Happy Solstice

My brother’s birthday is on the winter Solstice. When we were kids my siblings and I would tease him that his birthday was the shortest day of the year. Ha!
But truth be told, the winter Solstice is one of my favorite days of the year. The coming of the light. What could be better?
Today I walked home from work in the waning light of our shortest day and was amazed by the exquisite beauty everywhere.
Conditions for my walk were perfect: a fresh dusting of snow to make everything picture pretty, 20 something temps for a crisp, brisk feeling, no wind and the uniquely mesmerizing light of early evening on Solstice Day. I started out tired after working the retail holiday crush all day but as I looked around and felt the invigorating air, my spirits picked right up, as did my energy level.
My two miles took me through a quiet, hushed tree-filled park dusted in white, over a snow covered wooden bridge crossing the creek, by a hill full of noisy, boisterous kids sledding and near a neighbor gleefully playing fetch with her dog. It felt as if I was walking through a series of winter-y postcard scenes.
And tomorrow we wake up to a longer, lighter day- and to official winter. Happy Solstice to you.

Gift Ideas: For Under $30

It’s time to pick up those last minute small gifts to finish off your holiday shopping. Birch has some great choices to help you make it to the holiday shopping finish line this year.
Check out our handmade lightweight etched bangles made from PVC pipe. These make great gifts for women or guys (who wear jewelry) and help support education in Namibia besides. ($16-$18).
Or, pick up a few soy candles from Way Out Wax scented with natural pure essential oils to celebrate the Solstice and the coming of the light ($5-$7.50).
Or, put your friends and family in the know on the best places to eat and shop around the Twin Cities with a copy of the Eat.Shop Twin Cities guide. ($14.95)
Stop by our store or shop on line to see these and many other gifts under $30 that are unique, interesting and of course fairly traded and sustainable.

Gift Ideas: World Finds

We are pleased to offer World Finds fair trade products this holiday season. World Finds works directly with artisan groups in the developing world to create employment opportunities and imports beautiful, handcrafted products that are perfect for holiday gift giving.
The artisans that this fair trade company works with create jewelry, bags and gloves that are festive and richly detailed at affordable prices. The colorful buckle wallets made from saris are a customer favorite this season.

GIFT IDEAS: SOCKS

Everyone loves a new pair of socks - especially when they are made from natural, great feeling fabrics like merino wool or organic cotton. And, when they sport vibrant design and a great fit, you’ve got a hit gift.
Birch is stocked up on warm merino wool socks from Icebreaker, colorful organic cotton socks from Amelia’s and fun and funky regenerated eco-cotton socks from Rock N Socks.
Give the gift of happy feet this Holiday and SAVE with our great sale price. Added bonus: All are made in the USA.

Gift Ideas: Ten Thousand Villages

We wanted to bring in some new and special merchandise to give customers expanded choices for holiday gift giving selections this year. We decided to offer some Ten Thousand Villages products because of the organization’s unique and inviting selections.
Ten Thousand Villages has worked with artisan groups from around the developing world for over 60 years creating fair trade partnerships that provide needed income streams to some of the world’s poorest people. The artisan groups that Ten Thousand Villages works with produce unique, high quality, beautiful objects for your gift recipients to enjoy.
And, as a business concerned with social responsibility, we are pleased to note that The Ethisphere Institute and Forbes Magazine recognized Ten Thousand Villages as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” for 2009. High honors, indeed.
Shop for Ten Thousand Villages Products at our Minneapolis store, the Ten Thousand Villages store in St. Paul or on the web.

Visit Birch at Kowalski's Markets

If you live in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area you now have two new venues to find Birch merchandise. Birch has set up kiosk areas with our merchandise in Kowalski’s Markets in Woodbury and in Oak Park Heights/Stillwater. You will find a selection of our best selling clothing, gifts and accessories.
We are happy to be a part of Kowalski’s offerings to our local communities on the east side of the Metro area. Kowalski’s shares our passion for promoting local, fair trade and organic and carries products from some of our favorite local companies such as Peace Coffee, Mrs. Meyers and Schultz Organic Farm.
Please stop by and visit us at Kowalski’s in Woodbury and Oak Park Heights.

