I’m thrilled to see that Cotton & Flax’s zero waste initiatives are highlighted in an article in San Diego CityBeat this week. They rounded up artists and designers from around the city who are reducing their consumption and waste, and moving towards a zero waste lifestyle, and it’s amazing to think about what these efforts could achieve. Proud to be featured alongside these sustainability-focused business leaders!
no waste studio
Fabrics printed in the USA
I loved partnering with LA-based Robert Kaufman to create Arroyo, my first fabric collection. They have a fantastic network of US-based printing partners that they were able to coordinate with to print the entire collection domestically. The result is a beautiful collection of overprinted fabric, which looks just as bold and vibrant as my hand-printed fabrics.
One of the advantages of partnering with a US-based printer is a smaller carbon footprint, which works towards to my goal to strive for a greener studio environment. While international printers also create beautiful quality fabrics under ethical conditions, I feel confident that pushing for local manufacturing and production could create a big impact in terms of the textile industry’s effect on global warming, and I hope that I’ll get to partner with more USA production partners for future collaborations.
New Pillow Designs Debut at ICFF
I have two new pillow designs debuting this week at ICFF in New York, as part of an exhibition called Make Use, which was co-curated by JOIN Design and Rejuvenation. This exhibition is part of NYCxDesign, a multi-week celebration of global design that takes place yearly in New York.
Make Use will debut a new collection of objects for the home from 14 West Coast-based studios. Our design philosophy for this collection was rooted in simple, natural materials, and designs that celebrate the maker’s hand, and honor the everyday. My new designs, a pair of wool felt pillows, sewn in a patchwork design from scraps of felt that I had saved from other projects, combines my design values of high-quality materials and a no-waste studio environment.
I’m delighted to be featured in an exhibition that celebrates straightforward design and the beauty in utility associated with West Coast Craftsmanship. If you’re in New York for ICFF, stop by booth #233 and check out my new work!
Using Up the Scraps, Part 2 – Mini Quilt Collab
I’ve talked about my commitment to running a environmentally-friendly studio in the past, and I’ve continued to look for ways to improve my no-waste approach to production for Cotton & Flax. I’ve been lucky to find some amazing partners in that effort, including my newest collaborator: Caitlin Topham from Salty Oat!
Caitlin has been creating beautiful wall quilts from Cotton & Flax scraps, and I absolutely love the results. She does a great job of finding the perfect project for even the smallest scraps that I send her.
I love seeing a new piece of art come to life using fabric that would have otherwise been wasted, and her beautiful approach to modern quilting has led to some gorgeous pieces that I’d be proud to display in my home.
Check out the available quilts from our collaboration, and visit the Salty Oat shop to learn more about Caitlin’s work.
Erin discusses sustainability on “WDWHT?” Podcast
I had such a great time chatting with Erin Husted of Hackwith Design House for the Why Do We Have Things? podcast a few weeks ago. Our conversation dug into the idea of sustainability in business, and all the different forms that can take. If you’re curious about my commitment to sustainable, natural materials, or how I approach sustainability in my business practices, have a listen!
New Lavender Sachets – A Collaboration with Minor Thread
2015 is shaping up to be a year of awesome collaborations at Cotton & Flax. One of the best parts of running a creative business is the opportunity to work with talented friends and makers, and I have been actively looking for ways to work with other local creatives on fun projects.
I wrote recently about focusing on sustainability when designing for Cotton & Flax, and that’s exactly what I had in mind when I reached out to my friend Charlie, owner of Minor Thread. I had a giant pile of linen scraps, leftover from making our pillows, tea towels, and napkins — I can’t bear to throw this beautiful fabric out! We decided to create a small collection of Cotton & Flax sachets, made by Charlie using remnant linen from previous Cotton & Flax projects, and wonderfully fragrant organic lavender.
I’ve been sharing Charlie’s photos from behind the scenes on Instagram, and I’m excited to debut these beautiful sachets in the shop today, just in time for Mother’s Day. Our sachets make a great “just because” gift for friends, too. I love the scent of lavender, and studies have shown that the scent of lavender can promote relaxation – who doesn’t love that?
There are very limited numbers of these sachets, but if they are popular, I’ll be working with Charlie to create a wider range of sachets for a second edition. Here’s hoping that you love the sachets as much as I do.
