Organic, Recycled and Eco-Friendly Fashion Tips

Get an Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift: Sundrop Jewelry Give-a-way

2011-11-29T17:22:00.000-08:00

We're thrilled with our newest line of recycled glass line from Sundrop Jewelry. While Smart Glass offers somewhat more artistic styling, Sundrop is simple and classy with a wonderful story behind it that will have you talking about your earrings to everyone you see.

Sundrop Jewelry makes their unique glass droplets using focused sunshine! The heat of the sun is focused by a three foot tall magnifying glass (technically a fresnel lens). Artisans put recycled glass pieces under the concentrated heat and then let gravity form the droplets.

This creative process is all done right here in the USA in a Minneapolis back yard. Of course, we love supporting small, eco businesses, so Sunglass Jewelry was an easy choice for us to offer. Best of all, we're giving away a matching set of earrings and necklace to one lucky winner for the holidays. There are 4 color options to choose from.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post by Thursday, December 15, with your e-mail address, phone number or some way for us to get in touch with you. If you don't want to leave contact info, you can comment with your name and then e-mail us your contact info. If we don't know how to contact you, we can't give you the prize. The drawing happens December 16th and will ship as soon as we hear back from the winner.

To really appreciate this great line, take a look at this video of a Sundrop being created.

Where are the bras? Vacations, Service and Love Nature

2011-10-20T08:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, I admit that the Bras, Bras, Bras series is taking painfully longer than I ever expected. I had Episode 3 partially written and it was long. I mean loong. I mean, who-wants-to-read-a-book-for-a-blog-post long. And the realization finally came to me that I had to move into the 21st century and do what other bloggers do - make a video. I can get all of the information across more quickly with better visuals in a 3 - 5 minute video. So now I have a video camera and a tripod and all I really need is a little bit of confidence. (Wow, I had no idea I was that pale!) So please bare with me as I cringe a bit and get this video thing working.

In the meantime, I'm taking a real vacation! I'll be on a Mediterranean cruise for the next couple of weeks. Of course, FaeriesDance.com will be well serviced with packages going out daily as always. But e-mail and phone responses will be slower than usual and we expected a 2-day turn around for returns and exchanges as opposed to our usual 1. Please bare with us. I hope to come back refreshed and ready to provide excellent service to all our fantastic supporters.

Lastly, our fall Love Nature order (over 1000 pieces) just came in. There was a mad rush to try to count and sort it all before leaving, but alas it was just too much. We've updated the stock on the Alba Padded Underwire Bra so they're available now. Everything else will get listed over the weekend of November 5-6.

So... once I return, Love Nature products and videos will be on the top of the priority list. Thank you all for your continued interest in sustainable fashions and our small business!

We're a Top Ten Finalist for Green Business of the Year - Please Vote for Us!

2011-09-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

Wow, for the second year in a row, FaeriesDance.com has earned a Top Ten spot (out of more than 5000 eligible businesses) for Green America's People's Choice Award for Green Business of the Year. YOU made it happen by sending in boatloads of nominations, and we can't thank you enough. Our small business can only thrive by the support of our fabulous customers and friends.

We have a second chance to win this prestigious award and get some much coveted press. Please take one more minute and vote for us now that we've made it to the final 10. And please, please, spread the word about FaeriesDance.com. Your support is so appreciated!

August Give-a-Way: 4 Blue Canoe Logo Tees

2011-08-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, we held our first formal event, Try On Green, here in Los Angeles. We enticed folks to help us get a good headcount of attendees by offering a free Blue Canoe Logo Tee (generously donated by Blue Canoe) to the first 30 people who RSVP'd. Well we had a few people RSVP and then not show up to claim their free shirt. So their loss is turning into your gain!

We have 2 size Smalls and 2 size Mediums available for this give-a-way, all in gorgeous autumn colors. There will be 4 separate winners. We're sorry to all the larger sizes out there, but remember you can always enter to win a fabulous gift for a friend or family member.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post telling us WHICH SIZE you're interested in and include an e-mail address or phone number or some way to get in touch with you. (Note, if we can't figure out how to tell you that you've won, we'll have to pick someone else.) Contest ends Wednesday, August 31, 2011. Drawing will be held on Thursday with the 4 winners announced in the comments section.

By the way, this shirt is really cute with a wide ballet neckline, raw edges, cap sleeves and a tissue-weight blend of 90% organic cotton and 10% spandex.

Please Nominate FaeriesDance.com for the 2011 Green Business of the Year

2011-08-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

Last year we were so excited to be in the top 10 nominee's for Green America's Green Business of the Year Award. While we didn't win, the recognition and added business exposure just from the nomination were immensely helpful and appreciated. We've decided to throw our (organic cotton) hats into the mix and see if we can get into the top 10 nominees again for a chance to win Green Business of the Year for 2011.

