SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

For the past couple of weeks I've been meeting with a two of my friends, Melanie, former SOLID board member who has just returned from 2 years spent in Zimbabwe, and Simon, jewelry artisan and client, to discuss opening a fair trade type retail outlet on SaltSpring. With any luck and a lot of hard work by the time some of you get here in May we will have our little shop open.

Last comment added: Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:04:06 PST

Comment 1 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Today we worked on our statement and goals. At the moment these are SaltSpring specific.

Statement

Our aim is to address the urgency of global wealth inequality by creatively linking SaltSpring Island with communities of the South to facilitate the exchange of goods, ideas and much needed resources.

Goals

Facilitate the success of community based projects in countries with less financial wealth by insuring their access to North American markets.
Creating long term sustainable relationships between SaltSpring Island and communities in the South.
To promote production of artesian goods at a grassroots level and to ensure a consistent source of income for them.
Raise awareness and participate in community lead projects in (names of countries SOLID is involved in).
Create forums to connect people with different backgrounds and passions and to exchange information relevant to their current realities.

These are still a work in progress, we are open to suggestions and feedback.

Comment 2 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Our website meeting for last Friday had to be re-scheduled until the February 22nd which was a bit disappointing. Hope to get the site up soon after our meeting.

We will be launching the fair-trade store at Our Island, Our World Film Festival March 7th - 9th then moving it over to the SOLID office after that.

Comment 3 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks to everyone that helped to get the store - SOLID Exchange - up and running. We opened the Saturday of the <ned> weekend, May 17, 2008.

Shop hours are Thursday - Sunday, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Sales May 17 - May 31

Gross: $449.50
Cost: $135.75
Net: $313.75

It's a beginning ... It was encouraging to note that we had much more traffic through the shop this past weekend and our display is improving as we move along!

Comment 4 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

That is sensational!!

Oh and so is $313.75 - it's in black ink baby! :)

Congratulations to all of you.

Comment 5 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Yep, that would be black ink baby! The only kind I like to use : )

Considering that we never use to make any money out of the office space I'm pretty happy. And worth mentioning, it raises our SOLID profile in the SaltSpring community.

Comment 6 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Right ON!!!!

I"m so proud of you and hope that my efforts in my community are as successful!

Here's to selling purple baskets LOL

Comment 7 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

LMFAO!!! <<< that one's for Ray :D

Still got all the purple baskets. Okay, that's not totally true I did sell a purple basket just not one of the purple baskets.

Comment 8 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Great Meron, that is too cool. I still want to send you some of the LiA stuff for the store. Pm me an address to send it to.

Comment 9 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Hi Meron, Melanie, Simon and everybody, who is interested.

I have set up a site on gobc.ca for SOLID Exchange. This is a website with all kind of tourist information about places in BC. This is the link to the site, I named it so far SOLID Exchange. I had to put a name behind that, when I registered it, so I used mine. Let me know, if you want a different name there.

http://www.gobc.ca/salt-spring-i sland-travel/galleries-exhibits- shows/

It's a very interesting website, check it out and see, if you like what I did with our site and if you want any changes. If you want, I can give you the password, you can see, how many page views we had per day, per month... In June we had so far 172 page views and on the german site we had 45.

Stephanie

Comment 10 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Stephanie,

This should make your link work

Comment 11 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Stephanie, Looks awesome! Just a few correction suggestions:

Silver Pendant Pearl & Ruby, handcrafted in Thailand

ALL CRAFTS are bought by us from the artists in Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Kenya, Swaziland, Laos and Thailand. Proceeds are going to SOLID, a non-profit society dedicated to support communities in Sub-Saharan Africa facing the devastation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Handcrafted in Lesotho

SOLID EXCHANGE is a group of concerned friends aiming to contribute to people in Southern Africa and other parts of the world in achieving an adequate standard of living. OUR GOALS are: 1.) To raise necessary funds for already existing community-driven projects through the sale of arts and crafts from all over the world. 2.)Facilitating artisans in the South to develop and produce their crafts, and provide them with marketing outlets in North America. 3.) To fund training workshops for our partners in southern Africa. 4.) To create forums for the exchange of goods as well as ideas between Canada and the South of Africa. 5.)To establish long term relationships with our partners.

Handcrafted in Laos

WHAT WE SELL:

As many of us are aware, there is unrelenting basic need, that an overwhelming majority of people feel on a daily basis in the Southern Hemisphere. At the same time, we are becoming aware of the immense material privilege we have in the North. One way, that we can help is through the purchase of goods produced by the artisans, made using traditional techniques that reflect the richness of their heritage.

