Archive for the ‘Cool Organizations’ Category
Welcome Spring at Rick Rack in South Minneapolis - they have lots of beautiful baskets in stock!
Thursday, March 18th, 2010The Active Ion Pro
Friday, September 25th, 2009I recently had the opportunity to use an ActiveIon Pro for a couple weeks (I borrowed it from a friend who was going on vacation). It is my new favorite green machine. Basically, you fill it up with tap water, spray, wipe, and whatever you just sprayed is sterilized and sanitized. NO CHEMICALS INVOLVED! Can’t get much greener than that. I used it a lot in the kitchen, such as on surfaces after cutting chicken. I sprayed my daughter’s hands with it. I sprayed doorknobs. I thought about spraying a spider on the ceiling, but since no chemicals are involved, he’d have just been REALLY, REALLY clean. It is big and kind of industrial looking, and I like it that way. Visit http://www.mommypr.com/?p=10803#more-10803 for a recent review of the activeion pro, or http://www.activeion.com to learn more about how it works. Here it is in all its glory: 
Joanna’s Collections
Thursday, May 28th, 2009I love this basket, especially because it was handwoven by a wonderful woman right here in Minnesota! Joanna makes beautiful, sturdy baskets. We sold some of them last year at Mill City Farmer’s Market and they were very well-liked. Her website is joannascollections.com if you want to learn more about her creations!
KOR Water Bottles
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009I have been a devoted SIGG water bottle user for the past couple years as I try to break the plastic water bottle habit, but I think KOR water bottles are about to give SIGG a run for its money. The best part is that the sales of each beautifully colored bottle (ice blue/sawgrassgreen/sunrise orange/orchid pink) go to benefit an environmental non-profit. From a functional standpoint, the top stays attached, so there’s no more digging around the kitchen for your missing bottle cap. And each bottle comes with 4 KOR “stones” that insert to the inside of the cap, so each time you take a sip, you are reminded to “laugh often” or “never settle”. You can also create your own stones - I think mine right now would read “breathe” or “be grateful”. So you get to feel good buying the bottle because it supports water-based initiatives, you feel good drinking out of the bottle because you aren’t tossing plastic bottles in the trash, and you get a reminder of your own personal mission everytime you take a sip. Brilliant!!! Click here to go to their website:
SCORE (counselors to America’s Small Businesses)
Friday, May 15th, 2009
I’m devoting this post to SCORE, which is made up of mostly retired small business owners/entrepeneurs who now donate their time and expertise to counsel new small businesses. I have used SCORE’S counseling services twice. The first was about 2 years ago when I first really started pulling the idea for Jeanne Beatrice together. I brought a pile of baskets to their office and pitched my business idea to them. They gave me the green light with the caveat that it would be important to keep costs down. Very valuable advice and I left with much more confidence about my business idea. Then second was about 1 year ago when I was trying to get a handle on costs, wholesale pricing, retail pricing, etc . . . once again, their advice was invaluable. I am grateful to have had SCORE to turn to and would guess I’ll turn to them again at some point! THANK YOU SCORE!!!
Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009There’s a fundraiser + lunch + program in downtown Minneapolis today called the “Formula for Hope” which benefits the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery. I found it to be a really inspriational event when I went last year and look forward to going again today! Here’s some info about it:
The mission of the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is to end child abuse and neglect and create strong, healthy families. They support families in crisis 24 hours a day, 365 days a year through our free, voluntary services including:
- 24-hour crisis hotline
- Crisis counseling
- 72-hour residential child care
- Parent education
- In-home visits
- Medical care for children during their stay
- Referrals to partner organizations
Please consider donating!
“Bolga” baskets!
Monday, May 11th, 2009So many beautiful styles of baskets are made all over the world! I love the bright colors and round shape of this “Bolga” basket:
These baskets are made by members of the Maata N Tudu Association in Northern Ghana. Each Basket is 15 inches in diameter and costs $45 at Gifts with Humanity. And no, I’m not worried about referring my customers to another website that sells baskets! I want to help other small businesses like mine.
Click here to go to their website:
Live in Michigan??? Attend the Suite Dreams Project Hats Off Luncheon!
Friday, April 17th, 2009Here are the details:
Hats Off Luncheon
Friday, May 8, 2009
Each year the Suite Dreams Project gathers with friends in the spring for its annual Hat’s Off Lunch
The 9th Annual Hats Off Luncheon will be held on Friday, May 8th, 2009.
The mission of the Suite Dreams Project is to bring comfort and joy to children affected by serious medical conditions by creating healing environments in their homes, in hospitals, and in our communities that improve their quality of life and speed recovery.
Because it sounds like such a fabulous event and cause, Jeanne Beatrice provided baskets at a reduced cost and picked up the cost of shipping (La Vie Large will be the centerpiece at each table). You can help too - go to the Hats Off Luncheon!