Reusable Bags

Reusable bags are all the rage these days in the world of green living and eco-consciousness. But I can’t tell you how many customers at Birch say as they check out: -I left my bag in the car. And hey, I have the same problem. I have several bags in the car that rarely make it into a store with me.
But then I bought a Chico bag and stuck it in my purse in its handy stuff sack and now I always have a bag with me to put my purchases in. Chico bags are lightweight and small when stuffed in their attached pouch but open up big to hold a lot of merchandise. They come in an assortment of fun colors, one of which you are sure to love, and cost only $5 for the small size and $7 for the large size.
Voila- problem solved!

Holiday Open House

Birch is hosting our annual Holiday Open House at our Minneapolis store on Wednesday evening December 2, from 5 to 7 pm. If you live in the area, please stop by to say hello.
We will have refreshments, special prices on merchandise, drawings for prizes and offer a free gift with purchase. We’ve brought in a lot of new gift items this year to make your holiday shopping easier.
Plus, some of our neighbors at Penn and 50th will be holding their own Open Houses the same evening. Stop by Broder’s, LuLuLemon and Nu Look on the same evening to enjoy their special offers.
Happy Holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving

What a perfect holiday we have created where we spend time with family and friends and eat good food (organic and locally grown of course!) and appreciate each other. Now that’s sustainable! Best wishes for a holiday of renewal and connecting with loved ones.

And, if you decide to follow the post-Thanksgiving custom of doing some holiday shopping this weekend, please consider keeping it local, fair trade and sustainable. Birch is doing our part to make that easier for you by hosting a three day SALE on the web and in our Minneapolis store. If you do stop by the store, we’d be thankful if you bring a non-perishable food donation to Second Harvest Heartland because we are running a food drive this month.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Sustainable Fashion – Think Trans-Seasonal

One of my favorite terms in the eco-fashion realm is “Trans-Seasonal”. Trans-Seasonal or Seasonless fashion refers to garments that can be worn in more than one and ideally all seasons. These pieces put much more flexibility into your wardrobe. They stretch your fashion dollar and add space to your closet. Think mid-weight breathable fabrics in colors that don’t scream “Autumn” or some other season at you.
A favorite trans-seasonal piece I have been wearing since last winter is Icebreaker’s merino wool Henley in bark. The fabulously soft and non-itchy merino warms me in autumn/winter and cools me in spring/summer. Its light weight works well on its own when it is warm and as a layering piece with a vest or jacket in the cooler temps. And the soft brown color works beautifully in all seasons. I turn to this piece regularly except during the hottest days of summer when I do not want to wear long sleeves.

Green Gifts Fair This Saturday

Join us at Do It Green!-- Minnesota’s free 4th Annual Green Gifts Fair on Saturday, November 21st from 10am-5pm at the Midtown Global Market on Lake St. and 10th Ave. in Minneapolis.

Birch will be there with 70+ other local, eco-friendly artists and businesses. We will have unique, beautiful, green and fair trade gifts for sale at our table. Please stop by to say hello.

Activities at the Green Gifts Fair include…

* 70 + local green retailers
* Launch of the 2010 Do It Green! Magazine
* Taste test at the Low Carbon Cook Off with local chefs
* Sew your own reusable cloth gift bag
* Kids can make a recycled origami decorative ornament
* International Food Market vendors
* Eco Fashion Show
* Local holiday foods cooking tips, demos and recipes
* Keeping a non-toxic and clean house during the holidays
* Low Waste Oasis on hosting green holiday gatherings
* Eco holiday tree displays

Sustainable Fashion – It’s a Time Saver

Slow fashion encompasses buying ethically and sustainably produced, organic and natural garments. But it also means being very intentional in choosing your garments.
If you buy your wardrobe intentionally and deliberately you will end up with fewer pieces, each of which will work better for you. And you will end up with more space in your closet and drawers. Then to top it off you will have more time in your day to pet the cat, read a good book, play or relax, because when you go to get dressed each day you will know exactly what to wear. No clutter in the closet means no fumbling about trying to figure out what to put with what to make an outfit. The right outfit is right there. Whew! What are you waiting for?
Here is a great basic bamboo jacket that will take you many places and work with other pieces in your wardrobe easily.

Beyond Recycling: UPCYCLING

We love our organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, merino wool and tencel garments. They are sustainably made, ethically manufactured, natural, soft and beautiful. But our recycled items hold the added charm of using existing materials, thus saving them from taking up space in a landfill. So, when we found some on-trend clothing and some funky accessory pieces that were made from UPCYCLED materials we had to learn more.
Upcycling turns unwanted fabric materials into new items for you to wear and love. It moves the conversation one more step in the right direction.
Upcycling takes an industrial material (cloth) and creates something of greater value. Here are two examples of upcycling.
XOB reworks used garments into new, modern and unique pieces. It re-uses garment materials (gently used wool sweaters) creating no production waste. The result is colorful, fun outerwear that our customers can’t get enough of.


