherapy with principles of fine perfume making... but you won't impact a room (or other people) when you walk in. They're made to be USED by the body. Made to aromatherapy standards and designed for issues like "Releasing Worry and Fear", "Doing New Things with Confidence," "Attracting a Partner," and many others, they work by changing how you feel from the inside out.

Smelling good makes healing fun! And an opportunity to buy them at such deep discounts won't come along all the time! So take advantage of this chance now and get several for all the people on your gift-giving list. Visit the Mama Love shop! Check out the SPECIAL SALE section now through April 26.

Ecofriendly Easter Egg Dying

2009-04-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

by Jo Cullumbine of greensprings0

The whole family is coming for Easter Brunch along with our extended family. It is snowing right now so I hope it clears up by Sunday for our annual Easter Egg Treasure Hunt. My daughter will be bring her organic chicken and duck eggs, which we will dye with pieces of old silk ties. It is super easy and so eco-friendly. I use old silk ties that my husband no longer wears and cut a piece of the tie big enough to wrap around the egg. You can find silk ties at thrift stores or the Free Box.

Then cover the egg with a piece of cotton material. I use cut up old sheets. Once all the fabric is wrapped around the eggs I secure with a twist tie and place them in a pan full of cold water with a heaping tablespoon of vinegar and boil as usual. When you remove the fabric you will be left with beautiful unique colored and patterned eggs. Try it; the kids love it! I got this idea from an old Martha Stewart Magazine.

Then, we have a treasure hunt with lots of clues and my husband hides the eggs in our woods (we rope off an area). The golden egg which we make from a yellow or gold tie will be well hidden as usual so the adults can have fun helping the little ones search. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Earth Friendly and Fabulous

2009-03-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks, naturalstar, for this great EOT treasury!

Vote for EOT Etsy's Beauty Best Bets

2009-02-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

Rock the vote for Etsy Organic Team members!!

The Storque's latest poll is in the Bath & Body Category and TWO of our members have been nominated as contenders for Etsy's

Beauty Best Bets!!

EtsyOrganicTeam congratulates mmmmhandmadesoap & SpaGoddess for being 2 out of 60 Etsy sellers in this contest!!

While we know EOT bath & body members have passed strict ecological guidelines to become part of our group, here's a bit more on these eco-fabulous sellers....

SpaGoddess creates aromatherapy spa products & organic facial care for Angel Face Botanicals using the incredible healing powers of essential oils in her products. Made with love, you can feel their magical botanical energies further enhanced with your heartfelt belief & positive affirmations.

mmmmhandmadesoap makes luxurious handmade bath and beauty products, gentle on the most sensitive skins and with ethics gentle on the most sensitive souls. And a little congratulations to Mmmm...Joanne for the birth of her gorgeous baby boy last week.

Do Your Part & VOTE for Organics!

Surely our Eco-friendly members will rise to the top!!

Voting ends 3/2/09.

Introducing...Herbfriend!

2009-02-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

Shop Name: H erb Friend’s Shoppe

A little about you: My husband and I own a small herb nursery and pecan business called Gabrielle Acres Farm. My interest in herbs began many years ago and has grown constantly. I love nature and natural things and have always had a great interest in soapmaking. Four years ago, after an accident at our local farmers’ market, I begin to realize how important it is in life to accomplish the things that you dream about. I began my soapmaking career using organically grown herbs in my soaps.

A little about your products: My soaps are made with the finest vegatable oils and butters with an interest in using more that are certified organic. All herbs are grown organically. During the summer months, we follow organic methods in growing vegtables. I love making my cucumber mint soap with my fresh cucumbers from our garden.

I also love to infuse my herbs in oils and use these to make butters and balms. My husband and two grown daughters are some of my best customers and keep my busy formulating and making these natural balms.

What about the organic mission inspires you? I love nature and the outdoors. After spending time in Northern Canada one summer while my husband was attending a French class, I became aware of the clean air and land up there. The population there was very sparce. I remember seeing someone throwing out an empty can in the wilderness, and thought about how quickly this beautiful land could become spoiled. That opened up an awareness of our land and the need to nuture it for future generations.

What’s your current project? At this time, I am working on propagating herbs for the spring and summer season. Our gardens are full of chamomile and calendula right now. We grow these during our winter months, because it is so hot during our summers. My English Lavenders are growing and the cuttings have rooted. Our climate is far from the best for growing lavender, but I still have enough plants and love to harvest it! I almost have enough chamomile and calendula to start my solar infusions in organic virgin olive oil.

