ghia

Store closing sale!

2009-10-03T20:53:00.002-05:00

It's our last month here at ghia, which means great deals for you!

I'm closing ghia to allow me to spend more time with this little guy. Thank you for your support and encouragement over the past 2.5 years. Every item purchased made a difference in someone's life. I am so excited to see new options for ethical shopping appear each day.

We're closing October 31st, and until then you can find our remaining inventory on sale at www.shopghia.com.

I plan to continue my support of fairly traded and locally made products whenever I can, and I hope you'll do the same. We can change the world!

Fair Trade Tomato Aprons!

2009-07-02T22:26:00.006-05:00

It's the perfect summer product -- fair trade aprons great for southern chefs and grill experts alike. And if you live in Nashville, these aprons are the perfect accessory for this year's Tomato Art Fest.

The aprons are handmade at a fair trade cooperative in Ghana. They feature a batik-print design, a front pocket, and recycled flour sack lining.

We're taking pre-orders for the aprons now so we can deliver them the week before the Tomato Art Fest. To pre-order or see additional pictures, visit http://urlzen.com/l97.

CLEARANCE SALE

2009-06-15T07:00:00.002-05:00

The time is here, ghia fans! We've put all of our locally made items on clearance. You can find great deals on Thistle Farms lotion, girls' and guys' shirts, and hand-crocheted items. We've even included a few fair trade items in there for good measure.

Shop the Sale!

World Day Against Child Labor

2009-06-12T15:54:00.003-05:00

Today has been designated as World Day Against Child Labor.

Millions of children across the world work long hours in exploitative conditions. The plight of child laborers includes children in a multitude of situations, from those who work in the fields for their families to child soldiers and slaves. The World Day Against Child Labor is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made in this area while seeking more effective solutions, including better education and economic opportunities in the countries while child labor has a stronghold.

Take a moment today to find your role in the fight against child labor, whether that means supporting companies who take a stand against unfair labor practices, praying for the children trapped in these conditions, or spreading the word about this important issue.

More on the 2009 World Day Against Child Labor:
U.S. Department of State
International Labour Organization
UNICEF

Playing Fair: A 2009 Commitment

2009-05-20T16:08:00.005-05:00

For the past two years, ghia has been proud to provide customers with the best of socially responsible shopping. We've chosen products that we think make the world a better place, whether they are organic, handmade, or fair trade.

In 2009, we've decided to renew our commitment to fair trade products. Throughout this year, you'll see us transition exclusively to products that are fair trade. We're excited to begin a new level of support for organizations that pay their workers a fair wage and contribute to producer communities rather than exploit them.

We still love our local producers, and there are many wonderful outlets for finding handmade products, including Etsy and local farmers' markets. Although these products will no longer be carried at ghia, we hope you will continue to support your local artisans!

As we make this transition, all of our products which AREN'T fair trade certified are going on sale! Stayed tuned to the blog and newsletter for more info about our clearance event.

Hockey Venue Celebrates Earth Hour

2009-03-20T08:00:00.003-05:00

Hockey blogger Rachel, from What the Puck, points out that the Nashville Predator s and their venue, the Sommet Center, are participating in this year's Earth Hour:

A couple of weeks ago, the Front Office announced that the start time for the March 28th game against the Los Angeles Kings had been moved up from 7:00pm to 5:00pm CST. I didn't really think much about it at first because we have often done that in the past for various reasons...However, after I thought about it further, it occurred to me that Saturday, March 28th held more significance than just another game day on the schedule.

A glance at NashvillePredators.com reveals that the time change is indeed due to Earth Hour festivities.

Rachel points out that this is not the only stride the Preds have made in the environmentally-friendly department -- this year the team also partnered with Smurfit-Stone to place recycling stations throughout the arena. Additionally, she reports that cloth grocery bags will be distributed to all fans in attendance at the March 28 game.

It looks like the Predators organization is one of many teams actively participating in the NHL's Green Plan. Kudos to the team and the league for their efforts!

Ready for Earth Hour?

2009-03-18T07:00:00.002-05:00

Have you signed up for Earth Hour this year? It's just around the corner - March 28.

Sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is a symbolic movement to express concern about global climate change and a commitment to finding solutions. On March 28, 2009, at 8:30pm local time, homes and businesses will turn off all non-essential lights for one hour.

Whatever your stance on climate change, I think Earth Hour is a terrific opportunity for thoughtful, conscious living. It's a great time to look at your energy usage and find ways to cut back, and to reduce distractions such as TV and the internet, even if just for a moment.

Last year, my husband and I used Earth Hour as family time, just the two of us. This year, I hope to continue that tradition with our little boy, who will be just a few days old.

Nashville is a key city for this year, and residents in my area are invited to watch our historic downtown area go dark. Check out EarthHourUS.org to find events in your area.

Just when you thought IKEA had maxed out their hip factor...

2009-03-11T07:00:00.001-05:00

Inhabitat is reporting that IKEA's solar lighting products are about to hit the market, making this eco-friendly lighting method accessible and affordable. Rechargeable (but not solar-powered) table-top lamps are being introduced as well.

I personally am drooling over the paper lantern set and wondering if I can set them up in my house near a window.

To see the collection, visit IKEA.com.

Image courtesy of IKEA.com.

Chocoholics rejoice!

2009-03-06T13:56:00.004-06:00

Chocolate has long been known as an industry that struggles with fair labor practices. Child trafficking and slave labor are standard for some farmers seeking to supply cocoa at competitive prices (for an overview of some of the issues involved, check out "Trade in the Lies," Relevant Magazine, November/December 2008 issue).

Fair trade chocolate has started to appear in specialty stores, but it is not always easy to find in your local supermarket. However, main stream chocolate makers gradually are moving to ensure sustainable practices for their companies.

This week, exciting plans have been announced for the UK's top selling chocolate bar, Cadbury Dairy Milk, to be certified fair trade by the end of this summer. According to a press release from The Fairtrade Foundation, the move is a part of the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership, a multi-million dollar initiative by the chocolate maker to secure the future of sustainable cocoa farming.

No word on when the fair trade certification will extend to the rest of the Cadbury line, nor when we might see fair trade Cadbury here in the U.S., but this sounds like a great start!

Image courtesy of cadbury.com.

Twestival: Saving the World through Social Media

2009-02-06T11:00:00.003-06:00

Are you going to the Twestival? On February 12th, Twitter users in cities around the world will meet together to raise money for Charity:Water.

Founded by Scott Harrison, who is known for photojournaling his time on a Mercy Ship floating hospital, Charity:Water seeks to bring sustainable, clean drinking water solutions to people in developing nations.

Twestival Nashville will take place 5pm-8pm, February 12, at The Big Bang (21 and up). Tickets are $10, and all proceeds go toward the goal of raising $4,000 for Charity:Water. It sounds like it's going to be a pretty fun event, with free food, drink specials, swag from sponsors, a DJ, and prizes. Hey - we hear there will even be some ghia products involved, so be sure to get your tickets ASAP!

If you're not in the Nashville area, check out Twestival.com to find an event in your city.

Green Web Hosting for ghia

2009-01-27T14:08:00.014-06:00

About 18 months ago, I heard about a web hosting provider in the Nashville area -- Dolphini Networks. They had just partnered with Nashville's NHL team and were instrumental in keeping the team in Nashville. At the time, I glanced at their site and thought, "Sounds cool, but way out of my league. These guys are a major data center." I was hosting with a gigantic (read: very cheap) company and really wasn't looking to move.

Over the next few months I heard more and more about Dolphini. They became primary sponsors of the Nashville Predators after deciding that the team was invaluable to the city. Then they began investing efforts into developing Nashville's technology community, sponsoring and organizing conferences and trainings to help small businesses like ghia.

On a whim, the ghia staff decided to sign up for a tour of Dolphini's datacenter. We found that Dolphini's security and efficiency were impressive, and when talking with the employees we could see that they were committed to helping the city of Nashville, not just the company's bottom line. And then I found out something awesome.

They use "green power."

Each month the company pays to offset all of their power consumption through TVA's Green Power Switch, a program that promotes the use of solar, wind, and methane power in the Tennessee Valley.

