The New Year...and a note on new consumer safety laws

Well, here we are on the last day of a memorable year, 2008..... tumultuous is probably a better word. Frankly I'm excited about ringing in the New Year, and welcoming all the possibilities: a new president who is completely on board with fostering a green economy, a stock market that just might be getting off the rollercoaster it's been riding since the fall, new growth opportunities for our own small green company.....and for good measure, WORLD PEACE.

Since there has been a plethora of OTA Fiber Forum postings lately regarding
the new stringent requirements of the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/faq.html
We wanted to just list some important points.
--The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 is a US law
signed on August 14 2008 by Bush. It imposes new testing and requirements
on manufacturers of apparel, shoes, personal care products, accessories,
home furnishings, bedding, toys etc..
--This law is targeted mostly toward children's products.
--The legislation reduces the limit of lead allowed in products for children to:
* 600ppm by Feb 10, 2009
* 300ppm by August 14, 2009
* 100ppm by August 2011
--There is also legislation for Pthalates, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DnOp:
Levels must be set at 0.1 percent.
--The burden falls primarily on the retailers' end product(to the consumer)They
are being asked to "retest" their products(every SKU) to prove that the limits
are as stated above even if they are using certified organic goods, as our fabrics are; and ideally, GOTS certified fabrics. GOTS maximum lead allowance is .2ppm....far below what this CPSA ruling allows.
This new CPSA really seems excessive and, needless to say has upset 1000's of small green businesses who cannot possibly meet these new deadlines and requirements. We, here at Oliveira Textiles will gladly sign petitions and/or take part in a plan of action to revise these new regulations. Stay tuned.
HEALTH & PROSPERITY in 2009!!
Dawn & Deb

Time Travel - Domino Magazine - March 08

Ok, so we recently discovered after some serrendipitous web surfing that our "Shellgame" fabric was featured on The Today Show with Al Roker way back in March 08 coinciding with the release of Domino Magazine's second annual green issue (in which our fabric was also featured as draperies)....we were just tickled to see Al, and Domino's Contributing Style Editor, Chassie Post, fondling our 100% Hemp fabric..ooh la la...click on the video below. (Oh and YES, we would have loved it if our company had been mentioned...next time around, oh yeah!)
Dawn

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Green Drinks Newport

Good morning..I have to share:

I attended another Green Drinks Newport (RI) event last night; this month, hosted by a company called Farmaesthetics, http://www.farmaesthetics.com/ (Green Drinks is an international organization that allows people in the “green” and environmental community to come together. Through this network people have made friends, found jobs, exchanged information, developed new ideas and have helped others in the field with special projects. Most of all, people have fun!)

The gathering was in their very first retail shop located at 144 Bellview Avenue,

a pristine, and inviting space....where, last night they were offering "endangered cocktails"...a turn of the century recipe for a kick ass cocktail.....yummmm. The owner, Brenda Brock just couldn't be nicer

and what a wonderful success story. Growing up in a 7th generation farming family from rural texas, she had always created these unique recipes ..a 'trailblazer in "green" skin care..... She started selling her product at a tiny farmstand in Portsmouth, RI,,,and with luck and determination has grown her business into a nationally recognized brand....

Committed to "Sustainable Beauty®", all Farmaesthetics products are 100% natural utilizing certified organic herbs, flowers & grains from American family farms. Today her full line of 100% natural skincare products for face & body are used & sold in the finest spas & retailers in the world, including Golden Door Spas, Four Seasons Resorts, Terrain & ABC Home & Planet in NYC.

Farmaesthetics was recently named to Women's Wear Daily's 2007 "It List" of "The Green Brands Defining Organic Skincare".

And I can speak from experience..her product is really incredible...the truly intoxicating aromas alone are enough to keep you coming back....fabulous!

And on another exciting note, I have agreed to teach a class on Sustainable Textiles next summer at RISD...I am really looking forward to sharing all that we've learned here at Oliveira Textiles over the past few years with future textile designers, manufacturers and interior designers....

I'll keep you posted.

Have a great weekend...

Dawn

Pleasant Surprise

Ok first and foremost, we want to say thank you to Harmony Susalla of http://www.harmonyart.com/ for graciously promoting Oliveira Textiles on her blog. Your generosity is an inspiration.
Hope you overindulged on your 40th birthday....!!