For example, we may purchase from artisans in Asia, sell them in Canada and send the profit to a project in Southern Africa, where we already have successful projects we are supporting.

Shirt and basket, handcrafted in Kenya

WHERE THE MONEY GOES:

Our intention is to provide income for producers as well as supporting our partners in Southern Africa. Yet, because we need money to operate, we have to set aside a certain amount for our cost of running SOLID Exchange. In most cases 50% or more of the proceeds will go to the projects we are involved in supporting and the other 50% will go towards purchase of goods and our operating costs.

Please refer to each item for info on where the money from the sale goes. We aim to provide our customers with as much information as possible so you can learn how you are creating positive change in the world. I removed some commas.

Soapstone carving, handcrafted in Zimbabwe

OUR PARTNERS IN THE SOUTH:

Apples for Orphans in Lesotho: samsyd@telus.net
Tuendele Mbele in Kenya: maggieziegler@telus.net
Masango Cultural Canter in Zimbabwe: www.masangodema.org
Phelisanong in Lesotho: info@solidsaltspring.com
Sala Hantle in Malawi: acallegari2003@yahoo.com
Agnes Pareyio in Kenya: ccole51@telus.net
Kambhoke Orphan School in Swaziland: ccole51@telus.net

Comment 12 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

SOLID Exchange has been in business for a month and a half now and this is how it shakes down.

Gross: 1,637.00
Cost: 623.50
Net: $1,013.50

I'm keeping track of the books in a google document so if any of you are interested in the particulars send me your gmail address and I'll invite you.

Finally, we got our summer weather and I'm off to find a body of water to jump in to. Stay cool!!!

Comment 13 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

The SOLID Exchange doors have been open for almost 3 months now. Here are the 1st quarter figures.

Sales May 17 - August 12, 2008

Gross: $2,800.00
Cost: $997.50
Net: $1,802.50

: )

Comment 14 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

$600 a month is not bad at all...heck, net in and of itself is great news.

Great work.

Comment 15 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Yeah, I know it's not big money but I'm pretty happy with the way things have been going. And officially we still have another weekend to go before the 1st quarter is over. We'll have to get the mom and Max (the dog) team to turn up the heat. They have a pretty good selling strategy. Mom works in the rose garden, Max lures them and mom starts pitching.

And it's not all about the $$$s. A couple of weekends ago a father brought his daughter, about 7 years old, in on the Sunday to buy a birthday gift for a party she was attending. She bought a bracelet and an Apples for Orphans card. I had the opportunity to explain to her what we do and give her one of our little fliers that explains our goals and where the money goes. I ran in to the father a couple of days later; he thanked me and told me how proud he was of his daughter. She was very taken with the whole experience and told everybody about it. I thanked him for being so thoughtful and bringing her in. That is priceless!

Comment 16 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

That is a great story, and that really is what it is all about.

Comment 17 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

I have witnessed the store's evolution- from helping set up on the first day to dropping by yesterday and want to applaud Meron's dedication and determination.

The big success measure here is not the $, although that's always useful but the success is in the collective action combining resources (space, inventory, volunteers, promotions). This store has advanced the cause of SOLID and the African partner projects by building awareness, education and advocacy.

Another important outcome is the postive impression one gets of Africa in the store through the photographs and crafts. When there are so many images of needy, desperate Africians in the media, its important to get a glimpse of the beauty and complexity.

I know of some of the challenges Meron has faced, including staffing, angry locals freaking out on volunteers, and she has persevered. You rock, Meron!

Comment 18 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks for the kind words. It has been quite a journey for her but also an adventure . Meron's Mom

Comment 19 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

I also want to thank Meron and all the hardworking volunteers for keeping SOLID's projects active and vibrant in our community of Salt Spring Island. I continue to stand in awe of your dedication Meron! Congrats on a great effort and result.

Comment 20 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Awww, geee, shucks!

Thanks everyone for your very kind words, they are very much appreciated. But to read you all one might think that I'm on this road alone and that's so NOT what is happening here. It takes all of us, working together, to make these things happen. Thank you all for your wonderful help, support and getting behind these sometimes seemingly crazy schemes. Nothing happens without all of us : )

Comment 21 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Super stuff! Hooray SOLID-SSI :)

Comment 22 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks Lars! Your energetic support is very much appreciated.

Here are the figures for the 1st quarter ending August 17, 2008.

<drum roll please>

Gross: $3,209.00
Cost: $1,070.00
Net: $2,139.00

This translates to and average of $713.00/month for the 1st quarter. And because I was encouraged to do so (thanks Ellie) this represents 100 volunteer hours. Good thing/bad thing? Is this a good use of our volunteer time? How do you measure that which is not monetary gain? What value do you place on the positive image that Ellie so eloquently pointed out earlier?

