See you at Indie Mart this Sunday:

Thee Parkside (1600 17th Street
12-6
75+ designers

http://www.indie-mart.com/

!!

The world’s largest DIY Festival – today and tomorrow in San Mateo!

http://makerfaire.com/

 See you there!

to green wonders and wanders,

Gussy

Mother Earth of course…

So we all agree that Every day is Earth Day…but we  need special occasions to really motivate the celebrating.  This Wednesday, April 22nd,  Earth Day – is just the ticket.

So what to do?

At Gussy, you know our mission is in waste reduction and reuse so we’re doing our part this week – putting down the beads and jewelry findings – and joining the Great American Litter Pick-up program in our area.

http://www.sanjoseca.gov/prns/antiLITTERprogram/doc/LitterPickUpFlier09.pdf

Thousands of these and similar events are happening and it’s a piece of cake (or pizza afterward as most programs will throw in some free refreshments and lunch at a thank-you party afterward) to take part.  Find your local events here:

http://earthday.net/

and for heaven’s …er…earth’s sake, celebrate and do something this Earth Day (or week) to give back and let her know you care…

More things to do:

-Watch and learn Earth Day TV at:   http://earthdaytv.net/

-Take part in the Great American Cleanup – March 1 – May 31st:  http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=gaclanding

-Start composting! : http://www.howtocompost.org/

-Recycle more – take the pledge! : http://earth911.com/earthday/

-…especially that e-waste: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/Collection/RecyclerSearch.aspx

and get outside with that piece of cake and enjoy what your Mother gave you…

to green wonders and wanders,

Gussy

Hit the totally fun and fabulous film screening of Handmade Nation sponsored by the SF Film Society last week.

A doc that highlighted and interviewed artists and crafters involved in the new, young and indie DIY art and craft scene gaining momentum around the US.

Printmakers creating band posters – needlepointers making portraits of Tammy Wynette, glass bead artisans creating intricate and crazy ornate necklaces – punky skull motif rugs being made from scraps of reused fabrics – and remember latch hook?  Sigh – breathe – too many wonderful things to mention them all.

What I loved most is how they all highlight within this DIY movement a great synergy between old and new.  I tell folks that Gussy is about giving old things new lives – and while I mean it literally – many of these artists are doing it symbolically by knitting not afghans, but laptop cases.  They’re using old techniques and transforming them into new designs.

In our ever-quickening world of fast-made products, I also felt the film conveyed a sense of pride and a return and celebration of things that are slowly, lovingly made by hand.

I was so inspired, what can I say – I’m off to make some slowly, lovingly handmade earrings – for you.

find out more about the film at:

http://handmadenationmovie.com/

to green wonders and wanders,

Gussy

As much as I love movies, I too was unable to sit through the Oscars lastnight.  HOWEVER – I never miss a red carpet and found Penelope Cruz’s vintage Pierre Balmain dress such a knockout! 

What an inspiration for us recessionistas and such a statement to make on the most glamorous day of the hollywood year – beauty comes through reuse! 

 Reminds me of the stunning vintage Dior Reese Witherspoon wore in 2006 ….

And hmm….not only did they both win Best Dressed honors, but also walked away Oscar winners….coincidence? 

Come on…..

to green wonders and wanders,

Gussy

OK,  so I still haven’t kicked my cheese addiction – but love the earth and body friendly lifestyle that the “Skinny Bitch” empire is spreading.   

While I order some soy pepper jack, you should enter the Skinny Bitch “Love Yourself” Valentine’s Day Contest.

http://www.skinnybitch.net/loveyourself/

Win a basket of vegan goodies, a Whole Foods gift certificate and the entire Skinny Bitch collection…

…and hey, maybe a new bod and tude too…..

-enter by Valentine’s Day, Feb 14th

to green wonders and wanders,

Gussy

Happy New Year from Gussy Green! 

While we reflect on this past year and commit to our Green New Year’s Resolutions, we’ve collected some great ideas for you and your own eco habits for 2009.

