Another holiday shopping post, or what to do this weekend

If you're trying to beat Black Friday and supporting interesting independent businesses, like, ummm, Three Stone Steps, you may want to check out Holly Fest at Friends School , at 5114 N. Charles Street, in Baltimore on Saturday, the 21st. It runs from 10am to 4pm, costs $5 to get in, and is jammed packed with vendors selling everything from jewelry to pottery to sweaters to artwork. If you're looking for Three Stone Steps' great fair trade, eco-chic items, you can find us in the new gym, about four spaces in from the door.

On Sunday, Three Stone Steps will be, once again, at the Baltimore Bazaar, right across the street from the big farmers market. (Honestly, if you've never been to the farmers market, you really should go since it's great and lively and almost a big party. However, the Sunday before Thanksgiving--read this Sunday--is their biggest shopping day of the year.)

Hope to see you out at one of these events. Of course, you can always find Three Stone Steps online, and there are a few great items at the World of Good site, where, at long last, you can buy recycled newspaper and magazine Christmas ornaments.

More soon.

Waiting for Haiti

I wasn't able to get back to Haiti this year. No need to go into it, but it just didn't work out.

But, that doesn't mean that I'm not getting some new Haitian goods. I am! I am very excited to announce that new metal cuffs are on the way, as are very amazing recycled hanging Christmas trees. (You can call them a Hannukah bush if you'd like, and they'd work for Kwanzaa, too.)

Anyway, without further ado, the cuffs. Here's what they're made of:


Here's a photo of the artist working away on them:



And, here's one. (Really, it's wearable sculpture.):




I have a recycled metal Christmas tree for personal use. I'd post a photo of it, but someone stole my bag--with my camera in it--when I was vending at a festival recently. Such is life in the worldwide headquarters of Three Stone Steps, Baltimore, Maryland USA.

But, the decision on the new camera has been made, and it's only a matter of time until you can see it, and decide if you want you own, long lasting, recycled holiday tree. (And, the trees would be great paired with recycled paper Christmas ornaments. Just a suggestion, but, really, it's hard to get much funkier and greener for the holidays....)

Not Titled Christmas in July

My apologies. Really. There is nothing I dislike more than big retailers pushing holidays up really early. When I was a kid, Christmas merchandise didn't come out until after Thanksgiving. Then it changed to immediately post-Halloween, and finally, now it seems to come right after Labor Day.

What's to do?

As much as I don't want to add to this insanity, I am just too excited about the new, fair trade, very eco-chic Christmas ornaments I'm getting made of recycled newspapers and magazine by a women's collective in a very depressed neighborhood in Manila, the Philippines.

So, if you'll indulge me, I think you'll love to know that they will be here, and won't be sold until after Labor Day but I just wanted to give you a sneak peek:


Really, what could possibly be much cuter than a large holiday ornament made from recycled magazine twine?


I find this one, made from recycled office paper, and a bit smaller than the one above, elegant. Yes. Recycled and elegant.


Similar to the one above, this ornament is made from recycled newspaper beads. I think most people have this as their favorite.

I look forward to getting some better photos on the Three Stone Steps site, or letting you see them in person. I just know you'll like them. But, first, enjoy the rest of your summer.

And, why do you think they call it the "Manila envelope?"

I received a shipment from the Philippines last week. Three Stone Steps now has brand new colors and designs of messenger bags and other personal accessories. Very exciting. But what's actually blogworthy is that these bags come in rarely seen in the U.S. fibers. So, in addition to mosquito netting, recycled metal, silk, and cotton, Three Stone Steps now boasts such fibers as recycled tetra pack (think those little juice boxes where you poke a hole with a straw) and used (but clean) junk food wrappers, bamboo (made into hip jewelry), seagrass, and abaca. Of all these wonderful fibers, I must admit to having somewhat of a mini-obsession with abaca. Plus "abaca" is just such a magical sounding word.

I've posted photos of my abaca products before on this blog--in the should Venus, the mannequin, be naked post--but it's time to do it again so you can see just what I'm talking about:


Cute, huh?