Where your products can be found: We have an herb festival in early May and we have our herb plants and soaps for sale there. My Etsy shop is very new and it can be found at herbfriend.etsy.com. We also have a web site: www.gabrielleacres.com

Blog : gabriellesgarden.blogspot.com

Etc.

New EOT Treasury!

2009-02-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks again to NaturalStar for this lovely EtsyOrganicTeam treasury!

Introducing...SweetMemoriesQuilts!

2009-02-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

Shop Name: sweetmemoriesquilts.etsy.com
A little about you: I am a Mom, a Wife, a Small Business owner and a Mean Green Crafting Machine!

A little about your products: My products are for the whole home and family including a wide range of Baby Products, Bedding, Kitchen and Winter Gear etc.
What about the organic mission inspires you?: I believe in Organic because I believe in the health of my family and the planet.

What's your current project: My newest lines Soylicious and Crisp Cotton are currently being released. Soylicious is a luxurious combination of Soy and Organic Cotton including Fitted Crib Sheets, Receiving Blankets and Bummy Wipes. The Crisp Cotton Collection is 100% Organic Cotton and includes Fitted Crib Sheets, Flat Crib Sheets, Pillow Cases and Fitted Single Sheets.

Where your products can be found: sweetmemoriesquilts.etsy.com or www.smqorganics.com
Blog: www.smqorganics.com/blog

EOT Treasury!

2009-01-30T08:39:00.000-08:00

Thank you greenthing for this lovely treasury!

First EOT Treasury of the New Year

2009-01-24T08:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks to NaturalStar for this lovely treasury.

Another Fabulous Treasury!

2008-12-11T15:22:00.000-08:00

Thanks, again, NaturalStar, for putting together such a lovely treasury!

Introducing...willywaw!

2008-12-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Shop name: willywaw

A little about you: When I was growing up, my Dad would tromp us out into the woods with our Peterson Field Guides in hand to discover and identity what was growing there. So it’s by nature that I still find inspiration for my art and designs. My name is Ashley Van Etten and I live in Narragansett, R.I., with my husband, Joe, and our rescued border collie/Alaskan husky, Cody. Joe is a marine engineer, avid diver and kayaker. I love the ocean and the creatures that inhabit the shore but I also have a passion for mountains and snow.

I've worked as a freelance illustrator for over 15 years and enjoy creating just about anything. My favorite mediums are oil, watercolor, screen prints and wood. I have a B.A. in studio art and background in fashion design. At one time I designed couture under my own label and after volunteering on a trail crew in the Tetons lead to a move out west, I designed ski clothing and outdoor gear for five years.

My Etsy shop shares the name of my web site, willywaw.com, and my design studio. Named after the ferocious arctic winds that sweep down coastal mountains and slam onto the ocean (I like reading non-fiction arctic adventure), Willywaw is the creative outlet for my own work.

A little about your products: A few years ago I became a master gardener. The program teaches sustainable gardening practices and reinforced my concerns about the environment, so choosing organic textiles was a no-brainer. My tote bags are screen printed on organic cotton canvas, and I use hemp webbing for the straps as it wears better than cotton. I am trying to buy only fabric grown and milled in the U.S. and get most of my fabric from NearSea Naturals and their blog but I've had to make some compromises. For now, my t-shirts are not organic and the decision to offer a t-shirt with great cut, style and colors won out. The dye house does have a state of the art water treatment recycling system and is in New England so they get some points.

What about the organic mission inspires you?: When I swim in the ocean or dig in my garden, I think about how what goes in is going to come out, or go somewhere, or end up back in me. I’d like to be part of a solution not part of the problem.

What’s your current project?: My big project right now is building a bigger light box so I can burn very large screens. My tote bags are screened as one piece and then sewn so I am limited by the size of the tote I can create. Customers have expressed a lot of interest in bigger bags, pillows and new styles. I’m also working on multi-colored prints and paint as often as I can.

Where your products can be found: Right now I am only selling on Etsy. I will be at the URI East Farm Spring Festival next May and the Coastal Growers Farmer’s Market at Casey Farm throughout the summer 2009. Both events take place in Rhode Island.

Portfolios: www.willywaw.com
Shop: willywaw .etsy.com
Blog, under construction: willywaw.blogspot.com

Fabulous EOT treasury!