And, though we don't normally see our fabrics used in fashion because the weights are a bit heavy...Sarah Waldo, a talented, local Providence Designer of children's wear (Parsons alum) has done a lovely job with our MysticBlue and Redcoral Anemone prints for her Spring 09 collection. See her "Sadie Coat" below or go to her website at http://www.sarahwaldo.com/. I am just so excited to see how adorable these coats turned out...thanks very much Sarah!

P.S. We do not have our new prints diplayed on our website yet, but we will....I'm working with my webdesigner to figure out a way whereby I can load all these new pics and info 'myself'....appreciate your patience.
All the best
Dawn

Hippie Holiday at Barney's New York

Barney's Deptartment Store and Simon Doonan in conjunction with "Earth Pledge", have created a fun eco promotion: and, whether our fabrics are chosen or not, we are very proud to see our name mentioned as donors of fabric for this exciting event.....
Dawn
PEACE, LOVE & SUSTAINABILITY New York, NY, Nov 16- Earth Pledge is pleased to announce its new project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace sign. Earth Pledge's FutureFashion initiative celebrates environmentally conscious fashion by working with industry leaders to promote renewable, reusable and non-polluting materials and methods. This season's collection is a collaboration with top fashion designers to create one-of-a-kind environmentally friendly fashions incorporating the peace sign. Designers were given free reign to incorporate the iconic symbol into their designs, while utilizing sustainable materials and techniques that reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing and production. The peace inspired, eco-friendly fashions will be unveiled on November 16th in the windows of Barneys New York's flagship store at Madison Avenue and 61st street. Earth Pledge and Barneys will kick off the holidays with a 60's themed shopping event, where the designs will be displayed through January 1st 2009 as part of the retailer's Hippie Holiday windows. Participating designers included Zero Maria Cornejo, Derek Lam, Calvin Klein, Doo.Ri, Behnaz Sarafpour, Diane von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler, Three As Four, Thakoon, Rogan, Isabel Toledo, Rodarte, Philip Lim, Martin Grant, Band of Outsiders, Giambattista Valli, Alexander Wang, Rag and Bone, Narciso Rodriguez, Marni, Michael Kors, Maison Martin Margiela, Moschino, Stella McCartney, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Duro Olowu, Dosa, and Natalie Chanin.Designers used materials such as organic cotton, merino wool, linen, recycled fabrics, PLA, tilapia sea leather, pina, vegetable tanned leather, and even 'Peace' silk to create one-of a kind, sustainable pieces.


FutureFashion has been generously sponsored by vendors such as Col de Mar, Eurolaces, Lenzing, Harmony Art, Indigo Handloom, Ingeo, Jasco, Syka, Windochine, Ultra Fabrics, Ten Fold Organics, Pickering International, Lulan Artisans, Vermont Organic Fiber Co., Oliveira, O-eco textiles, Sofarsonear, Hemp Traders, Robert Kaufman, Seidra Textilweire, Rechberger, Near Sea Naturals, Masters of Linen, and Q Collection.



Earth Pledge will also make a peace offering by giving out scarves made locally of sustainable materials. The low impact dyed organic wool is from Vermont. The worms survive in the making of the Peace Silk appliqué, and the label is organic cotton. This scarf was cut and sewn on the same street as the midtown Manhattan Earth Pledge eco office. The fermata – the musical scoring notation telling musicians to sustain the note at their discretion – is used over the earth in the Earth Pledge logo, and over the peace symbol on the scarf. Leslie Hoffman, Earth Pledge's Executive Director says, "Never has it been a more important time, with worldwide current events as they are, to spread the message of Peace. The fashion industry has a strong affect on this generation of consumers and we are demonstrating that style is attainable without sacrificing environmental values. The designers have produced stunning looks that capture the quality of the fabrics while embodying peace in every piece."Earth Pledge is a leading non-profit for providing innovative, sustainable solutions for businesses worldwide. Through its FutureFashion initiative, Earth Pledge collaborates with the world's leading designers, fabric mills and farmers to create successful solutions to the current environmental crisis. Earth Pledge provides consultations on reducing the carbon footprint and advises on alternative approaches that save money, increase returns on investments, and accurately communicate progress. Through its unique connection to academics, industry leaders and media, Earth Pledge provides manufacturers and designers cutting-edge solutions to sustainability concerns. Earth Pledge has partnered with an extraordinary roster of companies, all of whom share the conviction that sustainability is fully compatible with luxury and a contemporary lifestyle.