Anyway, without getting all Latin plant name on you, abaca is the fiber from a tree that looks exactly like a banana tree, just without the fruit. The fiber is harvested from the outer sheaths of the trunk, a process done by hand that doesn't harm the tree at all. In fact, in a couple of years, the same outer sheath grows back. And, while abaca is grown in various parts of the world, it's said to be indigenous to the Philippines, and the Philippines leads the world in its production. Ok. End of botany lesson.

Abaca is generally considered to be the strongest natural fiber available. In fact, cordage, especially for ships' ropes, is among its most notable use. And, not only is its strength legendary, abaca is incredibly lightweight. Talk about having it all.

But wait, there's more. Abaca, this friendliest of eco-friendly fibers is, at least in the Philippines, grown by small farmers, working maybe five or ten hectares. So, we're not talking some big multinational paying workers peanuts to harvest this fiber on plantations, this fiber comes from real small farmers. And, once it's in fiber form, it's taken to another small producer to dye and weave. All this is done by hand, too. And, then the producer I work with, on the big southern Philippine island of Mindanao, and I figure out how to design this woven fiber into bags you will love.

These bags have other special, eco-friendly features like lining made from recycled flour sacks, but I'll leave the inside of the bag for another post.

Oh, and the Manila envelope trivia question thing? Abaca is sometimes called Manila hemp. And, envelopes used to be made out of it, hence the Manila envelope. And, now you know.

Even More Test Shots

It was a perfect overcast day for photography with my little point and shoot camera, so I decided to try out more photos in context.

All these items are from the Philippines, and should--fingers crossed, diety of your choice willing--will be here at Three Stone Steps by next week.

(This cute lime green bag is made from abaca, and lined with a used industrial plastic sack. The very sweet abaca flower is sold separately.)

Dangles made with bamboo, coconut bead, and some seed. They'll be available in many hip and fun colors.


I'm least happy with this photo, although not with the product, which is a cute, summery clutch made out of seagrass, and line with recycled flour sacks.

Well, there you have it. Some new products shot in some new context. We'll see just what I'll end up doing with these photos when I get ready to load them to my site.

My Online World & More Metal!

Well, I've been playing around a bit on Squidoo, in fact, writing even more about the funky cuff bracelets I had made from recycled metal. If you've not heard quite enough about the subject, you can find even more on my Metal Art from Haiti lens here.

I've also been Twittering myself silly. It's fun and non-committal, and you can find Three Stone Steps' random musings right here.

And, I'm happy--I think--to say that I found the red le roi shown below a new, good home!

Fantastic Recycled Oil Drum Cuff Bracelets Have Arrived!

I'm tickled to announce that I have at long last--well, after about two weeks--have the fantastic metal cuff bracelets I had made in Haiti from recycled 55-gallon oil drums on my site. You can find these pieces of wearable art right here.

These make a perfect and unique gift. Of course, you may jut want one for yourself.

And, here's a photo of the artisan modeling his work:


Pretty cool, huh?

Three Stone Steps in Bolton Hill tomorrow

Three Stone Steps will be on the 1400 block of Bolton Street, in the lovely Bolton Hill section of Baltimore tomorrow to sell great eco-chic messenger bags, silk scarves, and many more of our great fashion accessories. The festival runs from 10am to 5pm.

Now, I know that given all that's happening with the election and the economy, not everyone's mind is exactly on buying a cross body bag made from post-consumer waste black plastic trash bags, but, really, it's as good a time as any.

Speaking of the economy, Bolton Hill is in Rep. Elijah Cumming's district. I'm not in his district, but Three Stone Steps is actually on his district's border. (His district begins across the street from Three Stone Steps' worldwide headquarters.)

While this is not new news, I did think that the Bolton Hill Representative did a knock out job when questioning our our taxpayer bailout money was spent by AIG:



If you have trouble hearing this, part of the text follows:

CUMMINGS: Let me describe for some of you the charges that the shareholders, taxpayers, had to pay. AIG spent $200,000 dollars for hotel rooms. Almost $150,000 for catered banquets. AIG spent $23,000 at the hotel spa and another $1,400 at the salon. They were getting manicures, facials, pedicures and massages while American people were footing the bill. And they spent another $10,000 dollars for I don’t know what this is, leisure dining. Bars?

