i got the bigggggg room

yay-- little update--- I got my confirmation for April 10th 10-4---- and well they gave me Grandfather Ballroom--all of it-- so the attic room--is for sorting and will have little changing rooms--- and the other two rooms will combine to make a big one--so now it is on to advertising...

figuring out how to post the cc thing right

Swap-O-Rama-Rama by Wendy Tremayne is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

my personal thoughts on living sustainably

okay so --- i guess i am writing this to explain why I do what I do--but also-- how it has worked for me

_--well yes my goal is to better the world/solve injustices--etc---be more 'green'--- but i have found that there really is not enough credit given to things many lower and middle income families do that are not only extremely creative and resourceful---but really are sustainable.

-----sometimes thrift stores and consignment type things that people use are so highly noticed as where ya go when you have no money-- but the value of recycling/reuse and the reduction of a family's carbon footprint is less noted--- but it is a valuable thing---keepin stuff out of landfills-- as well as only buying brand new things that are sustainably made-- so the stuff that goes around is increasingly better --- lasts longer but also as with toys made of bamboo or rubberwood-- the wood is harvested sustainably but is also a solid investment in that the quality of products made with them are better---they are stronger---splinter less--and can be kept for a long time and/or given/traded to others when kids do grow out of them--(i'm thinking in terms of blocks/puzzles/playsets/shape sorters-etc for kids 18 months up to possibly age 8 or so.)

-so thought goes into the design--- but here's the thing---- when discussing sustainability with the average family-- many people honestly shut down because it all sounds like fantasy basically to people who are working hard/often for less money than deserved-to maintain a household of approx. 3 kids who all want stuff- and its daunting already--- trying to push 'green literature on them is sometimes just too much'

so i have found that emphasizing the value of what people ARE doing---or praising reuse as a really good idea---to save money and time, etc. as well as gently letting them know--that certain toys may be expensive and flashy-but many of them tend to break easily-and are not even interesting even to keep kids attention- as well as pointing out other options that can be just as good if not better--is like helping them get the most out of their dollar--- by my work with kids--- i am actually astounded at some of the things people give really young kids-----like Wii- i mean at best --it simulates actions that kids could/ or should be doing anyway-with friends -outside-- like baseball--or whatever--- so instead of spending a gazillion dollars on a simulated bowling??? game---- save money aside---to take the kids bowling--- cuz when it really comes down to it-- thats what they generally want---

-so this event that i will hold is kinda like the epitome of this--- inherently ---it is good for the environment--- but my CORE constituency wouldnt go if i told them that was all that mattered---- what they hear is "like a free yardsale" and something fun for the day---and people flock to the idea---- i mean if you say the word consignment/tag/yardsale at the preschool---- thirty thousand people suddenly appear before you like magic-- wanting details

---but because it is green ---and many families up here are clued in--- they would love the idea of it as well--- but also -like the other parents-- hear 'like a free consignment/tag sale and something fun to do ---but i can emphasize--- community building experience- and get even further-- cuz it will be 'worth it- in the sense of supporting the endeavor'

many students would detest the idea of 'used clothes' but at the same time-- most of them are constantly sharing with one another---and or embellishing their own things to be more unique,etc.----so they also need to be spoken to--- in a way that they will hear it--- "trading clothes/showing off my fashion sense/skills to people who need that advice--- throwin in the part about---the more people you get together-- the wider your variety of choices is---and this cool stuff will not only cost next to nothing--- it is likely to be relatively 'in style' AND will fit them--- so its like the ideal yardsale for people who hate the idea cuz there is never anything for -THEM-- well getting people to get their own friends involved really can shape it to cater to their tastes in one way or other----- so..

it is a sustainable idea--- it is really good for the earth in its MIND but it is at its HEART a social event---a fun day that can speak to the needs/wants of many types of people- but one of those needs really is cheap ways to have a good time and meet people/see new art concepts/ entertainment, etc.after all this crazy snow.

so as a Pitch or emphasis--- that is what i am throwing out there --because again-- once people are doing it-- or enticed for specific reasons--- finding out after the fact that doing something they WANT to do--- ie:shop til they drop and hang out---- is good for the environment ---will be the icing on the cake-- it will further justify this concept -- and like i did on a small scale with families---- it makes people feel good about themselves---cuz being thrifty is sustainable -- and kids loveeeeee the idea that when they give or get 'hand-me-down kinda stuff' and work it to fit them --stylewise even-- it is making them mini environmentalists--- it is something most my kids bragged about---especially if the giver is a caretaker/role model---- they feel cool--