2008-12-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

Another lovely treasury put together by NaturalStar.

EOT Green Christmas Treasury!

2008-12-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

Check out this great treasury by greenthing:

Introducing...ecogeneration!

2008-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Shop Name: ecogeneration

A little about you: I have always been conscientious about how wasteful we are as a society but I wouldn’t classify myself as an environmentalist in the traditional sense of the word. I recognize that we live in a disposable and “we want it yesterday” era that quick and convenience take priority over worrying about landfills or the environment, even including me, at times. But I am changing and I owe it to both my mom and my mother-in-law. They have been the ecological savvy matrons for years without knowing that they were saving the environment. In fact, they were being just frugal! They don’t buy any new plastic containers. They always reuse ice cream tubs, yogurt containers, Chinese Take Out tubs, and alike… (Now, the studies have shown that they may leak chemicals into foods. Yikes!). They also reuse glass jars before recycling became mandatory. Now, I, the one who always complained that we had too many empty glass jars and plastic containers in the pantry, am filling my own pantry with glass jars and non-recyclable plastic containers. I am also looking at ways to reduce buying the “want’ items and just buying the “need” items. I also started converting some non-recyclable items into functional housewares (see bottle caps) instead of throwing them out with the trash. I am also buying organic, including my knitting yarns. I have organic and natural rubber mattresses. I have organic sheets. I use phosphate free laundry detergents (safer for the local waterways) that are plant based (Eco brand). I don’t use commercial cleaning agents anymore; instead, use vinegar and baking soda (another one of my mother in law’s secret for years). I started making my own dishcloths, inspired by my mom, and haven’t bought a commercial sponge in years.

So, after considering many of my friends suggestions to sell my ever growing selection of handmade ecological goodies, I decided to sell them on Etsy….not just to make money (trust me, I’m not retiring any time soon) but also to educate and send out a message that we should all reduce, renew, and recycle. And we can do it in style.

A little about your products: My Organic Washcloth is long lasting and is so soft (and gets softer with each washing) that it can be used even on babies’ soft and sensitive skin. The washcloth gently exfoliates tired cells and you’ll feel so much cleaner. I use 100 percent certified organic cotton and dyed to meet the organic guidelines. I also made reusable makeup remover pads with organic cotton yarn. These pads will eliminate the need for disposable cotton balls or make up remover pads. Teenagers can use them for their acne prone skin. They’ll love using them. The organic pads can be used over and over, saving you money but also the environment. I started out making dishcloth before I started selling on Etsy. I’d give them away to my friends and family. I love them because they clean better and last longer so they don’t end up in landfills as quickly. (I don’t use organic cotton yarn for the dishcloths or scrubbies because, frankly, rougher acrylic yarn cleans the stains better than the soft organic ones.) I have other products on Etsy but they are not made with organic materials. They are made with reclaimed or repurposed materials so they are still contributing to saving the environment.

What about the organic mission inspires you?: My mom developed an allergy to formaldehyde from years of working in the garment industry. Formaldehyde is used in almost everything we come in contact with, including fabric, lotion, soap, furniture, and more. She also loves gardening and prolonged exposure to pesticide and insecticide in the past has made her become very sensitive to any chemicals. I started buying organic more conscientiously after she started feeling all that. But I won’t buy organic products from another country. It defeats the purpose of being environmentally conscious if we have to have them shipped or flown from a foreign country, wasting energy. We have so many fine products produced right here at home. Of course, I’d prefer to go to a local farmer’s market and buy “Local Organic”. That’s the best.

What's your current project: It’s a secret. No, seriously, I am currently working on making some toys using plastic bottle caps. I already sold a set of birds’ nest magnets (my avatar) that I made from plastic bottle caps so I am really happy that I am putting these non-recyclable caps to use. I am also knitting a preemie’s set: a hat, bootie, and glove with organic yarn. I’m hoping to finish them for Christmas season.

Where your products can be found: ecogeneration.etsy.com

Blog: ecogeneration.blogspot.com

EOT New Look!

2008-11-20T07:43:00.000-08:00

If you didn't notice the poll on the side of the page for a week, you might noticed now that the EOT pursued a new look and now have it!

Many thanks to the talented BoolaBoolaLand for her patience and all of the work that went into this!

From our Treasury Master...

2008-11-17T13:23:00.001-08:00

Another wonderful EOT treasury from NaturalStar!

