Green News

Green is now the buzzword when it comes to our lifestyle. We can buy organic denim, drink organic wine and buy jewelry out of recycled materials. Because we’ve become so familiar with ways to be green we’re constantly evolving what it means to be green and developing new ways to be green.

Take Make it Mine magazine. I have written about this publication before, and its focus is on how to customize pieces in your wardrobe like jewelry and clothing. Instead of discarding an old bracelet, for example, Make It Mine suggests revamping your bracelet into a new, hip style with just a few crafty items. They even suggest taking old costume jewelry and making wine charms out of it. In fact this magazine subtly pushes the green idea by taking old items and fashioning them into new, exciting pieces.
makeitminemag.com

Speaking of making old into new, Green Wine Bottles takes, well, old wine bottles and makes them into fuctional art. Artist David Guilfoose makes vases, candlesticks, bells and lamps out an item that you or I discard when it’s finished. The beautiful pieces make it hard to imagine that vase was perhaps a Cabernet or Merlot. Check out their booth at the Going Green Expo on May 2–4.
greenwinebottles.com

Macy's is rolling out Organic Frango mints in honor of Earth Day on April 22. According to a company press release, "Each premium variety is rich in flavor, grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers, and made from more than ninety-five percent certified organic ingredients such as organic milk chocolate, organic cane sugar and organic vanilla."
macys.com

New Shopping Content!

You can tell by our April cover that green is the word. So check out what we found in hot green goods.

Or be fashionable and carry your groceries in style.

Better yet, find out what " Hempen Goods is all about. Hint: it’s not what you think.

New Brands to the Madison Market

Even though we’re not as big as say, Chicago, Madison retailers have their collective fingers on the pulse of what is HOT in the retail scene. And you know what? We can get a selection of the same trendy, fashion-forward brands that are found in bigger cities—right here.

Context and Bop, two of the city’s premier shopping destinations, have introduced some new brands to their stores.
Men’s clothier Context has started carrying shirting line Bureau. “Inspired by effortless American elegance, casual simplicity and overall refined style, Bureau is a new addition to American menswear … Inspired by the off-duty lifestyle of our 35th president, John F. Kennedy, as well as the casually refined style of dress and mentality of the American youth in the early 1960s,” according to press materials. Co-owner Ryan Huber tells me that the shirts have been flying out of stock already and the quality of the shirt is tough to beat. Prices range from $141 for a white linen shirt to $253 for a captain’s jacket.
Context, 113 King St. 250-0113. contextclothing.com

Bop’s got fresh new lines Twelfth St., Anlo Jeans, Tocca, Rich & Skinny and Brette Sandler. I’ve seen many of these lines featured in major fashion mags like Lucky. Check out Twelfth St.’s sassy cocktail dresses and drapey tops; Rich & Skinny’s shockingly bright denim and denim capris in colors like emerald green and fuschia; and Brette Sandler’s sexy swimwear.
Bop, 222 W. Gorham St. 255-2570. shopbop.com

Three Madison area retailers will be carrying this spring’s hottest bag: the Envirosax reusuable tote bag. Gatherings, Pop Deluxe and Iconi will all have this of-the-moment bag that was featured in a recent issue of InStyle. Waterproof and durable, I had the opportunity to feature one of the totes in our April issue. But what’s great is that these bags come in tons of cool designs and are super fashionable (and non gender specific, so guys can use them too).
Shoppers can buy single bags (prices range from $8.50–$9.95) and packs of five bags ($37.50 at Pop Deluxe).
Pop Deluxe, 310 State St. 256-1966. popdeluxe.net
Gatherings, 2134 Regent St. 236-9497. gatheringshomeandgarden.com
Iconi, 534 W. Washington Ave. 441-0077.

On to something old that’s made new: Three Orange Doors has started carrying vintage china pendants. Fashioned out of vintage china (some is handpainted), these beautiful necklaces will certainly make a wardrobe statement. Owner Gail Paraskevas is very crafty and can even make a necklace from your own vintage china. She also does custom photo charms as well.
Three Orange Doors, 2789 Fitchrona Rd. 848-3336. 3orangedoors.com

Store Gossip

Readers, I have a lot of new store news to share with you. I also want to thank you for turning to Madison Magazine for all of the latest in everything Madison and this blog for shopping and store information ☺. These pictures up top are ones I snapped of Anthology, a new store that opened on State Street (keep reading, below!) Keep reading and I promise I’ll keep dishing on the exciting retail news I hear and shops I see every week. On to our news!

