Keeping Ol' Man Winter at Bay

Well folks, the rumors are true: winter is here...again. As you pull on your gloves and scarves and sweaters, your thoughts may turn to warm, sunny, faraway beaches where 'winter' is only a curious myth. However, surprising new research indicates that there is a connection between the clothing made for winter-time protection and the sparkling sands of coastal beaches. Many winter clothes, especially fleeces, are made from artificial plastic fibers — pure petroleum-based and/or petroleum-reacted fibers such as acrylic, polyester, rayon, and nylon, among others.

Now, as if wrapping your body in soft and pliable petrochemical plastics (laced with toxic dyes and endocrine-disrupting softening agents) each day isn't frightening enough, every time these clothing items made with these artificial fibers are put into the wash, the garment sheds up to 2000 of the fibers into the wash-water, according to a study published in the November 2012 issue of Environmental Science and Technology.

Scientists were shocked to find these micro-fibers make their way into the oceans and onto beaches! In a study done by a team of ecologists from University College Dublin, the scientists collected samples from 18 different beaches on different continents and found the petroleum-based fibers on every beach they tested.

These synthetic petroleum-based plastic micro-fibers are more than just an unsightly addition to beach sand, however. They also enter the food chain through filter feeders like oysters and mussels. While the long-term implications remain unclear, it is known that mollusks have been ingesting the plastic-based artificial fibers, thereby introducting plastic into the ocean food chain...and onto your dinner plate. Yikes!

What can a concerned citizen who wants to stay warm do about this issue? Manufacturers are not required to test their garments for shedding, and it remains unclear if washing machines could offer filters to catch the fibers before they enter the water system.

The safest bet, to avoid plastics accumulating on beaches and in the food chain, seems to be to seek out and purchase only natural, truly biodegradable fibers like wool, silk, cotton, linen or hemp. At our Terressentials stores we stock the finest handcrafted winter accessories made from beautiful and warm natural fibers from around the world. Another benefit of most of our natural fiber goods is that your purchase supports global fair trade co-ops — Nepal, Peru, India — where the people practice traditional knitting, weaving and spinning crafts that artisans have been perfecting for millenia. We even have incredibly soft and intricately-designed fair made woven wool scarves from Scotland, where raising sheep and weaving woolens is a centuries old liveliehood.

If wool isn't your thing, don't worry, we've got you covered, too! We have a lovely selection of warm handwoven organic cotton wraps in reversible contrasting rich colors, and scarves in fun knubby textures. Be sure to check out our wonderful shimmering silk scarves from India, Cambodia and Vietnam in a rainbow of hues and and a forest of textures that will add a pop of color and style to your wardrobe.

Natural isn't just healthier for our oceans and you, its a fashion statement that supports farmers and artisans around the world — and one that spites the gray days of Ol' Man Winter.

Oh, and be sure to drop by our Frederick store soon to catch our special Winter's Last Chance Event — we're offering 30% off on our selected woolen accessories. This is your great opportunity to brighten your wardrobe with lively, fun and luxurious hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, shrugs and handbags — while they last!

Terressentials: The Cure for Rainy Day Blues

You know what they say about April... full of showers. But here at Terressentials in downtown Frederick, MD, we have just the things to brighten your dreary day and put a smile on your face! This spring we have a zoo of handmade animals for you to purchase, including bunny boxes from India, fishing animal figures from Indonesia, beautifully carved giraffe and zebra statues from Zimbabwe, and seedpod birds from Zimbabwe. It's a jungle in here, and these animals would love to leave this crazy zoo and go home with you, so drop by and pick up one (or many) soon!

Up at our farm in Middletown, MD, we've been busy sending out orders for our certified organic body care products across the country, and sometimes even around the world. A few months ago, we started noticing a rapid increase in Lavender Hair Wash purchases. For a few days, we had no idea what caused the sudden boost of orders for this particular product, but finally we discovered the reason: a YouTube video blog post! A young woman named Whitney reviewed our Lavender Hair Wash on her YouTube blog. She must have a lot of subscribers, because within days of her posting her video about our product, we were noticing the changes. As of this writing, 16,896 people have watched that particular video of hers, and we have experienced a fairly significant increase in our Hair Wash orders.  In addition to selling our products online at www.terressentials.com, we sell our entire line of Terressentials body care products in our Frederick store (100 E. Patrick Street, 21701) and also in our smaller Middletown store (2650 Old National Pike). If you are interested in trying our Pure Earth Hair Wash, please check out our Hair Wash instructions before purchasing. There are some important instructions and pieces of advice for which scent of Hair Wash would be right for each hair type.

Our Kenyan handbags are great for everyday use!

These zebras were handcarved by a man in Zimbabwe, and each is one-of-a-kind!