Looptworks takes a different approach to upcycling. They use excess material from the garment industry to make their clothing pieces. Here’s a fact that is sure to shock: The average textile manufacturer discards 60,000 tons of excess textile and trim waste per week. Looptworks takes some of this pre-consumer excess and creates something of greater value. If you don’t believe me, check out this great fall piece.

Autumn Bike Ride in Fabulous Merino

Icebreaker’s merino wool tops are great Slow Fashion pieces for your wardrobe. They have classic styling and perform beautifully for almost any activity.
Today I threw on an Icebreaker merino wool Tech Top to do some Slow bike riding but it turns out I did a bit too much of it. It was 60 plus degrees in Minneapolis and sunny (on November 7!) and so I stretched my planned one hour ride into a three hour tour.
It was the kind of day where you feel hot, cool, warm and cold by turns depending on where the sun is in relation to your body, whether you are going up or down hill and what is happening with the wind. Perfect day to wear my new favorite Tech Top. It breathed, kept me warm or cool depending on my body’s needs and did not smell one bit after a three hour ride. Good thing because I have no energy to do laundry tonight!

Sustainable Fashion: Alabama Chanin

Slow Fashion is about durability- clothes made from recycled or organic materials, and made by people paid a fair wage for their labor. It can also be defined by what it isn't. Slow Fashion is the opposite of "Fast Fashion" – producing large quantities of cheaply made clothing under extreme time pressure with new lines several times a year made by underpaid workers.
Alabama Chanin embraces and maybe even epitomizes the Slow Fashion philosophy.
Alabama Chanin, created by Natalie Chanin, is a lifestyle company that creates an array of products through focusing on slow design and sustainability. Alabama Chanin products are made by hand using a combination of new, organic and recycled materials. Each piece is made by talented artisans who live and work in and around Florence, Alabama.
The clothing pieces are exquisite.

Walk on by...

During the morning of August 21, hundreds -- no, THOUSANDS -- of pink-clad people walked by Birch during the first day of the Twin Cities' Breast Cancer 3-Day. The day had started in rain, but the sun peeked through a few times during the hours we spent outside cheering. We decorated our front window, donned our own pink clothing, and joined other 50th & Penn shops -- Lululemon, Marathon Sports, and Dragonfly Coffee -- in supporting the walkers. We had many chances to chat, as the traffic light at Penn caused a lot of backup, and everyone was pretty excited to be there. And we were excited to be a part of the hoopla! Here are some pictures...

Sustainable Fibers 101: Glossary

Here is a Green Fashion Glossary I came across while browsing about the web http://mslk.com/reactions/green-fashion-glossary/.

It gives some additional information on sustainable fibers—in case you are looking for more interesting tidbits on Eco Fashion beyond what we have shared so far.

Sustainable Fashion: Version 2

Check out the One Dress Community for a fresh take on sustainable style.
The “One-Dress” has been collectively designed and created by over 1000 women from around the world using on-line social networking sites.
http://www.one-dress.com/

It is made of silk knit jersey, comes in four colors: black, cobalt, magenta or white and its versatility allows it to be worn many ways.
The creator of the project and curator, Malcolm Harris, asked women about features that make the perfect dress-colors, fabrics necklines, etc. The result of all the creative input is a dress that is meant to flatter many body types and appeal to women with differing styles. Take a look and see what you think:

Angelina Jolie has given it the thumbs up, reportedly ordering three of the dresses.

Repurposed Materials 101: Tires & Inner Tubes

Now that we've talked about all kinds of eco-friendly fibers and fabrics, let's get to know some other ways you can 'green' up your wardrobe. You've probably been recycling your paper, aluminum, and glass since way back when, but there are companies doing more to keep waste out of the landfills. First on our agenda: repurposed bike tires and inner tubes.

Splaff has been making their famous Flopps since 1997. They're handcrafted in Baja, CA using recycled car tires, used bicycle inner tubes, and hemp fabric. They've expanded to include recycled bike inner tube belts (shown in the photo), guitar straps, and wallets, and messenger bags, totes, and pouches made from recycled bike inner tubes and hemp canvas. A favorite of coastal surfers and land-locked greensters alike!