We may be a small business, but we're big on green initiatives, and we're still trying to help everyone "go green right down to their skivvies." This year, we're particularly proud of adding Cottonique to our line up of lingerie brands to help people with chemically sensitivities. We've also been recognized by both MCS America as an apparel resource and by Alicia Silverstone in her blog The Kind Life.

So please, please follow the nomination link to fill out a very short survey. Use Faerie's Dance as our business name and FaeriesDance.com as our business location. Tell your friends as well - Facebook, tweet or e-mail them - every vote counts.

Thank you! Your support is greatly appreciated. :-)

Bras, Bras, Bras! Episode 2 - The History of the Bra

2011-08-02T09:04:00.000-07:00

Discerning the true history of the bra has taken longer than expected as there is quite a bit of conflicting information on who wore bra-like instruments, starting when, and how they evolved into today's modern bra. One of the interesting facts that I was able to uncover is that there is no evidence that women in the 1960s ever actually burned bras in protest. It appears to be a myth, but I'll get to that in order.

It is widely believed that Minoan Civilization living on the island of Crete from roughly 2700 BC - 1500 BC were the first to wear breast-enhancing garments. Note that these weren't actually bras as the breasts were generally left uncovered as depicted in this Minoan snake goddess image on the left. However, the garment lifted the breasts giving them both form and support.

In both Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece, women's breasts went mostly uncovered. The ancient Greeks did have a type of bustier called an apodesme which consisted of thin wool or linen ribbons. Some sources say it tied under the bust for support while leaving the breasts bare, while others claim it tied around the bust but was only used for sport to provide support.

By 300 AD, the Roman Empire was using a type of bikini for breast support in sports. The "bikini girls" mosaic found in the Villa Romana Del Casale in Sicily depicts women in garments that look very much like modern day bikinis engaged in everything from weight lifting to discus throwing and ball games.

Sources on Roman women's clothing also mention the Fascia, a bra-type garment that was tightly tied around a woman's breasts. Some authors state the garment was actually used on younger women specifically to restrict breast growth, but I was unable to find corroborating evidence in historical references. In the 13th and 14th centuries, breasts were being de-emphasized as much as possible. The first corset-like garments had come on the scene, but were meant to flatten and minimize the breasts. An edict of Strasbourg dated 1370 states "no woman will support the bust by the disposition of a blouse or by tightened dress."

The Renaissance Era brought about a breast enhancement revival with the development of the corset, which cinched the waist and pushed the breasts up to increase the cleavage. Corsets were made with flexible material such as leather or cloth and then stiffened with boning. The boning could be made from whale bones, reeds, wood, steel or even ivory. Modern corsets are still made for Renaissance Faires today and usually have plastic boning.

World War I marked the end of the corset era. Women started working in factories for the first time, and corsets could be cumbersome and dangerous. Both the US and Britain discouraged women from buying corsets with steel boning, as the metal was needed for the war effort. Several reports claim that in 1917 the corset boycott saved 28,000 tons of steel - enough for 2 battleships.

The first American brassiere patent was issued in 1914 to Mary Phelps Jacob, who had sewn together two silk handkerchiefs with some ribbon to create something she could wear with her evening gowns that was more comfortable and would not show.

It was labeled the Backless Brassiere. There is an earlier patent from 1859 on a prototype bra made by Henry Lesher of New York. However, his invention had inflatable pads and was actually designed to help women who had uneven breasts look more symmetrically round. It was also designed to soak up perspiration. So it wasn't a support or enhancement garment per se.

During the 1920's women were wearing bandeau-style bras that held the breasts in and down causing the boyish silhouette associated with the Flappers. However, Ida Kaganovich, founder of Maidenform, felt this flattened look was going against nature. She is credited as the designer of today's modern bra, including the modern sizing method broken into band and cup measurements that are still used today.

In 1928 Ida's Maiden Form dress shop sold 500,000 bras that were designed to separate and support the breasts. Within a decade, Maiden Form bras were sold in department stores worldwide. Up until 1997, the Maidenform brand remained a family own business. Today, it's traded on the New York Stock Exchange under MFB. Unfortunately, Maidenform doesn't currently make any organic cotton or sustainable bras.

