Red Boots Design

Recycling My Trash 101

2010-08-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

Bellingham is an amazing community, vibrant with local business, artists and craftspersons. Here we thrive, 20 miles from Canada and an hour and fifteen minutes from Seattle. I moved here by accident in 2003 and now I can't leave, it seems. There are some great things that happen here that I love and one of them is an organization called Sustainable Connections, there is much to say about SC, but that is not the topic of this post.

However Sustainable Connections inspires some great actions in this community and one of them, starting in 2008 was the Toward Zero Waste Challenge! Sounds exciting doesn't it! I signed up to participate and when I had my trash audited I was recycling over 85% of it. I am proud of this little detail and here is partly how I do it

The Poster spells it all out! I guess we have some pretty great recycling here because SSC takes many different materials away for a second chance! There is so much more than just container recycling!
The plastic film box in the corner, I even bring plastic from home to put in here, down to the little tiny bags the screws come in for the Bottle Openers.
This is the little recycle station next to my press, these small boxes haven't been emptied in weeks and weeks!
The Recycle Mothership where Trash, Paper and Food Plus (anything that can be composted) all hang together! I bought the system at IKEA and love it!
The rules for the Food Plus bin!
I even recycle all my food waste in this small bin, emptying it regularly to combat fruit flies!
I used to do a lot of test prints on fabric and then throw that fabric away or use it for rags. Now I do them on kraft paper and use it to gift wrap my Etsy orders when I ship them. Pieces I don't use go in the Food Plus bin.
Test prints that I still do on fabric are turned over to the amazing Moth and Squirrel where they are turned into incredible bike hats!
Little hat for baby...
Made from Bird Collage and Bike Parts test prints...
Mom & Pop hats...
... I see some Breadfarm ink on this one!
So in conclusion...there are a lot of ways to make a difference be it in your business, community, how you spend your money or what you do with your garbage. Scoutie Girl today asked the question of quality vs quantity and the importance of the handmade community. As much as I support my local community I also try to protect it by doing what I can with what I cannot craft into something better.

A Few of my Favorite Things

2010-07-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I headed down to the Freemont Solstice Street Fair in Seattle. It was my 5th year doing the event and the a pretty wet one at that. The highlight of the event, which is often the case, getting to see great work from talented artists. I did a few great trades which I just love and felt compelled to share!

This robot belt buckle is from LaRu her work is adorable! We traded Robot T for Robot belt buckle! She also makes cute necklaces and home accessories.
This was my first encounter with Stephanie of Fiber Manipulator from British Columbia and I just loved her work. I traded for two pairs of earrings which I get compliments on all the time!
These straight hammered earrings have the perfect patina! Love!
Ahhh...Patrice Cake of my heart! Patrice and I have done many trades over the years and I adore her unique metal smithed work, here a large silver ring...
...and a spiral silver ring...each of her pieces is really special
These are awesome, large copper hoops also from Patrice Cake, unbelievably lightweight too!
This sweet cotton bag is from Tamara Hoy of Thoy. It has a great weight and the perfect placement of pockets. She uses really great fabrics too, and I am always a sucker for great fabric!

I am looking forward to the next event and being able to see hand crafted work from independent artists! Until then I will have to satisfy myself with window shopping on Etsy and supporting my fellow Vendors at the Bellingham Farmers Market! Things could be worse!

Local Collaborations

2009-11-19T13:04:00.003-08:00

It has been a busy time here for the Ole Boots. A beautiful year of weather has dissolved into high winds and rain, but no matter. I have been bust creating all sorts of lovely new things and participating in some cool local collaborations www.mtbaker.us and The Hearing Speech & Deafness Center HSDC. The idea to collaborate with HSDC on a sign language/ bike themed T came about months ago and of course it took forever to get it finished. Collaborating with Dino and Joel at HSDC was really fun! The shirt turned out great and they even modeled for me! 10% of proceeds from this shirt will go to HSDC.

Also very cool and exciting, I was approached this fall by Mt. Baker to create 2 exclusive designs just for them! i designed them on men & women's shirts, T's and hoods and they turned out great. One is a big white tree and a chairlift, and the other is snowflakes and raven's. I wish I could sell them myself, because they are so awesome, but you can only get them by going to Mt. Baker's shop in the lodge, hit the powder while you are there!

Don't forget the awesome Bellingham Farmers Market will be open until December 19th for all you LOCAL shopping needs! Use the power of your dollar this holiday season!

HSDC Staff love their new shirts!

The back with the sign for cycling over a bike

The front says "Rad Bike!"

Looking good!

