StreetWise Vendor: Roark Moody

Watch and learn more about StreetWise on their YouTube Channel.

Gifts that Give Back to Charity

The holiday shopping season has begun. Corporate parties, family gatherings and visiting friends are just around the corner. These holiday gatherings usually require exchanging or bringing a small gift or hostess gift, so why not give something unique, yet eco-friendly and useful to everyone: a recycled picture frame. 

This Christmas you can give back by giving this recycled picture frame handmade by five ACCESSORIES StreetWise vendors. Formerly homeless individuals are being employed by this fair trade company to produce their Off the Street product line, all of which are made of recycled material found in the streets of Chicago. From ticket stubs to pop top tabs these vendors are finding purpose, encouragement, as well as an income.

five ACCESSORIES and StreetWise vendors have already collected and recycled 12,000 ticket stubs. The picture frame reduces waste while helping people. The frames come in several styles: ticket stub, comics, and sports page and may even be customized with a company logo and given as corporate gifts.

Picture frames also make great baby shower gifts, birthday, anniversary and graduation gifts as well.

Founder, Christine Hutchison, says, “The purpose of our program is to instill pride and purpose through the making of products. We have built a lasting community atmosphere by bringing together college volunteers and interns to work closely with the vendors. One such example is Leticia Quinonez, a StreeWise Vendor who makes pop top bracelets. Her personalized hangtag quotes, ‘Don’t criticize the less fortunate, or you’ll walk the same path yourself.’”

On the back of Gearldine Williams' (who is pictured below with intern Rachel) hangtag she states,"Never Quit...Never."

Give back this holiday season by giving a this recycled picture frame, thus supporting StreetWise vendors and a fair trade company whose mission is to create income generating programs for people, donate a large portion of sales to charitable causes and to foster the use of sustainable material in fashion.  

Guest Post submitted by Samantha MacLeod

Glitter: Holiday Shopping Events at Chicago Airports

This week Glitter we were proud to be a part of two first time events at Chicago Airports. The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs joined together to bring 15 Chicago fashion designers to sell  their fashion and jewelry accessories to the many travelers who pass through the Airports during the holiday season.

As you can see from the photos (first photo is of our founder at Midway and second one is of her at O'Hare), the five team was kept busy throughout the events.

We also attended the Glitter event last week, which was held at the Chicago Cultural Center.

At each event we have the opportunity to not only feature our eco friendly handbags and accessories, but also spread the word about how our designer fashion handbags give back: to our StreetWise vendors and other charities that we support around the world.

For more information about Glitter: A Holiday Shopping Event, please visit www.chicagofashionresource.com

Unique Holiday Gift Sale Benefits Homeless

Columbia College student, Chandler Rollins, spent some time speaking with our founder, Christine Hutchison this week about the third annual fundraiser this Sunday, December 12th for StreetWise. Read his article:

Unique holiday gift sale on Sunday will benefit homeless

on ChicagoTalks.org

We'd like to thank Chandler and Columbia College for their mention and support. It means a lot to us to be able to spread the word about this event that will benefit the StreetWise vendors behind our Off the Street product line.

 

Holiday Charitable Giving

On Friday and Saturday of the November 12th-13th weekend, we attended the Holiday Shopping Bazaar at the Chicago Yacht Club located on Belmont Avenue and the water. Each day we were there from 11 to 6 and 10 to 4. We had fun working, shopping, talking with friends and Yacht Club members. As a result of that successful event, we were able to give back 10% of our sales, donating them to the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation.

We appreciate everyone who turned out to support the Yacht Club Foundation, thus allowing us to participate in holiday charitable giving.

We had fun and we made a difference!

Daring Doer Feature - Christine Hutchison

Success isn’t a matter of luck or chance. Success comes from many deliberate steps and a whole lot of hard work. That means success is completely within your control to make happen. ~ Today's
Hustle Tip on, Spark & Hustle.
 
Our founder, Christine Hutchison, is an ecopreneur whose focus is on building five ACCESSORIES into a nationally recognized eco friendly brand and social enterprise. We are not only proud of Christine for all she does here at five, but for her passion and desire to help others as well.