Another EOT treasury!

2008-11-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks to NaturalStar for this lovely compilation!

Introducing...RoseBudOrganics!

2008-11-09T07:59:00.000-08:00

Shop Name: Rosebud Organics

A little about you: I'm a work at home Mommy with a 15 month old baby girl and one on the way. My husband and I are in an organic folk rock band called The Art of Whimsy, so we're on the road a lot, but I always make sure to bring a craft bag along. I absolutely love letting the creative juices flow in crafty, expressive ventures. My shop focuses on baby attire, but I also love photography, watercolor painting, collages, scrapbooking and finding ways to use up all the knick knacks I can't help but collect. (I just started a yarn jar for small peices of yarn that I know I'll find a good use for someday...)

A little about your products: My items are all organic, and mostly geared towards babies, though I have some brooches and bath items on there as well. I love embroidering and started making personalized onesies for friends' babies awhile back. My mom taught me how to crochet when I was 8, so as soon as I was pregnant with my first child I started making all sorts of little hats and things for her. The shop kind of grew from there.

What about the organic mission inspires you?: I was inspired to make my own organic baby products when I had my own little one and realized how hazardous the world can be when you're so very small. My whole lifestyle was revamped as I learned about organic living. I started out by throwing away all the cleaning products in the house and making my own. I also planted an organic garden, started composting and recycling everything (not just the bottles and cans), and started trying to support sustainable and organic companies. I hope to raise my little ones to know that God has intrusted them with the care of the earth as well. We're all in this together.

What's your current project: Where to start?! I'm currently making note cards, elf beanies, tie-dying onesies, and have a load of stuff I need to put up on etsy that I haven't put aside the time for yet.

Where your products can be found: So far my products are on etsy, occasionally on ebay, and sold at the merchandise table at The Art of Whimsy shows.

Blog: rosebudorganics.blogspot.com

EOT Treasury!

2008-11-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a lovely EtsyOrganicTeam treasury by NaturalStar!

Another lovely treasury!

2008-10-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

Another great treasury from turtleparktots!

EOT Treasury!

2008-10-14T18:18:00.001-07:00

Thank you, turtleparktots, for arranging this lovely EtsyOrganicTeam treasury!

A treasury!

2008-10-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a lovely team treasury by NaturalStar:

Treasury!

2008-10-02T15:19:00.001-07:00

Here's a lovely treasury from GreenWorks:

The Dog Made Me Do It!

2008-10-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Article by EtsyOrganicTeam member Organidog

That’s what I tell people when they ask me how I came to the wonderful land of Etsy. Now granted, I wasn’t tied and held at paw point, but without my two canine companions, I wouldn’t be here.

In 2003, I had the wonderful experience of becoming a doggie mom to my Siberian Husky mix, Anakin. As a first time puppy parent, I wanted to make sure that not only would he have a loving and nurturing home, but a healthy, plentiful source of nutrition. With all of the kibble and treat options filling the grocery store shelves, I was confused and overwhelmed with what would be the most beneficial choice for my little guy’s diet. I took my query to the internet and what I saw was disturbing. The bags of commercially produced of kibble I inquired about promised “whole chunks of chicken and fresh garden vegetables.” Digging deeper into the translations of “chicken meal” and “lamb by-products,” I found synthetic vitamins, beaks, hooves, chemical preservatives and other not-so-appetizing ingredients littering my pup's choices for dinner. With no readily available alternatives to this problem, I began my quest to provide my dog with a healthy alternative to processed dog food and dog treats.

I researched the ins and outs of canine nutrition and found what ingredients were beneficial to the growth and overall wellness of my pup such as omega three fatty acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, and Vitamins D, E, and K, which are crucial for growth, appetite, gastrointestinal regulation, and skin and coat health. I also kept close eye on what ingredients I needed to steer clear from, such as theobromine, grapes, raisins, and onions.

As a wholehearted supporter of organic farming, I wanted to incorporate a mission for chemical free diet as well. Specifically, organic refers to the way food is grown, as well as the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to preserve the environment for years to come. Organic products such as meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that have not and will not be given antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Foods can be labeled organic only after a government-approved USDA inspector inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is compliant with each and every rule necessary to meet USDA organic standards .

