The Spirit Connection of Commerce…

Personal identity is connected to our clothing and purchase decisions. This began in the USA in the 1950’s, but has been growing steadily until today – with Branding as almost a household word, and the look of a cell phone being considered equally with performance. We are in an age of visual desires. How can we shift this need for identity onto authentic products – practical things with durability, that are build in a “Fair Trade” model? Things that reduce our overall consumption of things – giving true satisfaction in use and over time?
Customers are asking their purchases to connect them to their world, and their perceived image.

We are currently living almost unconsciously in a consumer culture – yet, we are unhappy and asking for something else. This is cross cultural; the world wide system decisions that are required for our positive future are huge in nature – sweeping change is what we require.

The chaos of our times is slowly merging into a new focus on what is authentic, what is real, what will take us – not back in time to a simpler era – but forward into a vision of simplicity of action and purpose, identity based on clear purpose, balance, harmony with nature, with other peoples, with the Planet. This resonates deep within, in a spiritual place that we all hold dear, yet never discuss in our business dealings. The spirit connection of commerce is arriving even as we make carbon trading travel plans, buy a Prius, a hemp bag, an organic cotton shirt, a locally made pottery jug.

The new successful business model is being driven by this need for authenticity – for an underlying yet real with place and things. The Spirit Connection of Commerce is undeniable. Join in or be lost in the shuffle as we go forward into the new world, a world of choice between what feels good inside and what satisfies only a momentary desire.…be on the wave!

-Anne Waters Weller

Eco Fashion ~ Eco Transition ~ Eco Logical

The True Greening of Balinese Textiles

The True Greening of Balinese textiles is a necessary future, and yet – in these times of Green Transition the current eco-advantage of Balinese products can be seen. This tiny island filled with spirit and love has traditionally made art and craft in every home, every village. Small batik studios and home-crafts are everywhere. The availability of sweat-free labor is an advantage on Bali if you choose your supplier carefully. The Balinese government has also upgraded the ecological practices of the dyeing industry immensely. How to go for the next step? Yes, there are sweat shop practices in Bali – especially in the batik industry, where immigrant workers (mostly from Java) are working in poor conditions dyeing cloth for large production sarongs which are then sold in the markets of Kuta at very cheap prices. Fabric choices are also limited by stringent trade restrictions.

It costs heavily to import organic cotton and other eco-friendly fabrics into Bali, thus the inevitable rayon goods. The rayon used in Bali comes from China – form an unknown supply chain. This is why I am trying to switch my line into cotton, ultimately – organic cotton or hemp.

Rayon itself can be made in a better, more ecological way – and is known as Tencel or Lyocell. Although my past attempts at offering advise to my Balinese friends and cohorts has not garnered the big changes I want for their health, their economy, their future, I will continue to suggest changes and look for openings in the practices of my suppliers in Bali.

Right now one of my batik artists – Ketut Suraya – is building a low-tech dye disposal treatment plant in his tiny studio.

Several of us who use his services are pitching in to pay for the materials and labor. Anyone can donate funding toward the building of a dye disposal treatment project in Bali, Thailand or anywhere textiles are being dyed. The dye waste problem has been very bad there, with very little understanding from the locals as to this toxic problem… and since the studios are usually very near to rice fields, I have been concerned with this for years. it is only now that one of our artist/suppliers has finally gotten the connection for himself, and we can begin to “Green” their dyeing industry – one shop at a time. I have many pictures of this process if you are interested in having your own low-tech treatment facility on site. Many of my Ancient Circles products over the past years have showcased beautiful batiks as developed and/or are handmade by this artist.

We need to support Bali in our Green transition. Look for fabrics which have simple color combinations and avoid the high impact processes of smoking (bleach) and Discharge process (Thiourea dioxide)

Support the Balinese Textile industry by choosing the label “Made in Bali” over that of India, China or other Asian countries with questionable factory conditions in their textile industry. And, ask your supplier if they personally know who dyed and tailored their items. Pay a bit more and get things made with love, supporting the ongoing traditions of work and play in Bali.

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Sweatshop Free

We Celebrate Sweatshop-Free Green Business Leaders!!

We Support Green Businesses that can say:

* I set environmental and labor standards for the products I sell;
* I clearly explain those standards to my suppliers and customers;
* I study and understand the labor and environmental issues in my supply chain; [Read more]