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Are you familiar with Hope for Women?

Hope for Women is a Burlington based fair-trade card company that hires women in India (and now El Salvador) at liveable wages to tend gardens and produce eco-friendly greeting with botanicals native to these areas. These women would otherwise be out of work or forced into manual labor for pennies.

I sat down for lunch with Evan Goldsmith, who owns and runs Hope for Women with his father David, to find out some insider information. Running a fair-trade company can be challenging when it comes to creating consistent work for the women. For example, when the monsoon strikes in India, women can’t create final product due to mold concerns but this obstacle and others does not hold Hope for Women back, in fact- this motivates Evan and his team to think creatively to keep the women healthy employed.

He explains, “Our ultimate reason for being has truly changed peoples lives.” When Evan establishes working situations he personally meets the women to ensure that their working environment is clean, safe, and flexible. The women enjoy their work for HFW and benefit well from their efforts. To read stories about the craftspeople now employed by HFW click here.

Another challenge HFW faces is maintaining a small carbon footprint when goods are produced overseas. To the greatest extent possible however, HFW has identified sources near the women to print the packaging on tree-free cardstock, wrap in compostable plastic, and use natural inks. The flowers are organic and sustainably harvested.

Now that the India line and Himalayan cards are steadily selling, HFW has shifted focus to a new region of the world: South America.

Evan cosmically stumbled upon Piel Acida; an artist collaborative in El Salvador sponsored by the international organization Aid to Artisans. Piel Acida, which means “dried orange peel,” helps El Salvadorian artists turn viable raw materials into art and then sell them. As fruit and juice are such a focal export of the region, art is often made with orange peels, coffee beans, and flowers. Before ATA sent consultants to Piel Acida in El Slavador, the women were creating cards that were quaint but not necessarily marketable to a more global market. Now, with ATA’s design support, resources, and infrastructure Piel Acida is producing stunning, chic designs with local botanics. Once Evan discovered this fresh exciting look, which aligns perfectly with the Himalaya cards, he knew HFW had found their next card line. After visiting El Salvador to personally meet the women and investigate the working condition, Evan sent one years worth of card material to the women to produce! HFW means business for these women’s lives and we’ll all benefit from these remarkable cards!

What’s next for HFW? HFW is in Colombia this week to solidify relationships with women’s groups to develop products made from sustainably harvested rainforest plants and determine how the company will continue to grow, benefiting an increasing number of women across our globe. Now it’s up to you to support this cause and keep the movement alive!

HFW is also expanding into the custom printing world and can handle large personalized print runs. Think responsibly for your next mailing and enjoy a vibrant world!

The Himalaya line is currently selling out at Scribbles and the El Salvador line will arrive any day- stay tuned!

Buy Hope For Women cards now!

Giddy as a school girl in new high socks and braids, I have the complete pleasure to introduce you to one of Scribbles’ new loves: Moe’s Journals and Envelopes!

A clever, crafty Vermonter (pit patter right there), Moe O’ Hara came into Scribbles early this summer and said “hey jenn, I make journals out of completely found materials, are you interested?”  Was I ever!  These journals, like snowy little flakes as no two are exactly alike, are made from old library books and paper that would otherwise be sent through the shredder.  Moe collects the materials and creates these ridiculously awesome books in her spare time, a process she calls Upcycle - the practice of taking something disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value.  Who isn’t head over heels with that idea?

No false shop talk here folks, these babies are selling like hotcakes!  We’ve already set Moe to work on a gazillion reorders since first bringing her journals into Scribbles.  Okay, I exaggerate, but only slightly . . .

Moe also hand folds the most exquisite envelopes out of scrap paper.  From National Geographic spreads to sheet music, Moe’s unique envelopes come complete with adhesive and address labels, is there nothing she hasn’t thought of?

I had the good fortune of snagging this talented, busy bee and asking her about Upcycle and her projects.  Here’s what Moe had to say:

Scribbles:  How did you first come up with the idea to turn old books into journals? Did you know it would an instant hit?
Moe O’ Hara:   I love the look of old book covers. The linen, the words, the smell, the age. There are such great titles (Pickles and Prunes by Barbara Moe comes to mind, I mean, come on! for real???), and great illustrations. Something has to be done with them, something to showcase this lost art. (Many modern books don’t have the cover art, it’s just on the jacket.) Taking something disposable and creating something of greater use: upcycling. That being said, I would like to add that I don’t destroy perfectly good books. Most of them are discarded from libraries or aren’t in the greatest condition.
As for the success of the journals, I could have only hoped. It’s a lot of fun making them, and I NEEDED to start selling them. My bookshelves could only take so many.

SC:  Tell us about your material hunting.
M:  The best part about using recycled materials is trying to find the materials. It’s not a thing that you can just buy at a box store, you need to search for it. I visit the usual suspects: Recycle North, Junktiques and Sally’s (Salvation Army). Sometimes I have to hold myself back because there is no more room to put it all. There are also a lot of people looking out for me. I’ve got fellow crafters bringing me books and librarians calling me up. Once you get into the recycling/upcycling business, there is never a shortage of supplies.

