China?

I recently came back from the Craft & Hobby Association annual winter show and I would like to share what I saw. For the most part, many companies who have never had any interest in anything "green" or sustainable are trying to do their part. Whether this means recycling at their offices, handing out reusable shopping bags or trying to "green" their products there is an effort being made. It was exciting to see so many crafters excited about Earth Safe Finishes and so many that already are addicted to our products. It is always good to see and speak with our loyal customers. I must add that the ones that were really excited were the kids! Those Green Musketeers out there. They ranged from 9 to 20 and they knew what VOC's were and they knew the importance of our products.
Now what I saw that disturbed me was those companies who claim to be "green" to get on the bandwagon. Those that put bogus labels on their products and talk a good talk. It is so frustrating for a company to say they are "green" and eco-friendly and yet import their products from China and are proud of it. Does anyone know the amount of non renewable ENERGY that goes into importing from China, how can that be "green". To me, be being "green" means homegrown, closest to where it came from, local.
So heed my warning that although it is great that companies are aware of the need for sustainable, safe and "green" products, many are taking advantage of the times and falsely promoting themselves. Be aware, educate yourself and question these companies and you will be fine!

Get the LEAD Out...Tips for a Lead-Safe Holiday

1. TO AVOID LEAD HAZARDS, CONSIDER CREATIVE GIFT ALTERNATIVES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON including a great gift made from Earth Safe Finishes products. We make it simple, safe and cost effective to create and give!

2. IN ADDITION TO PAINT, LEAD MAY BE FOUND IN PRODUCTS CONTAINING VINYL, PLASTIC OR METAL. Some examples include: some soft plastic items, vinyl lunch boxes, metal charms, hard plastic toys, children's jewelry, products purchased from vending machines and some Christmas tree ornaments.

3. EXAMINE TOYS FOR SIGN OF WEAR, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR CHILD IS MOUTHING, BITING OR CHEWING TOYS. Signs of wear include sun damage, fading, bite marks, chips or breaks in the painted surface.

4. A BLOOD TEST IS THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW IF YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO LEAD. Ask your doctor for a simple blood test or call your local health department for assistance.

5. CHECK THE RECALL LIST FOR ANY TOYS YOU ARE CONSIDERING BUYING (www.cpsc.gov). Recalled toys should be returned to the manufacturer or store where purchased.

6. BECOME INFORMED ABOUT THE USES AND LIMITATIONS OF HOME LEAD TESTING KITS. While available at most hardware stores, keep in mind that positive test results are most likely positive but negative results for toys may be unreliable. Most kits only test what is on the surface and may not indicate lead even if it is present. Remove any toys that test positive.

7. LEARN ABOUT OTHER SOURCES OF LEAD. Lead comes in many other forms - in the paint of older homes, glazed for pottery and some home remedies, for example. The most common source of lead for young children is the lead found in household dust when old paint is in poor condition or disturbed during home renovation projects. This dust gets on hands and toys that find their way into a young child's mouth.

8. WASH TOYS REGULARLY TO CLEAN OF HOUSEHOLD DUST. Toys may pick up lead dust in older homes from deteriorating paint and soil.

9. USE AGE-APPROPRIATE TOYS. Check the recommended age on the packaging.

10. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD POISONING PREVENTION contact your local lead poisoning prevention program.


Information obatained from A Bay Area Coalition of Lead Poisoning Prevention Leaders

Spiderlicious

Being a Green Musketeer means fostering a love of art in others. Lilly helped out in a preschool class making spider shirts for the season. She started with plain black shirts, then simply painted the kids hands with Earth Safe Finishes Shimmer Opaque White mixed with some Red Orange Colorant. Then she had them make spiders with their prints. The last step was for the kids to make eyes using Perfect Paint Black. The result: kids teaching kids to love art. BEAUTIFUL!

Lilly demonstrating the technique.

Some of the kids creating.

Messy, but safe!

The Saga of Green

First 5/Neighborhood for Learning is  an organization we feel strongly about, support with product donations and volunteer our time.  Funded from various sources, this non profit specializes in helping children from birth to 5, from preschool activities, nutrition classes for children and parents, cooking, science, swimming, music classes, these centers offer any help or assistance to children and their families.  Today was the day of the big parade in Moorpark, Moorpark Country Days.  First 5 Families walk in the parade with shirts decorated by the children (with some help from the parents), balloons, RV that houses a mobile preschool.
I woke up this morning realizing that our shirts had not been even started.  It was 7:30, parade starts at 10:00.....5 shirts to do.....no problem!!!  Here is what I do.