Everyone at ghia realized that this was an opportunity to partner with a company that cares about the future of our community and our planet. We are excited to announce that 2009 marks the year of our switch to Dolphini Networks as our web host, helping ghia to be better stewards of environmental resources and supporters of community initiatives.

We're also excited about the benefits to our customers. When visiting shopghia.com, we hope you'll notice that shopping is now a faster, smoother experience thanks to the expertise of Dolphini.

Visit Dolphini.com to learn about green hosting from Dolphini Networks.

A Very Special Thank You

2008-12-12T14:06:00.002-06:00

Today is Spouse 2.0 Day, and I want to take a moment to thank Paul, my spouse/support system/favorite geek/CIO/marketing guru, for the support and encouragement he has given me this year. You can read the entire "thank you" post here.

Holiday Monkey Road Show!

2008-12-06T13:13:00.003-06:00

Hey, ghia fans!

Come check us out at the Holiday Monkey Road Show today and tomorrow in East Nashville and see our selection of fair trade and locally made products in person! We'll be at Five Points, Woodland St and 11th St, until 8pm tonight and 1-5pm tomorrow.

We're hanging with some great East Nashville artists and businesses, so if you want to buy local this holiday season, stop by our tent!

October Update

2008-10-31T16:21:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Celebration of Cultures a few weeks ago. The fair trade chocolate samples received rave reviews; in fact, we are thinking of making fair trade chocolate a permanent addition to our store!

I loved getting to know so many people and organizations at the Celebration of Cultures. The Elephant Sanctuary and Heifer International were two of my favorite participants....great organizations.

Currently we are restocking merchandise for the holiday season. The coveted armwarmers will be back in new colors, and we'll be receiving some new items from fair trade company Avatar Imports. Keep an eye New Arrivals in the next few weeks!

Fair Trade Month at the Celebration of Cultures!

2008-09-30T18:31:00.005-05:00

Hey, ghia fans! We're going to be at Nashville's Celebration of Cultures this Saturday, October 3. In honor of Fair Trade Month in October , we're going to bring all of our fair trade inventory get out the word about ethical shopping!

The Celebration of Cultures will take place in Centennial Park from 10am to 6pm. The free festival will include music, dance performances, food, children’s activities, world market vendors, and the Global Village, offering a diverse look at cultures from around the world.

This is a great time to let everyone know that fair trade products are affordable, stylish, and a great shopping choice!

CRAFT on Sunday, September 7!

2008-09-05T15:57:00.003-05:00

Hi, peeps!

ghia will be at CRAFT: a creative community this Sunday, September 7. We'll be behind the Lipstick Lounge in East Nashville from 11am to 5pm. Stop by and say hi!

Woodland Street at 14th Street
Nashville, TN 37206

P.S. - Thanks to everyone who stopped by the ghia booth at the Tomato Art Fest! The day was a terrific success, and we really appreciate your support!

Tomato Time!

2008-08-08T17:35:00.002-05:00

Come visit ghia tomorrow at the East Nashville Tomato Art Fest! This is one of our favorite events of the year, with lots of fun activities including a parade and a dog costume contest!

We'll be on Woodland Street near 11th....that's the Five Points area of East Nashville. (For those of you mapquesting, try 1106 Woodland Street, 37206.)

Anyway, come check out our fabulous fair trade clothing and jewelry, plus local products from Thistle Farms and other artists! Hope to see you there!

Feature at Love, Shak Baby

2008-08-06T14:28:00.002-05:00

The folks at ghia recently got to sit down with the fabulous at Ivy at Love Shak, Baby to talk about fair trade. You can see the results here. Thanks, Ivy, for a great article!

Be sure to check out the other Shak sites, like AnimalShak and Work Shak, for awesome How-Tos and blog giveaways.

Our First Caturday Post!

2008-06-28T08:00:00.001-05:00

Our lovely model Loa is showcasing organic cotton Shop Cool totes, reusable shopping bags that are stylish enough for the Village but sturdy enough for the grocery store.

New Product: Scrubbies!