Mt. Baker Snowflake & Raven Men's T

Mt. Baker Tree & Chairlift Men's T

Mt. Baker Tree & Chairlift Hood Front

Mt. Baker Women's Snowflake & Raven T

Mt Baker Women's Snowflake & Raven Burnout V neck

Renegade Craft Fair 2009

2009-08-06T09:19:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago on July 18^th & 19^th the Renegade Craft Fair took place at Fort Mason in San Francisco. I had applied on a whim on the last day with my reasoning being that if I got in I would be able to participate in this awesome DIY craft fair and get to go on a road trip!

Since it’s beginning in 2003 Renegade has become known as the largest show of its kind, now traveling to different cities and showcasing hundreds of unique artists! I was thrilled when I got the news that I was accepted !

Visiting San Francisco was a lot of fun, I had a great to walk around the city. The show its self was amazing, there were so many quality crafters there and so much to see! I really had a great time and did some awesome trades with some other crafty people. Here are some pictures of a few of the incredible items I picked up! It was inspiring and so cool to meet so many new crafters! I can’t wait till next year!

Etched glasses from www.breadandbadger.com
These posters from Montreal were my favorite! I could hardly pick and got another with CCM bicycles on it! Love! www.cinqunquatre.com
Tiny Sparks Design had the most darling wood creations! www.tinysparksdesign.com
These little felted hair clips are so sweet! www.islacorbett.com
I love this matching jewelry set in gold and silver! www.tasidesigns.com
These are going to look good in my renovated kitchen! www.beyondher.com
This feisty lady was my neighbor for the show and so much fun! I traded for these hand cut leather earrings early on and got so many compliments! www.tarynmccabe.com

Prep for Renegade San Francisco

2009-07-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

As I write this I am in a rented cargo van hurtling down I5 in southern Oregon. I am on my way to the Renegade Craft Fair www.renegadecraft.com in San Francisco! Renegade is a huge DIY event and I am excited to get to participate. I have been getting ready for a week or so and feel pretty prepared. Yesterday went off without a hitch and thanks to my UPS hero I was able to get he American Apparel stragglers to fill in the holes in the inventory printed in a timely fashion! No crying in the alley wondering where the delivery truck is this time! My good friends Steph & Shannon came by to lend me a hand folding, tagging and getting the bottle openers done. We hit the road in good time last night and it is hard to believe that we will be in San Francisco later today! I am looking forward to seeing all the amazing crafts that will be there! Here are a few pics of the activity in the studio getting it all together!

Sneak Peek

2009-05-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

Several months ago I started going to Joy of Pilates http://www.joyofpilates.net/ classes twice a week with two of my good friends. Ella who owns the studio, is the instructor and is super enthusiastic, of course, upon discovering that I am a screen-printer she needed some cute clothes with her logo on them. One thing led to another and we decided to team up on a photoshoot together. This was a few months ago and when it comes to creating new designs and clothing lines it takes me a little while! However I am proud to say that last Friday I put the finishing touches on my new Women's Workout line suitable for running, biking, Pilates and Yoga or anything else you can think of. Yesterday we got together at Ella's studio with my favorite photographer Sandi Heinrich http://www.sandiheinrich.com/ and six lovely models and rocked out a great photo-shoot. These pictures are a few I took of the shoot happening, the ones Sandi took will be much better! You can see the beautiful Pilates studio and get a sneak peek at the new clothes coming to the Red Boots booth at the Bellingham Farmers Market on Saturday May 9th and on the interweb at Http://www.redbootsdesign.etsy.com in a few weeks!

Sandi gets the picture of Ariel in the Koi Capri pants

Deborah models the Daisy LS Hood and Sandi works the camera

Ursula shows us how its done in style in a Wildflower yoga skirt and Daisy tech top!
Cata looking good with a smile in her Koi sleeveless top!
Michelle is focused in a pretty green Daisy top!
All together now...
This is what Sandi does and she is very good at it!
Waiting for the action to start before the shoot at the Joy of Pilates Studio

Making sure we are ready to start!

End of an era

2008-10-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

When I first moved to Bellingham it was in the fall of 2003. I moved in with my Uncle, got a job and moved out. Through my job I met Jeff Kraus. He had a screenprint shop and made his own hemp shirts for his business Naked Clothing. At some point, I think in the spring of 2004 I started helping him in his shop with his printing. I had taken a class back east at NASCAD 5 or so years before and I guess that qualified me for the job. The print shop was in the basement of an old office building facing on an alley. The space its self was huge and kept moving back into catacombs filled with so much crap and junk, Jeff was a bit of a collector. The press and ancient oven (which would sometimes stop working without warning) were in the front near the garage style roll up doors, that were the only source of natural light. Heat was optional and came and went as different heaters were installed and then broke. Printing in the winter was really pure misery. However, this was the printshop and it was where I did all my printing and started Red Boots in the spring of 2004. I helped Jeff up until this July whan I finally got set up to work in my own studio. All together Jeff and I spent 4 plus years there together. There are some stories I have! Yesterday I went over to clean the rest of the screens that had piled up before we need to move them all, there were about 50 in all!! The space is mostly cleaned out and nearly everything is gone except for the printing equipment and the fish tank which will be the last to go. I felt rather nostalgic looking around, as much as I hated it at times it was a really cool experience. I guess I feel like I have earned where I am now with all the luxeries like heat and light!! Jeff has a new place in Sedro Wooley and we will still see each other, I will still be cleaning his screens, and we will still eat lots of sushi!