There is a charming report from 1942, during the second World War, in the diaries of Hermione Llewellyn whereby Hermione claimed in front of the Duke of Gloucester that the war-induced rubber shortage would be worse for woman than men because rubber was so widely used in women's undergarments. A month and half later, she received a package from the Duke. According to her diary, "A magnificent parcel, covered in tape and seals, arrived for me from India. Inside were two pairs of old-fashioned corsets with bones and laces. They were sent by HRH The Duke of Gloucester. Nick and I had an argument as to how one should thank one of the Royal Family for a present of corsets. Whichever way we put it looked disrespectful. Finally, we sent a telegram saying: ‘Reinforcements received. Positions now held. Most grateful thanks.’" (Thanks to Grace from Newport who sent me this lovely story.)

In 1947, Frederick Mellinger of Hollywood invented the first push-up bra dubbed The Rising Star. By 1964, Louise Poirier of Canada had develop a deeply plunged, laced push-up bra dubbed the Wonderbra Model 1300 that largely resembles current designs.

There is some belief that bra sales and development stalled in the 1960s and 1970s due to the bra-burning protests of the feminist era. However, according to Snopes.com, there is no evidence of actual bra burnings. In 1968 feminists protested the Miss America Pageant by throwing items of their oppression into a “freedom trash can.” Among these items of oppression were girdles, high-heeled shoes, some bras, copies of Playboy magazine, and hair curlers. However, the items were thrown out, not burned.

In 1977 Hinda Miller and Lisa Lindahl created the first sports bra by sewing 2 jock straps together and calling it a Jogbra. In the1990's two profound influences on bras emerged. Madonna wore her cone bras out in public, and is credited with changing the public perception of undergarments. More importantly, several manufacturers, including Blue Canoe, started making bras and underwear out of organically grown cotton without modern chemical finishing agents.

Today our bra options are nearly endless and happily, more and more manufacturers are getting on board with producing sustainable bras. The padded, push-up bra of the late twentieth century is now available made from breathable and soft organic cotton with low impact dyes.

Want to know more about the bras history? If you've got $28.95 burning a hole in your pocket (and you've already purchased all of the organic bras you need from FaeriesDance.com J), you might consider the comprehensive history book, Bra: Webster's Timeline History, 789 - 2007. At 194 pages long, you should get a bit more detail.

Bras, Bras, Bras! Episode 1 - Bizarre Bra and Breast facts

2011-06-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

I was planning to start off the formal series with the history of the bra (which dates back more than 4000 years!). But in my research, I came across such a wide array of bizarre information that didn't really fit anywhere in the series that I decided to start with a list of fun facts.

Approximately $16 billion dollars are spent annually on bra purchases worldwide. That's $16,000,000,000.
The average woman in America owns 9 bras.
On October 27, 1999, two women were reportedly killed when lightning struck the underwire in their bras. This wasn't the first report of bras attracting lightning. In 1982, the Rome News-Tribune reported a similar incident, and there are references to 1991 underwire strike as well.
According to National Geographic, women's breasts average from 10 ounces to 20 lbs.
Annie Hawkins-Stone holds the Guinness Record for having the largest natural (no implants) breasts at size 102ZZZ and weighing in at approximately 56 lbs.

The worlds longest bra chain comes in at 166,000 bras. This may seem like a trivial record, but several organizations around the world, including GirlGuiding NZ are using their attempt to break the longest bra chain record as a way to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. You can donate unwanted bras to them and at the end of the record they will send all of the good condition bras to women in need in Africa, Haiti and the Pacific Islands.
Despite rumors that wearing an underwire bra can cause breast cancer, scientists, including the director of medical content for the American Cancer Society, say that's simply not true.
Researchers are designing and have patented a bra that can detect breast cancer in the very early stages of development.
Japan's Triumph International lingerie company has some outrageous bra ideas and has come up with anti-smoking bras, heated bras to prevent colds, and bras that turn into shopping bags.

Photo Source: Japan Today

Check back next week to learn the long history of the bra.

Bras, Bras, Bras! A Series on the History, Sizing, Fit and Functionality of the Bra

2011-06-11T11:50:00.000-07:00

Lately the vast majority of the customer questions we're getting are about bras. What size bra should I get? Underwire or wireless? Padding versus No Padding? International sizing? Which styles have the most support? Which are latex-free? Which are best for my body shape? Etc., etc.

Our last give-a-way - for the allergen-free bras - got more entries than any other contest we've ever run. And of course, we all know how difficult it is to find clean, organic bras that are chemical free and sustainably produced.

So I've decided to offer up a series on bras, focusing on organic cotton and sustainable bras, of course. Over the next month or so, I'll be providing everything (that I can think of) you've ever wanted to know about bras. So here's what I have in mind. Please leave a comment if there's something else you want to know and I'll make sure it gets in.

The History of the Bra: Where it came from and how it has evolved.

Bra Sizing: How to determine what size you are and the conversion to international sizing.

Top Bra Styles by Body Type: Which bra "features" flatter your body.