In experimentation with ingredients, I conjured my own recipes, and before long, I had created a healthy and tasty diet that not only my own dog enjoyed, but the dogs of my neighbors and friends. I began to sell my dog treats in small volume, but after several years, I decided that it was time for me to share my wholesome healthy goodness with a larger market. I stumbled upon Etsy during the summer of 2007 and have been here spreading the good word since! Etsy has been key in my ongoing quest to reach and teach as many doggie parents as I can. I’m a proud member of the Dog Mafia Team, where a fabulous group of Etsians meet to discuss and promote all things dog.

I run my Etsy shop Organidog with the help of Anakin and the newest four-legged addition my household, my adopted Siberian Husky, Vader. Running shop can be quite tedious with eight paws in charge of quality control. They taste test a sample from each and every batch to ensure it is 100% deelish.

While what each doggie parent chooses to feed their pup is a personal decision — raw versus cooked diets, what is best for their breed, advice from their veterinarian, and personal convictions — all of these factors weigh heavily on what we feed our furry companions. Etsy has a multitude of dog treat sellers to satisfy the most persnickety of pup parents.

While I am all about the dogs, we can’t forget our other four-legged pals, the kitties. From freeze dried salmon treats to kitty collars and catnip lovies, our feline friends make their mark on Etsy as well with a plethora of shops offering fabulous items to choose from! My fellow Dog Mafia Team members LuckyFiona and BentleysBones have catered to this calling. While Lucky Fiona makes small-scale collars for our kitty companions, Bentleys Bones creates a catnip toy in the shape of fortune cookies. With over 6,200 pet items for sale here at Etsy, it is clear that we value our furry, scaly, fluffy, and slimy friends.

Introducing...herbanlifestyle!

2008-09-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

Shop Name: herbanlifestyle

A little about you: Back in the late 1990s/early 2000s, I had a handcrafted
herbal bath and body product business in New England. I sold my all-natural
lotions, masques, balms and oils at my local farmers market, as well as through
my (primitive by today's standards) online store. I delighted in the process
of creating new products, and I took great pleasure in learning about the
aromatherapeutic properties of essential oils and the healing properties of
herbs.

Then one day, I took a position in NYC, which made my days very long. I soon
found that I had little time for my business. So, reluctantly, I let it go. But
I never let go of my herbal habit. I loved the process, and continued to
make bath and body products for myself, family and friends.

I live in the DC area, working as a wellness consultant and Reiki practitioner.
After 10 years of self-study in aromatherapy and herbalism, I began formal
herbalism studies early this year, and it occurred to me that this would be a
great time to re-start my herbal bath and body product business. So, after
several months of planning and formulating, in August I launched my new love
child 'Herban Lifestyle'.

A little about your products: My products contain pure oils, essential oils and
herbs, which are either certified organic, or pesticide-free/chemical-free.
They are handcrafted in small batches using natural and organic ingredients,
pure-essential oils, earth-friendly packaging, and made with Love and
Gratitude! Currently, I offer a range of bath salts, bath/massage oils, lip
balms and body balms.

What about the organic mission inspires you?: Natural living has been a way of life for me as long as I can remember, and I am so happy to see the recent
paradigm shift that has opened up tons of new choices in terms of access to
organic products. It's great to see that people are making the connection
between their consumer habits, their health and the environment. I like knowing
that I am part of this movement to improve the quality of life for all living
beings. Plus, I've always felt that organic foods, body products, clothes,
etc. smell better, feel better, taste better!

What's your current project: I'm working on a line of dream pillows with a
fellow Estyan who does fabric art. Stay tuned!

Where your products can be found: herbanlifestyle.etsy.com

Blog: herbanlifestyle.wordpress.com

Etc.: My other non-Etsy related blog is stellarself.typepad.com

Treasury!

2008-09-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

Here's a lovely treasury by shecological.

And another by NaturalStar:

Quick, fall EOT promo swap!

2008-09-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

I will be hosting a promo swap for members of the EtsyOrganicTeam. There's been some interest expressed on the flickr group, but I thought I'd put up an official entry.

First, a note. This will be a US-based swap, to make things easier in terms of organizing and making sure that no one's promo packs get confiscated by customs. brendaml mentioned that she'd be interested in sending promos to members outside of New Zealand, but she agreed that it would be easier to do on an individual basis -- at least, for the moment.