Christine is being  featured in today's Daring Doer on Tory Johnson's Spark & Hustle website.  She answers questions about being an entrepreneur, her vision for five and what she has learned. Her parting thought should be lived out by all of us whether we are entrepreneurs or not:

'Dessert" is the word ‘stressed’ with the letters scrambled. Take everything in stride, make sure to breath easy and take the time to have the dessert.

Be sure to read the article in full at Spark & Hustle.

five ACCESSORIES Stretch Donation

We want Jim back!

Jim’s (aka "Stretch) health struggles began in June when he was diagnosed with a sudden and severe case of myocarditis that has left him in need of a heart transplant. Jim became the first person in the United States to undergo an experimental procedure where two small pumps were implanted in his heart. This has allowed him to go home and be with his family while he gets strong enough for his transplant. Leave it to Jim to make history! Read all about it at http://www.nmh.org/nm/bivad+release.

Jim’s willingness to undergo this procedure and document his experience will likely help countless future heart transplant patients improve their quality of life while awaiting transplant. This is no surprise for those of us who know Jim. From coaching kid’s soccer to working with disabled sailors, Jim is always helping others.

The immediate and long-term costs of a heart transplant are staggering. The first year costs average approximately $800,000.00. Thereafter, the cost of anti-rejection medicines and continuing medical care will cost tens of thousands of dollars annually.

On November 5, 2010, a fundraising event will be held for Jim and his family at the Belmont Station of the Chicago Yacht Club.

Please set the date aside and seriously consider this opportunity to help Jim, his wife and three young daughters. You can help give this family security and peace of mind during these trying times. Thank you for helping!

five ACCESSORIES is privileged to help with this charity event in a small way by donating the following:

1 Large Messenger Bag in Black $75
1 Shoulder Bag in Blue $45
2 Recycled Picture Frames $15 each= $30

We send well wishes to Jim and his family.

Eco- Friendly Handbags Support Cambodia Charity

As you know, Giving Back is part of our mission statement. A portion of sales goes to support five different countries. Today we featuring Cambodia and sharing the story of how we have chosen to give back to this country and why.

A portion of our sales from our Cambodia collection goes to support a Cambodian charity that supports women and children who are victims of human trafficking and sex slavery. Most of you are probably aware that human trafficking is a global problem that is embedded in a web of poverty, political transition, inadequate female education and economic opportunity and the low value placed on women and children. The International Organization for Migration estimates as many as 4 million people are trafficked each year, a quarter of which are children. Trafficking is a $10 billion dollar a year business. In Asia, women and children are trafficked into prostitution and forced labor within their own countries as well as overseas.

Our eco fashion bags and accessories are handmade by Smateria in Phnom Phem, Cambodia. All of Smateria's products are handmade by Cambodian craftsman and women employed in line with fair trade principles. The company currently employs 50 permanent staff and 15 outsourced families.

Buy locally and support globally by purchasing one of our sustainable bags and fair trade totes using recycled mosquito netting from Cambodia partners Smateria.

Fair Trade Product of the Month

This past spring we introduced a new eco-friendly collection of handbags and accessories from Cambodia. Each of these products is fashioned from recycled mosquito netting, making each piece a uniquely green fashion item.

The product that has been the best seller, hands down, is this Shoulder Bag. Little did we realize when we introduced it how popular or how useful it would be for Apple's hot new item - the iPad.



Our new shoulder bag comes in six new trendy colors. It not only has a large inside storage pouch, but also a zippered pocket as well as two open, but divided pockets located on the inside front section of the bag. This provides a way to keep extra items organized and easier to find. In addition to these divided pockets, it has two roomy inside pockets that can carry your iPhone, iPod and pocket size earphones. The perfect solution for the techno-savy guy or gal and our fair trade product of the month.

Sue Duncan Children's Center Charity Event

This past month we were able to be a part of the Sue Duncan Children's Center Charity Event - their Fall Fete.. We donated two of our recycled picture frames to their cause. We also donate to the Chicago yacht club foundation.

About the Sue Duncan Children's Center:

Started in 1961 when after-school programs were only beginning, Sue Duncan opened her first children's center to provide free education and recreation for inner-city children. She desired to offer a haven for children where they would be supported, enriched, cherished and nurtured: a place where they could learn.

Now, in 2010, the Sue Duncan Children's Center (SDCC) is as vibrant as ever. SDCC continues to be a safe haven for children, where staff and volunteer tutors work closely to strengthen core academic skills, while also developing self-esteem, respect for others and a renewed sense of hope. SDCC has provided top-level academic tutoring and social adjustment to literally thousands of children over the past 49 years.