Alchemy Goods' mission is "Turning Useless into Useful". Their recycled inner tube bags are made by hand in their Seattle, WA workshop, meaning no two bags are exactly the same. Inner tubes make perfect bags and accessories for many reasons: they develop a softer finish over time, like fine leather, and they're completely waterproof and virtually stainproof, keeping all your stuff dry. The bags' straps are made of seatbelts from old cars (which are cleaned and tested for durability, of course). And, if you're a cyclist who hates throwing out old inner tubes, you can send them to Alchemy Goods to be turned into a great accessory!


Lest you think that anything made out of recycled tires would look too...well, industrial, take a peek at the collection of Boulder-based English Retreads. Their handbags, totes, belts, and dog collars (yes!) are über-hip and stylish, yet they're all made out of truck tire inner tubes provided by truck stops in the Boulder area. These are bags that don't scream, "I'm made out of tires!" yet are fabulously eco-friendly and cruelty-free.

Of course, there are many more companies and designers dedicated to reusing materials that would otherwise be languishing in a landfill. Check back soon to learn more!

Sustainable Fibers 101: Tencel®

We know Tencel® isn't as well-known as organic cotton or hemp (yet), so let's learn a little bit more about these sustainable threads.

Tencel® is actually the brand name of a fabric generically called lyocell (like using the term "Band-Aid" for anything that you'd use to cover a papercut), but because the term "Tencel®" has gained more popularity, we'll use that for now.

Tencel® is made from wood pulp cellulose, which is broken down in a chemical process and spun into fibers. Although it is a chemical process, and a complex one, the solvent used to digest the wood pulp is rated non-toxic. Also, 99% of the solvent is collected and reused during the manufacturing process, and waste products from the process are very minimal, making the creation of the fabric very eco-friendly (yay!). However, Tencel® fabric doesn't accept dyes easily and has a tendency to "pill". Therefore, because of the abundance of chemicals that may be used to turn this fabric into garments, Tencel® clothing may not be good for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.

Speaking of garments, the ones made of Tencel® are quite sensuous. Tencel® feels silky, has a beautiful drape, and is very comfortable and breathable. It doesn't wrinkle as easily as other fabrics, so it's great for traveling. No need for dry cleaning; however, follow the garment care instructions closely. When washed in cold water, Tencel® will shrink ever-so-slightly on the first wash but not after that.

To learn more about Tencel® and lyocell, visit these resources:

• OrganicClothing.blogs.com
• wiseGEEK
• Silk Road Fabrics
  

Sustainable Fibers 101: Bamboo

No longer just a feast for panda bears, bamboo has made its way into the eco-fashion world. And why not? As a resource, bamboo is about as sustainable as you can get. Here's why:

• Technically a grass and not a tree, it grows FAST -- up to a yard or more a day! It reaches maturity quickly and is ready for harvesting in 4 years.
• Bamboo grows this rapidly without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.
• Bamboo clothing is biodegradable -- it will decompose in the soil by microorganisms and sunlight without producing any methane gas (a common pollutant).
• Bamboo plantations actually reduce greenhouse gases by absorbing about 5 times the amount of carbon dioxide and producing 35% more oxygen than a comparable area of trees.

There's so much to like about the products that are made from bamboo:

• Bamboo fabric is so soft and fluid, like silk, but it's more durable and less expensive.
• It's easy to launder at home -- no trips to the dry cleaner!
• In hot and humid weather, bamboo fabric won't stick to your skin; it absorbs water and wicks it away from your skin 3-4 times faster than cotton.

Although there's been some controversy over the process of turning bamboo into fabric, there IS an eco-friendly way to produce bamboo fabric (sometimes called bamboo linen). It's a mechanical process similar to the one in which linen fabric is made from flax or hemp, but it's more costly and labor-intensive. There is also a newer chemical process -- modified from the process used to make Tencel (more on that fiber later) -- that uses healthier chemicals which are captured and used again, keeping them out of the ecosystem. Here's hoping that more and more manufacturers use these healthy, green ways to produce this luxurious fabric.

If you want to read more about bamboo's benefits and the process of turning it into fabric, there's a wealth of knowledge at OrganicClothing.blogs.com.

Slow Fashion Forum

Sustainable Fashion: Version 1

Sheena Matheiken has created The Uniform Project as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Starting on May 1, Sheena has worn the same black dress every day and will continue to wear it for the entire year.

