Earthwise Open Day
Posted by claire lochrie on Saturday, September 4, 2010
Today was my very first market stall ever, and I actually didn't forget anything! At the lovely grounds of the Earthwise building in Subiaco there was a steady crowd all day. We had music, dancing, pizza and 'fruit screams', composting demos and all things earthy.
A few people tried on wraps, putting their little ones up on their backs for the very first time, and then having a wander for 10 minutes. I think it's really important to touch the wraps, see the colours in the daylight and to actually try them on. I bought my first one on a wing and a prayer, and luckily it worked out for us, but for so many people it doesn't. They have no one to show them how to use it, and the instructions can be difficult to understand, and no one to bounce questions off. Which is why I offer 'lessons' and email contact, as well a regular markets stalls as a way for people to find me and ask me anything, it really does make a difference. My next definite stall will be at the West Coast Steiner School Open Day/ Spring Fair in Nollamara, on Sunday October 24th. There may be another stall beforehand, check the Contact Us page for updates.
I am currently playing with a purple, red and supposedly 'fuschia" dye- I will keep you all posted. I am also working out my natural Indigo Vat, which takes about a week to ferment. Synthetic Indigo vats are much faster, but use chemicals that I am not willing to put near babies, or parents, or my own skin. Indigo is a very particular dye, very different to other dyes which is why I was waiting until I did a full day workshop on how to use Indigo before I even tried it. Now its just a matter of certain logistics and blues will be featuring here very soon! When another shipment comes through I will have another range of greens to offer; for some reason the green I was using has decided to go a beautiful golden colour though I have no idea why. That's the fun of natural dyes!
The purple Cocoon from the photos has found a new home where it will be well loved. When I took it over and helped Rita put it on for the first time, and her 2 week old little girl in, it was really lovely to see as Rita looked at me and kept saying 'This is good, this is so good'. She was so excited to have her little one snuggled up close it took her about 10 min to realise that her hands were totally free, and it was a revelation for her to actually experience what her mind knew was supposed to happen. Having 2 hands free is a big bonus as there are 2 gorgeous children aged 2 and 4 to care for as well. I love my work! Helping families find ways to do what needs to be done, but done with love, grace and thoughtfulness rather than simply coping; what more can I ask for?
I now have 3 yellow Cocoons, ranging from a golden colour to a slightly olive yellow. I also have a charcoal Cocoon as well as others listed in the products page. I will upload some photos as soon as I can.
There is so much joy and freedom in being able to nurture your child and still wander around at markets or the library or shops, at cafes and restaurants without being tied to a pram, and constantly having the make people move so you can get past. We even took our youngest out to dinner at fancy restaurant for our 10 yr anniversary when she was 7mnths old. She went to sleep between entree` and mains with little assistance from me and I enjoyed the rest of my meal. We didn't take up an extra tables worth of space with a pram and didn't have to bump any tables or run over toes trying to get out again. Yes, I have actually run over someone toes while trying to get past them in a cafe, though I think that speak more to my pram pushing ability than much else. Needles to say it was very embarrassing. A few months ago, the ABC local radio had a talkback session about prams being refused entry into certain cafes as there is insufficient space for them and can actually be a fire hazard. I rang in and shared how I had to wait for 2 hrs once to get on a bus that would let my pram on, and I also said it's no longer an issue for us as I use my wrap all the time!
I look forward to meeting more families at my next stall, hope to see you there!
A few people tried on wraps, putting their little ones up on their backs for the very first time, and then having a wander for 10 minutes. I think it's really important to touch the wraps, see the colours in the daylight and to actually try them on. I bought my first one on a wing and a prayer, and luckily it worked out for us, but for so many people it doesn't. They have no one to show them how to use it, and the instructions can be difficult to understand, and no one to bounce questions off. Which is why I offer 'lessons' and email contact, as well a regular markets stalls as a way for people to find me and ask me anything, it really does make a difference. My next definite stall will be at the West Coast Steiner School Open Day/ Spring Fair in Nollamara, on Sunday October 24th. There may be another stall beforehand, check the Contact Us page for updates.
I am currently playing with a purple, red and supposedly 'fuschia" dye- I will keep you all posted. I am also working out my natural Indigo Vat, which takes about a week to ferment. Synthetic Indigo vats are much faster, but use chemicals that I am not willing to put near babies, or parents, or my own skin. Indigo is a very particular dye, very different to other dyes which is why I was waiting until I did a full day workshop on how to use Indigo before I even tried it. Now its just a matter of certain logistics and blues will be featuring here very soon! When another shipment comes through I will have another range of greens to offer; for some reason the green I was using has decided to go a beautiful golden colour though I have no idea why. That's the fun of natural dyes!
The purple Cocoon from the photos has found a new home where it will be well loved. When I took it over and helped Rita put it on for the first time, and her 2 week old little girl in, it was really lovely to see as Rita looked at me and kept saying 'This is good, this is so good'. She was so excited to have her little one snuggled up close it took her about 10 min to realise that her hands were totally free, and it was a revelation for her to actually experience what her mind knew was supposed to happen. Having 2 hands free is a big bonus as there are 2 gorgeous children aged 2 and 4 to care for as well. I love my work! Helping families find ways to do what needs to be done, but done with love, grace and thoughtfulness rather than simply coping; what more can I ask for?
I now have 3 yellow Cocoons, ranging from a golden colour to a slightly olive yellow. I also have a charcoal Cocoon as well as others listed in the products page. I will upload some photos as soon as I can.
There is so much joy and freedom in being able to nurture your child and still wander around at markets or the library or shops, at cafes and restaurants without being tied to a pram, and constantly having the make people move so you can get past. We even took our youngest out to dinner at fancy restaurant for our 10 yr anniversary when she was 7mnths old. She went to sleep between entree` and mains with little assistance from me and I enjoyed the rest of my meal. We didn't take up an extra tables worth of space with a pram and didn't have to bump any tables or run over toes trying to get out again. Yes, I have actually run over someone toes while trying to get past them in a cafe, though I think that speak more to my pram pushing ability than much else. Needles to say it was very embarrassing. A few months ago, the ABC local radio had a talkback session about prams being refused entry into certain cafes as there is insufficient space for them and can actually be a fire hazard. I rang in and shared how I had to wait for 2 hrs once to get on a bus that would let my pram on, and I also said it's no longer an issue for us as I use my wrap all the time!
I look forward to meeting more families at my next stall, hope to see you there!
Tags: "earthwise open day" "market stall" "newborn carrier" prams "natural dyes"