Measure Moss/FabricMagic/water (6 drops Moss Colorant/8 drops FabricMagic/3 cups water) and mix in bowl.  With the tee shirts wet they are dipped into the green dye, just briefly for a washlike color.  Remember, we are using safe, non toxic, no VOC products...no odor, no need for gloves, easy clean up (which is so necessary for me).

 Squeezed out.  For a tiedye effect the shirts are scrunched up, 1 cup of the mixture is poured into a 2 cup glass measuring cup and a little more Moss Colorant is added.  The shirts are dipped in quickly, scrunched so that there will be light and dark, the tiedye look.  This happens instanteously.

 Squeezed out again, and, since time is of the essence, all shirts were placed in the dryer.  Getting ready for the stamping and stenciling while the shirts dry.

 I have chosen Rainforest and Neon Hot Pink.  These are mixed is small containers, about 6 drops of Colorant and 8 drops of FabricMagic and 1 tablespoon of water.  For stamping and stenciling the liquid needs to be stronger.  I also added 2 pinches of UltraThick, our new thickener, that instantly thickens the liquid.  This makes it so much easier to stencil and stamp...no worries about seepage.  The stencils I am using were brushed with a coat of Tackifier on the back to make it sticky enough to stick to the fabric.

 Grabbing 1 shirt I start with the stenciling and stamping going for that Tattoo Grunge effect that is so forgiving.  If you make mistakes, simply cover it over with another stencil or stamp.  I was in such a hurry that I spilled Colorant on my shirt but was able to incorporate it into the "design".  My First 5 girls got up and, of course, had to put the final touches of glitter on the shirts.  Peace signs with glitter, what yin/yang.  We did it....9:30, 5 shirts done!!  What I learned is that the color should be darker than what you want as  some will wash out.  Same goes for the 2nd tiedye coat.  If you don't have the effect you want after you are done, just go back over with your darker color by brushing it on.  This is such an easy way to do the tiedye effect and you have a little more control.  Everything is easily set with an iron.  The amazing thing is that I now still have 2 cups of Moss Colorant that I can keep and use, minimal amount of product was used and I can go back in and touch up or add to my shirts when we have more time.  Great learning experience.  Don't the girls look great?

Game On!

2 of our Green Musketeers needed soccer banners. The choice was to pay for someone to make on which most of the teams do, or to make one, like my mom used to. No felt needed when the Green Musketeers have Earth Safe Finishes. Simply add canvas and viola, a one of a kind, safe and fun project for the kids to do. All the kids on the teams, ages 4-8, participated in the creation of the banners. We will see how we do next week in the banner contest. They definately stood out this last weekend at opening day!

Our 5U team, Rainbow Sparkles:

Our 8U team Purple Storm

Hold tight for close up photos and what we used to make them. You should see these banners shine in the sunlight. They are amazing!

Crafting & Children

Enhancing a child’s imagination at an early age – through crafting projects – not only encourages creative stimulation, it can also be a hugely rewarding experience for both parents and kids. Crafting can help to develop and fine-tune eye-hand coordination, visual discrimination and cognitive and fine motor skills, in ways that computer consoles simply cannot. There is no drawback to crafting with your children if you are using safe products that will not harm them or the environment. So what are you waiting for?

Here is an interesting article from CraftBusiness:
"For children, especially those aged between four and 12, very little encouragement is needed to get them engaged in creative crafting projects – especially when an activity is planned well and there is a clear and concise end target to be reached. The responsibility lies with parents to ensure that firstly, crafting is high on the family agenda and that children are sufficiently motivated to partake in crafting activities, and secondly, that crafting can be easily accessed by children at all times and that they are provided with all the tools they need to get creative." CraftBusiness

Aloha

So if you are like most of the Green Musketeers and are having a "staycation" this summer. Why not bring a little aloha here?

We took a hand me down shirt and made it come to life with a little Shimmer Opaque Emerald, Gold and Sapphire.

Check back as we will be creating entire wardrobes for The Green Musketeers back to school countdown. We will also be making some "green" school supplies.

Lilly's green tip for today "save electricity, turn out the lights if you are not using them."