Well, actually she has 7 identical versions of the dress, one for each day of the week. And she reinvents the dress each day by changing accessories and adding layers, most of which she pledges will be vintage, hand-made or hand-me-down.

Here is how Sheena describes the genesis of the dress:
How do you design a dress that can be worn all year around? The mastermind behind the uniform dress is my friend and designer, Eliza Starbuck. We took inspiration from one of my staple dresses, improving upon the shape and fit to add on some seasonal versatility. The dress is designed so it can be worn both ways, front and back, and also as an open tunic. It’s made from a durable, breathable cotton, good for New York summers and good for layering in cooler seasons. With deep hidden pockets to appease my deep aversion for carrying purses.

And you can participate in this project by donating accessories or collaborating on an ensemble for Sheena to wear. http://www.theuniformproject.com/

The Uniform Project is also a fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation which Sheena calls “a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India.” Contributions to the project will fund uniforms and educational expenses for slum children in India to attend school. http://www.theuniformproject.com/home/about_akanksha.html

The photo is of Sheena in July 16, 2009 version of the uniform.

Welcome to our Slow Fashion Forum

When we opened the Birch Clothing retail store four years ago, the mission was two-fold: to promote sustainable fashion and fair trade manufacturing.

Right from the beginning we rejected the fast fashion ethos that has been and still is prevalent in this country. That is: to buy cheap clothing and wear it for a short time, then discard it for the next new thing. We stocked our store with and promoted to our customers clothes and accessories that were modern but not trendy and that were made to last many seasons. Our merchandise is made of fabrics that are kinder to the environment AND to the people working in the garment industry.

In effect, we adopted the slow fashion ethos. So, what is slow fashion?

Slow fashion means purchasing a wardrobe of clothing that is made to last from a source you know and trust. It involves purchasing thoughtfully and intentionally and simplifying your wardrobe. We opened Birch because we subscribe to the slow fashion philosophy.

Now I’d like to explore more deeply how the slow fashion ethos is being played out by myself and others.

We’ll use this space to share ideas about slow fashion and sustainable style.
Stay tuned: more to come soon.

It's In the Bag!

Are you looking for a stylish, luxurious, show-stopping shoulder bag that also satisfies your inner green goddess? Look no further than Birch! New to our store, Shiraleah's fashion collection combines the hottest colors of 2009 with the latest styles, all created from responsible, earth-friendly materials like vegan leather. The improvements in the production of polyurethane ensure minimal toxic output, creating pieces that are safer and healthier to carry. The material is biodegradable in 10 years and is easy to keep clean. Stop in to see just how beautiful they are!

Book Review of style, naturally by Summer Rayne Oakes

Summer Rayne Oakes (model, eco-fashionista and television media host) gives a big boost to the sustainable fashion movement with this fun to read and informative fashion book.

Style, Naturally is a must have resource for those who want to know more about the sustainable fashion and beauty industry and how to access it easily. It is chock full of beautiful, inviting photos of fashion and beauty products that will make you want to shop green till you scream. The shoe section alone provides over a dozen pages of photos of shoes you will covet.

The book covers clothing, shoes, beauty products, handbags and jewelry.
The sections are loaded with designer profiles, tips on easy ways to go green, style spotlights and hundreds of photographs. And Summer gives shout-outs to inspiring eco-fashion and beauty pioneers such as Katharine Hamnett, Horst and Safia Minney of People Tree (who knew she was so beautiful?).

There is a comprehensive resource section in the back. In it you will find a wealth of information to help you move forward on your eco-fashion journey, including explanations of the meaning of various clothing certification labels (to help you avoid greenwashing) and definitions of some eco-friendly fibers you may not yet be familiar with.

Summer makes it easy and fun to make informed choices with this hip style guide. Check it out at www.summerrayne.net.

Sustainable Fibers 101: Recycled Polyester

Did you ever think that the plastic soda bottle you drink from could end up on your back in the form of a shirt? It can! Recycled polyester uses post-consumer waste like plastic bottles or polyester fabric remnants to create new polyester fabric.