so thats where i am at kind of is --that idea of practicing pitching it to students-- but i have other audiences who are already on it-- i mean at my doctor's office the other day-- i didnt even have to really explain it- whatsoever-- the nurse i talked to- heard-- swap meet---and it was off to the races--- people in the waiting heard it to-- it was kinda funny-- but i havent been that articulate at explaining it--- and i think it is because it jsut inherently makes sense to me personally---and well because --i dont have to say much to my core constituency---- cuz they already have the frame of mind to do things like this---- with friends/ or goodwill (which by the way is freakin expensive---and so is the kids' consignment store they opened on hwy 421- i dont know if it is always open---but its been held a few times----and i mean --i know people who spent $80 or more---and i am guilty of at least $50--- cuz i mean i got alot of barely used stuff last spring for this year--- like sweaters for a 3 year old---
---but at the same time it did suck cuz the consignment place in raleigh was cooler--and cheaper--
and i know what some stuff is worth--and they sell it for near market -new-pricing-- but it was convenient at the time ---------so knowing everyone else at preschool----still went--- some went several times that week-- to clean the place out-- and they dont have money either-- but consignment sale is a magic word-- and like i said--it freakin took people's paycheck- but they got nicer things for the money than they would normally get-- the quality counted----and it does--- ------but those same people hold stuff---dont have time to even consider consigning it back to make money--- but they trade amongst themselves--- i mean outright- when many people i know talk about what they buy --they justify it BY saying -well this person is having a baby---or well i jsut had to get it even though... but since your boy is smaller-- he can have it when mine grows out of it-----i mean
basically people in the same boat do look out for one another---that is part of the beauty of this ---- that at the very least---- those people can get together-all at one time---and just do all the odd swapping more easily than the thousand name phone tree----
-------plus i am finding out more and more about different crafty people doing cool stuff----like at the Turchin Center--and a possible DIY club -- so there is campus interest at face value for it as well--and it is a good source for volunteers to do the demo things-----

so i am writing this to myself basically--but if anyone is bored enough to want to know kinda why this is not only a good thing--- its a desired thing--- i'll be writing stuff like this probably frequently-

----- but my marketing strategy is not going to be sooo heavy handed on the technical- 'carbon footprint stuff' -
----oh and i'm looking at making a webpage----there is this place that nonprofits can make sites -and get hosted for free-and it is set up for me to plug stuff in and make it widely available- so i'll get that going soon-

the -why swap part

so -- i just thought i would go ahead and post a copy of the "why swap" section" of the swap-o-rama-rama site--- it is the 'vision statement of this organization'---but it is not only about the actual event itself to me--- the challenges listed and reasons to do THIS are also the reasons that i dropped out of the mainstream interior design program --and began to find creative ways i could help people i knew and families i worked for -- to de-stress by decluttering -but also to emphasize the real power of fixing and giving away useable things but also in feeling more comfortable in accepting and using previously owned toys/clothes/ and other things esp. for kids-that can just about break the bank if not in check---

-since she said it best of course- here is the page but i also added the link for people to read on if they'd like-



"Philosophy First...


"There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness." Gandhi

Swap-O-Rama-Rama utilizes the existing surplus of clothing to create new-recycled goods, without consuming raw materials. In do-it-yourself spirit, through workshops and the collectivizing of ideas, it helps each individual break down the barrier between consumer and creator while inviting all to reclaim the creativity that has been lost to industry. Through hands-on experience, Swap-O-Rama-Rama invites the discovery that the making of things is not an activity to be avoided in order to attain leisure, but rather a playful and leisurely endeavor unto itself. At Swap-O-Rama-Rama objects are imbued with meaning as would-be trash is revivified with authentic, communal creativity and spirit. Repurposed garments are far less likely to be kicked to the curb as garbage and so ultimately Swap-O-Rama-Rama not only reuses would be trash but sets in motion a way of living that reduces textile waste. Finally, by re-branding clothing with self-celebratory labels, Swap-O-Rama-Rama invites us to see each other through shared creativity rather than through socio-economic status.

TEXTILE WASTE
In the creation, production, marketing, and disposal of clothing, there exists an opportunity to improve the care of the planet and the soul of the individual. In an endless search for newness, Americans consume resources for the creation of more, regardless of the fact that we exist amongst a fantastic surplus. This is easily seen in the amount of textile waste produced in the US. It currently comprises 4.5% of residential waste created. Each American is responsible for approximately 35 pounds, totaling 8.75 billion pounds per year. Fifty percent of the textiles consumed and discarded are made from synthetic fibers that are produced from oil, which has a negative effect on the Earth.

