Socially Conscious Mother's Day Gift

The other day on my way out, a neighbor commented on my red Deppa Bag and said how much she liked it. I proceeded to share a little about it. Since it drew attention once already this week, I thought I would feature it today on the blog.

With Mother's Day just around the corner, our Deppa bags would make wonderful socially conscious gifts for moms. These bags are well made, sturdy and can hold a load of books, even over the handle of a stroller!

This eco-friendly hand bag is red and natural. It is hand printed using natural dyes and lined in solid red, with just the right touch of hand embroidery. It has a snap on either outer side enabling the bag to expand. One inside pocket with a zipper. 18" h x 14" w. $5.00 from the sale of this bag goes to support the fair trade women's co-operative in India, where the good was handmade.

Moms will not only appreciate that her gift is eco-friendly, but that her gift gives back to charity as well.

New Spring Line a Huge Hit at Sales Events

We are excited that our new spring line in our Cambodia Collection has been a huge success at sales events this past month - They have been our best selling items!

Check out these vibrant new colors:





If you missed our Earth Day post announcing the new Cambodia handbags and accessories, please be sure to go back and read it for complete details.

It has been an extremely busy month, but a good busy and lots of fun meeting old and new friends at each of our events.

Confessions of an Over-Worked Mom Giveaway

Ellen at Confessions of an Over-Worked Mom is hosting a giveaway of our Flower Bracelet. She has also generously posted about five ACCESSORIES on her other blog called The Socialite's Closet. Please help us support her by visiting her blogs, leaving a comment or even entering her giveaway. Thanks!

NAWBO Hosts Annual Celebration of Achievement Luncheon Gala

I am looking forward to participating in NAWBO's Annual Celebration of Achievement Luncheon Gala on Monday, May 3rd.

The theme of this year's luncheon is "ONE WOMAN: One Dream, One Voice, One Business to Change the World". Business women will be recognized according to their work ethic and passion to keep going in whatever circumstances they find themselves in these three categories: Woman Business Owner of the Year, Member of the Year, and Corporate Women of Achievement Awards.


Congratulations to the 2010 selected winners:

Business Owner of the Year:

Francine Manilow, Manilow Suites, Inc.

Member of the Year:

Susanne Moncrieff, Corporate Motivation, Inc.

Corporate Woman of Achievement:

Gloria Berndl, CDW LLC

Deirdre Drake, Harris N.A.

JoAnne Zielke, American Family Insurance

Michele S. Katz, Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP Welsh & Katz

Jayne McCraren, Viti Financial

Kathy Duckworth, Citibank

Julie E. Vander Weele, Mesirow Financial

Emily Lawrence, National City Bank

Shaun McParland Baldwin, Tressler LLP

About the National Association of Women Business Owners--Chicago Area Chapter:

Founded in 1978, the National Association of Women Business Owners--Chicago Area Chapter is dedicated to propelling women entrepreneurs into economic, social, and political spheres of power. With more than 600 members, the chapter is one of the largest National Association of Women Business Owners groups in the country.

Free ticket to the Chicago Green Festival

This is the fourth year that Chicago has hosted a Green Festival. It is the largest green festival of the year for Chicagoans. It is also our biggest retail event. The Chicago Green Festival features gifted speakers, a wonderful green kids program, not to mention a fabulous eco-fashion show, social justice films, green home workshops, and so much more! No matter where you are at in your "green journey" there will be something for everyone on the journey of becoming "green". So come join the fun and excitement on May 22nd and 23rd at Navy Pier:

Saturday – 10am – 7pm
Sunday – 11am – 6pm

Navy Pier
600 E Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

Join the many Chicagoans in learning from and shopping at more than 340 green retailers, organizations, farmers etc. It is amazing that we have so many green businesses in Chicago committed to fair trade and eco-friendly products and services.

As if those weren't reasons enough to attend the Green Festival, the festival committee is offering a FREE ticket! Click on the link for more information.

Plus, we are hosting a fundraiser for Chicago's StreetWise by providing 5 minute table massages for a five dollar charitable donation to StreetWise. We wanted to offer individuals the perfect opportunity to support a local organization that is making a difference in the lives of Chicagoans every day.