Besides ridding the world of those oh-so-stylish leisure suits from the 1970's, there are other benefits to recycling polyester:

• It reduces the amount of clothing discarded into landfills and reduces toxic emissions from incinerators
• It encourages people to think twice about throwing away their polyester clothing
  
• It lessens our dependence on oil
• It creates less water, air, and soil contamination

Patagonia is a pioneer in the world of polyester recycling. In 1993, they were the first outdoor clothing manufacturer to turn post-consumer plastic bottles into clothing. Through their recycling program, over 86 million plastic bottles were saved from the landfills. That saved enough oil (from new polyester manufacturing) to refill a Chevy Suburban's gas tank 20,000 times! To further their efforts, Patagonia created the Common Threads Garment Recycling program to transform their customers' unusable clothing into new duds. We're proud to carry Patagonia clothing in our store and support their efforts to lessen the environmental impact of the clothing manufacturing industry.

Aventura is another company providing garments made from recycled poly. We carry a number of swim pieces in fun prints and colors.

So, the next time you put out your recycling bin full of plastic bottles, think of it as giving raw material to the green fashion industry!

Sustainable Fibers 101: Merino Wool

We realize you may think we're crazy for talking about wool in the summer. Who wants to think about itchy wool sweaters when the temps are in the 80's? Let us introduce you, then, to merino wool.

Merino wool fibers are naturally finer than traditional wool. That translates into a garment that's soft on your skin. No itchy, no scratchy -- just luxury. Merino wool t-shirts (like the ones we have in our store) are so lightweight, you hardly notice you're wearing one. Perfect for those oppressively humid days!

In addition to being soft, merino wool garments are highly breathable. That's because each fiber breathes, wicking moisture away from your skin and turning it into vapor. And because the fabric doesn't hold in the moisture, it also doesn't hold in the body odor, meaning you don't have to wash it after every wear.

Another bonus: the water-repellent and anti-static qualities of wool keep stains and dirt from settling into your garment. And when you do need to wash your merino wool clothing, just throw it in the washing machine on cold and lay it flat to dry.

Companies like Icebreaker stay in close contact with the sheep farmers they contract with to ensure the safety and happiness of their sheep. These companies also carefully monitor the environmental and social impacts of their processes.

If you're still skeptical about the comfortable and practical qualities of merino wool, try it for yourself! We've got a selection of merino wool garments, in several different weights, at our store. It will be love at first wear!

To learn more about merino wool, head over here: OrganicClothing.blogs.com.

Sustainable Fibers 101: Hemp

We hope you enjoyed learning about organic cotton and are eager to learn more about eco-friendly fibers that are being used to 'green' up the fashion world (as well as other industries). This week's lesson: there are so many amazing facts about hemp!

It's earth-friendly:

• hemp crops use little water
• they require no pesticides or fertilizers
• hemp is highly renewable and fast-growing, and produces more fiber per acre than trees
• plants have long root systems that prevent erosion and help retain topsoil
  

It's durable:

• hemp is the strongest natural fiber known
• hemp fabric is three times stronger than cotton fabric of the same weight
• it's the oldest cultivated fiber plant known

It's practical:

• hemp fabric and clothing is UV and mold resistant
• crops are less expensive to farm because hemp is so easy to grow
• hemp clothing is lightweight, absorbent, and machine-washable
• the cellulose fiber is used to make a wide variety of products, including paper, paint, and PVC pipe
  

Fun facts about hemp:

• The Gutenberg Bible and King James Bible were printed on hemp paper
• Artists like Rembrandt and Van Gogh painted on hemp canvases
• The U.S. could grow enough hemp for biomass energy to meet the energy needs of the whole world

So, class, what have we learned today? That's right -- hemp is an all-around awesome crop that could do wonders in saving our planet. From clothing to paper to building materials to fuel, hemp gets a gold -- er, green star for being at the head of the class of renewable resources.

Sources of information on hemp:

• North American Industrial Hemp Council, Inc.
• Eartheasy

Sustainable Fibers 101: Organic Cotton

Welcome back to school, eco-friends! Don't worry -- there won't be any pop quizzes, or grades, or homework. We just want to let you know (in case you don't already) why natural and sustainable fibers are just so darn cool. Every week in the upcoming months, we'll give you a lesson on a particular fiber, starting with the superstar -- organic cotton.

Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, and all the nasty agrochemicals that pollute the environment. The elimination of these chemicals leads to so many benefits:

• Organic cotton (OC) crops help to replenish and maintain soil fertility and promotes more biologically diverse agriculture.
  
• OC crops also require less water, thanks to the increased organic matter in the soil.
  
