Ecoleekos Winter Schedule..

Hi Everyone, I've been MIA on my blog, but I'll try to be better! I wanted to share my Winter/Holiday schedule in case you are around the CNY area and want to visit, see other wonderful crafts and artwork and snag a little Ecoleeko!

First off is... The Herkimer County Art and Craft Fair on Saturday November 14th 10-5pm and Sunday November 15th 10-4pm at the Herkimer County Community College on 100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer, NY 13350. For more information please visit- the Herkimer County Community College Events Page

Next is...The Earlville Opera House 12th annual Holiday Arts Crafts Show starting Friday November 27th 10-4pm, Saturday November 28th 10-4pm and Sunday November 29th 12-4pm as well as.. Saturday December 5th 10-4 pm & Sunday 6th 12-4pm Saturday December 12th 10-4pm & Sunday 13th 12-4pm Saturday December 19th 10-4pm & Sunday 20th 12-4pm at the Earlville Opera House Gallery on 18 E Main St, Earlville, NY 13332. For more information please visit- The Earlville Opera House

Third..Might be the Indie Garage Sale on December 12th 10-8pm located at 1607 Genesee St. Utica, NY 13501 ..More information to follow, please visit- The Indie Garage Sale

And last but not least, I will be at the 1st annual Winter Hamilton Farmers market located at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church on 12.5 Madison Street, Hamilton NY 13346. Up to 20 vendors each Saturday from 9-1pm featuring handmade crafts, food and farmed goods. Dates are-
Nov 28th, Dec. 19th, Jan 16th, Feb. 20th, Mar. 20th, Apr. 17th
For more information please email sltruett@gmail.com

A Little Extra..
I will also have some of my recycled robots, made of recycled metal parts, cans and misc. materials at The MAD Art Gallery 3rd annual Holiday Show & Sale starting Friday November 6th 12-6pm and runs through January 16th. Open Fridays 12-6pm and Saturdays 10-4pm. Silent Auction & Opening Reception on December 5th 5-7pm. The MAD Art Gallery is located on Lebanon Street in Lebanon Alley, Hamilton, NY 13346. For more information please visit- The MAD Art Gallery

Water is a right

Please take a look at Flow the movie. This was an appalling look into the water today and what is to become of water in the future. I watched it in awe, originally on Sundance channel, and it is still running if you have their channel. Just visit their site to find out when. It is really important we know what is going on with our natural resources.

They are also seeking to add an amendment, Article 31 to ensure everyone has the right to water.

"We, the undersigned, respectfully call upon the United Nations to add a 31st article to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, establishing access to clean and potable water as a fundamental human right.

We believe the world will be a better place when the Right To Water is acknowledged by all nations as a fundamental human right, and that this addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represents a major step toward the goal of water for all."

Please take a look and show your support by adding your name to the list!

My CPSIA Labeling Law Solution

Well, as many small businesses that create children or baby toys or products have learned, the CPSIA has created the need for "track labels", where the manufacturer now has to have labels that can be used to track merchandise, show when it was made, where it's from, etc. That way the manufacturer can know what materials were used when, if there should ever be an issue with a product. To read more about this law visit..http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103.html

So in light of this, I had to come up with a way I could abide by the law and not spend too much money. Since I'm a hands on person, I decided to continue as I have been, and stamp my own tags!

Before, I had just stamped my company name on the fabric tape and sewed it in. Now I do the same process, but have created a much larger stamp...

-I first, designed a tag template on adobe photoshop, any design software would work.
-I measured the tape and decided how large I wanted the tag to be, and then designed accordingly.
-I uploaded my design to an online stamp company and ordered it, it was very simple and inexpensive.
-I then located a fabric stamp ink pad online that can be heat set to be made permanent. For the separate small initial and date stamps, I just cut up some small translucent/clear stamps you can find at any local craft store in their stamp section.(After everything, not including the twill tape, I spent about $25-30 on stamping materials, but will have them to use for a very long time, so it's not a bad way to go!)

I wanted my name/logo on one side and when folded, the tag would have the rest of the information, such as-

- materials used
- city, state, it was manufactured in
- item id
- date of manufacturing, which was determined to be once the product was finished
I would then stamp the date and item id separate. Above, you can see the tag laying flat open not folded as it would be sewn in to an item. The item ID is "W" and the date of manufacturing of DOM is A9, which to me is August 2009. It unfortunately takes more time than my previous tags, printing the item and dates, but is legal and has more information for the consumer.

Modern Handmade Child magazine

Etsy Kids has put out a wonderful online FREE magazine titled Modern Handmade Child. It has wonderful showcase of different children's items all lovingly handmade, as well as recipes, craft ideas, interviews, etc!
My waddle doll was featured on one of the pages!
Be sure to grab some tea and take a break to browse this wonderful FREE magazine!

A Must Read! CPSIA Update on Lead testing

If you make things for or have children you need to read this! It's a very promising start! fingers crossed!

Ok, So it's a 94 page read..

But what I and so many other soft artisans are looking for is between pages 5 and 25..The addressing of an exemption on testing natural materials and other man-made materials dyed or un-dyed as well as many other product components..Although, if you use binder pigment ink, it does still make screen-printed inks, decals and such still in a list of things to be tested due to the possible materials in the ink binder.

(Easy! Just click on and download, read in adobe reader)

Children's Products Containing Lead; Determinations Regarding Lead Content Limits on Certain Materials or Products; Final Rule, Ballot Vote Sheet, August 6, 2009 <http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/ brief/leadfinalrule.pdf>

AAh Summer..Finally?

Looks like summer weather is finally here, it's only July 24th! HA! Geez, where did it all go? I've been doing the farmers market, keeping busy with home projects and making more ecoleeko items! Newly posted on Etsy is Bock Bock Chicken.

Made of soft sustainable bamboo fleece and all natural fillings of course! Also coming soon are Fuzz Baa Lina Sheepy Farm Friend and Touch Me Snake! Bock Bock is inspired by my 23 chickens that love to bock at each other. We now also have a brooding hen barred rock that won't let you at the eggs when we collect them. The Sheep is inspired by sheep of course! I've always loved them and used to go to sheep and wool festivals in Maryland. The snake is inspired by our gardener snake family that lives in our back garden bed. They love to sun themselves on the steps and sometimes I almost step on them. They are fun to watch and slide and slither around the flowers.
I'll be also doing some local craft shows to feel my way in CNY. First is the Clinton Art & Music Festival on August 29th in Clinton NY. I also am doing one in November, The Herkimer County Arts & Crafts Fair on November 14th & 15th in Herkimer, NY. Please join my newsletter on the side for more upcoming information on these shows and new products!

the 3/50 project

A Great cause! You can visit their site at the350project