Well, yet another one of those, it makes you think, huh?

Hope to see you tomorrow!

I'm still here....

Ah, but dear reader, I have been very busy.

I'm getting ready for my inaugural trade show, for museum store buyers, down in Tampa. I'm super excited to show off Three Stone Steps' new line of bags made of recycled, repurposed mosquito netting, and the new bag made of recycled big plastic garbage bags that are woven around blue yard.

Eco-chic at its greenest best, I tell you!

I'll also be showing off my gorgeous two-toned 100 percent silk scarves, which, by some crazy reserve of will power, I've narrowed down to carrying in only four colors. These are hand made of course, and woven in a traditional way, not often seen in Southeast Asia. I also will have my lovely silk Angkor shoulder bag, in some new colors, as well as new colors of the great little cotton travel bag along with the larger commuter bag, both with the same great traditional, yet non-ethnic hippie Khmer silk-screen pattern. Oh, and silk jewelery rolls, and, if my some magic along with the correct alignment of the planets, maybe, just maybe, I'll even have those brand spanking new striped and beaded cosmetic bags along for the ride. I am waiting, waiting, waiting for the USPS to bring this wonderful package to my little door. Please Mr. Postman, look and see, is there a package, a package for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?

While the folks in Tampa will get to see all these goodies in person, never fear, everything will up on the site by later this month.....and, most everything should be available for purchase sometime this summer.

As always, stay tuned....and, updates from the road.

New samples have arrived

Due to the magic of high speed travel, I have some new samples, or prototypes, if you like.

Here's a sneak peak of what's in store:

A new material. Three Stone Steps will now be carrying three items made in woven, used plastic bags. People in Phnom Penh collect these overly ubiquitous bags, and they are then provided with soap to wash them, and dry them in the sun. They are then paid for their work, and then recycled into great bags. Here's a detail that I hope just doesn't look like a great black blob:


(Ok. I'll admit it, IT does sort of look like a great black rectangle. But, please look closely! )

Other than that, these mosquito net products will be offered in colors that Three Stone Steps has previously carried:

• silver;

• copper;

• green;

• blue, and;

• yellow.

The new products have been made by Three Stone Steps in partnership with the producer in Phnom Penh, and will include:

• a women's bag, probably called The Lovely Luna Bag;

• the Fellini Pannolini & Messenger bag (and, you'll just have to wait for details on that one!)

• a man's billfold/wallet, and;

• a fantastic flat cross-body bag for men and women.

Of course, there will be more details and photos and prices, but, just wanted to give you a bit of a sneak peek preview. Please check back!

Not Quite Playing in Phnom Penh

Despite having a painfully slow internet connection, Three Stone Steps is delighted to inform you of some new items that will be on offer soon. First jewelry rolls. Ok, they are the same fantastic jewelry rolls now offered by Three Stone Steps, but will be offered in new, most fabulous colors. Colors so great that you'll wonder how you lived without them; and colors so great that you'll love using them for your fine bling.

And, speaking of bling, Three Stone Steps is presently debating carrying some really unique and very affordable necklaces. These necklaces are made from buffalo horn (the kind of buffalo they have in Southeast Asia, and YES, the buffalo was already dead for other reasons, and certainly not brought to its demise for its horns. And, NO, I would never, ever, do anything so unethical and cruel as to kill a buffalo so its horn could make a simple necklace, so please don't even think it just in case that horrid thought crossed your mind). They are lovely and casual, and won't quite replace the diamonds you wear to the opera, but can certainly go from work to play without missing a beat. But, we'll see. Even as I write this, I think that buffalo horn bling, as ethical and lovely as it is, may just be too much.

And, speaking even more about jewelry, Three Stone Steps is testing out a great new design for the silk bead necklace. Again, this will take you from work to play to everywhere in between. We're just wondering if this new necklace will work.....but, it's so great in concept that we're hoping it will work in practice.

