OUR MISSION
An Etsy Team focused on earth-friendly handmade goods. Each team member is committed to sustainability, aware of current eco-issues, taking responsibility for making the best, well-balanced choices for their shops with the safety and quality of their products in mind.
Please note: we are always in progress of adapting to new things learned and new innovation. We would like to thank all the people that support our mission and assisting these efforts!
We promote handmade items while participating in the environmental movement's goals to reduce the presence of artificial additives, synthetic preservatives, harmful pesticides, & toxic chemicals in our lives.
We are dedicated to traditional cellulose and protein fibers (organic cotton, linen/flax, jute, hemp, & wool, silk, angora and mohair) & natural ingredients (plants, flowers, seeds, herbs, fruits, and vegetables.)
We acknowledge that all organic cotton must be certified to label it so. Both domestic and overseas manufactures are required to have certificates that prove the inspection of cotton fields. In the US we also have a system where bales are tracked with bar codes (and if remaining in the country to be ginned then codes do stay intact. In a perfect world, every cone of cotton would be tagged to inform us of the originating growing field.)
We appreciate the growing number of farms producing organic wool - USDA requires that the sheep be raised without the use of synthetic hormones or pesticides and to graze in organically certified pastures without overgrazing of the land.
We prefer natural fiber color over whitened, & that the textile industry use hydrogen peroxide rather than bleach as a whitening agent.
We encourage exploration into newer green textile initiatives with renewable resources and improving processing methods - such as soybean, milk, corn, bamboo, the lyocell method (regenerated cellulose pulp from managed crops in a closed-loop system) & processing of existing items (such as recycled plastic bottles) to create new fabric or blends. We allot a small portion of items (currently in three shops) to investigate and influence this textile movement.
We recognize that the Oeko-Tex seal is the most comprehensive label for insuring that a garment is healthy for consumers, yet has nothing to do with the company's manufacturing processes.
We avoid permanent fabric treatments such as stain guard, wrinkle relaxer (formaldehyde resin), sun block, insect repellent, water-proofing, & impregnated wax softeners.
We opt for gentle water-base pigments (CPSIA compliant) & inks that are void of plastisol (PVC: polyvinyl chloride) to use on fabrics. Fabric dyes are non-toxic.
We refrain from using silicone, sulfates, parabans, parafin, or petroleum based ingredients in personal care items.
We use 100% natural ingredients to scent & color in personal care products. No fragrance oils, nature identical oils, synthetic perfumes or dyes are used.
We question chemicals in personal care items that have been banned in the EU and Japan, even if the US government continues to approve its use.
We understand that there are diverse schools of thought regarding the use of preservatives in water-based personal care products. We advocate the use of effective, naturally-derived preservatives, processed without chemicals.
We require that all body care hand makers incorporate the USDA NOP standards for organic ingredients in organic body care products. Any certifications claimed for our personal care products are USDA NOP certifications. We support all efforts of organic cultivation including organic agriculture that cannot afford USDA NOP certification. Such organic ingredients will be labeled "organically grown" and not "organic" nor "certified organic" and indicates that certification was not obtained. Any supplier claiming "organically grown" will be able to describe in detail their organic cultivation methods and meet the USDA NOP standards.
We only accept gardeners who use organic principles and sustainable practices, realizing that certification of individual gardens is costly.
We decline resellers of seeds & plants, regardless of their source, due to the fact that the origin of these items are easily lost. Leftover and commercially farmed seeds are not allowed.
We appreciate beads made from abundant natural resources of clay, stone, seeds, nuts, shells, horn, bone, tree resin, and wood (paper). Beads can not be chemically processed (natural dye pigments only), rare or endangered, wrongly harvested, or unfairly traded.
We love found supplies, recycled glass beads, and reconstructed jewelry, yet discourage the use of tortoise shell, ivory, and coral both old or new, in the marketplace. Plastics, including polymer "clay" and imitation tree resins, are not permitted.
We offer paper handmade from the renewable resources of hemp, banana, salago, rice, abaca, coconut coir, papyrus, and palm. Stationery made from recycled materials, which may include waste paper, waste cotton fabrics from garment industries and/or agriculture waste like husk and straw, is also available. Plantable papers, made with seeds, are celebrated!
We love animals and are very happy to include healthy supplies and treats for your pets! You will be pleased to know that organic items are available for your furry loved ones!
We research our supply chain to learn details about our resources (vendors and manufacturers of our product fundamentals), how things are made, how they get to us, & how they get to our customers.
We advocate to shorten our supply transport by buying national, regional, and local when made possible.
We are knowledgeable in the current progress of governmental laws, rules, and regulations concerning "green" definitions & requirements (CPSIA, FTC, USDA and US Customs.)
We support ethical business practices, fair trade, just treatment of humans & animals, low impact methods, energy conservation, & closed loop systems.
We inquire about ISO (International Organization for Standardization) when possible and realize that this an "Environmental Management System" separate from a company's manufacturing processes.
We trust reliable certification companies such as Soil Association, SKAL, & KRAV for organic or sustainable certification.
We believe in disclosure, transparency, & honesty to assure quality standards for our customers.
We are sensitive to our carbon footprint & continually make choices to lower it.
We value recycling, reuse, and biodegradability.
We consider the environmental impact of every aspect of running our shops, including packaging, shipping, and the issues of plastic, paper, waste & unnecessary surplus inventory.
Team members are contributing to the contemporary dialogue of change and ushering in greener ways. Our main criteria is to present our values, question and collect realistic facts, respond in a practical manner, and share our findings publicly. We work as team to inspire progress in earth friendly efforts.