• OC farmers use clever methods to keep away pests, like beneficial insects and trap crops, planted to lure away the insects that damage the cotton.
• Clothing made from OC is naturally softer and more comfortable on your skin, since it's free of chemicals like chlorine and formaldehyde, which are commonly applied to conventional cotton products.
  

According to the Organic Trade Association, worldwide production of organic cotton has been growing at a rate of more than 50% per year (since 2007). In the U.S., a 29% increase in organic cotton acreage was projected to happen between 2008 and 2009.

Cotton is in more than just your clothing. Cottonseed oil, a by-product of the cotton industry, is an ingredient in many of the snacks you eat. It's also in animal feed, which gets passed on to you through the food chain, so isn't it great that more and more cotton is being grown organically?

Let's continue the upward trend! Not only do organic cotton products feel good on (and in) your body, the farming methods are gentler on the earth and the people who live on it. If all of these feel-good, positive things about organic cotton aren't enough to convince you, here are some not-so-pleasant facts about the conventional cotton industry:

• The conventional cotton industry uses about 25% of the insecticides and 10% of the pesticides used in the WORLD. These chemicals are highly toxic and often end up being sprayed on farm workers, nearby wildlife, and neighboring communities.
• Conventional cotton farming uses 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and fertilizers to produce enough cotton for ONE t-shirt.
• Many people (this author included, until a customer filled me in) are unaware of the toxic methods used to defoliate the cotton plants, or dry up the pods faster so mechanical picking can happen at the desired time. This customer had grown up in a southern cotton-producing town and would experience terrible allergy attacks every fall when the defoliant was sprayed on the crops (the rest of the town felt the effects as well). Organic practices rely on the natural, seasonal freeze for defoliation, and may use water management for defoliation as well.
  

To learn more, check out these sources (they helped provide the facts above):

• Organic Trade Association: www.ota.com
• Sustainable Cotton Project: www.sustainablecotton.org
• www.aboutorganiccotton.org
• Environmental Justice Foundation: www.ejfoundation.org
  

Happy Birthday to Us!

Four years ago, our co-owners Ellen and Marti were frustrated at the lack of places where they could buy fashionable clothing that was good for people and the environment. So they took matters into their own hands, and Birch Clothing was born. While the main goal at first was to sell clothing that was made under fair labor conditions, as they did more research they learned just how polluting and toxic the textile industry can be. So they filled the store with fair trade goods made from recycled materials, organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, tencel, merino wool, and other fabrics that are sustainably grown and harvested.

And so it came to be that Birch, one of the first socially- and environmentally-conscious stores in the Twin Cities, is now the leader in providing stylish goods that support workers and the preservation of the planet. We've become a destination for consumers seeking to shop their values as well as those who simply appreciate high-quality fabrics and fashion-forward styles.

A great big thank-you to everyone who has supported our mission for the past four years! These are exciting times, as more and more designers and artists are making clothing and accessories that are eco-friendly, and companies are shunning the profits-before-people sweatshop model. Let's show the world what can happen when we make the effort and use our dollars to support the earth and the people who live here!

2009: International Year of Natural Fibers

The U.N. has declared 2009 the International Year of Natural Fibres! As stated on the website (click here), "The International Year will shine new light on the wonders of natural fibres and highlight their importance in alleviating poverty" and "heighten public awareness of the economic and environmental attributes of natural fibres". The website has a ton of great information: background, partners, resources, and stories on more kinds of natural fibers than you knew existed. Check it out!

Save Big Bucks

Winter clearance items are still hanging around in our store, and we need to clear them out to make more room for the awesome spring merchandise that keeps arriving every week. So, we've marked the sale items down EVEN FURTHER -- to 50-70% off! Icebreaker, Tribe, Blue Canoe, and many more of your favorite brands. Come in and enjoy the super savings before everything is gone!

Earth Creations, too!

Can't forget to show off a few of the cute things from Earth Creations, too. They're clay-dyed and made from a blend of hemp and organic cotton -- super comfy and eco-friendly...

New Arrivals from Aventura

Fun prints, great colors and sporty styles are all features of Aventura Clothing. We recently got in some classic cardigans, capris and shorts in neutral and bright colors, and even some swimwear! These new arrivals are sure to give you a mid-winter pick-me-up, whether you're heading south this winter or staying right here in Minne-snow-ta. Stop in to see what's new today!




The mission of the folks at Aventura is to "Help the earth... one garment at a time." Love it!

(Oh, and you can click on the items you like to be taken to our web store. Just a little shortcut!)