A big warm welcome to Earthy Beginnings...

2010 was a roller-coaster of a year. New features, new artists, new faces, new friends. We are really excited to get 2011 rolling and we can't wait to see the surprises that this year will bring.

After a little break {along with a lot of food, booze and eggnog} the Friday Feature interviews are back. We picked a very special guest for today - Earthy Beginnings. We believe that there is no better way to kick off the year than being on the sustainable eco-boat. Indie mother nature? Yes please!

FF: Hey Earthy Beginnings Happy 2011! Tell us a bit about your store:

EB: Designed with our children in mind, Earthy Beginnings is a mix of eco friendly fabrics & innovative artistic designs serving as an eclectic alternative in kid's clothing. Made with 100% certified organic cotton here in the USA, our goal is to educate the next generation while also giving back! All goods are hand rendered and printed on eco friendly fabrics using non-toxic inks in our NY based studio. Each piece comes with a small seeded hangtag to plant with your child and teach them from now about living green.

FF: Cool factor has gone to the roof! Look cool and be cool - How did Earthy Beginnings come to life?

EB: I’ve always been an environmentalist at heart, but after having my son the need of raising awareness became even stronger. Where before it was more about how can I help other organizations, it then became more of what can I do to make a difference. This is how “Endangered Species” was born, our first collection. I had been working with eco friendly fabrics for a while and I knew that I wanted this line to be organic, but I didn’t want it to be just flat earthy tones. I decided to incorporate colors through both body and print. All of our collections are thought through profoundly and often convey a message with a purpose, we're more than just a t-shirt company.

FF: Are you involved in your community? if so, what do you do?

EB: I’ll admit that before having my child I was far more hands on, but with a toddler it’s pretty hard to squeeze time. My alternative has been working with environmentally and socially responsible small business and helping them out through my design studio. When possible I also take part of different walks to support causes dear to me. I have also been donating my hair for years now to several organizations that provide wigs to kids undergoing cancer treatments (http://www.wigsforkids.org/); you should too if you can!

FF: Consider it bookmarked - Cargoh peeps, take note and give it a try! - What has been the feedback of your customers?

EB: They love the meaning behind our “Endangered Species Collection,” but for most of them our “Musician’s Corner Collection” is the best EB has… I’ve had several dads ask when I’m coming out with adult sizing for them! It’s all very flattering and humbling.

FF: What do you think is one of the biggest challenges we are facing right now in environmental terms?

EB: The very obvious would be global warming and its effects on our environment, but we cannot disregard the clean water crisis either. The fact that something so as basic and vital is not attainable to everyone is a darn shame. There are great organizations doing amazing work, some which we support directly like the IUCN, WWF, and charity:water to name a few.

FF: Could you share a few - daily, easy peasy - tips for peeps to jump on the sustainable wagon?

EB: Well the easiest ones are the ones that will also save you money: turn off anything you are not using and get into the habit of unplugging stuff too, it’ll save you some $$. Cloth towels over paper towels, market bags instead of plastic/paper bags (keep one in your car or by the door so you always have them on hand), and reuse/repurpose anything you already have at home instead of just throwing it away. Also, walk or ride a bike whenever possible. The mother of all rules for me is DON’T POLLUTE!

FF: If you could turn the head of the VP for BP into an object, what would he be?

EB:I don’t think I can answer this question without being censored, but I’ll be kind… a plunger seems fair.

FF: Nice one, a thing that pushes stuck sh*t - Touche! -What type of super powers do you have? {from being an awesome designer to juggle work/life balance}

EB:Ha! Well I’ve birth a child and a business, both equally exhausting but amazingly rewarding, that should say enough on its own no?! I’m also known for being able to pull all nighters with no problem, my college years trained me well. I also run two other businesses, all which operate after my child goes to sleep. The night is always young...

FF: WOW.That is some serious owl power. -Do you have any projects on the go right now?

EB: We’re in the process of researching different forms of printing methods, something I’m excited about. In thinking of how to expand the brand we have been focusing a lot on décor, so letterpress artwork is also in the works. We’re still in the development process though.

FF: Ooh lala, letterpress, eco-friendly artwork? Music to our ears! -Any new year's resolutions? if so, can you give us a sneak peek?

EB: Personally it would be to eat healthier. As for EB, no sneak peeks yet but branching into nursery décor has been something we’ve been looking forward to doing in 2011. Beginning with nursery artwork and slowly adding bedding and perhaps even furniture! So basically it’s “growing.” Hopefully we can…

FF: And you will. We see many awesome things happening to you! {that is the voice of our in-house gypsy}

Thank you for being with us this week. We will be impatiently waiting for your coming products.

Earthy Beginnings is your one stop shop to get the year started on the green path. Pop by their store, look for them on facebook and stay connected through their tweets. Their site and blog and definitely worth a visit too! Give them some love.

PS: This video is up there with the raddest things we have ever seen!

Next Friday we'll be giving you a taste of German talent, fabric obsessions and handbag fetishes. Do. Not. Miss. It.

Gab