World Fair Trade Day Celebration

"World Fair Trade Day Celebration" on Friday, May 7 at 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Event: World Fair Trade Day Celebration

Start Time: Friday, May 7 at 9:00am

End Time: Friday, May 7 at 5:00pm

Where: Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington, Chicago, IL

Those of you in the Chicago area, hope you can make it. Feel free to pass along the information to friends, too!

About World Trade Day

"World Fair Trade Day (WFTDay) is an initiative of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO, www.wfto.com) and is being supported by thousands of citizens, Fair Trade Organizations, social and environmental movements, producers and consumers all around the planet. Local authorities, national governments and multilateral institutions have been supporting Fair Trade for several decades now. "

For more information about World Fair Trade Day, please visit www.worldfairtradeday10.org/

Newly Designed Cambodia Line in Time for Earth Day!

Just in time for Earth Day, we are excited to have expanded our Cambodia Collection. The collection, made from repurposed mosquito netting by women in Cambodia, consists of a uni-sex messenger bag with inside divider for your computer; a shoulder bag w/ inside pockets; a key ring with cell phone holder (pictured above) and coin purse perfect to attach to the inside of the messenger bag (pictured below). The key ring and coin purse will feature a five petal flower similar to five’s logo flower.

The new line made by a fair trade co-op in Cambodia, is made from recycled plastic mosquito netting, carefully washed and cleaned, originally used to protect livestock, safety netting, and brick layers used it as a sand sieve. The messenger bag has an inside divider that will make it a great eco-friendly computer/work bag for professionals and students or a perfect diaper bag for mothers. Each of these accessories has a zipper closure, whereas the messenger bag has a snap closure. These products are available in new spring colors: grey, copper, blue, yellow, green and black for all styles. Prices will range from $15.00 up to $75. Perfect for an Earth Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or graduation gift!

Green Shopping Expo at Morton Arbetorum

The Morton Arboretum Green Shopping Event April 24th and 25th

Saturday, April 24th and Sunday, April 25th, 2010 from 11:00pm-5:00pm

4100 Illinois Route 53 Lisle, IL 60532-1293

This sustainable green boutique and garden expo will feature a wide range of distinctive products that will be displayed and sold by vendors who use sustainable practices to make exclusive products. See what is new in the green industry; learn how to use sustainable practices in and outside your home.

We will be representing Chicago area green sustainable businesses and organizations at The Morton Arboretum event this coming weekend, April 24-25th.

Click Shoes Trunk Show

We want to keep you abreast to our busy spring season, so here is another event that we will be attending:

Click Shoes Trunk Show
April 22, 2010

4 pm to 8 pm
3742 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

http://www.clickshoes.net/

On Signing Your Name by R.E. Moody

r.e.moody

It is the message in the poems,
Not how strong you sign your name.

Green Family Festivals

Did you know about the Green Family Festivals at The Irish American Heritage Center on April 17-18th? This will be our second year participating. Lots of fun events just in time for the warmer weather!

Crossroads by Roark Moody

Roark moody

Crossroads

Supreme happiness
Warms a cold heart
Despite the Lonely path traveled

Columbia College Eco Fair

Earth Day The Recycling Program and Eco Fair at Columbia College:


Thursday, April 22, 2010
10am - 3pm

five ACCESSORIES will be there, will you?

For more information about Columbia College, the Recycling Program or Eco Fair visit either of their websites:

www.colum.edu/recycling

www.cccrecycling.blogspot.com/

Fair Trade Bazaar at Roosevelt University

We will be at the Roosevelt University Fair Trade Bazaar on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 10 am to 3 pm 430 S Michigan Ave.Chicago, IL 60605. Hope some of you can make it! We actually have three different events on the 22nd, so you definitely have your pick of events that day! We will post event details in the upcoming days and weeks ahead, so stay tuned....