New Colorways

Well here we are in November, post election and mid bailout......and in spite of all the mayhem, we at OT are thinking positively and working diligently towards a brighter, greener future...mayhem, 'schmayhem', designers must design.
We are glad to announce that some new Anemone colorways and a new pattern called Madeira Vine have arrived. The New Anemones in: WildPlum, SunOrange & StormGrey feature a ground cloth of 100% Certified Organic Hemp in a herringbone construction. It's naturally soft and supple.
Our new dyes are 'fiber-reactive' and Oeko-Tex approved!
The Madeira Vine in ShaleSand is also printed on our herringbone, the Marigold colorway glows on our original Hemp twill. (name inspired by one of the beautiful Portuguese islands near The Azores)
Additionally, we will have 2 new patterns coming soon. We can't wait to share them with you.
Please contact one of our reps or you can call our office directly.
Our new, New England Regional Sales rep is:
The Laurel Guild Purveyors of Fine Textiles and Exceptional Furnishings
Post Office Box 812898 Wellesley, MA 02482
617.834.8040 P
617.517.5408 F
lauribattista@thelaurelguild.com

Thanks for visiting.
Dawn

The Island of Madeira
Anemone / WildPlum

Anemone / SunOrange

Anemone / StormGrey

Madeira Vine / Marigold

Madeira Vine / ShaleSand

The Election

Today we live in a new America!
It's about time.

Dawn


An Indonesian schoolboy reacts to the announcement that Barack Obama had won the election for the U.S. Presidency Wednesday Nov. 5, 2008 at Obama's former school in Jakarta, Indonesia. Throngs have packed plazas and pubs around the world to await U.S. elections results, many inspired by Barack Obama's promise of change amid a sense of relief that no matter who wins, the White House is changing hands. (AP Photo/Ed Wray)

Green Grades

Just a quick note to say thank you to Kelly Laplante of Organic Interior Design in Venice Beach, California, as well as all the folks there who helped compile information for their "Green Grades".

This is a comprehensive review and evaluation of companies providing eco-furnishings. www.thegreengrades.com http://www.organicinteriordesign.com


Oliveira Textiles, Harmony Art, Rubie Green, OEco Textiles, Mod GreenPod and Lulan were included in her listing of those of us who are"thriving" or "ground breaking" leaders in the industry --You go girls!

Everyone is working hard to provide these beautiful textiles to the consumer. Although we are all at different stages of the ecolution of our product, it is so nice to know that we are all still pushing the envelope and growing the movement of toxin free textiles!

I applaude the unbelievable work ethic of OEco Textiles! Patty and Leigh--I sit in awe each time I read about your successes in eliminating the chemicals in your fabrics and juggling all of the players in your production. Truly remarkable! All of our stories are unique and our efforts deserving of much success. The best to all!

Deb Olson
Co-Founder
Oliveira Textiles

Summer In The City

Hello all:
....ok time to 'feed the blog'....yes we've been busy and haven't updated in many weeks...so here's a rundown.....
On Tues Aug 11th, after a rather stormy drive (torrential rain with hail) down 95 South that included all manner of weather except locusts, we arrived in New York. On August 12, 13 and 14 we participated in the S.O.S. event held at the Penn Plaza Pavillion on 7th Avenue in NYC. This was the Show Of Sustainable Sourcing for apparel, home & more. We had a small booth on the ground floor below the 'DIRECTIONS' international textile and surface design show. It was a great networking opportunity and all involved got to learn more about the specific talents of the eco designers, manufacturers and marketing experts who shared our intimate space. (not to mention how much I enjoyed reconnecting with so many dear industry friends and colleagues who were shopping the Directions show and also serrendipitously stopped by our table/exhibit at SOS) Thanks to the SOS team who made the days
fun and fruitful. Hope to see you all again at other events.
We are now completing our new collection of prints and hope to have them ready by late fall. We will be sending a web blast to all of our designer contacts as soon as it arrives.

