Indigenous
Simple, yet elegant and colorful, clothing for women and men, made by fair trade artisans in South America using organic cotton, free range alpaca, silk (harvested by a process that preserves the silkworms), and merino wool. Colors are the natural color of the fiber or the result of low-impact dyes. Garments are handmade through-and-through beginning with the fabric itself, which is hand-knit with needles or hand-woven on a loom. The styles are beautiful and timeless—what clothing should be.
Bella Luna Toys
“Unique natural toys and products for children and families that are safe, healthy and encourage imaginative play. You will find no battery-operated or plastic toys here, the kind that will be played with for a short time before ending up in a landfill. Our quality toys are not disposable. They are built to last; the kind of toys that can be passed on or handed down to future generations. Most of our toys are made in the USA, Germany or Canada. The ones made overseas are certified to be ethically and sustainably made. Our toys have been tested to meet the strictest safety standards.”
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Listen to Debra’s 2013 interview with Bella Luna Toys Owner Sarah Baldwin. |
Oompa – Naturally Brilliant Toys
Literally hundreds of wooden and organic toys from around the world. “With a keen eye for MODERN design, superior craftsmanship, fine materials, and high play value, we continuously search the world for the best toys for your child. We seek out manufacturers that make sincere efforts to respect the planet and that provide safe, nurturing environments for their employees.” Search by age, brand, category, and country.
Nardo’s Naturals
An organic, “effective and healthy skin care line for women, men and teens…suitable for all skin types…each product is loaded with skin-loving nutrients…derived from nature.” This company was founded by four brothers who were cooking with all-natural food and organic oils. “One day we said to ourselves, if skin care absorbs into your body, why not just rub the organic oils (that we were cooking with) into our skin? It has to be much healthier than some conventional products on the market today. So, we whipped up a coconut concoction in our kitchen!” And now they have a thriving business because their customers love their products.
EcoBalanza
“Modern artisan furniture” made with nontoxic and earthwise materials: certified fabrics, organic cotton and wool, durable hemp, FSC-certified wood, natural latex, hand-tied recycled steel coils, and water-based no-VOC adhesives. They make “premium quality, natural, hand-crafted, stylish, and comfortable upholstered furniture manufactured in an environmentally conscious manner with materials sourced from local suppliers whenever possible. Ecobalanza independently manages all aspects: from design to material sourcing to manufacture, to ensure the quality and integrity of every piece our artisans create.” Choose from a variety of styles and fabrics or ask them to make your own custom design.
Rubio Monocoat
A completely different type of wood finish…a VOC-free oil for floors and furniture that colors and protects in one layer. You can apply it to all types of wood. Water and heat resistant (think radiant flooring). Adheres with the wood through molecular bonding, so there are no marks where application overlaps. Damaged areas or scratches are easy to repair because any exposed new wood will absorb the oil and look the same as the original. “allows an intense and deep colouring in one single layer, without influencing the natural look and feel of the wood.”
BioBag Cling Wrap
Cling wrap made from “renewable raw materials of agricultural origin and from non-GMO starch.” As far as I can tell, it’s corn starch, so if you are allergic to corn, don’t use this, but otherwise, it’s a lot better alternative to petrochemical plastic if you use cling wrap. I’ve been told sandwich bags are coming too. They also sell various kitchen bags, shopping bags, and other items generally made from plastic.
Goodkind Pens
Refillable wooden pens, with nontoxic vegetable-based ink and a nontoxic finish. Barrel and cap are made from factory scraps from a furniture company and reclaimed birch.
Allure Wool Dryer Balls
These colorful wool dryer balls are so adorable, they make me smile every time I look at the picture. “I like to make wool dryer balls, they are natural and clean! With wool dryer balls your laundry will dry faster, stay soft and fluffy. This eco-friendly product is a great way of saving your money and reduce drying time of your clothes. My wool dryer balls have been made from 100% natural wool. Wool Dryer Balls made from pure merino wool which has been wet felted using only water and soap. Balls are washed with detergent without any chemical additives and fragrances. If you buy Wool Dryer Balls you will cut down your expenses and keep your time without using laundry drying and material conditioner for clothes. You just need to use 4 wool balls during clothes drying and you will decrease the working drying time average 25% and put down nearly 30- 45% of total loading.”
BottlesUp
The most beautiful reusable water bottles I’ve seen. Clear recycled glass, colorful silicone top, with a midsection taper and three silicone rings that match the top for good grip and comfortable grasp. It’s truly a work of art. The glass for their bottles is sourced on-site and made in North America using a minimum of 75% post-consumer recycled glass. The bottles are made by skilled glass workers in Mexico. The food-grade silicone accessories are produced in Maine. “There is no plastic in the product or the packaging, a commitment to both health and the environment.”
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Listen to my interview with BottlesUp Glass Founder Laurel Herter. |
