New site: The Beauty of Letterpress

Today marks the launch of a new website, The Beauty of Letterpress, from Neenah Paper. If you're a letterpress fan (and who isn't?), you might enjoy this online gallery of modern letterpress prints and resources. The site posts selections from a new curator each month.

Everyone is welcome to submit their own work, and printers can add themselves to the list of letterpress vendors sorted by location.

The website is also trying to raise funds to help preserve the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Two Rivers, WI. If you donate just $5, you'll receive this Beauty of Letterpress print, and Neenah Paper will match your donation. Terrific! See more photos of the letterpress print here in designer Jennifer James's portfolio.

Oxfam's cool ad campaign

While driving around other day, I noticed Oxfam America's new ad campaign on Chicago bus shelters. I'm not sure if it was purely the design that caught my eye, or the fact that I'm reading a book about poverty so it was already on my mind. But aren't these ads pretty great? I've been wondering if I should have been a doctor or a teacher or a well-digger, but maybe designers can make an impact, too. I tried a Google search to find out who the illustrator and copywriter were, but no luck. Update: Jessica Hische was the illustrator, of course! Thanks, commenters.

To buy someone a toilet, a sheep, a song, or a pile of $%@# (watch the video!), head to Oxfam.

Umbrella loveliness

Once upon a time, it was raining in Chicago and a friend pointed out that my plain black umbrella was simply inappropriate. Why in the world didn't I have an orange one? Easier said than done. Where does one get a cute orange umbrella?

Lo and behold, a few weeks later the kind folks at The Umbrella Society emailed to introduce their shop, and I was in love. My black umbrella has now been replaced by some lovely orangeness. Browse the store! Get free shipping when you buy two. And best of all, money from the sale of each umbrella goes to help fight teen suicide in Japan and fund an orphanage project in India.

Help kids + cupcake pops

Ms. Bakerella emailed me about an opportunity to help kids living in poverty get ready for school. Nickelodeon is taking back-to-school suggestions for parents on their website at giveback.parentsconnect.com. For every back-to-school tip or recipe you give, they'll make a donation to Feed the Children’s Kid's School Basics Program. You can leave tips on their site through September 25th. And if you leave a tip, be sure to say so in the comments on this post at Bakerella, because you could win a Nickelodeon prize pack.

The tip that Bakerella left was a recipe for chocolate cake balls. And she also made some cupcake pops in Nickelodeon's brand color: orange. Aren't they nifty? To see all of her cupcake pop creations and get the recipes, click here and scroll through the yumminess.

Wearable statistics

StatAttack has designed a compelling series of T-shirts illustrating life expectancy, poverty rates, and other alarming statistics in a handful of African countries. Twenty percent of T-shirt proceeds go toward financing the building of an orphanage in Mozambique. (Via Brand Appeal.)

Vintage furniture scavenging

Chicagoans! My friend Barry just notified me about an amazing mid-century modern, vintage furniture source in Carol Stream. Jubilee Furniture Company is open on Friday evenings and Saturdays only, and it's a treasure trove of vintage goodies you can buy for a steal. Best of all, the proceeds support programs for children and families and provide transitional housing for single mothers. To see photos of some pieces in stock right now and read Barry's write-up, click here. For the store website, click here.

(Photograph by Barry Smith)

Global Sistergoods

Global Sistergoods "is a sister-owned small business that imports fairly-traded crafts from women artisans from around the world. We provide a living wage to economically disadvantaged women in fragile economies by supporting entrepreneurship, self-reliance and micro enterprise development." When you browse the products, you also get a map showing where each item was made and a summary of women's issues and statistics in that country.

(Images from Global Sistergoods.)

Ten Thousand Villages

I bet everybody already knows about Ten Thousand Villages. But did you know they've been "Trading fairly since 1946"? That's a long time. They work with "unemployed or underemployed artisans to help them bring their crafts and cultures to North America, and to support themselves and their families." To find a store near you, click here, or shop online to buy products like these:

(Images from Ten Thousand Villages.)

World of Good

World of Good has been featured in Domino, Real Simple, and a ton of other publications. "At World of Good, Inc., we create opportunities for hundreds of artisan cooperatives around the world to share their best work with you by serving as a bridge to the U.S. retail market. We respectfully assist artisans by providing access to fair wages, safe working conditions and long-term economic sustainability."

Visit the shop for "ethically sourced gifts, housewares, and accessories." A cool sampling:
(Images from World of Good.)

OrangeTree Project

Ryan in San Diego wrote me recently about a new venture called OrangeTree Project. "We are a group of designers that felt a strong need to give back to our community. Our goal is to serve others by doing what we do best: creating fresh, inspiring design. So we started OrangeTree Project, a line of original products that have both contemporary appeal and an inspiring message. Established as a non-profit organization (pending), OrangeTree Project uses only those funds required to maintain daily operations, directing the bulk of its earnings towards select charitable causes."

They will focus on helping local underprivileged children and families, starting with an an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. A "News" feature on the site is coming soon to let supporters know where the money raised will be used. And more products are coming soon to the shop! (Click on "products.") Here's a sampling of their lovely greeting cards.


(Images from OrangeTree Project.)

Buy nice things, help someone else

After thinking more about #7 two posts ago, I got inspired this week to feature organizations that are trying to make a difference. Aid to Artisans helps artists in developing countries, especially women and those in rural areas, become self-sustaining. "Because ATA's goal is to link the artisans to markets, we provide assistance in all stages of that process, including product development and design, business development, market entry, and working with clients." Visit their site to learn more about their new eBay PROJECT GOOD initiative, or to shop! Some of my favorite things:

(Images from Aid to Artisans.)