Instructions for this trade:
-----------------------------------------

1. Send in only promos for your organic stores. Other included, non-organic shop promos will be returned to you.

2. Please include $5 for return shipping. These will be sent in Priority Mail Flat Rate envelopes to minimize shipping costs. If it turns out that we don't have many participants, I will send them First Class and include excess postage. Please DO NOT send printable labels through PayPal, as these are only good when mailed from your location. Contact me if you'd like to pay for postage through PayPal or RME.

3. Keep in mind that the promos you mail in will be divided up among the participants. Currently NINE people have expressed interest. I will keep you updated on those numbers.

4. I will begin packing promos as I receive them and will be sending out everyone's envelopes on 17 October (changed to compensate for Columbus Day). That's three full weeks to get them to me for this quick trade before the holidays.

5. Contact me through the etsy convo system or email me at fluffnflowers [at] gmail [dot] com for address information.

Introducing...turtleparktots!

2008-09-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

Shop Name: turtleparktots

A little about you: My name is Jennifer and I'm a work at home momma of two beautiful boys ages 14 months and 3 1/2 years. I have been sewing forever and I started to make baby accessories after the birth of my first son. In January I decided to stay at home with my baby boy and make my love for sewing and passion for fabric into a business.

A little about your products: Turtle Park Tots is a line of handmade, modern and functional accessories for momma and tot. I have recently introduced the Green Tots(tm) line of organic baby accessories. This line features beautiful organic fabric from Harmony Art and the highest quality organic cotton fleece and terry cloth. Currently, the Green Tots(tm) line includes organic changing pads, bibs and burp cloth sets. More organic accessories are in the works.

All Turtle Park Tots/Green Tots items are handmade with the utmost attention to detail and using the highest quality designer fabrics. All Turtle Park Tots accessories are double and topstitched for durability and longevity.

What about the organic mission inspires you?: The health of my babies and the health of the Earth. There are far too many chemicals in our environment much of which we really know nothing about. I've worked hard to create a "chemical free" environment in my house. Whenever possible we purchase organic food/milk, non-toxic/organic cleansers/soaps and other household products (especially diapers). We are also avid recyclers and composters.

I'm now extending this to my business by using Gerber(tm) certified organic cloth diapers in all the Messy Baby! Burp Cloth Sets and by creating the Green Tots(tm) line of accessories which offers organic versions of the already well established Turtle Park Tots baby accessories.
What's your current project: I'm in the process of expanding the Green Tots(tm) line of accessories. I'm adding more fabric choices and designing new products.
Where your products can be found: Organic Green Tots(tm) accessories can be found at turtleparktots.etsy.com, www.boodabubs.com.au (Australia), www.gokye.com (US) and http://en.dawanda.com/shop/turtleparktots (Europe).

Organic fabric choices featured by the Green Tots(tm) line can be found at www.turtleparktots.com.

Blog: turtleparktots.blogspot.com

Treasury!

2008-09-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

A great new treasury by brendaml! Click the picture to go to and comment. :)

The numbers are in!

2008-09-18T11:58:00.001-07:00

Etsy Organic Team has a brand new, official slogan:

Earth Friendly and Fabulous!

Promote your organic shop!

2008-09-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

TickledPinkKnits was kind enough to share two great ways to promote your Etsy Organic shop on the flickr group, and I thought I'd include them here.

EcoBunga - a directory of "Green"-themed giveaways, contests, deals and discounts. They accept relevant discount/contest listings from companies (including small businesses, I assume) right via the website (link below). If you make eco-friendly products and have a sale or a giveaway going on, this may be a great vehicle to help you spread the word about it.

WhiteApricot - White Apricot is a website and online newsletter that is your “go to” place for the latest trends, news and information on eco fashion, organic skin care and natural cosmetics, as well as other cool eco and socially conscious products and services to incorporate into your lifestyle.

Introducing...MamaLovePerfume!

2008-09-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

Shop Name: Mama Love Perfume

A little about you: I make my living partially as a spiritual counselor and healer with my partner Paul and do my Mama Love Perfume business “on the side.” Although, to tell you the truth, some months it’s been the other way around!

I’ve always been drawn to plants and flowers. As a kid I used to spend hours in the woods gathering leaves and berries, mashing them up, and pretending to be a Native American medicine woman (this is true!). Now I make healing formulas for real. My first Mama Love perfumes came as a result of an emotional crisis I was in. I made them for myself and they helped! They’re not strictly “perfumes” at all--they’re spiritually guided formulas combining principles of flower essence therapy and aromatherapy made for emotionally healing purposes. But I believe smelling good makes healing fun so I decided to create something people would really like to use (whether they believe in the spiritually-guided part or not).