New and Nifty
I was reading the Isthmus the other week and noticed an ad looking for a store manager for a Goodwill store slated to open this spring on State Street. This store bills itself “featuring current fashion and hottest clothing trends, opening in early spring.” This is good news, and really fits in with next month’s “green” issue and our Green Expo on May 2–4 at the Alliant Energy Center.
Goodwill stores epitomize a couple of green concepts: reusing perfectly wearable clothing, pretty jewelry and gently-used housewares; and providing help for people with disabilities and other disadvantages in south central Wisconsin who really need it. A socially responsible business and a dose of shopping mixed in? It’s worth checking out. (P.S.: Did you know you can bid on Goodwill items online? See for yourself!

They’ve got one on famous shopping boulevard the Champs-Elysées in Paris and in tourist attraction Times Square in Manhattan and now—West Towne Mall in Madison. Sephora, the mega beauty retailer, is opening a store in summer 2008 at West Towne Mall. That’s right, we can get our beauty fix with a mind-boggling array of makeup, face care, hair care, fragrance and more. Two hundred and fifty brands including Christian Dior, Yves St. Laurent, Benefit, DuWop, Smashbox, Tarte and one of one of my favorites, the Sephora private label, will be there. If you’ve ever been to a Sephora store, the layout is open and spacious, the look sleek and best of all, prices are good (i.e. not overpriced) for these hot brands.
sephora.com

With warmer weather comes outdoor activities. (Okay, well it’s supposed to get warmer soon). Although I usually write about local retail, I thought I’d mention Gander Mountain is opening a new retail location at 6199 Metro Dr. This megastore (90,000 square feet to be exact!) will feature outdoor products, on-site gunsmith, marine services and repair, an archery lane, full service archery shop and more, according to a company press release. gandermountain.com

Greenway Station’s newly opened Bath & Body Works still has that new-store smell. More than likely though, it’s all of the delicious scents they tempt the nose with. One of Bath & Body Works' exciting lines is a skin-care line by dermatologist Patricia Wexler. I always see Wexler cited in beauty magazines like Allure and she’s a dermatologist to the stars among her many other accomplishments. Wexler's line range from $17.50–$150. Look for the new store next to the Sharper Image on Main Street.
bathandbodyworks.com

Aching for another home interior/home accessories shop to open up? Iconi will be opening up on West Washington Ave. next to Indocara. Formerly Jen Holien-Brewster’s vintage/consignment shop Epoch (see photo right; more on that later), owner Coni Marotz will carry Slip custom order lamps, Covet furniture, Envirosax reusable shopping bags, Bliss Living bedding and accessories (“it’s just just yummy,” she notes) and Eastern Accents home goods. Marotz’s lines will be unique to the Madison market.
Plus check out her array of vintage/revamped furniture and accessories like reupholstered furniture, vintage barware/glassware and artwork.
“It’s a real eclectic mix of products. I’m really trying to have a lot of reclaimed goods/things that are redone. It’s vintage furniture mixed in with the new and it really shows people how you can mix products together and reuse them so they’re not thrown out.”
I’m very excited for this shop and look forward to getting in as soon as possible!
Look for Iconi to open next week.
Iconi, 534 W. Washington Ave. 441-0077.

Changes ...
Speaking of Epoch, owner Jen Holien-Brewster (right) moved out of her West Washington Ave. space (see above) and is moving into Little Luxuries’ old space at 214 State St. The store is slated to open May 1.

Little Luxuries moved next door to Fanny Garver Gallery at 230 State St. The airy and open space boasts clear shelving, serene blue and green walls and the same great merchandise the shop has always carried. “Our lease was up and we found out this space was available,” says owner Janice Durand. “I had a store here years ago. Now we have more room and shelf space. We totally remodeled it and we wanted a new look.”



The two hundred block of State Street has yet another change: Anthology will be opening this weekend at 218 State St. in the former Twee & Luliloo space (see photos, above). Owner Sachi Komai tells me: “Anthology will be a paper and craft boutique with art supplies, craft kits, workshops and demonstrations. We will also feature a ‘Made in Madison’ section, picking up many of the crafters that The Glitter Workshop carried.” (See below about The Glitter Workshop).
Anthology’s concept sounds really neat: Komai will host weekly “Craft Lunches,” where customers can drop in from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and pay $5–$7 to make cards, collages, buttons, et cetera. She’s also looking into hosting kids’ parties and will have workshops on embroidery, decoupage, Polaroid transfer and much more.
Epoch, 214 State St.
Little Luxuries, 230 State St. 255-7372.
Anthology, 218 State St.