Last month Deb had the chance to view a workshop/webcast from Washington-The Federal Trade Commission's session on "Green Washing"/Labeling--Here are some of her points of interest:
* The Organic industry has grown 35% between 2001-2007 driven by consumers making a lifestyle choice as well as those with allergy sensitivites.
* There are misleading claims in the industry -- It is the responsibility of the business to know their sourcing chain and to label accurately.
* Bamboo put through the viscose process or regenerated loses the properties of natural bamboo and is commonly referred to as rayon from bamboo and should be labeled as such. Pat Slater from Consumer Reports sited an article "Bamboozel by Rayon". She also states that although an inferior textile is not a hazard to life and limb, higher pricing on these specialty products DOES affect a consumers pocketbook.
*Katheleen Huddy from the GoodHousekeeping Institute says consumers are receptive to green products as long as they perform and don't cost much more
*The footprint of your product must be considered--Lifecycle Assessment. Patagonia leads the way in their "Footpath Chronicles" which currently measures the impact of 10 of their products. These are tracked on their website.
* An organic treatment for flame retardants is not yet available but GOTS permits where required by law.
*If you are using recycled materials--know what you are getting. Is it post industrial or post consumer?
Organic methods of production ARE beneficial and well documented in spite of what some may claim.
*Consumers are starting to recognize some third party certifications on labels. Oeko-Tex, Blue Sign and several others.
*Keep product label simple but clear and refer to your website for additinal information on the product.
*Are soy and milk fibers really green--jury still out?
And much more on Green Building developments-- see transcripts from FTC website.

Enjoy the waning summer days ahead...and try to sneak in a day by the ocean...aaahhh

Deb & Dawn

Ballard Park Benefit and 'Green Drinks'

So, just to update;

We were asked by our friend and colleague, Meaghan O'Neill (author of Ready, Set, Green and one of the founders of Treehugger)if we would consider donating some OT fabrics to a very worthy cause; the preservation of Newport RI's only nature preserve-Ballard Park, so we did in fact, enthusiastically, offer 3 of our pillows made from completely sustainable/organic materials, right down to the recycled, nickle free zippers...and they were very well received. Newport is just gorgeous in the summer--really the quintessential seaside New England town. We also had the chance last week to visit the beautiful Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, RI for a Green Drinks event where Meaghan gave a passionate speech about the benefits of living green; making even small adjustments in our lives to help move the planet toward a more sustainable future. Check out her book--It's incredibly informative.

As well, we have been busy making pillows and other accessories for The newportmanisons.org cafe and gift shop. If you've never had the opportunity to visit Newport, especially the exquistite homes along Bellview Avenue and Ocean Drive, take a tour..it's well worth it...a bygone era of outrageously gorgeous architecture.

TradeShows and EcoShops

So our Ocean Collection has been navigating it's way up and down the east coast and across the pond as well. Thanks to the wonderful folks at TODL ,our collection was displayed at the IWCE show in Atlanta last month...see our Wavelength /redtide mounted on the TODL Green Display.

Thanks to Nancy Reynolds from The Green Room in Middletown RI, our collection was displayed at the NESEA (Northeast Sustainable Energy Association) show in Boston's World Trade Center last month. And finally, thanks to Lisa Harland our London rep at Harland Organic Furnishings, the collection will now be part of the offerings from a new Design Shop in Chiswick called ECO AGE, founded by Nicola Giuggioli.

Folly Beach Home

We want to thank Barbara B. from South Carolina for sending these photos of our Anemone in the seaweed colorway...she's made some pillows for her seaside home and offered to share them with us--and this is her first attempt at digital photography---we appreciate the follow up Barbara and hope to work with you again as our collection grows!

You were a dream client---

Muito Obrigado (that's thank you very much in Portuguese)

kindest regards,

Dawn & Deb

Resourceful Reclaiming

Ok I just have to mention that my incredibly resourceful partner has convinced a local shipyard to give us all of the plastic used to wrap the pleasure boats so common to this area in the summer.

When these boats are out of the water through the cold weather months, they're 'shrink wrapped' in shipyards all over New England.

She hauled this stuff over to her yard, cleaned it up and we have now reclaimed it as our packaging material of choice....waste not, want not as ye olde pilgrims would say.

Thanks Deb!!!!!!!You are awesome!

Dawn

Springtime in Chicago

So, it's been two weeks since my last post. I don't know how time passes so quickly; but we've been busy and it has. Our Chicago reps at Urban Source sent these photos recently of their display windows. Note OT fabrics in "green". We, here in New England are also thrilled that the weather has finally warmed up. 3 Cheers for Spring!!! And thank you Rose.

