We make Paola Pillows from 5.6oz. 100% cotton sateen, and I love to work with it. It’s soft to the touch and the fabric saturates intensely with the beautiful colors from my garden. La Violetta is a dramatic looking pillow I re-created in Photoshop from a photo of a hybrid lily. Quite the showstopper.
I worked as a marketing consultant for an independent natural and organic retailer who was building a permanent retail home in the sleepy New England town of Woodbury CT. I was charged with speaking with the community about the large new structure underway. I remember asking the owner if the work was going to be LEED Certified-as I’d been questioned about it. He laughed and said the building would be as green as they could afford.
Peonies in any stage are good for the soul. Can’t wait to smell their big blooms.
He was right- sustainability has got to be just that- sustainable. You do the best you can. But. When pricing becomes the single, overriding driver every choice you make, I think you need to step back and consider what you’re doing, why you’re doing it. Do your choices bring you happiness? Are they good for your family and your life in general? Are they good for the world around you?
I spent a year testing and searching out different kinds of printing. We found a company doing really nice dye sublimation printing on synthetic fabrics. They even found a fabric that mimicked the softness of cotton. Sorta. And, it was a whole lot cheaper. I just couldn’t do it. It wasn’t me.
There are so many ways to save money when you’re making things-whether it’s manufacturing pillows or cooking. You know what? I know what I like to eat and it’s not low fat, no fat margarine, with artificial vanilla and sugar-free whatever. I’d just rather not eat any of it. Part of why I like baking is to get my hands into wonderful, natural ingredients- organic milk, fresh eggs and great dark chocolates. I don’t eat it every day, but when I can, I do. It feels good.
The white peonies are waiting until the pink ones pop. Smooth operators.
I recently stumbled upon a blog called O Ecotextiles. O Ecotextiles was formed in 2004 and is written by Patty and Leigh Anne: “two sisters on a mission to make the world safer and personal environments more beautiful.”
Their site is incredibly dense- full of great info. I think this post on sofa stuffing is worth the read -especially if you’re considering buying furniture. Or, if you just want to learn more about what goes into the stuff we put in our houses.
Here’s a quote from their blog I found pretty insightful. Think about it. ” Today, house dust represents a time capsule of all the chemicals that enter people’s homes. This includes particles created from the break down of polyurethane foam. Since most people spend a majority of their time indoors, there is ample opportunity for frequent and prolonged exposure to the dust and its load of contaminants.” Yikes. Len Laycock, President of Sustainable Brand, a Vancouver marketing consultancy and past president of Upholstery Arts.
Here’s the post- https://oecotextiles.wordpress.com
And, if you’re shopping for sofas…more food for thought: http://tinyurl.com/pqp52ml
Enough thought for now. Take a listen to a great sultry rendition of Summertime, by Chet Hunter: http://youtu.be/2Ynn3mzC2E4
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