Loyola Eco Fair

The Loyola Eco Fair is coming up on April 17th and five ACCESSORIES will be there from 1-3pm. This event will be at the Loyal Lakeshore Campus. For complete details visit:

www.luc.edu/earthday/

Conversation with StreetWise Vendor: Glenn Hughes

It has truly been a rewarding experience to work along side our StreetWise vendors each week. We have many great conversations and recently, during one of our sessions Glenn Hughes said to another StreetWise vendor to encourage her to keep on with her business:

"Failure is not permanent
But only an opportunity
To try it again more intelligently"

Author unknown.


Each of us has much to learn in the course of our lives, but we also have much to give. Words can especially give life to those facing discouragement or are in tough situations. If only we could purpose to give more encouragement each day, the world would truly be a better place. Glenn words of encouragement are another way we can all take to give back to those around us.

Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies

We are privileged to be sponsoring another giveaway. This time Leslie over at Leslie Loves Veggies is hosting a giveaway of our Medium Sand Handbag. This giveaway will run thru April 23, 2010, so if you are interested in a chance to win this eco friendly handbag, please visit www.LeslieLovesVeggies.blogspot.com
Or if you just want to help us promote the charity handbag giveaway, please feel free to pass this information along to others.

Chocolate and Wine Tasting to Benefit Bright Endeavors

Bright Endeavors is hosting a Chocolate and Wine Tasting Fundraiser event on Thursday, April 29 at the following location:

Mars Gallery, 1139 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607 US

Help break the cycle of poverty and be the "green light" for the young, homeless and at-risk women Bright Endeavors serve.

Join Bright Endeavors and their guests for local treats and fair trade delights. Generously sponsored by Divine Chocolate and That's Caring.

Suggested donation: $45 in advance, $50 at the door. Bring a friend for $35.

Visit http://events.linkedin.com/Chocolate-Wine-Tasting-Benefit-Bright/pub/272984

or

http://www.brightendeavors.org

for complete details.

University of Chicago Green Campus Initiative

Recently, the chair of Green Campus Initiative, a student organization at the University of Chicago dedicated to promoting environmental awareness and sustainable practices on campus contacted us regarding their cause, which you can more about at their blog, http://gci-uchicago.blogspot.com/2010/03/gcis-least-unique-bid-auction-win.html

They held a Least Unique Bid Auction in mid-March where attendees paid a small fee to bid on different items. Since five ACCESSORIES is a fair trade, socially conscious company carrying eco-friendly products, we were a good fit for this event to show our support to the students. We were happy to donate a couple of bracelets to their auction.

The funds they raised will go towards running their annual Battle of the Bulbs competition, a month long inter-dormitory energy reduction competition.

Another Poem from Roark Moody

Here is another poem from Roark Moody(tall gentleman in the hat in back row). He was inspired from one of the combat missions he was on in Vietnam.

Whistling monkeys
Leaping about the twisted trees
Seldom look down.

Another Giveaway at Sweeps4Bloggers.com

Valerie over at Sweeps4Bloggers.com is hosting another giveaway for us. This time she is giving away two of our medium sand bamboo handbags.




For more information about this eco friendly handbag visit our website or for complete details about Valerie's giveaway visit Sweeps4Bloggers.com

With Earth Day, World Fair Trade Day, Mother' s Day and graduations all coming up, now is the perfect time to purchase products that support local businesses committed to using sustainable materials and implementing fair trade practices.

Northwest Side Green Fest

We have many Spring events coming up and for those in the Chicago area, we'd love to meet you if you can get to any of the public events.

St. Tarcissus Green Team are the sponsors of the Northwest Side Green Fest:

Saturday, April 10, 2010

9:30am-4:30pm

at

6040 W. Ardmore,
Chicago, IL 60646

You may also visit the Green Team's web page for complete details:

http://sttars.org/ParishOrganizations/HumanConcerns/GreenTeam.html

StreetWise Vendor: Roark Moody is a Poet

One of our streetwise vendors Roark Moody is a poet.


This week while working with him he was discussing haiku poetry from japan. I just wanted to share his most recent poem:

Heaven

The tallest mountain
Stands no closer to heaven
Than a grain of sand