2008-06-26T17:35:00.003-05:00

So a few months ago I was doing my usual skin care routine, using toner, makeup remover, etc. And as usual, I was lamenting the fact that I used at least one or two cotton balls every single day, filling my trash can with white puffs. Surely, I thought, there's a more environmentally friendly way of doing this.

Enter ChuCreative, a Memphis artist with a knack for making products that are fun, cute, and useful. While browsing ChuCreative's work, I found these fabulous face scrubbies she fashioned as an eco-happy replacement for all those cotton balls.

Of course, dear customers, I wanted to share these wonderful products with you. ghia is proud to announce that we are now carrying scrubbies from ChuCreative!

I've been enjoying my own set of scrubbies for several weeks. They're gentle enough to remove my makeup, but add a little extra pressure and they prove to be a great exfoliating tool!

Join us at CRAFT's Summer Extravaganza on June 28!

2008-06-25T15:37:00.003-05:00

Join ghia at CRAFT's Summer Extravaganza! We're really excited about this event, especially getting to meet new people out in the community. Plus, there will be a cookout to benefit East Nashville Cooperative Ministry, a Second Harvest food box distribution point in East Nashville.

The fun takes place Saturday, June 28, from 10am to 5pm at Memorial Lutheran Church in East Nashville.

Artisan Story: Punam

2008-06-09T15:54:00.000-05:00

Our goal at ghia is to change the world, a little bit at a time, by making conscious choices about the way we shop. This story, about a young artisan crafting handmade purses with WorldFinds, is a great example of the quality and caring found in fair trade products.

Nestled within New Delhi, Punam sits among friendly faces and colorful saris, smiling and proud of her contribution. Two years ago, Punam learned to bead from a family artisan cooperative in her neighborhood, and since then they have helped her family earn enough to survive. Punam’s family could not afford the dowry for her marriage -- her mother is sick and her father cannot work regularly due to a chronic illness. Since working, she has been able to pay her dowry as well as her mother’s medical treatments. Working in the cooperative means she is able to provide for herself as well as her family while remaining in a safe, caring environment.

Empowered by a fair wage, a new livelihood, and the preservation of such precious textiles, Punam and a small artisan group craft unique handbags from recycled and discarded sari's exclusively for WorldFinds. They diligently tailor and transform high-quality bags into works of wearable art, embellished with an arrangement of gorgeous sari pieces. Since all of the sari purses are handmade from these recycled sari pieces, each is distinctive from the rest, with variations in patterns, colors, and detailing. Like the artisans, these bags are one-of-a-kind.

Artisan story courtesy of WorldFinds.

New Thistle Farms Products for Summer!

2008-06-04T15:41:00.003-05:00

ghia is excited to introduce the redesigned Thistle Farms product line into our store. We have partnered with Thistle Farms for almost a year now, and we love these new products just as much as our original favorites!

Thistle Farms items are handmade in Nashville, Tennessee, by women who have survived lives of addiction, abuse, and prostitution. Every item represents the healing power of hope and love.

A lip balm or hand lotion is a great way to treat yourself or a friend this summer -- we recommend staying cool with Tea Tree Mint lip balm. And don't forget the soy-based candles to add a hint of fragrance to your home. We also have gift baskets available if you want a gift with an extra special touch!

Saturday is World Fair Trade Day!

2008-05-08T15:53:00.002-05:00

Saturday is World Fair Trade Day. How are you celebrating? One idea is to participate in the World's Largest Fair Trade Coffee Break. Check out TransFair's website to find fair trade certified coffee near you.

In honor of World Fair Trade Day, ghia is offering 10% off all orders. Use coupon code FAIRTRADE08 when you checkout.

Here at ghia we are excited to support fair trade companies like Avatar Imports and WorldFinds. Not only are we supporting undeveloped communities -- we're providing our customers with awesome products!

Oops!

2008-05-07T14:58:00.002-05:00

If you are a ghia newsletter subscriber, you may have received two copies of the May newsletter. Sorry about that!

Please know that we appreciate your interest and we are committed to not abusing your inbox! The double delivery was a mistake in our system.

If you are not a newsletter subscribing, sign up! There's lots of great info in each newsletter, and usually we only send you one copy. :-) Go to shopghia.com and sign up at the top of the page.