For today, let's start off with my story. So, how did FaeriesDance.com get to have (what I'm pretty sure is) the largest selection of eco-lingerie in the country? The story goes like this...

Before I became environmentally conscious about everything, bra shopping was my secret salve. Whenever I’d get depressed about something or needed a quick pick-me-up, it was off to the mall for the perfect bra. Underwire, push-up, plunge, padding, lace, it was all good. My lingerie drawer was better stocked than some restaurant kitchens. And it never failed me. As long I could find a good bra, life went beyond just bearable to fabulous, even if only temporarily.

You see there’s something luscious about wearing stunning lingerie – even boyfriendless – because lingerie is your own little secret. Work can be overwhelming, the house can be a mess, you can argue with your family, but underneath your clothing, where no one else can see, you have… ARMOR. That’s right, beautiful, sexy, feminine, armor. The perfect, outrageous purple lace bra is as good as a bullet-proof vest when it comes to deflecting negativity. And if the day happens to be going well anyway, that quick trip the rest room and peek at your hot pink panties will bring an extra smile to your face every time. I like colors. Oh sure, I’ve got white and nude for those days with a crisp white collared shirt, but any big sweater was always hiding something bright and cheerful.

But then I started learning. I learned about the pesticides used in crops and what it does to the water, soil and wildlife in the area. I learned about chemical finishing agents and what they do to the workers who handle them, the towns that have to deal with the toxic wastes and even the impacts on our own bodies as we wear them. I learned about sweatshop labor, about appalling working conditions, subsistent wages and 6 year olds working 12-hour days. I saw our culture being controlled by energy needs, and oil, and terrorists. And suddenly, I couldn’t go bra shopping anymore and chinks developed in my armor.

So what's a girl to do faced with the destruction of our planet, our home and our way of life? Well in my case, I opened my own eco-boutique specializing in organic bras. Now, not only am I my own best customer, but with my armor restored, I want to help all those other women who need better, more luscious, sexier, prettier under armor without all the bad stuff.

Latex-Free, Spandex-Free Organic Cotton Underwear for Allergy Suffers - Give-a-Way!

2011-04-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

We're thrilled to announce a new line of organic cotton underwear purposely designed to help folks with chemical sensitivities and skin contact allergies. We have 7 products in this new line (2 for men) and we're giving away a few items for our customers to try out and review!

Give-a-way 1 - The Allergen-Free Drawstring Bra

This bra is not only latex-free and spandex-free, but it actually contains no elastic whatsoever, using a drawstring design instead to hold it closed. Sizes are marked 34B, 36B, 38B, 38C, 40C, 42C and 40DD, though the manufacturer claims they run a little on the small side. We'll work with you to pick the right size and then hopefully you can provide some feedback on the fit.

Give-a-way 2: The Allergen-Free Front Close Bra

This bra is does contain a small amount of elastic at the straps and under the bust. However, the elastic is fully covered in organic cotton and contains no latex or spandex. Sizes again run from 34B - 40DD.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post including an e-mail address or phone number or some way to get in touch with you. (Note, if we can't figure out how to tell you that you've won, we'll have to pick someone else.) Contest ends Monday, April 25, 2011. Drawing will be held on Tuesday with the winner announced in the comments section.

There will be 2 winners - 1 for each bra. If you only want to be consider for one of the bras, please let us know. Otherwise, everyone gets in the draw for both picks.

Allergen Free Design Features:

Latex free and spandex free for sensitive skin
Bra #1 is also completely elastic free
Bra #2 has hypo-allergenic plastic front closures for easy wear
Purified organic cotton process
Double-layered cotton lining
Covered Seams prevent rubbing and agitation
Irritation-Free label for sensitive skin
Textile Dye-free & Resin-free for sensitive skin

Please, please pass this contest info along to anyone you know who might have skin contact allergies. We're excited to get feedback both from women who just want to try them for fit and also from anyone who really needs the extra attention to what goes into their clothing.

Organic Cotton, Fair-Trade Soul T Give-a-Way From PrAna

2011-03-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

Our first give-a-way of 2011 celebrates the addition of PrAna Clothing to FaeriesDance.com. PrAna's newest line introduces the Fair Trade Soul T.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post including an e-mail address or phone number or some way to get in touch with you. (Note, if we can't figure out how to tell you that you've won, we'll have to pick someone else.) Contest ends Monday, March 28, 2011. Drawing will be held on Tuesday with the winner announced in the comments section.

There will be 2 winners - 1 for each color. If you only want to be consider for one color, let us know. Otherwise, everyone gets in the draw for both picks.

