Good Housekeeping's Green House

Good Housekeeping

Last night I went to the opening party for Good Housekeeping's Green House at 151 West 122nd Street. The Green House is a four-story brownstone that is New York's greenest residential home. With interiors designed by Robin Wilson Home it features environmentally-friendly construction because of the type of lumber and cement that was used, but also, guess what the house was insulated with? Denim ! How neat is that? The sustainable home also featured energy efficient everything- from it's solar heating system, appliances, and point of use tankless water heaters, to the environmentally friendly paint used on the walls. But these were really the less interesting details of the home if you ask me. The furnishings were amazing as well. In an effort to use what is already available and not produce something new, many pieces in the house were vintage. THE HOLE THING ® was the featured children's clothing line, as well as gorgeous tiles made of 100% recycled glass, rugs made of recycled nylon ( that can be recycled again), and furniture and linens that were all earth-friendly and wonderful. Robin Wilson Home really proved that eco-friendly is synonymous with beautiful. You can view a video of the house here. The home will also be showcased in Good Housekeeping's Your Good House magazine's November 2008 issue.

Felted Vase of Sunshine

This vase was designed by my niece who is just 10 years old. Isn't it neat? I gave her one of my hole sweaters awhile back. She preferred that it was a vest so we cut the sleeves off. Soon after she called to tell me that she had made a vase out of one of the sleeves. Makes me wonder what she'll be doing later in life. Can't wait to find out.

Available on Etsy.

Go Green

10 Ways To Make A Difference:

1. Recycle your old cell phone at Green Phone and earn as much as $35.

2. Carry it out when you shop and leave the bag behind.

3. CFL light bulbs use 75% less electricity and last 10 times longer. It's as simple as that.

4. Dust off your bike.

5. 401K: invest in environmentally conscious mutual funds.

6. Go meatless at least 3 times a week.

7. Let your grass grow a little longer. It will have a thicker turf and longer roots so you won't have to water it as much or use as much gas throughout the season to mow it.

8. Keep a chart of how many kilowatts of electricity you use each month. When the bill comes try and beat last months usage. Make it a game.

9. Buy a laptop. It uses much less electricity than a desk top.

10. Keep your car tires filled for better mileage.

11. Okay one more...Buy local, buy in season, support your local farm.

The Country Living Fair

Country Living Magazine

With summer quickly coming to an end Country Living Magazine is hosting it's third annual fair in Columbus,OH from Sept 12-14th. THE HOLE THING houseware products will be featured in the fair at an event hosted by editors Sarah Newell and Frances Baily on opening day, the 12th, at 4:00 PM and Saturday the 13th at 2:00 PM (in the Country Living craft room). I won't be able to attend the fair this year unfortunately but anyone who is can enjoy my felted wool goodies and what promises to be a fabulous fair.

Simple Ways to Live Your Dreams

*Spend time alone and you'll hear your inner voice.

*Break the rules. Do what you want, if it harms no one.

*Follow your passion- whatever it takes.

*Stop worrying about what other people think. It's your life.

*Get over your fear. Fear is normal, so embrace it and then you'll get past it.

Organic Magazine- April 2005

How The Hole Thing ® Started

Until January '07 I worked as a knitwear technician in the sweater design department at Susan Bristol Inc. for 16 years. I knitted swatches illustrating design ideas to be shown at design meetings, used as sales tools, and factory prototypes for producing sweaters. I also added embroidery and other embellishments to the swatches to further express my love of color. Though I liked my job very much, something was missing in my creative expression. You could say there was a hole there.

Personal projects rounded out my expressions in wool, such as the quilt I designed and made from old wool sweaters that once belonged to my kids, husband, and other family members. I felted the sweaters and cut them into squares, creating a quilt of memories. It was while making this quilt that I had what one might call a “sweater epiphany.” The felted wool, my fondness for playful circles, dots, and pearl edgings came together. And that’s how The Hole Thing ® started.

The beauty of my sweaters (and now many accessories and housewares) is that they are all made from recycled wool and are environmentally friendly. They are also warm, whimsical, and very fun to wear.

South End Open Market October 18th

Twenty-four members of Boston Handmade, including THE HOLE THING, will be gathering once again for their biggest show ever at the South End Open Market on Sunday October 18th from 10:00AM-4:00PM.
If you haven't yet been to this fabulous weekly market, or even if you have, don't miss it. Artisans, farmers, and antiques in Boston's wonderful south end - what more could you ask for? How about free and easy parking while you are there? They have that too :-)

Lexington Open Studios

Artists & art-lovers, please join us for the first Lexington Open Studios. Sixty-five Lexington-affiliated artists & artisans who live, work, teach, or create art in Lexington will open their collective or home studios to the public on May 2nd and 3rd from 11AM-5PM. THE HOLE THING'S studio address is 4 Ward Street, Lexington.

For more information please visit Lexington Open Studios.

South End Open Market

Boston Handmade will be featured on Sunday, June 14th, from 10 am - 4 pm, at the South End Open Market. In addition to the regular market artisans, farmers, and antique vendors there will be 20 Boston Handmade members,including THE HOLE THING, exhibiting their art at the event. South End Open Market is located at 540 Harrison Avenue in Boston.

Wrap Yourself Around

White Scarf

Oh broad band of felted wool

so soft and warm and delightful to the eye

Wrap yourself around my shoulders

circle my neck

go over my head to keep out winter's chill

till the spring thaw comes again.

Groovy Girl

This groovy girl was fixin' for a HOLE THING sweater. After choosing one, she decided that she preferred it to be sleeveless.

Luckily, the beauty of felted wool is that you can cut it any way you desire and instantly be able to create what you have in mind. Felted wool holds it shape- it doesn't fray or unravel.

So out came the shears and we chopped those sleeves right off!

Bellissimo!

More hole things at www.theholething.etsy.com

By Louise of THE HOLE THING




This Saturday October 24th is the Needham High School Craft Fair from 9:30-4:00. In it's 29th year, it is a very well established craft show that is the annual kick off for the holiday shopping season. The show is well attended by some of the best artisans in the Boston area and is so large that it fills two gymnasiums. THE HOLE THING will be there again this year with lots of felted wool goodness in booth #37 in Gym B.