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 Stepsonline, 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.

After a bit of a wait, I was able to get these very super fabulous recycled Christmas trees made from recycled 55-gallon oil drums in Haiti. They are pretty amazing. I bought one last year for personal use (and, I never have a tree, but just couldn’t resist this one):

 Pretty cool, huh? And, not only is it recycled and helps provide a sustainable income to an artisan in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, the tree folds up flat and can be used year after year after year.

These’ll be online soon, and I’ll certainly update you when you are able to buy one for yourself or as a gift.

And, there are several little holes on the tree, just perfect for hanging our ornaments. May I suggest adorning your recycled Christmas tree with recycled ornaments made from used newspaper and magazines? Not only are they recycled, their fair trade too, and made by a women’s collective in a depressed urban area in Manila.