To date, we've focused on smaller eco-designers. But mid-sized companies like PrAna can make a huge difference with their larger reach. PrAna has been focusing on sustainability more and more each season with a growing line of organic cotton and recycled apparel. For Spring 2011, they're working with the Liberian Women's Sewing Project to offer a fully Fair Trade Certified women's T. Their Fair Trade endeavors will be expanding into Fall 2011, and we couldn't think of a better time to add their fabulous clothing to our line up.

The many women benefiting from the Liberian Women's Sewing Project.

Good luck!

Earth Creations Boxy Cut Hemp/Organic Cotton Scoop Neck - Something you want?

2011-03-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

For a very limited time, Earth Creations is taking special orders from retailers to re-cut the original boxy Scoop Neck tee that was discontinued back in 2009. Personally, I loved this cut. (I'm a boxy sort of gal.) While they always sold well, the new more fitted Better Than Before (BTB) scoop necks also sell well.

So, I'm asking you our friends and followers, would you like to see the boxy scoop back? Do you see yourself purchasing one of these in the future?

Need the Support of a Performance Bra in a Natural Fabric? Double Up.

2011-01-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

One of the concerns I hear most often is that women need more supportive sports bras in natural fabrics. While FaeriesDance.com has sports bras in organic cotton and bamboo, thus far they haven't rivaled their synthetic counterparts for really good support in high-impact sports. Last year I ran my first 1/2 marathon wearing the Bamboo Sports Bra, and while it was "good enough," I have to agree with my fellow sports enthusiasts that it could have been better. I also happen to be on the small side, falling between an A and a B cup. The C and D cups out there are really struggling to find something natural, breathable, eco-friendly and supportive.

Then a few weeks ago in a rather jumpy power-sculpting class, the light bulb finally turned on. We've got great natural fiber camis and tanks with built-in shelf bras and we've got decent sports bras. What if I combined them? So I have. 2 classes and 2 runs later and I'm hooked for life on an ultra-supportive combo concept. In my case, I started with the Bamboo Sports Bra and then layered the organic cotton E Tank over top of it. Since I fall between sizes, I wore the bra in small and the tank in medium. If you find your almost always one size, I would suggest both pieces in the same size.

The sports bra provided the basic support. I personally like the bamboo because it seems to control odor a lot and wicks a little, too. However, I believe the lighter weight Organic Cotton Sports Bra or even the Jen's Bra should work equally well as the bottom layer. The internal shelf bra in the layering tank fits a tad tighter than usual since it's now sitting on another garment instead of directly on the skin. That tightness helped hold the sports bra in place and provided a full second layer of anti-bounce protection. Almost any tank or cami with an internal shelf bra should work equally well, and as a side bonus, the layered look was quite attractive. I should warn that my cami got a little stretched, and while its still perfect for the sports layering, extended wear this way might make it less usable on its own.

Of course, we're still trying to find other options in technical sports wear. I've found some companies that have the right idea. One company is making technical sports bras out of traditional polyester, but using recycled fibers. At the moment, they're recycled content is only 35%, which doesn't quite meet our eco standards, but it's a good start, and we'll keep following them to see if they can pull off a great design with more recycled materials. But in the meantime if you need more support right now, just double up.

Stay active,

Chemical Finishing Agents on Clothing

2011-01-21T18:22:00.000-08:00

One thing I've mentioned often is that it's just as important for clothing to be free of harsh chemical finishing agents as it is for the base agricultural material to be organically grown. Many people who are chemically sensitive have reactions to the chemicals that are put on the fabric last because those chemicals often have the strongest residue on the final product.

So I have some knowledge of finishing agents, and I figure a little research on my part will help out my customers who may want to know more about what's in conventional clothing and what to avoid. I knew some basics about common carcinogens such as formaldehyde, which is used to make fabrics wrinkle-resistant and Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), which are used as flame-retardants. But with a little research, I learned that I had barely touched the surface of the chemical finishing agent pool. According to the textbook Chemical Finishing of Textiles, there are thousands (!) of chemical finishing agents.

After a very short bought of reading up on chemicals such as fluorocarbons, silicons, acids and chlorines, I started to get depressed, and I particularly didn't want to look up each of them in OSHA's database. Then I remembered that part of the reason I named my business Faerie's Dance was because I wanted to approach environmentalism with a sense of joy and beauty rather than gloom and doom about toxic chemicals. (And I almost didn't publish this post.)

So this is my final (somewhat limited) word on chemical finishing agents. They're mostly not environmentally friendly or people friendly and I avoid purchasing items made with them for our online store.

Next time - something more fun! :-)

"Organic" versus "Eco-Friendly" - Is there a difference?

2011-01-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

There seems to be some confusion about the difference between clothing that is "organic" versus clothing that is "eco-friendly". So I'd like to provide a little clarification of these terms.