On another note, my partner and I just recently took a 2 1/2 hour tour through a local New England Mill just to chat with the Mill Stylist about dyes and machinery, and finshing...and all those exciting, relevant textile issues that we are so consumed by these days. As our colleagues, Harmony, and Michelle know, we are on a quest to find a US mill willing to go 100% GOTS. This was not that mill unfortunately, but with a bit more perseverance we will find one . There are an increasing number of designers just like us looking for a certified mill so if these factories will just be a little more open minded, they would see the potential for business and seriously consider working with us to implement the necessary changes. Stay tuned.
Dawn

Molly's Magic

Just want to say how much we love what Molly Worth at Chairloom has been doing with our fabrics and her re-invented furnishings!!!

Can't wait to show you the new collection Molly!!

Thanks

Dawn

TODL & IWCE

We would like to announce that we have joined the wonderful team at TODL - The Trade Only Design Library ( the online research and specification data base). Please go to http://www.todl.com/ - todlgreen. We are currently listed under Kim's Picks - and should be live on their data base any day.

Kim Gordon is the director of TODL Green and has spent more than 15 years working and training in various aspects of the eco-industry. www.todl.com/kimspicks/#KimsBio We thank the team at TODL for their patience and encouragement.

Look for Oliveira Textiles "Ocean Collection" at the upcoming IWCE show-Green Pavillion.(International Window Coverings Expo) March 26 - 29, Atlanta, Georgia, organized by TODL.

sincerely,

Dawn

Cool Collaboration

We are excited to announce a successful collaboration between OLIVEIRA TEXTILES and CHAIRLOOM: ( http://www.chairloom.com/ ) a wonderful Pennsylvania company run by a talented and resource-full woman, Molly Worth. She is "up-cycling" & modernizing vintage furniture by combining contemporary textiles with eclectic, chairs and sofas..Beautiful!

Our Anemone pattern in redcoral, lovingly upholstered on a unique victorian settee will be debuted in her Pennsylvania shop - Estate Antiques and Chairloom at 725 S. 4th St., Philladelphia. Opening tomorrow night, 2/24/08.(You can contact Molly at 914-484-5498)

Thanks so much.

We'll be there in spirit!!!

Dawn and Deb

Drapery in Domino....

Hello,
We are thrilled to announce that our "Shellgame" pattern in crimson is now appearing in Domino Magazine's Green Issue (pg 32). It's just great to see our prints out in the world, but especially in this publication because I love it! I found Domino several years ago while surfing 'design' sites on-line. I subscribed before it hit the stands because I really enjoyed the fashion sense of the products featured. You can also go to www.dominomag.com - our product is on the opening page today 2/17/08.
3 Cheers!!
Gratefully, to the staff of Domino.
Dawn

Blog spotting.....

Hello, I just saw that we have been posted on Decor8's blog.....very very nice Thank you HOLLY! (name correction noted!!!) It's always such a thrill to see our fabrics promoted.

And I really appreciate your sense of humor......just laugh out loud funny.

now this is a 'good friday'.............. www.decor8.com

As well, look for a post by http://www.green-talk.com/ entitled:

Oliveira Textiles - Draping Your Home in Sustainability

Posted on February 08, 2008 , fabric, furniture, household products.

A very good, informative, educational blog by Anna Hackman.

Dawn

Sundance Project Greenhouse

I just glimpsed our Shellgame and Anemone fabrics peeking out from behind the actress Emma Belle at The Greenhouse Lounge.

Click on the link below.

Sundance Beat: Project Greenhouse Rocking Out Park City // Archives // ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

Thank you everyone at Organic Interior Design for showcasing our collection.

Also please take a look at Design New England Magazine..on newstands now, for some nice recent press.......will be on our press page shortly.

Thanks a lot

Dawn

Web Press..check it out!

We've recently had some nice articles written on OLIVEIRA TEXTILES.

Please see the links below for Treehugger-article by Meaghan Oneill and Sprig -articles by Jeanie Pyun and Jessica Lothstein. Thank you all very much.

The Year Ahead with Oliveira Textiles : TreeHugger

Oliveira Textiles profile Gorgeous and Green, Organic, Eco, Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Living at Sprig.com

Oliveira Ocean Collection Anemone fabric Gorgeous and Green, Organic, Eco, Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Living .

Look for us this month in "Design New England" magazine

kind regards

Dawn