LIGHTING ILLUMINATED: A trio of Pacific Northwest lighting stores teamed up to produce DestinationLighting
.com, a site that aims to offer “the finest lighting products and services available” including indoor and outdoor hardware, lamps, shades and sconces. The site also boasts access to experts in lighting design and placement.
STAMPING OUT ILLEGAL LABOR: The RugMark Foundation is an international non-profit working to end illegal child labor in Southeast Asia’s highest rug-producing nations. The organization reports that since 1995, the number of children working on carpet looms in that region has dropped from 1 million to 300,000. RugMark also certifies and labels carpets made without illegal child labor and endorses stores that carry such stock. The Rug Source of Denver, located at the Denver Design District at 595 S. Broadway, is one store that has been approved by RugMark. Reach the store by calling 303-871-8034 or visit rugsourcedenver.com.
MOD LOOK, HANDMADE FLAVOR:
Spicebox.com is a new online boutique based in Oregon that produces modern-looking, boxed gift sets composed of products “with a personal, handmade touch.” The store’s “Savory Surroundings” section spotlights such gift-worthy housewares as elegant, willow-print jacquard throws sold with coordinated dish towels, placemats and napkins. Most Spicebox gifts can be personalized.
KITTY KNITTER: Asheville, N.C., sits in a region known for high-quality, handmade crafts. It was that city’s knitters, quilters, spinners, weavers and basket-makers who inspired one cat-loving craftswoman to employ the same technique used to harvest lamb’s wool to transform pet fur into yarn.
Pet Yarn Chic, the business that followed, now leads members through the low-cost process of properly harvesting groomed pet fur and hair for homespun yarn. Find out more at petyarnchic.com.