First off the term "organic" is a short-cut term for an agricultural crop that has been organically grown, that is grown without harmful chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. For a crop to be labelled as organically grown, it must be certified by a government agriculture agency either here or abroad. In the USA the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) is the primary certifying agency for organic crops. Up until recently, companies could be certified by local government authorities such as the Organic Tilth Standards or the Texas Department of Agriculture. Now those programs are incorporated into the overall NOP by acting as agencies accredited by the NOP to certify organic crops. In addition to the USA, the NOP program accredits 42 foreign agencies (as of 12/2010) to certify crops as organically grown in other countries.

In general we can say that most organic fabrics are eco-friendly. However a fabric could possibly be organic and still be dyed using conventional chemical dyes, finished with toxic chemicals or sewn using child or sweatshop labor. Additional certifications such as the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS), Oeko-Tex® for Confidence in Textiles or Fair Trade Federation standards govern those extra details.

Eco-Friendly clothing can be environmentally beneficial while not being organically grown. For example, FaeriesDance.com's Lingerie Wash Bag is made from recycled PET from plastic bottles that might otherwise wind up in landfills. Plastic is a petroleum product and in its initial form would definitely not be considered eco-friendly. Since it's not an agricultural product, the term organic doesn't even apply. But reusing waste products is better for the planet than tossing them out. No new chemicals are introduced during the recycling and restyling process, so the bags are definitely eco-friendly.

Soy fibre clothing is another good example. The clothing is made from the discarded outer casing of the soy bean, which otherwise goes into landfills. (The casings can be composted, but they seldom are at the manufacturing level.) While the original soy beans can be certified organically grown as an agricultural product, both organic and non-organic soy bean casings are used in creating soy fibre clothing. This is because the emphasis is on the environmental benefits of reclaiming the waste product rather than on ensuring organic production.

In summary, growing crops organically is better for the environment and our health, but a final piece of clothing made from organic fabric may or may not be completely eco-friendly depending on how it was dyed and finished. Reclaimed, reused and recycled fabrics make great eco-friendly options even if the base material wasn't originally organically grown. So the terms "organic" and "eco-friendly" while often used together, are not actually synonymous.

Happy New Year,

Final 2010 Give-a-way: The Year's Best!

2010-12-11T18:20:00.000-08:00

So I took a quick browse through the number of entries in each month's give-a-way. It seems the Men's Coastal Sweater (just before Father's Day) and the $50 Gift Certificate to FaeriesDance.com were the 2 most popular.

It's the holiday season and we're all feeling generous, so for our last give-a-way of the year, we're going to once again offer a

Free $50 Gift Certificate to our store

But this time, we're choosing

2 Winners

and
Anyone who makes a purchase at FaeriesDance.com this week will be automatically entered!

TWO WAYS TO ENTER:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post by midnight Monday, December 20, 2010. You must include an e-mail address or phone number so we can contact you. No purchase necessary.

2. Place any order at FaeriesDance.com between Sunday, December 12 and Monday, December 20, 2010 and you'll automatically be entered.

Drawing will be held on Tuesday, December 21. Both winning entries will be posted as the last comment after the drawing. Only 1 entry per person regardless of the number of orders placed. Placing an order does not increase your chances of winning.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

November's Give-a-Way: Organic Spa Gift Collection

2010-11-22T16:06:00.000-08:00

Between the Green Festival and boxes and boxes of new products, it seems I haven't posted a thing since our last give-a-way. (And so many ideas are just brewing around inside my head...) Well no worries, because the give-a-way post is the most fun anyway.

Up for grabs this month is a collection of items for a fabulous, at home spa day. It includes the Undyed Night Shirt to lounge in, our Moisturizing Ankle Socks to keep your feet warm and pampered, and 3 new spa accessories donated by Ecoland that we'd love to get some feedback on as we're considering adding them to our permanent line. The new organic cotton terry items include a cloth headband, a soft wash mitt and a wash mitt with exfoliating scrub stripes. Retail value of all 5 pieces is $49. Great for yourself or as a gift for the upcoming holidays. All items are one-size fits most.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post by midnight Monday, November 29, 2010. You must include an e-mail address or phone number so we can contact you. Drawing will be held on Tuesday, Nov 30. Winning entry will be posted as the last comment after the drawing.

Extra Freebie This Month! 2 Tickets to the San Francisco Green Festival

2010-10-26T13:38:00.000-07:00

Just found out we are allocated some guest passes for the San Francisco Green Festival coming up on November 6-7. If you're interested in going, leave a comment on this blog post and we'll draw someone on Wednesday, November 3 to pick the tickets up at will call. The tickets are good for both days and the show should be awesome! We'll be selling some never-before-seen bras and doing a drawing at the booth for show-specific give-a-way items as well.