Event News
Check out the HospiceCare Thrift Store Fashion Show Luncheon. I went to this event last year and was very impressed with the cute outfits the thrift store employees coordinated. The money goes to a great cause and attendees get to see a fashion show! I mean, that beats my lunch hour every day, agreed?
Learn about the HospiceCare Thrift Store and check out the cool stuff the store gets in.
Thursday, April 10, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Holiday Inn-West, 1109 Fourier Dr. $35/person. HospiceCare Thrift Store, 122 Junction Rd. 833-4556. hospicecareinc.com

“Back to Basics” event at PREP Cosmetics
Pamper yourself and head over to PREP for a professional makeup application by one of Napoleon Perdis’ makeup artists. Napoleon Perdis cosmetics and skin care is regularly featured in top beauty magazines and TV shows. Plus, the winner of Australia’s Next Top model is the face of the makeup line. Who doesn’t love the American version, America’s Next Top Model, with Miss Tyra?!
PREP Cosmetics, 553 State St. 442-3366. prepcosmetics.com

Indocara is having a March Madness sale and some items are up to sixty percent off. Check it out!
Indocara, 540 W. Washington Ave. 251-7711. "http://www.Indocara.com" target="new">indocara.com

Closings
The Glitter Workshop at 920 E. Johnson St.

Pink Panties at 449 State St.

Mary Parker of daffodil parker told me recently that she and business partner Erin Daffodil Hickey are going to focus exclusively on their floral business and close down the retail part of the business. Customers can still get in touch with Hickey and Parker if they’re interested in florals.
daffodil parker, 502 W. Main St. 663-2100. daffodilparker.com

Hot Topic: Fair Trade

Q&A with Lynn Persson, owner of Terra Experience
2140 Regent St. 231-2147. terraexperience.com

How did you come up with the name Terra Experience?
From a Latin teacher way back; “terra” means “earth.” I worked in environmental protection for thirty-two years. Terra had meaning in that way. I am also a gardener and it had meaning in that way. I was looking for a business name and that just seemed appropriate.

What does Terra Experience sell?
The specialty is doll clothes. I sell ethnic doll clothes that fit eighteen-inch dolls—folk art, textiles and other things from Guatemala and the markets of the world.

When and why did you start the business?
1999. It started small, as a hobby business to help some friends down in Guatemala who needed money for school and other things. My husband and I went down for vacation and fell in love with the country, and got to know some weavers and their families.

Did you have retail experience previously?
No. My husband owns Stony Hill Antiques and Gallery on Regent Street. He has had a retail business and has been kind enough to give me a corner of his shop and sell my doll clothing. We have independent businesses, but support each other.


What do you look for in what you sell?
I try to maintain the cultural traditions, which is one of the things I liked about the doll clothing. Each village in Guatemala has its own weaving styles. Each of the doll clothes I have represents a different weaving village. Rather than having them bend their traditions to meet the style needs of us Americans, I’m making use of our love of dolls and beautiful textiles and taking that to understand their culture. Obviously, I’m also looking for things that will sell and are attractive.

Judging from your website and talking to you, it sounds like Terra Experience has a higher goal than just selling doll clothing. Explain that.
When I started this, I defined three bullet points: Make ethnic doll clothing that fit American Girl and other sixteen-, eighteen- and twenty-three-inch dolls; give kids of all ages the chance to experience other cultures with the dolls and toys they love; and support sustainable development, fair trade, the local artisans, their communities and the environment.

Where do you source things from?
Primarily, going down to Guatemala once a year. I order the doll clothing from the weavers a year before and pay "anticiipo." [I also work with] group cooperatives and nonprofits that I’ve made friends with down there.
[You meet] people you really start to care about and it’s something you really want to share. I was fortunate that when I just started thinking about this [business], Shorewood Hills elementary school was studying Mayan culture. A friend who is an art teacher [at Shorewood] asked me to sell my items at a library sale. I said “Sure,” and it was a success, which indicated to me people were interested in this kind of thing.