Comment 23 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Hey Gorgeous,

Firstly, WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Secondly, I don't know the answers to any of your questions mainly because I'm not sure one could accurately answer those questions after only one quarter.

The one thing I know beyond doubt is that goodwill is priceless.

What price (for instance) do you put on every volunteer hour Yue-Lin puts in editing and organising i-act stuff when Gabe & KTJ have been in Chad??

Some things cannot be easily or accurately measured - like spending time with a little 7 yr old on a birthday present buying outing. You might forget her in 20 years time..... but Meron, she will remember you ALWAYS!

love Gayle :)

Comment 24 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks Gayle!!! Personally I feel this is all well worth the effort and believe this to be a valid use of volunteer time, I'm just asking the questions because I was told I should LOL! I know, it's not very often I do a thing just because some one told me to : ) but I like her just fine and I want to keep her as a friend 'cause she's really, really smart and stuff.

And because I spent all day fighting with the computer/internet/spreadsheets I'm going to share the financial results for August:

Gross: $1,259.50
Cost: $359.75
Net: $899.75

Now I'm going home. My daughter has been calling me once an hour for the last 4 hours wondering why I'm not home yet when I said I'd be there at 2:30 when the shop closed.

ps: you made me cry ... a good thing : )

Comment 25 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Meron, think of all the folks who now do not say "what is SOLID" because Max herds them into the store and they stop to admire the restored rose garden. Now I hear, oh yes, have heard of you. you do good work. Now SOLID has a face,

Comment 26 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

hi meron - i'll look forward to sending some PT kits along. will a dozen do for now? i will be able to ship them in, i'm guessing, 10 days. kudos all around!

Comment 27 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

That would be excellent Lars! If they could get here by the 27th that would be wonderful. Jami Sieber is doing a benefit concert for SOLID at ArtSpring and we are going to set up a mini SOLID Exchange in the lobby.

Our biggest challenge now at SOLID Exchange is keeping stocked up with things to sell.

Comment 28 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

>>Max herds them into the store<<

Good old Max, that dog can herd.

>>Our biggest challenge now at SOLID Exchange is keeping stocked up with things to sell.<<

Mmmmm, I've got a few hundred things just waiting for you.

Comment 29 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

~Mark said: Mmmmm, I've got a few hundred things just waiting for you.~

Now we just need to figure out how you can get them to me. I wish I was thinking further ahead when you were here in the spring and I would have had you bring them with you!!! Doh ...

Comment 30 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

If you could get a van, we could meet up for a day in Seattle (or perhaps a little further north).

Comment 31 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

~Mark said: If you could get a van ...~

hmmm, I'm thinking the Clipper maybe? Exactly what is the volume of the stuff you have and how much do you think it would be to ship? Just trying to weigh cost effectiveness.

[Edit: Yeah, I did it!!! (the poster). Just playing with a new computer and tools.]

Comment 32 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Cool poster.

12 (maybe a couple more) huge boxes, probably $30-50 each to ship.

Comment 33 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Oh, wow! you do have a lot of 'stuff'. So that means the Clipper isn't going to work. Hmmm, wonder if Ray is going state side any time soon ... mind you I think he's busy with the new warehouse.

Comment 34 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

We might be heading hiking in the Cascades sometime in the next month...could easily do a side trip to pick up some stock for the SOLID exchange Mark! GORGEOUS poster, and congrats on the amazing accomplishments at the SOLID exchange...you are a visionary Meron!!! Looking forward to seeing you all at the concert...anything I can do from the big island??? Anna

Comment 35 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

That would be fantastic! Do you know when you will be going? If it's going to be later I could have Mark send me one box of mixed stuff for the Sieber event then get you to pick up the rest when you are there.

Don't think there is much you can do from the big island for the concert. I have been thinking we should put together an event thingy for FaceBook but I haven't tried doing that yet so am a bit timid. <hint, hint>

Luv 'ya XoX

Comment 36 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Very nice poster and I look forward to helping at the event! Great news on the $ generated by the Exchange, too!! Margery

Comment 37 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

The Thai Elephant Orchestra! If I had known with a little more notice, we could have had some Thai things for your table!

Comment 38 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

For those who can not make it to the concert or to Thailand, Journeyman Pictures has posted this video on the Thai Elephant Orchestra.

Comment 39 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Jami performing with the elephant orchestra.