Source: Sue Duncan Children's Center

Thank You Sue from Sue Duncan Children's Center on Vimeo.

Top Five Accessories for Your iPad

With Apple selling nearly 2 million iPads each month to meet their production demand there are accessories that are becoming just as popular as the iPad.

Consider these top five accessories for your iPad:

1. Keyboard Dock - Cost: $69

2. ipad Screen Protector - The Nu Shield which is simply a protective film that sets over your iPad screen will help prevent it from scratching. Very easy to use and will be custom cut for your iPad so be sure to measure it correctly!

3. iPad Shoulder Bag - This ultra hip carrying case fits over your shoulder and protects the iPad while commuting to class or work. Adjustable shoulder straps, inside three pockets including a zippered pocket, outside two pockets make it ideal for a handbag and iPad carrying case. Function meets style and protection in the unisex iPad shoulder bag. Cost: $45

4. Pogo Sketch - This nifty little gadget turns your iPad into a notebook enabling you to write on your iPad as you would a regular piece of paper. Cost: $14.95

5. Book Arc - This product is a stand to allow your iPad to become virtually hands free enabling easy viewing. Cost: $39.95

Everything from cool iPad shoulder bags to slick screen protectors, these top five accessories have your iPad is covered.

Top Five Accessories for Fair Trade Month

We love these top five accessories from our online boutique five ACCESSORIES.com for Fair Trade Month. Proceeds from each sale go to charity. All items are made with fair trade standards.



1. five ACCESSORIES Wood Bangles- These ultra chic bracelets are made by Fair Trade standards and a percentage from all sales goes back to charity. Made from solid wood. These bangles are on sale for $10 regular $15




2. five ACCESSORIES Shoulder Bag- This ultra hip carrying case fits over your shoulder and protects the iPad while commuting to class or work. Adjustable shoulder straps, inside three pockets including a zippered pocket, outside two pockets make it ideal for a handbag and iPad carrying case. Function meets style and protection in the unisex iPad shoulder bag. Comes in 6 colors. $45



3. five ACCESSORIES Messenger Bag- Commuter bag, laptop bag, work bag, overnight bag, gym bag, bicycle bag, beach bag, diaper bag, knitting bag, you name it Eco bag. Distinctive outer shell is re purposed mosquito netting. Lining is repurposed industrial waterproof tarp, for a bag that is durable and waterproof. Black piping with mesh straps, to be worn cross body or over one shoulder, the bag closes in front with a big, sturdy buckle. Adjustable strap drop, with bag dimensions of 15.5 x 15.5 x 4.5. Interior pockets keeps everything organized. $75.00




4. five ACCESSORIES Fair Trade Wallet with Key Chain- Made from recycled mosquito netting through Smateria, a fair trade company in Cambodia. Handmade and hand stitched using recycled material. This key chain is designed to hold your iPhone, credit card and one tube of lipstick. Outside pocket designed to hold credit cards. Can also be an iPhone carrying case. Zipper closure. Comes in six colors. $15




5. five ACCESSORIES Wood and Pearl Bracelet- Oval-shaped wood sections are united with small beads in between and finished with a circular shaped pearl overlay. Elastic provides stretch. From our Bali Collection. $10

For more information please visit https://www.fiveaccessories.com/

Happy Fair Trade Month to all my Fair Trade friends!

October is Fair Trade Month

It is hard to believe another year has passed and it is Fair Trade Month again! As wonderful as Fair Trade Month is, it just seems like yesterday that I was writing a blog post about it.

Fair Trade is

...a system of exchange that honors producers, communities, consumers, and the environment. It is a model for the global economy rooted in people-to-people connections, justice, and sustainability.

When you make Fair Trade purchases you are supporting a fair price for products, investing in people and communities here in the USA and abroad. You are also supporting environmental sustainability, economic empowerment of small scale producers, direct trade and fair trade practices such as fair labor conditions.

(source: GreenAmerica.org)
Won't you support Fair Trade Month by purchasing from businesses who are Fair Trade Certified? Just look for these logos below shop:

Eden Place Farmers Market at Fuller Park

five ACCESSORIES is proud to support the Eden Place Farmers Market at Fuller Park every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Not only does this farmers market provide a great variety of fresh produce, flowers, arts & crafts, music and more, it also provides a great sense of community and support. On August 28th, we had the opportunity to participate in exciting events at the market.

