Fall 2008 Eco-Peg Newsletter
The nights have started cooling off, there's dew on the morning grass... Fall is just around the corner! Here's hoping that you have had a great summer and accomplished all that you set out to do.
For us at Eco-Peg, one of the things we wanted to accomplish was letting you know a bit more about one of our Members, Sew Dandee, as well as a few tips to help ease the transition into autumn! Having said that, here is the first Eco-Peg Newsletter...
Our Featured Member: Sew Dandee - 105 Osborne Street
We asked Andee to tell us a bit about her store, how she got started, and a bit about the products that she carries...
"Sew Dandee was originally opened as Stulka by another local designer back in June of 2004. We went into partnership in December of 2005 and in May of 2007, I became the sole owner of the store and changed the name to Sew Dandee. From the time I first got involved with the shop, I started bringing in more and more local and Canadian handmade clothing, accessories and gifts. Today Sew Dandee features not only my line of clothing, bags, cards and accessories called Dandee but more than 30 local designers and more than 15 designers from outside Manitoba. In addition to all our handmade goodies, we also have a large selection of men's and women's gently worn clothing and footwear. My customers can bring in their clothing that is still in great condition and sell it on consignment. When the item sells, they get a portion of the price towards credit to be used towards anything in the store. We encourage recycling and reusing any way we can and regularly give away reusable fabric bags with each purchase. We also have the new Oxo-Biodegradable plastic bags when customers insist on having a plastic bag.
For those in need of some mending, we do that too! All kinds of alterations as well as custom work can be done for you at Sew Dandee.
As for myself, I've been making things for as long as i can remember. My mother is a seamstress and has been her whole life so you could say it's in my blood. My line grows every season be it with my new Clever Cards with statements sewn onto the front that say what we're all thinking to my new line of screen printed clothing and bags. Some of my most popular items lately have been by local designer Roy Liang who's line is called Dumb Chauffeur. He's a talented and clever designer who does sewing and screen printing featuring such designs as the Confusion Corner and Maiden Manitoba shirts for both young and old as well as his newest design of bags where he uses a men's suit pieced together into a fantastic, one of kind purse. Another long time designer featured at Sew Dandee is Laura Braun's line Pego. She makes beautiful bags and wallets sewn with great detail using a wide array of vintage fabrics. And Wanda June is fast becoming a household name in fashion in Winnipeg with her hats and jackets that are all one of a kind and have the most unique detailing. And the newest designer I'm featuring at the shop is Dan Phelps of Project Herbivore. His clever cartoons have inspired him to learn silk screening and make a line of men's and women's tshirts featuring an apt design for Eco-Peg that shows a missile with solar panels that says, 'Go Green! Use Solar Propelled Missiles!'. My collection of designers and artists is constantly growing and Winnipeg is bursting with talented people so I know I'll never have a problem finding people to showcase at Sew Dandee and keep the living handmade dream alive.
I also have a blog for the shop that I update at least once a week with what's new and happening in the store, www.sewdandee.blogspot.com as well as an online shop featuring my Dandee designs at http://dandee.etsy.com..."
Thanks Andee! Be sure to stop by 105 Osborne Street and check out Sew Dandee, and don't forget your Eco-Peg Pass; Sew Dandee's Eco-Peg special is 10% off any Dandee purchase over $40.
Don't Have an Eco-Peg Pass Yet? You can purchase one at...
Downtime Massage Therapy - 164 Hargrave Street, 204-944-0901
Sew Dandee - 105 Osborne Street, 204-453-5110
Moksha Yoga - 2 Donald Street, 204-452-5535Festival of Trees & Lights (Assiniboine Park Conservatory) - November 29th & 30th, 2008
Getting Ready for Autumn... Eco-Peg-Style
- Get your furnace inspected, and, if needed, get any required work done now. A furnace that is running at full efficiency will run cleaner and by running more effectively, won't cost you extra money or burn extra electricity or gas. While you're at it, change your furnace filter!
- Check the insulation in your attic; adding insulation will help reduce your heating bill by keeping the heat in your house where it belongs.
- Consider fertilizing your lawn this fall with Corn Gluten. An organic form of fertilizer, this is a byproduct of corn syrup production and, when used on a regular basis, will help prevent dandelions and other weeds in your lawn. It also helps prevent "snow mould" in your lawn in the spring.
- Use the leaves you rake out of your yard to insulate around your perrenials, providing them with a bit of extra protection over the winter.
- Treat yourself by going for an infra-red sauna this fall to help detox your body and get ready for the inevitable cold and flu season.
- Stock up on your fresh Manitoba grown produce!! This is the season to check out the farmers markets throughout the city.