Here is Whitney, the YouTube sensation!

http://www.terressentials.com/haircare.html

Holy Cow! Incredible holiday pricing on wool shawls!

Wow!  You won't believe what Debra found in our back room!  Debra was organizing our back store room and discovered a box of lovely fair trade, 100% wool paisley scarves and shawls — what a surprise find, and now a holiday bonus for you!  Debra thought that these would make lovely, fashionable holiday gifts and suggested that we make them available to you all at a very surprising price.  For the surprise shawls, that are available in two warm colorways, we will offer them at just twenty dollars each when you mention this holiday newsletter offer, through the end of December! 

We have  one additional great bonus purchase offer to help with your last minute shopping challenges.  We have a limited quantity of beautiful wool scarves in a festive array of colors and patterns and we'd like to offer these to you for a special price of 40% off the ticket price through the end of December.   Hurry in now for the best selection as they won't last long!

One last thing...from all of us here at Terressentials, we're hoping that you will enjoy a very healthy, happy and prosperous new year!

A Unique Gift for Everyone!

We have discovered a wonderful fun and useful present fit for any household and we brought them into our stores for all of our good customers. OK...just stay with us here for a minute. If you've ever seen a stinkbug, you know their backs look like little shields.Their bodies aren't their only defense mechanisms, though.  If you have ever accidentally stepped on one, or when they were frightened and wanted their other stinkbug buddies to stay away from danger, many of us have found that they certainly live up to their name. These bugs are a pain when you want them out of your house, but we have a solution:  the Bugzooka. This clever creation uses a completely chemical-free and non-toxic method — strong suction — to grab the stinkbug and throw him into a tube, so you can dispose of the little guy outside where he belongs.  Bugzookas are good for kids who are afraid of bugs (if you give your kid a Bugzooka, she probably won't scream for help every time she sees an insect in the house), or who are interested in seeing bugs up close, but not too close.  They are also good for adults who are secretly (or not-so-secretly) afraid of spiders (Bugzookas suck up those creepy-crawlies, too!), or don't really want any insect — flies, jumping things, slithering things — at all in their home.  They are excellent for the grandparents who have some trouble reaching to catch bugs, too, to remove from their house, as the Bugzooka can reach to the ceiling. They are even great for the families that have pets who like to eat stinkbugs! No more stinkbug breath for our furry friends!

Holiday Countdown!

Hey, folks!  We all hope that you are enjoying this pleasant holiday season and that you are receiving (and spreading) lots of great and happy energy!

With just a few days to go, we have our list in hand...gifts for holiday parties, something special for a dear friend, your favorite niece, your family doctor or a teacher, and even an unusual gift for that one special person who seems to have everything. We thought that, perhaps, you might enjoy a little fair made inspiration, so we're sharing a few photos of some new artful items that recently arrived at our stores and that might be just the perfect gift solutions for those special people in your life.  Please do peruse our photos of great handcrafted gift ideas that come from warm hearts and hands, and with wonderful warm wishes!

As we are so very grateful to have the pleasure of knowing you — a  unique and caring, environmentally-conscious individual — we'd like to offer a special holiday gift bonus to you!  From today through December 24, we are offering you twenty percent off your holiday purchase of any of our gorgeous handcrafted, tooled or scrollwork leather handbags and wallets when you mention this newsletter bonus.  See some photos of these exquisite bags here below.

Please allow us to share this little helpful reminder...we do offer shipping around the world year-round, so if you ever see an item in our newsletter or in one of stores that you think would be perfect for your best friend in California, your brother in Belgium, or for yourself, no worries, we can safely pack and ship your gift for you. We can even do gift wrapping and include a note if you'd like, at no additional charge.  Just call the store, email us or ask one of our helpful team-mates how we can handle this for you.  We are always happy to be of service.

 

This is quite an elegant handmade leather shoulder bag with lovely scroll-work detailing in a richly distinctive teal and soft shimmering pewter colorway —  it is roomy, well-organized and absolutely gorgeous!   

 

Behold!  Another stunning scroll-work colorway in bark brown and warm, softly shimmering bronze leather — it is the perfect complementary accessory year-round! 

                                                       

This bag is a great, appealing color combination of cinnamony sienna and turquoise leathers.  (We also have this bag in classic, sharp black and ivory!)  It is a well-crafted scroll-work shoulder bag that can be worn cross-body for the woman-on-the-go.  A coordinating wristlet wallet with multiple card slots and three compartments (one zippered) is also available.

Montana, Manhattan or Madrid?  Luscious rich caramel, milk chocolate and soft cream flavors of scroll-work leather are artfully combined to make this beautiful and timeless larger shoulder bag creation that goes everywhere with you — an excellent companion to share all of your adventures for many years to come.

Holiday Sweet Treats — The Very Best Artisan Gourmet Certified Organic and Fair Trade Chocolate Gifts!

