So hookie this time of year

This year's no exception! I've met really cool people here in Earth Alley. Like just before closing on X-mas eve., this talented comic book artist, John, zoomed for gifts for his sister. She's been working hard writing her 1st children's novel. As he put it, "we're tight".

Another young guy with the coolist southern drawl, Curtis, stopped in, maybe for the the 3rd time, to get his dad's girlfriend who he hadn't met yet a unique gift & of course another for his really sweet wife who took a leave of absence to go to Tanzania to volunteer in an orphanage for a month. And, Beth & Bill whose children were so smart for their young years. These are just a few from the past few days.

Sentimental maybe & why not.

Shopping Happy for a Cause Tomorrow

My friend, Sara, is wonderful. Not only is she one of Earth Alley's greatest supporters, she is always gernerous with her co-workers & friends.

Sara has dedicated the past 30+ years to integrating special needs children in the County's school system. I am excited & proud to co-host an event tomorrow. Earth Alley will donated a percentage of the evening profit to the Autism Society.
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=maryland

Black Coffee

for Black Friday,

Wow, not too many takers for the coffee but the cookies were eaten up! Yumm. I needed the coffee after a great Thanksgiving. Now the official holiday season begins! Let's go!

Online Store now Open!

At long last, Earth Alley now has an online store. We have several hundred of our unique, eco-friendly handicrafts for sale on our secure website. Just go to www.earthalley.com, click on our merchandise page, and you can begin shopping in the convenience of your home. Of course, we'd rather you come down to the store to say hello, but now you have another option. Let us know what you think!

On ABC

What a crazy event. I didn't know where to look, what to say or maybe too much to say. ABC's Good morning MD and Megan Pringle were so sweet and professional when interview me Live interview while we featured great items from Earth Alley - Here's the link: http://www.abc2news.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=20114@wmar.dayport.com&navCatId=21&articleID=20114

A BIG THANK YOU

to Kim Marley for creating this sweet video about Earth Alley & handicrafts. What a joy to do!

Have To Have Handicrafts

TV Star Earth Alley

ABC's Good Morning Maryland will feature me next Friday morning LIVE to discuss Earth Alley and its mission, sometime between 9 and 10 am. The hosts, especially Megan Pringle, seem really friendly and fun. check it out: abc2news.com. I am so Stoked! Never thought I'd be looking forward to Friday the 13th!

Sangria & Networking Event

We had so much fun Mon. evening. Ginny and I are here recapping the best parts like selling one of my paintings to the guest singer, Mia Miata.

my life too serious

This weekend was fun. Every time I start to take my life too seriously is when I know I need a break. Thanks to my friend, Kris, Earth Alley was taken care for a while.

The simplicity of being waited on at a healthy restaurant (Sage in Clarksville). What I remember was the the falling yellows, oranges, and reds summoned to make a winter blanket for the earth, the faint scent of horses, the few pine tress ringing back memories of Lincoln Pk and how they gave some protection from the drizzle from the Seattle sky as my sweet dog Damascus, who has since passed, ran like he was intoxicated from the earths smells.

What - Socially Resposible Marketing?

I read today in "Fast Company" Nov. 2009 editon. Noreena Hertz the economist who won the heart of Bono and who predicted the credit crisis. Now that the crisis is a reality businesses, governments & NGOs are listening to her. - She is calling for a new type of business model, coined "co-op capitalism" which takes both profit and social goals in mind.

I so am jazzed about this idea because I started Earth Alley based on this principle. For more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noreena_Hertz & responsible marketing with Bono: http://responsiblemarketing.com/blog/tag/bono. This is 1 form of hwo it works: (RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world’s most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)RED branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT)RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Maybe something good will come out of this financial & credit card crisis?

last night a concert changed my life

for at least 1 night anyways! Ray La Montagne & the BSO tugged at my heart & made me want to believe in life, love and the power of song again. "Jolene" still brings me to tears after 5 years. Remember seeing him in Seattle a few years back, he was so shy , still is... BSO as back up, simply brilliant. Ray's lyrics still make me cry even as I was buying his latest CD. check out what the sun said... To think this man who was near homeless, living out of this car playing at these out of the way Maine bars, discovered by a fluke...(and Maine hole-in-the-wall bars are really scary)
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/bal-ae.li.lamontagne15oct15,0,7139168.story