But, wait, there's more! Somewhere high above the Arctic Circle, she thinks, Three Stone Steps had a brainstorm to create the most lovely and simple and practical raw silk messenger bag. Ok, it'll be sort of on the small side, but there's nothing else like it. She can't wait to turn this theory into practice, especially if it works out.

We're also bringing you a new improved longer strap for the cotton travelers bag, and perhaps a lovely new scarf or two, made from golden silk (which feels like wool), which is beautifully handwoven, and uses all natural dyes.

And, stay tuned for new designs of mosquito netting products and other fashion accessories made from discarded items.

In any event, time in Phnom Penh has been productive, and with hope, soon you'll be able to view these fine new offerings on the website and in stores.

Ok. Off to bed. It's very late in this part of the planet.

Good night.

Not Quite a Holiday in Cambodia

After three days in Singapore, I arrived in Phnom Penh rather late last night. I'm excited to meet with my current producers and to see what new fashion accessories I can find for Three Stone Steps.

I will post a blog soon regarding thoughts about Singapore in terms of being green (or not being green) and some general political, social, cultural and other thoughts.

Anyway, I'm about to meet my producer of the recycled eco-chic messenger bags, laptop bag, and wallets. I'm interested in some of their new offerings, and if all goes well (there is a great deal of things to consider) I should have some new very interesting recycled fashion accessories to offer. I'll update soon.

Anyway, just checking in.

Will update, and attempt to load photos later today.

Stay tuned.

From the better late than never deparment: determining sweatshop-free status when shopping

Since I work at home most of time, I listen to the entire NPR lineup when going through all the daily tasks of owning a small business. I was a bit pleasantly surprised when Talk of the Nation dedicated part of its show to discussing how to determine if the item you want to buy as that oh so perfect gift was made in a sweatshop.

Well, good for you NPR, but wasn't this, coming about a week before people actually exchange presents, a bit too late. And, should people already be aware of where and how their gifts are made?

NPR made this sound like detective work. It isn't. Someone called up and said that they had the National Green Pages before them, which listed items that were not just 'green,' but also sweatshop-free and/or fair trade. You want to know what a stamp of approval from Co-op America looks like? Well, I just so happen to have one right here, on Three Stone Steps' main landing page. (You need to scroll to the bottom.) Businesses how have fair trade logos, which Three Stone Steps also hopes to get for this year, also have their logo. Anyway, what this all means is that someone cared enough and took the time to submit an application to a panel that judges the merits of 'fair trade' thoroughly.

Among the panelists, (I would say taking heads, but this is radio, so I guess it's talking mouths) was Dana Thomas, who wrote a book Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster. I read a review of this book in the NYT book review, and remember it sounding fascinating, yet I don't reading anything about the conditions under which 'luxury' goods are made. Of course, this could just be the reviewer skipping over this point, or my quick read, but I found it interesting that the discussion was more about determining if the Made in America label meant anything, or if something is made in Italy, does it mean its sweatshop free?

So, Three Stone Steps is its own label. No one is going to wear a silk scarf, carry a silk, cotton, or recycled material handbag based on my 'branding.' But, I know under what conditions the items I carry are made, and take pride in only buying from the most just and humane producers.

Now, what luxury brand can say that?

Eye see a holiday boutique

Well, nothing like stating the obvious, but, of course, the season of gifting and giving is upon us. I had a little boutique at Casa Three Stone Steps, showing my stuff, and also the 'eye-opening' jewelry collection of Susan Lowe, who actually starred, yes, starred in John Waters' film Desperate Living.

So, we had Three Stone Steps' fine silks, cottons, and recycled bags, wallets, scarves, and accessories, and Susan's incredibly funky jewelry, all of eyes. Quite a fun tour of the eyes of Michael Jackson, Liz Taylor, and Venus (as in the Botticelli painting). Anyway, this interesting jewelry was from her Eye Eye Eye collection.

Ok. So, you want pictures of the boutique. They are coming, and very soon. Please stay tuned!