Author Archives: maryjane

soko

Soko is …

  • THE online destination to discover stunning and ethically produced handcrafted accessories from all over the world
  • empowering women in developing countries by providing direct consumer access to the global marketplace
  • ensuring that the majority of artisans’ profits stay with their local community
  • owned and operated by women for women to help “fashion a better world”
  • in a word: BEAUTIFUL

Photo by Sku1 via Wikimedia Commons

A trio of savvy women named Ella Peinovich, Gwendolyn Floyd, and Catherine Mahugu co-founded Soko in 2011 after recognizing “a global need, as well as global opportunity, to disrupt the systemic patterns of poverty found across the developing world’s creative economy.”

Photo by Petr Berka via Wikimedia Commons

“Style can be smart,” says the Soko team. “Soko brings you the opportunity to dazzle your wardrobe with stunning ethically produced jewelry never before available on the international marketplace. Our artisans design their own products, and we encourage them to use natural, locally-sourced recycled and upcycled materials. Not only are the creations unique and exquisite, they demonstrate the resourcefulness of our artisans and encourage a sustainable future.”

Smart, indeed.

As if you hadn’t guessed, Soko is just the sort of entrepreneurial effort that lights my fire, and one of its hottest aspects is the Designing a Difference program.

Heads up: this is farmgirl territory for sure.

Designing a Difference gives experienced designers (YOU??) the opportunity to share skills with small-scale artisans.

How rewarding would that be?

Soko describes it as a two-way learning opportunity. “You can impart technical and trend expertise, while learning about traditional techniques, local materials, and the incredible resourcefulness and ingenuity found in emerging markets. To learn more about this unique opportunity, get in touch with our team at joinus@shopsoko.com.”

And to shop for some feel-good, look-amazing accessories, peruse Soko’s gorgeous goods at ShopSoko.com.

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What’s Rosie thinking?

Put on your comedic thinking cap.

This’ll be fun.

I ran across a fabulous photo called “Rosie with a lollipop and polka-dot bandana.”

Needless to say, if you’ve already peeked, the portrait begs for a caption,

and you’re just the jester for the job.

So, give it a whirl—what IS Rosie thinking?

Photo by MollyPop via Wikimedia Commons

Include your caption in the comments, below.

I can’t wait to read the silly things that feisty little farmgirl might be sayin’ …

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Belgium bluebell forest

Drop everything, and come with me …

Photo by bs70 via Wikimedia Commons

Today, we’re blazing a trail to Belgium, where an entire forest is abloom with bluebells.

Bluebells, photo by MichaelMaggs via Wikimedia Commons

Like a setting from a fairy tale, the Hallerbos (Halle’s Wood) was once part of the Sonian Forest, Europe’s largest beech forest, which spanned the southern part of Brussels. The forest was ravaged by occupying forces during World War I, but a few ancient oak and beech trees survived, and reforestation projects helped heal the scars of war. The wild bluebell hyacinths, an ancient facet of the woodland, reclaimed the forest floor and continue to muster their magic each year in mid-April.

Photo by David Edgar via Wikipedia

“Possibly one of Belgium’s best kept secrets, the flower fields offer one of the most amazing natural spectacles you will encounter,” says Eupedia. “The millions of purple-blue, bell-shaped liliaceae spreading in all directions, as far as the eye can see, make the scenery simply breathtaking. These sumptuous flowerbeds in the outskirt of Brussels are all natural (it’s not a man-made garden) and access is free of charge.”

What a perfect place to celebrate springtime …

 

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Hear Ye!

Welcome New Sisters! (click for current roster)

Merit Badge Awardees (click for latest awards)

My featured Merit Badge Awardee of the Week is … Katie Wright!!!

Katie Wright (#5600) has received a certificate of achievement in Stitching & Crafting for earning a Beginner, Intermediate & Expert Level Aprons Merit Badge!

“I made several aprons from old pillowcases, decorated them with some old doilies, and made waistbands from patterned fabrics, matching some to the bottom of a few of the aprons.

I wear aprons in my kitchen whenever I am cooking or baking. I like the full aprons, but use the half aprons mostly for gifts.

The half aprons were very pretty and made simple, but special, gifts for several friends.

These are the types of aprons that I enjoy wearing. Maybe it is because I get flour all over when baking breads or making pies. I have made some special aprons for friends and family. Recently I helped my granddaughter, almost 13 years old, sew a full apron. I wore one of my aprons to her house, and we enjoyed an apron day, making her apron, wearing mine, looking at some of my others, and having lunch that her mom made for us.

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Alorah’s apron turned out wonderful. My latest apron was fun to do, and I like the pattern. I also enjoy the print, which I purchased at our local quilt shop, The Hickory Stick, in downtown Hannibal. It is one of the 10 top quilt shops in the nation. Both aprons are nice, and I believe we will both enjoy them for years. It also built wonderful memories for us both.

My apron is not that frilly, and I do have some frillier ones, but the most recent apron I made has such a lovely print … it has aprons all over it. It makes it special to me, an apron lady. I also made one for a friend for a Christmas gift, so have not given it to her yet. As far as wearing it, I wore it to my family’s home today, 4/20/15, but I wore it to my knitting circle last week after finishing it. I told them I was working on my MaryJanesFarm merit badges.

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The apron turned out well. I like the black bias tape on the edges, which make the fabric “pop” even more. I also like the fitted sides and back. It’s almost like a dress coverlet. I believe this apron will be worn lots. However, I do have some others I like just as well, simply made, but pretty prints. I even take my aprons, a few, in my camper to wear when cooking over the campfire.”

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