"Hidden Sky music video produced by artist and film maker, Galen Garwood. The footage was filmed in Northern Thailand at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center where I (Jami) had the experience of playing music for elephants and with the Thai Elephant Orchestra. These remarkable beings have changed my life."

Comment 40 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Perfect Anna, if we can connect and I can get you boxes in time, (or even after) that'd be great. If after, I can ship an initial box in time for the event.

Comment 41 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

By sheer luck and coincidence (?) the `Merville Grandmothers textile art exhibit “Who Will Plant the Seeds of Hope?” will be displayed at ArtSpring the same weekend as the concert.

The show consists of 39 textile art pieces created by the North Island Quilters for Community Awareness. Each piece addresses a question about who will do the work that would normally be done by the people in Africa who are dying of AIDS. Themes include: "Who will plant the crops... Who will teach the children?... Who will carry the food to market?"

Please check out the website, these pieces are AMAZING! After the exhibit is over they will be auctioning off the pieces on-line, raising money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Comment 42 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Hi Mark! I spoke to Anna and she won't be coming your way until October. If you could send a mixed box ahead of time that would be wonderful. Check out sending the box by bus ... sometimes that can be a less expensive way to ship. I know Ray does it all the time. You can send it to the Victoria, BC bus station then they will get it to me.

Comment 43 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Strange, Greyhound doesn't ship US/Canada cross borders. Is there another major bus line?

Comment 44 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

RATS!!! that sucks ... not aware of one. hmmm wait, Pacific Coach Lines? off the top of my head.

Comment 45 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Gone to the Fall Fair!!!

Comment 46 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

I'll have 2 cherry please.

Comment 47 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

meron, i have six kits (packages of 2 tiles) ready to go with me here in boston. but i haven't got your address with me. can you email or pm? thanks!

Comment 48 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

:-)

At this point, I bet she would get it if you just send it to

Meron Moroz

c/o Solid Exchange

Salt Spring Island

Our Meron is "famous" there as opposed to infamous here!

Comment 49 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

~Shirley said: I'll have 2 cherry please.~

Listen kid, you don't get to order up, 'ya get what's coming out of the machine and at the moment it's green flavoured. pssst green is the bestest anyway!

Results from fundraising at the Fall Fair.

Cotton Candy/Candy Apples/Apples for Orphans Cards: $1,226.25
Donations: 66.74
Zelda: 275.00
Total: 1,567.99

Another good year. Thanks everyone for your help. It was a gorgeous weekend at the Fall Fair, the best in a long while.

Comment 50 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

~Lars said: meron, i have six kits (packages of 2 tiles) ready to go with me here in boston. but i haven't got your address with me. can you email or pm? thanks!~

Thanks Lars! I've pm'd you my mailing address. Much appreciated!

(pssst, thanks Linda! ; )

Comment 51 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Here are a couple pictures from the SOLID Exchange opening.

I’m pretty sure that is Evvy sitting on the stairs there.

Inside and open for business the first day.

Shop till you drop ;-)

Comment 52 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

I met the gal at the fair who received the bag hanging on the wall for her birthday. She loves it.

Comment 53 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Have written a thank-you note to B&B guest who gave me a donation of $50.00 and will send one to GVM for the donation of 3 bags of sugar. That machine is a license to print money. Zelda

Comment 54 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks for posting the pictures Mark. Seeing all the weeds in the garden prompted me to take these pictures yesterday when I was dropping off the last of the stuff. The garden has come a long way since the spring in large part thanks to Zelda, errr I mean mom. She has diligently been tending it.

Our new sandwich board out in the garden. So glad we won the recent round of "War of the Roses".

Comment 55 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Lars, if you haven't mailed off the Peace Tiles kits to my home address yet maybe it would be better if you send them to the SOLID Office, 125 McPhillips Avenue, SaltSpring Island, V8K 2T6. Thanks!!!

Comment 56 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

okay - will do - off to SOLID Office tomorrow am.

Comment 57 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

[Six kits, one "veggie tile" from Cabot School student, and two from Monica Nankoma's boys at Concern for the Future (Uganda) in the mail]. Good luck, and have fun!

Comment 58 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks a lot Lars! I'm so happy we are going to have some Peace Tiles kits. The tiles get a lot of attention in the shop.

Comment 59 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Meron, a box of products is coming and should be there this Thursday 9/25 via DHL. Assuming no hangups at the border, we should be in good shape.

Now we should be on a lookout for someone that will be heading by Portland on I-5 towards Salt Spring Island...and driving a fairly big truck/RV. There's still a few big boxes I'd like to get to SOLID for you guys to start selling and loads of great stuff!