A little about your products: I sell 90-100% organic flower essence and aromatherapy formulas in the form of perfumes, bath, body and massage oils, and skin cream (other products are sure to come.) I also sell books I've written and artwork related to flowers, healing and nature.

What about the organic mission inspires you?: Everything! I believe we’re paying for the damage we’ve done to the planet and to ourselves in so many ways--chemical sensitivities, climate change, sick and dying bees, and worse things predicted to come. I’m not a zealot when it comes to organic but I make it a priority to make kinder choices for the planet in the products I create and in my life in general whenever possible.

What's your current project: Finding a place to live and a way to pay for it. My current and very unusual situation is shifting out from under us and we need to move without adequate means to do it. If someone reading this has a house to offer and a job to help pay for it we have a lot to offer! Contact us via email or convo through etsy, our blogs or any website below and we’ll be glad to talk it over!
Where your products can be found:

MamaLovePerfume.etsy.com

www.mamaloveproducts.com

Retail stores in Santa Cruz, Big Sur and here and there across the country

Blogs:

healingcommunication.blogspot.com

healingcommunicationnews.blogspot.com

Etc.:

Our Spiritual Counseling and Healing Website:
www.healingcommunication.com

Treasury by greenthing!

2008-09-04T05:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks, greenthing, for such a lovely treasury!

Introducing...lovebugknits!

2008-08-31T06:44:00.000-07:00

Shop Name: Lovebugknits

A little about you: I was an elementary school teacher for 5 years, now I am a stay at home mom to two little ones. I started to knit in 2004 and I have been in love with it ever since. Besides knitting I love to cook, crochet, camp, and skydive. Right now my kids are my life, so all that other stuff comes second. I find the time to knit during nap time and after the kids go to bed.

A little about your products: I custom make all my hats from organic cotton. I never follow someone else’s pattern, I have created all my own patterns and designs. When I started my business I wanted to make unique custom items for little ones. I decided to use organic cotton because I wanted my business to reflect my eco-friendly lifestyle and values.

What about the organic mission inspires you? I try to live a natural lifestyle. So I am very excited about the new green movement and everything it involves. Living naturally is very important not just for our environment but for our own health as well. The amount of organic choices that are surfacing is wonderful. I just hope that as my children grow, organic becomes the way of life and that conventional growing methods are a thing of the past.

What's your current project: Currently I am working on creating some knit toys and a couple of sweaters for my kids.

Where your products can be found: lovebugknits.etsy.com and lovebugknits.com

Blog: lovebugknits.blogspot.com

Introducing...shecological!

2008-08-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Shop Name: shecological

A little about you: My name is Sheila Clancy. I started Shecological about 2 years ago after trying to find a bag for myself that would be functional and chic enough to carry when I traveled around Europe. I have been sewing my whole life and I have never been able to follow instructions. I like to design, create, break the rules and see where the materials lead me. I studied printmaking, natural dying and various other fiber arts. I love to travel and have lived in London and Australia.
A little about your products: I make bags of various shapes and sizes. The emphasis is on fun style, functional construction (lots of pockets) and earth friendly materials and practices. I get inspiration from the Arts and Crafts Movement, Japanese culture, high fashion and the natural fibers that I work with.

What about the organic mission inspires you?: I have always been and environmentalist and into organic food and natural dyes and home products so it was perfect to do organic bags. I love the feel and smell of the raw cotton and other natural fabrics. I really want to see ALL fabric grown, produced and used with organic processes in my lifetime.
What's your current project: I am mixing organic cotton and cotton/hemp fabrics with my stash of printed fabrics to make limited edition and ooak bags. I am always working on new screen prints. I have a load of organic t-shirts that I haven't gotten to. I also plan to dye some of my raw fabrics with natural dyes. (And I am going to start learning Japanese this fall!)

Where your products can be found: Right now, I only sell locally and on etsy.

Blog, Etc.: I want to start a blog with all my work and travel stories but I am still learning internet savvy. I am up on flickr!

Introducing...ecoleeko!

2008-08-17T06:59:00.000-07:00

Shop Name: ecoleeko

A little about ecoleeko: Went to school for textile design, Living in Upstate NY, dealing with a historic house, raising chickens, gardening, stacking wood and Making dolls while dancing to 80s music..nice!