What’s your most popular item?
The doll clothing. I also sell books about the cultures and books about weaving. My customers have asked for things that will fit themselves and their daughter, so I sell a lot of full-size textiles now. Everything is made on a handloom, a back-strap loom or a floor loom by the weavers.
I also provide information about the weaver, their families and their culture. I have information on some good nonprofits and cooperatives that I share with my customers.

Where can shoppers go to get information about the fair trade movement?
There are a couple of different groups [that certify fair trade]. One is the Fair Trade Federation (fairtradefederation.org). They have a process for certifying fair trade artisans and groups. I am in the process of becoming a member and hope to be in the future.
There are also a number of groups that certify fair trade products like coffee. Just Coffee here has a lot of good information on coffee. Willy Street Co-op has list of places that sell fair trade here in Madison. I put that list on my website and they ended up adapting it.
I am a proud member of Co-op America (coopamerica.com), which focuses on green and socially responsible businesses. They have a buyer’s guide and have different guidelines they use to evaluate fair trade.
I’m proud that Terra Experience was identified as one of “top ten green toys” by Co-op America before Christmas. What I have done at this point is work with the weavers and seen how they weave. The weaving itself is sustainable. It’s not a sweatshop with lots of toxic fumes coming out. It’s primarily a woman trying to make money and taking care of her family in her home.

As shoppers, we hear about the green movement, and I’m wondering how the fair trade movement fits in with that. It seems like it does, but I’m confused as to exactly how it fits in.
Green involves a number of things, and one means being a socially responsible business. You can be green in terms of reducing your impact on the earth, and you have to look at the impact that you have on other people on this earth.
The broader look of green is socially responsible, sustainable development. Part of that is asking, “Are the people you’re buying from making a living wage, and are they producing products in an environmentally sustainable manner?”


What can people do to buy responsibly or buy green?
If people look at comparably priced products and buy the one that supports an individual and their families rather than a big corporation's profit, it sure would help. But it’s also important that some of the big corporations are trying to be green.
With green you’re looking at the whole product. How is it produced; what are the contaminants; how does your own use of the product affect the earth? When the product is disposed of, how does that affect the earth?
It’s really hard. I worked in environmental protection for thirty-two years and when I first went down to Guatemala, I hoped to do environmental work down there but instead I felt that I could help them economically.
But instead I felt that I could best help the women I had met by finding fair trade markets for their beautiful weavings. They were trying to buy school supplies for their children, which cost the same or more than in Madison. Yet the average daily wage for a field laborer is five to seven dollars and less for a woman. Many children only received a couple years of primary education. Now having established long-term relationships with weaving families and various groups I am able to also support scholarships and promote environmental projects that I hope will have a long term beneficial impact on their environment and health as well.
I’m more likely to have an impact on the people economically, so I can figure out what’s happening and then I can support the areas that have a long-term impact.

(Photos above: Maya Traditions doll (left, top photo), $20–$40; Doll dresses, $20–$28; Mayan embroidered folk art tapestries, $45)

Other fair trade shops:
A Greater Gift, 2701 Monroe St. 233-4438. agreatergift.org
Fair Indigo, 570 N. Midvale Blvd. 661-7662. fairindigo.com
Fair Trade Coffeehouse, 418 State St. 268-0477. fairtradecoffeehouse.com
Just Coffee, justcoffee.org

New Shopping Content!

From the March 2008 issue:

Window Shopping: Stop and Shop
My monthly column highlights Three Orange Doors, an adorable shop tucked away on Fitchrona Road.

Fabulous Finds: They've Got Male—Spring Men's Fashion
Let's hear it for the boys: what to get your guy.

Style Sheet: Perfect Pet Products
Where to go locally for Fido, and check out our adorable Maltese model, Maddie!

From the January 2008 issue:
Web Exclusive Video: Window Shopping at Artisan Gallery in Paoli
I give readers a visual tour inside my January 2008 Window Shopping column.

New Baby Store!

Local retailer Elizabeth Wewerka, owner of Lady Moxie, is launching Baby Moxie. Wewerka’s current consignment business focuses on higher-end clothing and accessories for women. She saw the need for a baby consignment store and thought Baby Moxie was the logical next step. She says she’s already had several inquires about the new venture (which will be housed in the back room of Lady Moxie) and is excited to tackle the new challenge. If you’re interested, contact Wewerka about setting up an appointment to bring in clothing.

Lady Moxie (and new Baby Moxie) 6706 Odana Rd. 826-4268. ladymoxie.com