For starters, the Green Fashion Show was a smashing hit. We saw the best of recycled and refurbished fashions! Youth Choirs also showed of their voices in amazing performances and a wonderful green cooking presentation caught the noses of many! However, probably the most exciting of all were the White House officials in attendance! Imagine being a part of the community, meeting neighbors, learning how to be green, and meeting staff from the White House! Just think, they know Obama, how cool is that?

Also, five ACCESSORIES had a table and just maybe someone from the White House left interested in a bamboo bag? Or maybe the messenger bags? We had a great time at this event and look forward to many more in the future.

Gift Insider on WGNTV.COM

Thanks to Lindsay Roberts of WGN we were almost featured on The Gift Insider but unfortunately the segment got cut short. However, our Off the Street picture frame was still nicely displayed on the table. This picture frame is made of recycled street refuse and handmade by our StreetWise vendors. Also see The Gift Insider blog.

Dressed to Give Feature

Our founder, Christine Hutchison, was recently interviewed by Stephanie Hackman of Dressed to Give at CaseFoundation.org. Stephanie actively seeks to write about businesses that give back. Here is a quote from her:

Dressed to Give readers know I love highlighting businesses that are giving back in style. I've blogged about shoe companies and boutiques that have made giving back a part of their business model, and I've been thrilled to see an upsurge in fashion-focused entrepreneurial ventures lately that have a strong commitment to philanthropy.

We really appreciate her article and her support. In case you would like to read it, we thought we'd post a link to it:

http://www.casefoundation.org/blog/dressed-give-five-accessories

Upcoming Chicago Shopping Events

The following list is a our upcoming Chicago shopping events schedule that five ACCESSORIES will be attending in case any of you are in or near the Chicago area:

Chicago Gift & Market

Friday-Saturday-Sunday-Monday-Tuesday

July 23rd-27th

Merchandise Mart, 8th floor

http://www.shopchicagomarket.com/exhibitorlisting/temporaryexhibitors/

Elmhurst Green Festival
Saturday/Sunday
July 31st and August 1st

8:30 to 3:30

http://www.elmhurstgreenfest.org/web/

Halsted Days

Saturday/Sunday

August 7th and 8th

Chicago, IL

Renegade Craft Fair
Friday/Saturday/Sunday September 10th,11th and 12th

9:30am to 7:00 pm

Division St. between Damen and Paulina

http://www.renegadecraft.com/chicago

Lincoln Park Art Faire

Saturday/Sunday Sept. 11th and 12th

9:30am to 6:30 pm

2045 Lincoln Park West

five ACCESSORIES in the News

Special thanks to TCW Mag (Today's Chicago Woman Magazine) for this recent news feature about five ACCESSORIES and our StreetWise Vendors:

Things You May Have Not Known You Could Recycle

In 2007 Green America had a great article about 21 things you probably did not realize you could recycle. They featured it again in one of their newsletters. Here is a partial list, to read the full list follow the link at the bottom of this post:

1. Appliances: Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.

2. Batteries: Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.

3. Cardboard boxes: Contact local nonprofits and women’s shelters to see if they can use them. Or, offer up used cardboard boxes at your local Freecycle.org listserv or on Craigslist.org for others who may need them for moving or storage. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale.

4. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to AuralTech for refinishing, and they’ll work like new: 888/454-3223, www.auraltech.com.

5. Clothes: Wearable clothes can go to your local Goodwill outlet or shelter. Donate wearable women’s business clothing to Dress for Success, which gives them to low-income women as they search for jobs, 212/532-1922, www.dressforsuccess.org. Offer unwearable clothes and towels to local animal boarding and shelter facilities, which often use them as pet bedding. Consider holding a clothes swap at your office, school, faith congregation or community center. Swap clothes with friends and colleagues, and save money on a new fall wardrobe and back-to-school clothes.

6. Compact fluorescent bulbs: Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: www.ikea.com.

7. Compostable bio-plastics: You probably won’t be able to compost these in your home compost bin or pile. Find a municipal composter to take them to at www.findacomposter.com.