We have a new category of gift items fit for pretty much any person: chocolate! Just a few days ago we received a huge box brimming with fresh-made Sweet Earth Organic and Fair Trade Chocolates! We selected these chocolates with your tastes in mind. Sweet Earth Chocolates are exquisite and amazing. These fair trade, organic gourmet chocolates are great gifts for your boss or neighbor, your favorite uncle or aunt, and they make great hostess gifts too! Sweet Earth has many different chocolate products from which to choose. We have gift boxes full of assorted chocolate-covered nuts, caramels and fruits, bags full of chocolate-dipped pretzels, and rich chocolate truffles. We also have an assortment of their popular barks for you to check out. You can feel good when you buy these chocolates, as you're helping the farmers who grow the cocoa and, after all, giving is the reason for the season!

Fresh and fabulous unique artisan organic chocolates!  Gifts of delectable sweetness bring smiles all around!

 

Might this be heaven?  Such rich, sweet and healthy soul-satisfying comfort.  Fresh cocoa  that is certified organic and Fair Trade!  Four flavors to tickle your palate — Aztec Chili, Chai, Holiday Spice or Classic — try them all!

Gourmet Organic Toffee and Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels! We have creamy chocolate barks in Peppermint Crunch, or fruit and nut combinations.  For chocolate purists, we also have Sweet Earth's specialty delicacies, their deep chocolate, creamy truffles — something for everyone!

What's Black and White on the Outside and Bursting with Color on the Inside? Our New Store!

With the holidays quickly approaching, we are sure you have a long list of things to do to prepare yourself, your home, and your family for the big season. In addition to the holidays, the temperatures have been dropping every day, reminding us that it's beginning to be winter coat season. Winter coats mean gloves, hats, scarves, and other accessories to keep you warm. Here at Terressentials, we have a vast array of handcrafted scarves for every occasion, as well as felted hats, silk and wool mittens, and wool ear warmers to keep every bit of you (and your family) warm during these chilly months. Our items are fair trade, so in addition to keeping your body warm, you can warm your heart too by knowing your money is going to a good cause by helping people in other countries make a good living and support their families.

We were busy this fall searching for the perfect artisan-crafted holiday gift items and accessories for you and your loved ones. We have several new jewelry lines, as well as new items from well-liked jewelry we've sold in the past. New this season are an exquisite recycled glass jewelry line from Arizona, funky mismatched (yet very complementary) ceramic earrings from Wisconsin, creative and beautiful mesh metal jewelry from Rhode Island, and delicate, elegant earrings and necklaces from Alexandria, VA. We have recently restocked our collection of shimmery beaded jewelry from Guatemala and stone and silver jewelry from Peru, and we also have more of our unique Ecuadorian jewelry made from seeds and nuts. We are the store to go to if you want to find exciting and fun jewelry!

After we looked for jewelry, we decided that you would probably really like some high-quality, fun and exciting handbags and accessories to go with your fun new jewelry. So we found a great new line of arty felted handbags from India! These bags are quirky and whimsical, and also big enough to hold essentials, but small enough to not weigh you down. We also have cute felted cosmetic bags and little change purses. Come in and check out these bags—they're really something to see! In addition to felted bags, we received a new shipment of beautifully handcrafted leather handbags and accessories from Paraguay. These bags have been a favorite among our shoppers this past year, so we've listened to your comments and ideas for new inventory and we're hoping you'll like what we've decided to bring into the store! Other handbags we have on our floor include silk handbags from Cambodia, artsy handbags made from recycled bags in India, and gorgeous vintage floral handbags made in California.

Bring a friend, bring your significant other (it's easier for them to shop for you if you say, “Wow, I love this! Doesn't this look great on me! I'd really love this for the holidays.” If you drop enough hints, they'll catch on and you'll receive wonderful fair trade gifts for the holidays, just like you wanted!). Stop into our store and see if we can make your holiday shopping easier! In addition to all of the fair trade gift items, we also have certified organic chocolates, teas, granola, and other snack items. Soon we're even going to be selling fantastic certified organic coffee! Stop in to say hi, stop in to look at our inventory, and stop in to find great things for the holidays! We're finding it difficult to even begin to describe all of our fabulous gift items, so you'll just have to drop by and see for yourself all of our wonderful fair trade and organic items!

We are now located at 100 E. Patrick Street at Maxwell Avenue, in front of the library. Currently, our general holiday hours are:

Sunday 11am-5pm

Monday 10am-5pm

Tuesday 10am-5pm

Wednesday 10am-5pm

Thursday 10am-6pm

Friday 10am-9pm

Saturday 10am-9pm

See you soon!

Just look at how much our new storefront sparkles!

Our windows are all "jazzed" up for the holidays!

Now that we've doubled our store size, we've been able to increase our inventory of snacks and gift items, found here in the back portion of our store!