Our favorite is a “green pledge” from iVillage:

Green Resolutions

Easy, eco-changes for the New Year

1. Give second lives a chance -  I will only buy paper towels, tissue, toilet paper and office paper made from post-consumer recycled content.

2. Go veggie on Wednesdays – For the 52 Wednesdays (or whatever day of the week you choose) in 2009, I will forgo meat and stick to veggie options (saving me money and saving the planet large amounts of greenhouse gases emitted from the raising of livestock)

3. Learn to love local – Each month I resolve to learn what foods are in season and look for them at my local farmers market.

4. Recycle recyclables – I will finally learn what is and isn’t recyclable in my town and put <em>everything</em> that can be recycled into a recycling bin—always! (This includes the times I’m on the street and am tempted to throw my newspaper into the corner garbage.)

5. Boycott water bottles for a month- Instead, I will carry my reusable bottle with me at all times, knowing that short-term actions soon become habits.

6. Fill the car up (with bags) – I will put a big stack of reuseable bags in the car for grocery shopping and replenish them weekly.

7. Add variety to my mobility – Once a week I’ll take an alternative form of transportation (i.e. carpool if I drive, use the subway if I take cabs, walk or bike if I take the subway)

8. Get informed and get involved – I’ll find out what environmental issues are being debated in my community and write a letter to my council person to give my opinion.

9. Lead by example – Whether it’s doing a little or doing a lot, the best way to affect change is to let others see me doing it.

And the result of our Tokyo visit and inspiration is here in our newest collection – I Heart Harajuku.

We saved newspapers, magazines, plastic bags, product packaging, you name it during our trip and have repurposed them with second-hand and vintage finds to create our best yet.  Our personal faves:

Harajuku Flower Brooch

Japanese Pearl Earrings

Good Luck Gold Necklace

Asahi Girl Earrings

Karaoke Brooch

Japanese Snow Globes

The collection will keep growing as we continue to find funky pieces just screaming for the Gussy Green (with a pinch of Harajuku) touch!

Check out the new collection at our etsy shop! :

gussygreen.etsy.com 

to green wanders and wonders,

Gussy

Where have we been?!  Japan, that’s where.    We’ve been so inspired since our trip awhile back that we’ve been offline and working hard on a new collection based on the inspiration we found at every turn in Tokyo. 

Favorite place by far was a little street in Harajuku.  Out the train, take a left and (insert birds and choirs singing) Takeshita Dori!!!  It’s an insanely crowded street of shops and the best place in Tokyo we’ve found for fun vintage and second – hand treasures.  Fashion, jewelry, shoes, we were beside ourselves and spent time there almost every day of our visit.   Panama Boy (found a great vintage brooch) – Life Market (vests, scarves, more brooches) and Thank You Mart (tons of vintage shirts) were full of new finds with every perusal.  Check out our pics and make sure to add this place to your list if ever going ( and let us know what you think and what you find!) 

Domo arigato gozaimasu Harajuku!

to green wonders and wanders,

Gussy

RAG Co-op, (Residents Apparel Gallery) is an SF cooperative clothing boutique with great eco-style.

I met with Manager Misty Rose and Art Director Jennifer Bair last week as they prepare, on behalf of RAG, to host the Craft and Couture Runway Show for the upcoming YBCA’s Independent Fashion Festival this weekend. For more info, visit:
http://www.ybca.org/tickets/production/view.aspx?id=6007

A certified Green business, RAG not only incorporates sustainability into their business practices (using recycled paper, energy efficient lighting, composting and more since opening in 2002) , they also feature local designers, many of whom use eco-fabrics and local manufacturing in their designs.

With over 50 designers currently taking advantage of the ability to rent space within the shop, RAG has created a truly unique space for up and coming designers to showcase their work. It also creates a constantly changing inventory and smorgasbord of different apparel and accessories for us eco-loving shoppers. With reasonable prices to boot – I picked up this beauty – a hemp sweatshirt by Funk Divine for $88..

Swing by for some great eco-finds of your own:
RAG Co-op, 541 Octavia Street, San Francisco – Mon-Sat (12-7), Sun (12-6)
http://ragsf.com

to green wonders and wanders,

Gussy