8. Computers and electronics: Find the most responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html.

9. Exercise videos: Swap them with others at www.videofitness.com.

10. Eyeglasses: Your local Lion’s Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need.

(To download Green America's entire recycling issue of the Quarterly, visit their archives page.)


Resource Article:

http://www.greenamericatoday.org/pubs/greenamerican/articles/21Things.cfm

What is Fair Trade?

We just sent out the newest addition of our newsletter today, but if you missed it or are not signed up, we mentioned the meaning of Fair Trade.

Perhaps you have heard the term. Fair Trade is a business model centered around providing a living wage for producers, safe and empowering working conditions, and environmentally friendly practices. Fair Trade companies help individuals in Third World Countries or Developing Areas to lift themselves out of poverty, invest in their communities, protect the environment, and develop skills necessary to compete in a global environment.

If you would like to learn more about Fair Trade please visit the Fair Trade Federation or Chicago Fair Trade.Or if you would like to stay informed about our upcoming events, current promotions and receive special discount offers, please consider signing up for our newsletter at www.fiveACCESSORIES.com

Nadya - Our Newly Sponsored Child

Kichen, our Balinese Business Partner, just emailed us a photo and a bit of info about our newly sponsored child, Nadya:

I am sending you the latest picture of Nadya, the girl we are sponsoring. The picture was taken in front of her new school. She got into one of the most favorite senior high schools in Denpasar after going thru severe tests. Today I handed $240 to her to pay for her school fees for the period of July-December 2010. She is so grateful to you for the great help and attention.

This is what five's mission statement is all about!

Our mission is to create income generating programs for individuals, donate a large portion of our sales to worthy charitable causes and foster the use of sustainable material in fashion.

For more information about how we give back to charity, please visit our Giving Back page of our website.

Honduras Coffee Producers Make Eco-Friendly Handbags

These eco-friendly bags are made by recycling potato chip bags that litter the communities of Honduras. This new project was created and is administered by a women's cooperative of organic, shade-grown coffee producers in the mountains of Comayagua, Honduras. The sale of these bags provides needed income to these women and gives families an alternative to the standard practice of burning trash.

We here at five ACCESSORIES appreciate their work and are honored to be a part of supporting these women and their families in our giving back project.

Screening of Peaceable Kingdom

Mindful Metropolis is hosting a screening of Peaceable Kingdom. The screening will last from approximately 7pm-8:15pm.

"A riveting story of transformation and healing, PEACEABLE KINGDOM: THE JOURNEY HOME explores the awakening conscience of several people who grew up in traditional farming culture and who have now come to question the basic premises of their inherited way of life."

A Q & A with the film’s producer, James LaVeck, with audience questions will immediately follow the screening (8:15-9pm).

After the Q & A, there will be another hour (9-10pm) of mingling with sponsors, James LaVeck, etc.

Visit www.mindfulmetropolis/peaceablekingdom for more information.

Mindful Metropolis Feature

We are grateful to have the opportunity to be featured in the May issue of Mindful Metropolis (page 32-33) for our Off the Street Collection - Using Materials Recycled Off the Street, Helping People Off the Street - featuring our Off the Street picture frame. You can open the June issue and go to the archives for the May and other back issues.

Sale at the Andersonville Galleria

For the month of June we are offering 10% off of our Cambodia Collection at our Andersonville Galleria location in Chicago -Andersonville Galleria 5247 N Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640.

This is the perfect opportunity to check out our new eco-friendly handbags and accessories. Our Cambodia Collection is made from repurposed mosquito netting, which we have talked about here in the past.

2010 SolarDay is June 19th!

Did you know that June 19th is SolarDay? Well, it is! This is another green opportunity to save energy while celebrating Father's Day. We all desire to do our best to conserve energy and build a more sustainable environment.

Here is what SolarDay's website says SolarDay actually is:

SolarDay is a national and international day of recognition of Solar Energy, Clean Technology, Energy Independence, Sustainability and Protection of the Planet.

Green Carpet Event

Glenn Hughes (pictured above with our Founder, Christine Hutchison) handed out the awards bag at the Mindful Metropolis Green Carpet Event, which kicked off Chicago's Green Festival a couple of weeks ago. This awards bag was given as a part of the Reader's Choice Awards. Glenn was honored as the artist behind the award- our Off the Street Picture frames.

Congratulations, Glenn!