SC:  How do you assemble your hand/homemade journals and envelopes?
M:  First, I take apart the book, a de-binding of sorts. I keep the covers and any cool illustrations to use in later projects. The rest of the book goes into the recycling bin.
I own a binding machine (I say machine, but there is no motor, it’s all done with my natural, awesome strength). It is typically used for scrap booking , but I use it to make books. It cuts through most of the covers I use. I measure and cut the pages (I have a paper cutter that can cut 250 sheets at once!!!) and then I assemble.

As for the envelopes: I fold, glue and stick. It’s just a matter of finding the interesting pages. The sheet music looks great, and the National Geographics are just awesome. The pictures in that magazine are incredible. I just found some old comics (not anything of real value), and I can’t wait to make some envelopes out of those.

SC:  What other fabulous new craftinesses are you working up?
M:  I was given a sail today. Yeah, one from a boat. I’m not sure what I am going to do with it, but it’s a strong material, and it can’t be used on a boat anymore. The sail is huge, and it’s potential is even bigger. Ideas are racing through my head, and eventually I’ll settle on one.
Other than the books and envelopes, I make baby bibs out of plastic grocery bags. I fuse them together, with an iron, and it makes a waterproof, tyvec-like material. I am constantly looking for grocery bags. Unfortunately, that is one material that we can never run out of, although, it would be nice if we could. It would be a great day when I can’t make bibs because no one uses plastic bags anymore. (Note: Bring your own bags to the store, and use less plastic.)
I also make Kid’s Capes, out of old, soft and clean bedsheets and some scrap fabric. I’m saving the world, one cape at a time. They are so much fun to make, and wearing them is even better.
Remember the insides of the books (the cool illustrations or quotes)? I have a button maker, and make buttons out of the illustrations. Nothing goes to waste.
As the cold weather approaches, I started to make monster hats. They are made from old sweaters, I add some teeth and button eyes, and voila!, a monster hat. They are recycled and soft, and really cute.
I am also working on developing a cassette tape wallet. I see a lot of tapes in my travels to second-hand stores and garage sales, so I am attempting to do something with them. Maybe by next season I’ll have something.

(manager) jenny specific: what other amazing/sustainable hobbies do you have?
M:  My main hobby is creating. I love to think of new ways of using old things. Sometimes I want to scream: “don’t throw it away, give it to me”, but then I would need a warehouse to keep it all in. I don’t have a television, which is why I am able to come up with new ideas: I’m forced to create my entertainment, and it just so happens to be my brain.

Scribbles weekend manager Ari is in love too!

If you’re interested in one of Moe’s incredible journals or her spectac envelopes, just contact us for more information, we’ll gladly pass the love along!

5 laughs to stay light-hearted during this election year.  Besides, it’s only the state of the union on the line!

	These Anti Establish Mints are deliciously strong peppermints in a Delcroix designed tin. The freshness of hope and fresh minty flavor from these gourmet mints. . . $3.95
	If you’re stressed with the state of the our politics, Try our Smush Bush Doll and let out a good squeeze; this squishy little devil will be useful for years to come! If it’s your friend Fido that needs a boost, consider sharing your Smush Bush Doll.  I’m sorry to say there’s nothing quite like seeing Smush Bush Doll between some canine teeth with a wagging tail. . . . $5.95
	Here’s one funny bunny! Have you ever wanted to reach out and connect with a politician?  How about to touch or pull or poke or even grope a politician? Well, now’s your chance.  Pat the Politician is the political “feel good” book  of the year!  Based on your childhood favorite touch senstion, enjoy the latest, greatest way to get to know Pat the Politician . . .  $9.95
	How about one for the ladies?  Accoutrements has transformed Rosie from an inspirational icon on a WWII poster, into a fantastic hard vinyl action figure! Standing proud and powerful, each Rosie the Riveter comes with a lunchbox and a spring-action rivet gun. Illustrated blistercard.  WE CAN DO IT! . . . $8.95
	Perhaps the cake topper: ”A super-fine magnets set,” of Pimpin Presidents. “From world peace to a piece of ass,” ask fly-looking Jimmy Carter, Reagan, Clinton- is it as fun to hold the free-world as it is some fine tail? Does your fridge need some Pimpin Presidents bling?!. . . $11.95

Some tips to green your wedding:

• Use tree free or recycled paper for your wedding stationery
• Donate your unused food to a local shelter or charity
• Choose a caterer and a florist who use local and organic goods
• Pass along your flowers to a seniors home or local hospital
• Compost unused foods and Recycle everything you can
• Use outdoor space for natural light
• Request digital photo proofs
• Buy dresses, shoes, and glassware people will reuse after the ceremony or consign with a thrift store
• Offer a carpooling service/shuttle to transport guests from place to place
• Enjoy one of many luxurious eco-friendly resorts on your honeymoon

Whether or not you believe in global warming, the fact remains that over consumption damages the planet and we have limited resources.

Accrue good karma at your wedding by observing these simple principles: reduce, reuse, recycle!  It makes wedding planning creative, fun, and sustainable.

Consciously greening your wedding will will lighten your impact the planet, at lease for one day, and influence others to act the same way.  With enough deliberate action, through truly minor changes, we can replenish the earth.