Don't forget to leave an e-mail or phone number on your comment so we can get in touch with you.

Halloween Give-a-Way: Men's or Women's Organic PJ Sets

2010-10-20T10:30:00.000-07:00

We absolutely love these new PJ sets from bgreen, makers of the top selling Classic Bikinis for women and Athletic Boxer Briefs for men.

Our winner this month will have their choice of either the men's Organic PJ Lounge Set (shown top left), the women's Organic Birch PJ Set (shown top right) or the women's Organic Raindrops PJ Set (shown bottom). All 3 sets come with top, bottom and a drawstring bag made from the leftover fabric bits of the sets. They're great for sleeping in or just hanging around the house to watch your favorite sports. Wonderful for yourself or as it's own pre-packed gift. Each set comes in multiple color and size choices, so lots of decisions for the winner. :-)

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post by midnight Sunday, October 31, 2010. You must include an e-mail address or phone number so we can contact you. Drawing will be held on Monday, Nov 1. Winning entry will be posted as the last comment after the drawing.

October 1st is World Vegetarian Day - Go meat-free for a day

2010-09-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

Celebrate World Vegetarian Day next weekend with great food and fun. Even if you're a carnivore, October 1st is a great day to try a local vegetarian restaurant. Check out happycow.net to find vegetarian restaurants in every US state as well as most countries around the world. Angelinos will appreciate Vegetarians in Paradise, a website that offers up reviews of vegetarian restaurants in and around Los Angeles. Or try your hand at your own vegetarian creation using one of VegWeb.com's 13,000 recipe ideas.

Folks living in San Francisco can enjoy World Veg Festival next weekend, October 2-3. While Bostonians will want to check out the 15th annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival at the end of the month on Halloween weekend. The Phuket Vegetarian Festival in Thailand is arguably the most elaborate vegetarian festival in the world.

Even the greeting card companies are getting involved. AmericanGreetings.com is offering up a free World Vegetarian Day e-card with a cute poem attached.

Bon Appetit,

Autumn Equinox Give-a-Way: Upcycled VHS Tape Handbag

2010-09-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

I mentioned this adorable handbag a few weeks ago, and now it's up for grabs. These bags are handmade by artist Lisa Miqueli from old VHS tapes! It's a fabulous idea for creating new life from something that's no longer useful. This one is called the Candice, and it's lined on the inside with leftover fabric bits.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post by midnight Sunday, October 2, 2010. You must include an e-mail address or phone number so we can contact you. Drawing will be held on Monday, Oct 3.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We're expecting (OK, hoping anyway) that the winner will provide feedback on this bag. Our intention is to bring them in for sale before the holidays - both this design and some others as well. The artist is willing to work with us to address anything we'd like to change, so your input will be extremely valuable.

If you want to know how this idea came about, here's a little story from our artist:

"It all started one day when I ran out of yarn and wanted to start a new project, not wanting to go to the store, I looked around the house to see what I could use. I had twine, so I made a basket. I had plastic bags and had actually seen them crocheted so I tried my hand at that. One thing led to another and I have come to this. I think tapes are one of my favorite mediums to work with, I love the fabric it creates. The texture and shine are wonderful. Then I started noticing all the VHS and cassette tapes in the thrift stores that I frequent. Always the same ones there, never seeming to sell. I thought, if they don't sell them they will eventually throw them away. More usable stuff in a land fill!

So I started buying them up. I make my rounds at least twice a week and buy up the 8-tracks, cassettes and VHS tapes. As well as necklaces (for straps) and any clothing that will make a nice lining.

I love taking new materials, visualizing and sketching a new design, and then watching it come to life. A lot of care is taken to choose just the right recycled materials to make my bags." -- Lisa Miqueli

I've looked at it, held it and played with it a bit myself and here are my thoughts.

PROS:

Pretty roomy inside
Lots of pockets inside and out
Nice, funky look to it
Seems pretty sturdy
Black goes with everything
Definitely a conversation piece!
And of course, great re-use of materials

CONS:

The hole for the button closure could be bigger and/or more flexible. It's a little hard to close.
The strap is a bit stiff (great for the bag part, not as good for the strap) and doesn't fall as smoothly as I'd like, though I'd like to hear the winners opinion on this point.

With all that said, it's now time to leave your comment for this fantastic give-a-away. Guys, you'll definitely want to participate in this one too, as this makes an awesome, totally unique gift for any women in your life. :-)

Faerie's Dance is a Top Ten Finalist for the Green Business of the Year Award! Please vote for us.

