Going Green?

I am about to meet Goal #1 this year. I have started on my website and should have it up and running on Monday (2/21). Will it be exactly the way I want it? No. It will be a work in progress, but for those of you who have been trying to find me out "there" you will now be able to. I have also listed the services Bloomtown Studio offers. Sometimes the list is too long to remember everything. On Monday I will send out an announcement about the site being up, but go ahead and bookmark bloomtownstudio.com!

Another recent addition to Bloomtown Studio is that I am now carrying a line of recycled paper from Greenfield Papers. These are papers that have been featured on the Oprah show and have a distinguished list of companies that have had products printed on the papers. Some of the paper has seeds embedded in it so that the paper can be planted and wildflowers will grow from it. There is a paper made of recycled denim and some that have leaves embedded. All very interesting options if you are looking for something different or want to emphasis your company's part in sustainability. If you would like to see samples, please give me a call and I will be happy to bring some by your office.

In addition to adding the Greenfield Paper line I have also been reading about companies who take sustainability very seriously. The printing industry hasn't exactly been at the leading edge of this trend, but it is catching up. Most paper lines now include at least 30% post-consumer waste without even advertising the fact. Many printing companies are Forest Stewardship Council certified (www.fsc.org) as well as now using soy based inks. All this is just good business.

I realized that I have been "green" most of my life. It's the way I was raised, except that we referred to it as "cheap". Both my parents came from families that endured the Great Depression and they didn't go into the Depression with much to begin with. My sister and I have discussed our obsession with saving ziplock bags. To save time she once tried to wash her's in the dishwasher. Please do not try that at home. It is NOT a good option.

My kids sometimes refer to me as their "granola" mom. I made their baby food most of the time, have always tried to avoid using harsh cleaning supplies, have a compost pile, etc. Some of my artwork includes recycling old metal printing plates into sculpture. Heck, growing up we never went looking for pets either. We were the family that took in the strays and the pets that people couldn't keep when they moved. Guess that explains how I wound up with a rescued greyhound and now Kato puppy from the Guilford Animal Shelter.

Anyway, I guess the point I'm trying to make is that not being wasteful is just a practical way to live and work. If you weren't raised like that I'm sure it could take some getting used to and many industries and companies find it a painful transition at first. Once you have the habit and systems in place there is a moment where you go "why didn't we do this earlier".

Enough for today. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, eat a veggie burger and recycle something.

Christel Williams
bloomtownstudio.com (coming to a computer near you on 2/21/1011)