FASHION INDUSTRY & BRANDING
This cycle is perpetuated, in part, by the fashion industry, which encourages the purchase of new goods through a constantly changing vision of what is in style. Through advertising we are asked to view shopping as a creative endeavor, when in actuality it is only the designers who play a creative role in the process. The consumers creativity is simply in the selection. The consumer interprets styles, and this is the means to express their own uniqueness. The craft involved in the making of clothing, once viewed as a creative endeavor, is now left to the machine, which manufactures most of the clothing made today. The average person is ill-equipped for sewing, and distant from the creative process due to lack exposure and experience. After goods are purchased, consumers become advertising billboards as they tote logos and labels on all areas of the body. Branding, in its current form, creates distinct social divisions. Labels broadcast the spending power of the individual. This separates consumers into categories that reflect the size of their wallet rather than the expanse of their creativity.

CHARITY
Left over clothing is donated to shelters in each city that hosts a swap.

CREATING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
Swap-O-Rama-Rama has no staff. Each event recruits local artists to bring skills and ideas to their own community. In this way the event brings together diverse creatives under a common idea which lasts well after the event is completed.

When You Gotta Wanna Know More... Click Here"---Wendy Tremayne

yikes--- regarding consent...

well, so i read through those articles-- but there really is more to consider than i thought---
so --now that i am not doing pure research--- i am not certain exactly what applies to me except!---i'll just go ahead and talk about liability in general
--if i hold an event of any charitable nature-- to which people gave money---my intentions have to be clear--to any donor--- where money would be going---and to the recipient--i must tell where money came from because----if i do an event geared toward sustainability--- and i get money from some business- that could be found to work unfairly or in a way bad for the community or environment--- then i could jeopardize the integrity of an established organization

i was definitely told to ---watch out for "greenwashers"--
----also--- if i take money--- it has to go exactly where i say it will-if i hold it and then put stuff off-- i can be fully liable--- for services unrendered--- or well stealing.

---anyone or business who is participating--- if they so choose--- can be anonymous-as a donor--except to myself--and the organizations i represent--- which would be ASU and Swap-o-rama-rama
---
------ i have to continually credit the source of the CC license of Swap-o-rama-rama- to Wendy Tremayne-- and also come to her with any and every revision to the event-- because there are already donors technically involved---- plus ---she 'owns it' in the sense that i have only fair use of the title and materials--- and cannot claim i made them up myself--- which could result in further acknowledgement or payment to myself----- but to the detriment of others

ASU--- has to consent for me to do anything--- esp. if it is on campus because if i-say--- borrow a room for a day ---and then -- steal people's money----they'd be liable somehow for 'letting me do it'----so i have to give all credentials and expectations --limitations to them up front----

---also--- like there is this rule that i cannot accept more than $200 per donor--- well so if someone wants to give me $1000 ---i can't take it-even if i made up names per $200-i have to always know the source of things- for real---- and those are technically public record-- so everyone involved would have to know that --we are all under scrutiny-- of some kind because i have real people to report to ---and to help me check up on others-- so they can't do anything shady to me either. use me as like the middle of a laundering scheme or something(i dunno..)

--------
also- and i am still finding out exactly how everything works-but its all tax deductible-so i have to be really extra clear about things because-i /they/ everyone could be audited
-


**** if i do research--i have to assure that those involved-- can be anonymous in a report-- but they do know that i am going to write about them----
and that credit is always given to the sources of all ideas-names--anything i use--i have to cite

**** i was previously thinking about observing this montessori school--- as part of the"shaping of people" thing---well the school i was thinking of asking needs volunteers and i was planning on possibly doing that---
---so it is now officially a conflict of interest because i could not both interact with and study children--in any manipulative way--because i could be influencing their actions--all the time, so it would not be pure research--- plus --
--even if i was not possibly working with the children---- everything i would do or say would reflect that school-- and i would have to make sure that my intentions were clear--and i did no malice to others unintentionally-
-- and that parents would have to have signed--as proxy consent--also kids do get some say too-- because --if it interrupted a nap or something to watch them---it would probably be implied dissent-if the kids were crabby the rest of the day--which means that i was in fact unintentionally harming them--because it falls under the "even soft harm counts" -- emotional upset is not cool.

-----also--i have done previous research with children--well,i was thinking of obtaining it back ---to use---however---
- what i did it for was one particular study--in which parents understood and had access to information at all times---
if i took it---and wrote any "opinionated statements"---which all statements basically are-i could hurt the reputation of the said school/ the children/ or family involved---so its complicated- but if i wanted to use it-i would have to be clear about what i was doing with it because it is outside the realms of the intented use---and considering---i would be doing somewhat of a commentary type thing--maybe i shouldnt use people i will run into....

----
but really--as opposed to all research-i need to focus on the grounds of the Creative Commons- and rules by which i can possibly hold my event----apparently even the room is tax deductible or something---so i technically could hold it off campus---however--since i represent the school--- all the above stuff applies to me i am sure---but i definitely am doing this "hand held by the right people" --- so i don't make any moves without okays.