EcoDepot HQ

The loveliest thing about the Eco Depot studio is the cosy factor. I think some afternoons I'd like to move in permanently.  After a particularly taxing time with MYOB, the computer generally / writing / planning / organising (and yay!) packaging, I can look out the door and see green, which is pretty cool. I consider myself blessed. 

A little history of Eco Depot HQ....

The building itself was built by my beautiful husband from recycled materials whenever he could lay his hands on them. The french doors - came from a mates house, the yellow table - a neighbour moving away (the table used to be teachers issue at a local school), the ply panelling was a Ducati case (thanks to a friends husband working at a motorcycle showroom), cushion - one of many in Eco Depot store (not yet up!) made by a local lady from reclaimed fabrics, cushion insert, zipper & where possible thread! Basically, all the goodies have their own history and that's exactly what makes it such a great space to work in.

Makes it all the more important that everything that we source for Eco Depot lives up to this human feel. Knowing the stories makes it all the more fun.

To Market to Market

Coledale Markets are on this Sunday from 9am at Coledale Primary School - yay! It has to be one of the most pleasant ways to spend a Sunday in the Illawarra. Georgous foods, fresh coffee, local (Berry) sourdough breads and treasures of every type. One of the (many) highlights is the school playground where the little ones can wear themselves out, whilst the big kids take turns to check out the stalls.

So for the better part of the day, I've been pricing all of our stock, trialling stall set ups in our studio and generally making sure everything is ready to rock.

I found a fantastic old projector screen to paint onto, so people know where they're at. The best bit, because the screen had the tiniest tear - the lovely gentlenman at the secondhand store gave it to me for free! I decided card tables would be the way to go as my market tables, as they are fairly light to transport & fit together. Up to my local op shop, fingers crossed - and score! There's my new card table, with barely a mark. Happy days. So I have my grandmas old table, a nearly newbie and my Dad is going to donate his barely used - sitting in the back of the shed - 20 odd years old table to the cause. I love pieces with history. Makes for more interesting stories.

Enjoy the week, and pulling on those layers as the temperatures slowly heads south.

Meet my new mate...EARL

Earl is my new mate. he makes me smile and helps me out. He used to help out with someone's transportation requirements, but now he's gainfully employed as my wardrobe assistant. You see, Earl is my new belt. Once he was a bike tyre (who knows what journeys he may have travelled?) and now to be reincarnated as a belt. Scrubbed up, pared back and fitted with a fantastic buckle - ready to rock. Produced in Sydney and arriving on our doorstep via the posts public transport system (Australia Post), Earl is a welcome addition.

A big thumbs up to all the lateral thinkers out there who hate seeing perfectly good materials being discarded.   Thank You!

(Check out our site to meet Earl's mates)

A Beautiful Day

3 Things that have made my day beautiful....

Our kids - waking up happy, reading & wrestling is always great.

Crystal clear mornings - always inspiring

Public transport - clean and punctual, gives me a chance to hang out with the muppets and have a 'mini adventure'

One of the best bits though is having morning tea in the front garden reading the latest on offer from Peppermint magazine. Coolest eco fashion, stories, communities and all round eco good guys based in Brisbane. Yay! The little Pipi bag is there because all little birds like their moment in the sun. These little guys are hand stitched by a lovely lady in Sydney who only uses reclaimed textiles for her creations. A little zipper ini their belly means you can use them for your camera, phone, cosmeticy stuff, jewels, notes, basically what ever you like. Check out the flock in the accessories department.

Have a lovely easter everyone, keep your eyes peeled for those Easter bilbies delivering chocolate!

Wake up! (after lights out)

Saturday evening proved to be the perfect night to spend it with friends in the backyard under a star filled canopy. (Sunday was a beautiful day for going slow) As a result of Earth Hour, Sydney's power consumption dropped apparently 9% for the hour. Certainly dramatic imagery as the world's iconic building dimmed. Our kids absolutely loved the whole deal. Candle light, running around making up their own fun & a fire drum in the back yard. As a result we're aiming for a weekly Earth Hour evening throughout winter.

Tonight is the first (of many no doubt!) WakeUp! events in Sydney. The parts which I tuned into most of all were the bits about random kindness and growing a community of people sharing similar values. A sold out evening which I believe will be pretty special (since it starts of with fair trade chocolate and organic wines!). There will be guest speakers, a short film and who knows what other treasures on the night! With the concept gaining momentum rapidly, you will want to check out their site to read up on their philosophy and what please check out WakeUp Sydney.

Speaking of philosophies, I keep reminding myself of the one we created for EcoDepot. (The first two points especially seem pretty apt in these times and we're always happy when people pop into our store!)

LIGHTS OUT

It has snuck up again, that time when we turn out our lights for at least an hour on Saturday 28th March for Earth Hour. Australia Post has even published stamps for the occasion! We're using it as an invitation to catch up with friends, hang out and enjoy a (beeswax) candlelit meal together. (Just beware if you have little ones around, they tend not to mix well with naked flames) 

Beeswax candles win hands down over parafin ones. The beautiful beeswax variety emit negative ions when lit, just like moving water. (They smell like honey straight out of the packet - Yum!) These negative ions help cleanse the atmosphere. (That's why after a good rain it always smells so good and seems so much clearer, and being at the beach with the water licking at your toes is a balm for the soul.) On the other hand parafin candles are just no good for anyone. Being a byproduct of the crude oil industry, they're behind the 8 ball from the get go. Have you ever noticed how much some of them smoke? Well, that is going back into the atmosphere and destined for your lungs. Much better off with Australian made beeswax candles - a delight for the senses. Have a look at Queen B's site to see what I mean.

Happy Earth Hour everyone, and just think of all those folk around the globe where Earth Hour happens every evening!

Happy January!

I've already bent my first New Year's Resolution - oops! This entry should have happened a little while ago...But in saying that January has been a fantastic month. Loads of time with my family kicking off with 4 days of camping at the Peats Ridge Festival. A thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all- public art from pre loved items,organic meals, music from around the globe and swimming in the river every afternoon - yay!

I've also been spending time contemplating product design and how to run a small business in a way that gives and inspires.

We had fantastic feedback from our Positive Produce exhibition and some beautiful comments from people at the recent Illawarra Folk Festival in regards to our range and the stories behind our goodies. (the entire festival is organised and run by volunteers!) What do we really need? If we do need stuff - where does it come from, who has made it and what is the embodied energy in our latest purchase? Does any of it really improve the quality of our lives. This train of thought was opened up again by reading the interview with Emily Pilloton in Dumbo Feather, pass it on (issue 18).

If you're wondering about the photo, it was taken whilst walking home after reading said article with Emily and really looking around.

Keep your eyes peeled, as we will be, tracking down more artists and makers doing/ creating fantastic things to feature on EcoDepot. Anyone you think we should know about, please drop us a line!