Goddess Talk Live

A Big shout out to Mia Miata who hosts Goddess Talk Live. I was on the show last Mon evening ('til 1:30 a.m. I must say) You know you are getting older when you have to take a mini nap and then a jolting coffee to stay up that late. It didn't seem to phase the intelligent and inspiring women I met on the show. Virtual meeting was never so fun. Check it out: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mia-Miata/2009/07/28/Goddess-Talk-Live Jazz singer r Mia

Chai on the Sly

Earth Alley made Chai Masala for last Saturday's trunk show–

We think people loved it because there was nothing left!

So here is the recipie we used - just like I enjoyed while in India.
Boil your favorite tea (strong Black Tea is best) & add:

• star fennel,
• cinnamon,
• ginger,
• cloves,
• green cardamom,
• nutmeg,
• mace
• sweetner (we like Agave)
• milk

Yum, so good!

Eva Khoury speaking at the Green Festival

We had so much fun Friday with Kim Marley and Jen Larson. Their art is so lively and fun. Stop by anytime this month to check out their work. They have paintings of all shapes and sizes. They even have personally created greeting cards!

On Saturday the Indian Trunk Show was a blast. If you haven't seen all of the beautiful pieces I personally brought back from India, now is your chance.  

Thank you so much to everyone who came out. We met so many new people who filled our place with such positive vibes.

As always, there are more amazing events coming up!  

Come to DC and hear Earth Alley's very own Eva Khoury speak on a panel of three at the Green Festival - Sun. Oct 11 at 12pm Room 204A! For more information, visit their website: greenfestivals.org. We have Green Festival fliers and booklets here at 3602 Elm St. Baltimore MD.  Check out all the great stuff going on. Everyone is coming up with such brilliant ideas for becoming more eco-friendly! I am honored to be a part of this.

Earth Alley Asked to Talk AT GreenFest

So excited to be on a panel discussion encouraging other retailers to start going Green. Will it bring people to my booth (#329)? Will I do a good job? I will try. Can't wait. We had a blast last year, so fun to meet great people who were really into our products...

Green Festival coming soon...

Visit Earth Alley during Green Week at one of the largest eco and fair trade expos in the country. Eva, the owner of Earth Alley, has been asked to share on a panel!!!

The Green Festival is a project of two non- profit organizations, Green America and Global Exchange. The festiva is coming back for its sixth year! Featuring 150 speakers and performers, 400 exhibits, live music, great food, kids' activities and more. The Green Festival is a celebration of what's working in our communities across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Eva will be on a panel of 3 eco bus owners in DC, Sun October 11th. at 12 noon.

Earth Alley has a few free tickets!! You must come into the store to pick them up.

Here is their website: www.GreenFestivals.org

And as always, here is our website! earthalley.com

photo by: Akuppa

Trunk Show Saturday Oct 3

After two weeks in Rajasthan, India, Eva will have a trunk full of beautiful and rare fabrics, jewelry, purses and other handicrafts. Relax with us over some authentic chai tea.

Stop by and be the first to have one of these new items!

Saturday Oct 3 2-5 pm.

As friends & supporters of Earth Alley, please enjoy 1 new item at 30% off (day of trunk show)

Big Bad Cake Party a Success

home-made 2 layered vanilla raspberry & chocolate & peanut butter. My first "professional" cake to die for from Brunie's - who could ask for more for Earth Alley's 2nd BD. And there was more - the great music of Greg Shupe & Woody Lissauer. They were just amazing!

Earth Alley's 2nd BD this Friday

I am getting so excited about our party this Fri. evening. Cake from Brunie's Bakery and local musicians. I hope friends come. I can't wait to celebrate. What a year!

Thank you for Animal Help

We put a little can to help out a pooch in need and in just 2 weeks Earth Alley customers left $18.00 I was amazed at people's generosity. I mean August is one of the slowest months and still...Baltimore's ASPCA and Earth Alley thank all of you for helping!

