A couple of weeks ago I joined Seth Godin's Triiibes network - basically a closed social network of people interested in marketing and community. 
At the moment it is still a bit daunting - there are over 3000 members altogether - but in amidst the people punting their get rich quick schemes and the people who seems to think that pre-ordering a $10 book (the pre-requisite for membership) makes us all some kind of intellectual elite - well amidst all of the fluff there is some really interesting discussions taking place.
Part of the deal is that we don't discuss any of those out with the site until October - so I won't be elaborating anything until then but I did want to write about something brought up on the site which is so off topic that I don't think it is embargoed.

My one worry about the site was that it would all be marketing executives and brand managers; and to be honest there are rather a lot of them, but there amongst the 3000 are a sizable number of artists and craftspeople - there is even a sub group discussing arty/crafty/designy issues.  One of the things we all did was to post images of our work - to give an idea of what we do.  I posted a photo of the large meadow cushions I made Within half an hour I had received 4 e-mails as to whether the cotton I used was organic.
Now in fact they are hemp from 1930s, but what struck me is that in the 5 years I have been making things not one single person in the UK has asked me about the textiles I use.
I don't use new cotton for these reasons, and these - and the fact that I have found it difficult to source organic cotton at a price that I can afford.  I use largely recycled materials - wool blankets, linen sheets, tea trays;  and where I need to buy new, I get excess rolls of Irish linen from a dealer in Lancashire.  For the future I have been looking at hemp and bamboo.  However I have never posted about this and never made an issue of it as no-one has ever seemed to be interested.
If the US reaction is to be believed though - this is going to become an important issue for consumers, and people who work with textiles (an amazingly dirty business, especially if dyes or printing is involved) will have to have an answer ready.

Comments

[Pam]

You really are a fantastic source of information, Jane. Know exactly what you mean about provenance etc of materials. Am very lucky that my (very small) local supplier now stocks organic Fairtrade cotton. A sign of the growing interest.

P x

[Gigibird]

I think the reason I have never asked you is because I didn't think it polite and secondly I am sure you have said your mother provided you with fabric as she was an antique dealer.
I did wonder where your tea towel 'blanks' were sourced but when I found organic ones I guessed you had ordered them from there....

I spend huge amounts of time sourcing materials but don't feel particularly keen to discuss this for reasons I will email you about.

[Exmoorjane]

How interesting. As I understand it, there are a lot of issues with cotton, organic or not...so your recycling sounds just dandy. Thank you for your comment on mine - how totally fabulous to have Barcelona in your sights (sigh. envy. we went last Christmas time and it was fabulous). Wasn't sure which blog to post this on so hope t his is OK here! Now of course I am sorely tempted by all your intriguing links. But MUST work! Janexx

[Diana]

It's something I think about...and certainly if I were to buy new bath towels and bedlinen they'd be eco/organic. Thinking of the things you do Jane I love the fact that you re-invent and re-use vintage fabrics and woollen blankets - I think recycling and re-using comes before a new purchase, even if that's organic. Also, your ethics are so clearly on the side of sustainability, local, eco etc that I feel reassured you make the wisest choices possible.

[Grace @ Poetic Home]

I'm very happy that being eco-friendly is finally a "trend" here in the States - which is sadly one of the few ways the masses will actually care about the environment. I think it is a great point to share with your customers that your fabrics are vintage (which is something I absolutely adore!) or sustainably sourced. That is one of the reasons I was drawn to your beautiful home goods!