And on a new twist, our Anemone pattern has been selected for a book cover illustration. The book is a historical novel titled The Coral Thief written by Rebecca Stott, to be published by Orion Press in the UK.....sneak peek here. release is fall 09.And, back in April our Anemone pillows were included in Newport Life Magazine's feature, 'locally made'.
Has anyone listened to a recent NPR broadcast referencing an article in the June issue of National Geographic titled The End of Plenty? As I listened, I kept hearing the term, Green Revolution...I was perplexed because this revolution was not a positive, reaffirming one...No, this GreenRevolution, which began in the 50's, was quite different than the "Planet Green/Cradle to Cradle", one we are moving towards today. Joel K Bourne Jr., in his NG article, painfully points out what has happened around the world as we've stopped paying attention to the realities of our food supply. The author's insightful essay reminds us that today most of our food is shipped to us from the far corners of the globe and "we no longer, grow, harvest or prepare most of our daily bread". The new monocultures require lots of water, synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Of course nothing lasts forever and much of the land in India, to name one country, has today, been lost to salinization. The water is poisoned-truly a grim picture. (The same is happening with conventional cotton production around the globe).
The article wraps up on a more positive note with an alternative offering-sustainable agriculture or "agroecology". Farmers and consumers facing the realities of climate change can no longer afford to support monocultures with their dependence on fossil-fuel based fertilizers. "The underlying idea is that we must stop focusing on simply maximizing grain yields at any cost and consider the environmental and social impacts of food production. It is disturbing that we continue to encourage farmers to rely on expensive, toxic imputs that are making money for corporate giants rather than on more ecological methods that use local resources and skills".
Read the story, grow a garden, enjoy and celebrate the healthy choices we have, support sustainable agriculture--for our food, for our fibers and for our kids' futures. Dawn & Deb
Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Future Society is leading a campaign to ban PBDE toxic flame retardants. These synthetic chemicals make clothing, furniture and electronics less flammable, but we now know they are harmful to humans and to sealife, especially killer whales. To learn more and to get involved, visit http://www.toxicflameretardants.org/
Talk about ' full cirlce'...My entire family (8 kids) at my dad's request, would gather around the TV on Sunday evenings to watch Jacques Cousteau's undersea adventures.......and since we've been doing a fair amount of technical research these days..thought I would share this. We all want our kids and homes to be protected against any and all possible disasters, but are chemically saturated fabrics and clothing really necessary? The research is pretty heady and more scientific than many folks have the patience to read through...but I'll share an article I've just read anyway...link here. http://www.168design.com/html/jls/FRDataSheet/PNP-1%20Paper.pdf "Recently there are increasing concerns over the environmental and toxicological impacts of halogenated flame retardants and their decomposition products formed when the flame retarded polymer systems are burned during an accidental fire, disposed off in the environment or being incinerated. California, for example, is to ban some halogenated flame retardants in 2008 due to the health concerns. Another serious drawback of halogenated polymer systems is that they generate thick smokes and toxic fumes when burned during a fire event. A new series of low smoke, non-halogenated flame retardants have been developed. Tests showed that the flame retardants are effective in PP and other polyolefin compounds. These flame retardants compare favorably with traditional flame retardants such as halogenaated, mineral and APP flame retardants."
"When you choose organic, you’re making a positive difference for your family, your home and our environment. You're also investing in the future, and the investment is worth it. In an effort to deepen understanding about the value of organic, www.oliveiratextiles.com and others nationwide are joining the Organic Institute’s new campaign: “Organic. It’s worth it.” Learn more and get involved at www.OrganicItsWorthIt.com."
Ok so today I want to mention to our blog readers in the Philadelphia area..if you would like to see our fabrics lovingly upholstered.., please visit Molly Worth from CHAIRLOOM (booth #826) atThe Go Green Expo,this weekend, March 13, 14, & 15."Chairloom is a company that believes in up-cycling or repurposing existing furniture. Chairloom exists to revamp and revitalize antique and/or vintage pieces using bold, stylish and exuberant textiles. Owner and designer, Molly Worth, gravitates toward cheerful eye catching fabric companies to recreate pieces with great lines and good bones. "http://www.chairloom.com/ Molly was an early supporter of Oliveira Textiles and has purchased many of our prints for eco conscious buyers; like these fabulous bamboo chairs, showcasing our Anemone pattern in redcoral. Make a purchase and support green textile manufacturing!!
Well, I'm back from The Magic Show in Vegas, and inspite of all of the economic doom and gloom we hear today I feel inspired, and even more motivated to continue oursustainability goals - Sure everyone commented on the less than stellar turnout of attendees this year, but I still felt a high energy level..these are fashionistas after all..and although I am not a veteran of these kinds of trade shows as some folks I spoke to, we all just have to move forward albeit cautiously and intelligently.
And those of us in the sustainability sector, I believe strongly, are positioned to be leaders when this economy does get back on track.
(The Vegas 'Strip' is truly a bizarre place to vacation....but those mountains are 'spectacular'!)
What I take away from this trip is: * a feeling of incredibly deep respect and admiration for those panelists and companies who have made the commitment to create , healthy, sustainable, successful products, * inspired by the positive, youthful exhuberance of the speakers , * motivated to improve our product, educate and excite our customers and excell, sustainably,
aswe continue to grow our small company, always keeping in mind, the bigger picture of health for ourselves and the planet.
I got to chat with Jill Dumain - Textile expert from Patagonia! and listen to Eric Ryan - Founder of the incredibly successful,San Francisco based, 'Method'- the environmentally safe cleaning products company...So, admittedly, I did spend more time at Eco-seminars and other Eco-product booths than in the larger 'Magic' experience, but what I did see in the S.LA.T.E, STREET, & POOL fashion exhibits were some fabulous, hip, chic urban fashion companies...now if they were only taking those first steps to manufacture with the environment in mind, we'd all be golden!
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
And, back in April our Anemone pillows were included in Newport Life Magazine's feature, 'locally made'. 
Sincerely,