2010-09-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

We did it! With the support of our customers, family and friends, Faerie's Dance got enough nominations to make it into the Top Ten Nominees for the People's Choice Award for Green Business of the Year! I can't tell you how excited I am that our small business has gotten this level of recognition! Thank you all so much for your support.

While just being nominated is a thrill itself, actually winning wouldn't be a bad thing. ;-) Won't you please consider voting for us in the final round? Scroll through the Top Ten list on Green America's Nominee Page to vote at the bottom.

With Appreciation,

Running, Guilty Pleasures and Stinky Clothes

2010-09-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

Last week I ran (mostly) my first 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles). I'd been training for this for the last few months (during the times when I should have been posting to this blog...), so completing it was a huge success for me. The last few miles were pretty rough and I finished more on my own force of will than on my body's fitness level. I clocked in at a slow 2:29 (2 hours, 29 minutes), which is good, because it means I have lots of room to improve. :-D

As a side note, the winner clocked in at 1:07. So he could have run the 1/2 marathon, sat and had a relaxing latte for 15 minutes, run it again, and he still would have beaten me!

Hints: Lower the volume before playing the video.
I come into view at 0:41 seconds. This is mile 3, when my legs are still moving well.

Adrienne's race day attire: Bamboo Sports Bra, Workout Shorts, Short Sport Socks - Coolmax®, and our discontinued Bamboo Briefs (which we are considering manufacturing ourselves since these are fabulous panties - especially for sports).

But I digress. The point of this story is actually about chemical finishing agents on clothing. (Didn't see that coming, did you?) Having operated an eco-fashion store for more than 5 years now, it's been a long time since I've bought any "conventional" clothing. During the race expo I came across a company that sold women's technical running gear with absolutely awesome sayings on them. There were cute things like "yes, I run like a girl, try to keep up" and "some girls chase boys, I pass 'em." But being a slow-ish runner, my favorites included "Race Day Strategy: Start slow and then back off" and the one I finally settled on "Who moved the finish line?"

I was so proud of my accomplishment, and in so much pain, I really wanted to show off my "Who moved the finish line?" shirt that same day. But when I put it on, it stunk! I mean really reeked of chemicals. Now I don't now have, nor have I ever had, any chemical sensitivities. And when I bought conventional clothes on a regular basis, while they may have had chemical smells, I never really noticed them. I guess I had gotten used to what new clothes smell like. Only after wearing clean, organic clothes with no finishing agents and low-impact dyes for years did the chemical smell of conventional clothing really hit me. It was just an "ah-ha" moment that I thought I would share. It also gives me a new found empathy for all of our chemically sensitive clients.

Of course, the biggest thing I learned (besides the fact that I need to train more before embarking on another 1/2 marathon) is that FaeriesDance.com really needs to carry more technical sports clothing! It is my goal to make hard-to-find items available, and good sportswear is needed. I'm always on the lookout for more supportive sports bras as well and we've got some new items coming in spring that I'm hoping will work well for a wider variety of cup sizes.

Stay Active!

Reusable Bag Winners

2010-09-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

Only 4 people competed for our reusable bag give-a-way. I see this as a great sign. I know I have lots of reusable bags - and they actually get used! So I'm hoping this is a sign that most people have now made the switch to resuables and have all the bags they need. :-)

Our first winner this month is Kristina, followed by Jennifer. Thank you all for participating!

Happy Labor Day.

Back to School Give-a-Way: Bags Galore

2010-08-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

We're all trying to minimize our plastic bag usage, so here's a plethora of reusable bags to help out those who need them.

This month there will be 2 winners. Each winner will receive a set of 4 reusable bags including:

An Earth Creations Clay-dyed hemp and organic cotton "Tee" Bag (color may vary from photo), great for books and shopping trips
A Love Nature linen drawstring bag for holding small treasures or protecting lingerie when traveling
An Eco-Bags organic cotton market bag. These are especially useful for buying bulk items at the grocery store or farmer's market
A Faerie's Dance lingerie wash bag to keep your delicates safe in the wash

TO ENTER: Leave a comment on this blog post by midnight Sunday, Sept 5, 2010. You must include an e-mail address or phone number so we can contact you. Drawing will be held on Labor Day, Monday, Sept 6.

Please Nominate FaeriesDance.com as Green Business of the Year

2010-08-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

We may be a small business, but we're big on green initiatives. Please help us get recognized by Green America by nominating us for Green Business of the Year. (Because everyone should go green right down to their skivvies - and we're helping folks find green undies to support that goal!)

Follow the nomination link to fill out a very short survey. Please use Faerie's Dance as our business name and FaeriesDance.com as our web address. Tell your friends as well. Every vote counts.

Your support is greatly appreciated. :-)