OK this isn't an ASPCA animal but my little 17 pound cat who thinks he's a dog sometimes. We don't think of him as a rescue not after 13 years - he'd pee on my shoes if I did... and you think I am kidding.

Shopping for South American Products was Crazy Fun!

Wow, just back 2 weeks from Otavalo, Ecuador and I am so pleased with customer's reaction to South American items I picked. I was so concerned with native Tagua seed jewelery, aka vegetable ivory, because of its boldness in color and actual size but women have been loving it. As well, the Peruvian flutes and silver have been greeted warmly. All and all, it was great!

www.facebook.com/earthalley for more...

Otavalo - More Colors than a Rainbow

Otavalo, Ecuador boasts the largest open-air indigenous market in South America. My friend Sara and I had a great time though we suffered from the altitude but what is being in another country without being a little woozy. Otavalo didn't let us down!

on my way to Quito & Otavalo, Equador. Nervous & excited all at the same time. Otavalo boasts the largest open-air market in South America. Have I really not been to South America in over a decade when I won a fellowship to Curitiba, Brazil? Well, it's time to be blown away again - South American style.

PS my facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baltimore-MD/Earth-Alley/81998747540?ref=ts

Earth Alley on line now

We are starting small but with a bang. What can be better than the Naked Bee skin care & Earth Alley's own line of massage oil candles.

New and improved version of our soy candles with hemp, coconut avocado & apricot seed oil, jobaba & Vitamin E, people continue to love them. Fragrances are: Provence, Sangria & Sunrise. Soon Lemongrass will be here. Check us out: www.earthalley.com.

Women & Chocolate event with On Purpose Networking for Women, Ma Petite Shoe, Burnie's Bakery, and Truffles by Emily was a great success! Thank you all! Networking with friends was wonderful, the chocolates were perfect, the baked goods were amazing, and the truffles were addicting. Without all of you, last night wouldn't have been a big hit!

Here are some photos of last night!

Bird Bath Transformation!

So I was working on a completely bare metallic bird bath with no adornments or anything. With some broken up tiles (which you can do placing colorful tiles in a pillowcase and throwing them on the ground, hand clasped firmly on the end of the pillowcase obviously) I used a special glue and made my very own "colorful and interesting" bird bath!

Bike Rack Makes it to Earth Alley

As the former first bike coordinator of Baltimore, I am so pleased to have our new bike rack for people to ride up to our porch!

Worms in the Works

This Saturday we are going to have another one of our worm demonstrations at 3-4 pm. We've had worms for over 10 years now starting in grad school in Albuquerque, here in Baltimore & in Seattle. Clean, affordable and easy, they make such great organic soil! Come join the fun!

Also, check out the new and improved facebook group page and main page! The upcoming events are listed like the worm demonstrations.

Rubber on Ears

I had a great time meeting a new artist over the phone, Tammy Rice, We talked Minnesotan. She is cool & makes great jewelry out of recycled rubber. See for yourself!

All Blissed Out

Why do we wait until we are a bundle of stress & nerves before seeking balance? Last week decision time - self destruct or self care? SELF CARE all the way with a one word sanctuary: yogaville! I feel so grateful and peaceful!

Cheers to friends & life's lessons!

Why am I a general worry monger - do you inherent that? After a week of fender benders, subsequent doctor visits & a untimely burglary I was asking what else can go wrong during Mercury's retrograde?

The lesson, slow down, do only 3 things at a time (LOL). Breath! And I held on...Yesterday two good friends, one old friend, Sarah, who has been a supporter of Earth Alley from the beginning visited, a new friend Michelle also came in with good cheer & a good friend from Seattle called. I guess the universe and friends listen.

Momosas tomorrow for Mother's Day

Champaigne & orange juice - simple,
Puff & Pastries bringing samples of amazing treats - good.
What more is needed? - chocolate!
Yes, Puff has chocolate within their enveloped diaphanous layers of cream, fluff, & buttery folds. And still chocolate.....
10 am Earth Alley will see who the Mamosa crowd is...

saved 2,800 hundred plastic bags

Since opening on 9/1/07, Earth Alley, has saved 2,800 hundred plastic bags! about 80% of customers - any arm twisting, nah?)