VOTE VOTE VOTE

2008-09-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

I promise to be a better blogger. I get that no one will read this Red Boots Design Blog more than once if I only write something once every six months! There are so many things I could think of to say but I think I will focus on my new VOTE T shirt. I am pretty worried about the election and I think it is terrifying that some people don't vote at all. Funny how these people always can be heard bragging about it at the bar and then complaining about their non-democratically elected government at the same time. I don't know what to do, so I made a VOTE shirt. Nice big VOTE on the front and a non-inflammatory quote on the back. I was hoping people would buy it (for cheap) and then wear it and inspire conversation and hopefully voting. I am happy to say it has been popular and has inspired a childrens version to be launched this Saturday at the Bellingham Farmers Market. I can only hope for the best, but when I hand them over it is with a wink and I say, "Please vote responsibly".

Photo Shoot at the Printshop

2008-07-16T17:06:00.001-07:00

Last Friday I was getting caught up on some printing and my friend Sandy Heinrich (www.sandiheinrich.com) came down to the printshop to take some photos of me. Sandi is a professional photographer here in Bellingham and she did an awesome job. I have finally come to terms with the fact that while I can shoot a decent picture of my dog, taking pictures of myself while screen-printing is outside my skill set. We hung out for about 3 hours and she took tons of pictures while I printed. I was so excited today I just ordered some mini moo cards www.moo.com and some mini moo stickers. here are some of the pic's I liked best:

I roll on 12's

2008-07-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

Well in all honestly there hasn't been very much exciting blogging going on here. That's really because there hasn't been very much exciting Printshop building happening either. I am mentally planning my little galley kitchen I am going to build, but holding off because I am supposed to be doing productive work type things, like new kids designs and such. So far so good, here is my new tricycle design, I like it and I drawed it myself. So there. At least the sun is finally shining and that's enough for me.

Madder than a wet cat

2008-06-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Wow, it is just amazing how much it has rained today. Erik dropped me off with my bike today but I foolishly forgot my rain pants. I thought for sure it would stop a little. By 1PM I had to catch a ride home to suit up and then ride another bike back to the studio. I disconnected/ turned the furnace off here at the studio last week since it was almost summer. HA. Today I couldn't figure how to turn it back on and didn't want to blow the place up so it has been a little chilly all day. I am getting ready to make the trek home. i hope the weather will be nice in Aspen and that my truck and laptop will be waiting for me when I get home.

Remain Calm

2008-06-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

I think freaking out may be the best plan of action. All day on Friday I waited for UPs and my American Apparel shipment. when he finally showed up he had 3 pieces for me instead of 79. So they say they will overnight it to me, which at this point means Monday. So here I am 9 AM on Monday, ride my bike down here to this freezing shop, no summer for Bellingham apparently, and I wait. And wait, and wait..........I am still waiting because they sent it on Fed Ex, and they are not my friend and they show up at random times. I have been here for over 4 hours today so far. American Apparel might make nice stuff but they suck as far as shipping it goes. So frustrating, luckily I have this grafitti to remind me what to do. Today is making me angry. Loosing my keys this morning really didn't help.

Being busy in the studio

2008-05-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

We went mountain biking on Chuckanut last evening and I must admit I am a little sore today. there was a little incident which found me off my bike and sliding upside down down a hill, I was laughing though. Today has been an exciting day of website and ETSy updates, inventirt management and a little shipping. All necessary and better done on a day when I am "not busy" HA! My truck is getting a new carburetor so I am now for ced to me a full time commuter, which I want to be honest, but it is a little hard sometimes when there are boxes of shirts to move. I bet I get some good pics though with all that bike riding.

Welcome new Big Giraffe

2008-05-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a day off in 3 weeks and I will be at it all ends in Fairhaven this sunday for the Ski to Sea extravaganza! Oh wow. Erik will be racing dressed as a cow on XC Skis. We both get to get up super early and then Greg will have a soire at his shop. I am looking forward to being less busy but busy is good. I love the way the Etsy store has taken off lately too. This is the new purple hoodie with the GIANT giraffe print. The Giant Giraffe is so big he needs a special pallet.

What it looks like here

2008-02-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

Well, I have never even read blogs really but I thought it might be interesting to try it out as a way to document my progress or lack thereof with my little business. I am hoping to document here the development of designs and ideas, but also a way to keep track of cool thhings I see and silly things I think.