A little about your products: All are Hand made made of Eco friendly materials like organic cotton/hemp and bamboo fleece. I make plush dolls and soft baby rattles along with some bath mittens. I hand dye and print all fabrics to make them colorful and fun, then stitch with organic cotton thread. I only use all natural fillings such as kapok fiber and buckwheat hulls.

What about the organic mission inspires you?: Just feeling good that I am offering a great product made from all natural materials and I'm having fun doing it.

What's your current project: Currently working on learning to do wholesale, marketing and possibly designing some new toys more for boys..might bring in my husband to help.
Where your products can be found: at ecoleeko.etsy.com of course, and my website at www.ecoleeko.com..They are also sold at some stores now..yeah!

Blog: www.ecoleeko.com/blog

Introducing...GreenWorks!

2008-08-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Shop Name: GreenWorks

A little about GreenWorks: There are 2 of us in GreenWorks. I'm Maura and my partner is Edijs. We both come up with idea's for designs but Edijs is the artist. He also makes the screens up but we both do the printing and I handle all the admin type work.

A little about your products: We source good quality hemp and organic cotton clothing and silk screnprint our designs onto them.

Aside from quality there are other criteria that the supplier has to meet:

Organic certification
FairTrade certification (or who can demonstrate that they trade ethically and fairly)
Ethical in their business practises (eg investments)
Local - this last one is difficult for us as there are no local Irish suppliers but we try to source as close to home as possible to minimize the environmental footprint from shipping.

When it comes to creating the designs and printing we use the latest technology - otherwise known as an ironing board to print on! lol The fabric inks we use are the most eco friendly inks available and most of the frames are old picture frames from second hand/thrift shops.

Typically we print new designs on a few different types of clothing but the bulk of our printing is custom orders. We like it that way as it's less wasteful and more personal.

What about the organic mission inspires you? Everything! We're lucky to have a great organic farmers market locally and for anyone who needs convincing that organic is better - just taste the difference. Then think how about what you've just ingested wasn't laden with pesticides. In the same way that we care about what we eat and drink we believe the clothes we wear, the personal care preparations we put on our skin, laundry and cleaning materials etc should be as pure and uncontainated as possible.

Our take on Organic is that it's about being good to the planet, the people on it and ourselves.

What's your current project: I'm re-learning sewing and have a number of recycled sewing projects I want to complete. We still have some selt belt materials that we plan to transform into wall art. Painting, trashion style creations, mosaic, making recycled paper and dying techniques are all in progress. The difficulty is getting time to complete these.- but there are great plans and idea's which would translate into another shop with the emphasis on recycling.

Where your products can be found: greenworks.etsy.com

We also have a website though it's not being used yet as it will house our own collection of hemp and organic clothing - some day! www.nuorganics.com

We also sell some of our own products but also resell fair trade and organic at www.allthingsgreen.net

Etc.: Only when the last tree has been cut down; Only when the last river has been poisoned; Only when the last fish has been caught; Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten. Cree Indian Proverb

More organic goodness!

2008-08-08T10:21:00.000-07:00

Some new treasuries

2008-08-03T15:28:00.001-07:00

Here are some more lovely treasuries!

Treasuries!

2008-07-29T09:39:00.001-07:00

The EtsyOrganicTeam is off to a hopping start and we've had three members snag and set up gorgeous treasuries.

Thank you brendaml, organidog, and greenworks!

Already!

2008-07-26T09:57:00.001-07:00

It's only been a week or two since the organization of the Etsy Organic Team began, but we've made amazing progress! The current criteria have been sorted out by foundation members and we think we we've got a pretty fair list.

In order to be a member, a seller:

• Must sell at least one organic product while working toward a goal of having a higher ration of organic products.
• Can only use the EtsyOrganicTeam tag on their organic products.
• Agrees to work towards increasing their organic versus non-organic ratio.
• Agrees to participate as a team member as fully as possible (level of participation to be discussed and agreed yet).

Hello and Welcome

2008-07-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I noticed a couple of posts discussing the possibility of gathering together Etsy members to form an Etsy team to promote and encourage people to work towards an organic lifestyle.

We've been hashing out what we want our group to represent and what standards members will have to meet in a flickr group. Check it out here! We currently have 19 members (and growing!) with a variety of different product lines and would love the input of anyone else who might be interested in joining.