Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Our Green Economy

So on Monday, Feb 16th, I will be headed to Las Vegas to join the panel discussion at the "Magic Show"/Ecolect Eco-Material Panel http://www.magiconline.com/ 0209-Seminars Eco and from the current state of affairs around the world, I have a feeling 'the economy' will be at the top of everyone's agenda.
From my own perspective as a designer, I will do my best to highlight the importance of creating a sustainable society through education, inspiration, and innovation...it will clearly take a concerted effort on the part of designers, scientists, economists and politicians to rescue our economy and protect our planet.
Dawn

Some eco-facts I've read this morning:

...Over the next three decades, today´s students must re-engineer and re-wire the world, provide shelter and food for three billion more people, and stabilize the global climate, sustainably.
Professor Eban Goodstein, Bard Center, National Climate Dialogue -www.nationalteachin.org

...Catering to environmental demands also is becoming increasingly important for keeping the industry's mills and factories humming. The emphasis on "green" applies to the whole spectrum, from basic fibers all the way to finished garments. (and home textiles)

...Retailers also are in the forefront of the eco drive. Their basic message to suppliers these days: If you don't follow some ecological principles, we will look for other suppliers who can and will.

...One final sign that reducing the environmental footprint is now mainstream: The increasing reliance on third-party certifications. At last count, there were 38 certifiers for textiles. These include such organizations as the International Oeko-Tex Association, bluesign technologies ag and the International Working Group on Global Organic Textile Standard. Some of these outfits even work with manufacturers in such key areas as water use, energy and chemicals.
Robert S. Reichard, Economics Editor - Textile World - Textiles 2009: Some Late Bottoming Out, But No Miracles


Wednesday, February 4, 2009

so sorry to see domino go.......

Well, I guess I've been out of the bloggosphere loop (been lost in endless technical research...) because I'm just now finding out that domino Magazine is folding. I'm so incredibly dissapointed to hear this news. I've loved this magazine since I found it while surfing the web 4 years ago. Before it ever hit the news stands, I was a subscriber, and eagerly awaited every issue in my mailbox.The casual hip style of the layouts and products totally hooked me. The products were mostly affordable and chic at the same time. It was just such a welcome relief compared to some other well known high-style furnshings mags. Not to mention how much we here at Oliveira Textiles enjoyed perusing domino's March 'Green Issue'. We thank everyone at the magazine for featuring our Shellgame pattern in 2008. And we really look forward to whatever new incarnation unfolds .
most sincerely,
Dawn
"dear readers
It is with very heavy hearts that we say farewell. Over the last 4 years, in 28 issues, we have done our best to create a great magazine. We started with a real idea—that style is for everyone—and tried to carry it out with stories that provide inspiration and empower you to act on it. From your tremendous response, we know that we were onto something. In this tough economy, however, we simply weren't able to get the advertising support we needed.
As domino evolved, we never lost sight of our original democratic premise. Looking back at the manifesto we published in the premiere issue, the first tenet of domino is still the truest: Home should make you happy. We hope we have played a part in making this come true for you.
Love,All the editors of domino "

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

CPSC Grants One Year Stay
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act has voted to issue a one year stay of enforcement (it remains in effect until February 10, 2010) for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years and younger. This is limited relief from the testing and certification in effect as of February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600ppm) and pthalates limits (1000ppm), among other things. The commission says it needs more time to finalize the proposed rules and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.
For anyone not in the loop on this; it was legislation that would have potentially devastated small businesses who could not absorb the costs of testing dozens, 100's or 1000's of SKUs in inventory. Retailers felt they were being asked to assume the responsibility and costs while policing the whole process. And the beat goes on...
Keep in mind however that all businesses,including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small busineses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards including the lead and pthalates provisions under the CPSIA.

Oliveira Textiles uses only organic cotton and hemp along with oeko-tex approved dyes, and heavy-metal & pthalate free pigments. We are having our fabrics tested to confirm these facts to all of our customers.
Thanks for listening.
Deb


"Ecollection" at "Magic" - Las Vegas

Hello everyone.
I'd love to share some news about Oliveira Textiles today.
Our company has been included on a 'green' product website called "Ecolect", a Providence, R.I. based company with a presence in Chicago and San Francisco as well. Material: Oliveira Textiles - Ecolect
"Ecolect’s mission has always been simple, yet ambitious: to help designers find sustainable materials, to provide makers of new materials a space to publicize their innovations and create a vibrant forum for designers committed to sustainability to share their inspiration, occasional frustration, new information and everything in between." http://www.ecolect.net Matt Grigsby, a RISD alumni is the CEO and co-founder. We are excited about joining this list of committed 'green' designers & manufacturers.

In connection with our decision to join 'Ecolect', Matt has invited me to take part in a panel discussion in Las Vegas -- The "Ecollection" segment of "Magic"--the large fashion / textiles trade event that takes place every February & August. I am incredibly eager to meet the other panelists and learn as much as I can in 2 days about the extent of audience interest/knowledge in this sustainable marketplace. ECOLLECTION at MAGIC: Programs & Activities
I hope to see some of you there!
Dawn

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine

Mexican Flavor - Phoenix Home & Garden
Our Anemone in new glowingly warm tones on our 100% certified organic, 13oz hemp herringbone is featured in January issue of Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine.

"ECO-FRIENDLY FAB"
"Soak up tropical flavor with Oliveira Textiles’ Ocean Collection of 'environmentally considerate' hand-silk-screened fabrics. Made from rapidly growing, sustainable Chinese hemp, the textiles’ enticing swirling patterns are created with eco-friendly water-based dyes. The fabrics, suitable for upholstery uses, pillow covers, window treatments and more, are available through design professionals and the company. For information on ordering, call the Rhode Island firm at (401) 396-9194, or check oliveiratextiles.com on the Internet."
Roberta Landman pg 50
Dawn

Monday, January 5, 2009

This Just In.....California Home & Design Magazine's 'Daily Finds'

Please click on this link to read/see a nice post by Assistant Design Editor Mikhael Romain from California Home & Design Magazine--the website.
Eco-Friendly Fabrics From Oliveira Textiles California Home and Design

Posted by Mikhael Romain
Monday, December 29, 2008 12:27 AM
"If you’re looking for a fashionable and eco-friendly way to upholster your favorite chair, check out Oliveira textiles. The Rhode Island company uses organic cotton and hemp fabrics for their designs that feature botanical and sea-inspired prints. The two collections, Ocean and Madeira, come in shades of blue, orange, purple and green.
oliveiratextiles.com "
nice note to end the evening on...
Dawn

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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

Sunday, December 28, 2008

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


Friday, December 5, 2008

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

Monday, December 1, 2008

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