Comment 60 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks Mark! that's wonderful. Did you send it to the office address or my home? Hopefully the office, mom will be in there tomorrow (Thursday) to receive it should it arrive on time.

Anna is coming down your way in October with a truck and she's willing to pick up the rest. We'll organize that after we get past this weekend and the Jami Sieber benefit concert.

Comment 61 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

>>Did you send it to the office address or my home>>

The Pallot address

>>Anna is coming down your way in October<<

Perfect, we'll plan after that.

Comment 62 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

That's the house. I'll leave a note on the door on my way out and hopefully they will leave it for me. Thanks for your help with this!!!

On the run ...

Comment 63 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

You bet.

If Anna is going to be heading thru Portland when I'm out of town at one of these conferences I'll make sure the boxes are all packed and ready to go, and will coordinate with Pam/Anna pickup time (and related details)

Comment 64 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks Mark, got the package!!! And during one of my many trips to the landr-o-mat to pick it up (yes the landr-o-mat is where we pick up our packages, what can I say it's a small island! and it did take a couple of trips before they would let me have it ... lost paperwork, duty confusion, restrictions on how I could pay LOL!!!) the post man dropped by the shop with a notice that there was also a package at the post office. It was the Peace Tiles ... thanks Lars, they are absolutely beautiful!

Today will be spent getting set up for this evenings event.

Comment 65 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

glad they've made it. good luck on the big night!

Comment 66 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Have a great evening. Happy all the international shipments worked themselves out.

Comment 67 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks guys! Appreciate your help with our efforts. Looking forward to this evening.

Comment 68 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

What's new and newsworthy? Any idea when Anna is going to be in Portland, I'm gone thru 10/3, then 10/10-10/15 and need to make sure things are boxed up for her...even more so if I'm out of town and need to more closely coordinate a pickup.

Comment 69 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

The Sieber concert was FANTASTIC!!! Don't know how much $$$ we made yet, still waiting to hear from ArtSpring, but better than that it was a wonderful community outreach for SOLID. Wine was served by SaltSpring Vineyards, and we had cheese donated by SaltSpring Cheese, Moonstruck Organic Cheese and bread from Bloom Breads. It's wonderful to have such community support. It was a magical evening.

Mini-SOLID Exchange set up in the lobby of ArtSpring

Knit Wit table

PS: I'll send Anna a note to chime in here about pick-up arrangements.

Comment 70 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Not SOLID Exchange but ...

When Mamello from HaMakhata visited us a couple of years ago for our Community to Community Conference she was a guest at the Frances Kelsey School on the big (Vancouver) island. One of the students that heard her spoke is now graduating. Two years ago the school began a tradition where by the graduating class spends their graduating year raising funds for a school in a developing country. Janet remembered Mamello and this year they want to focus on our school in HaMakhata. On Monday Sam and I met Sue at the Kelsey School and did a presentation for the Global Awareness Group.

I kicked off the presentation with an introduction.

Sue showed photos from her six month stay at HaMakhata last year.

It was a good turn out and the youth all listened atentatively.

Comment 71 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Oh, Lars I spoke to the kids about the Peace Tiles Project and they may be interested in doing a workshop on World AIDS Day. Sue is going back to Lesotho in the new year and will be able to take the mural to Mamello's school. I had a meeting with the youth at our local high school on Tuesday and they are willing to facilitate the workshop, will keep you posted.

Comment 72 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Great pix, and glad to hear things went so well.

Comment 73 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Meron, just enlivening to see your work grow. Let me know how I can help.

Comment 74 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Thanks guys! Appreciate your ongoing support. Lars, just to let you know Sam has made some beautiful Peace Tiles greeting cards that we have for sale at the shop. When I get some time I'll scan one in or better yet maybe I should send you some?

Comment 75 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

yeah!

Comment 76 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

One of the great things about the Sieber concert evening was to have the Merville Grandmother's textile exhibit there as well. It was totally serendipitous. I was so inspired by their work this morning I set about looking up 'stuff' about it (secretly I'm lusting after a couple of them LOL!). I was quickly sidetracked by this story about the Quinte Grannies for Africa calendar. I was moved to tears reading the article, thinking about all the things these grannies do, from riding bicycles long distances, to creating the most amazing textile art, baring all for a calendar and arranging scrabble tourneys. Stephen Lewis has inspired a generation to step up ... that makes me smile : ) I am in awe of their accomplishments and ambition; including our own Knit Wits and Raging Grannies here on SaltSpring.

Calendar

Textiles

"Stephen Lewis visited the display on June 27th and left the following comments in the guest book: "This is the most thrilling and accomplished artistic undertaking in the history of the Foundation. Thank You." The individual art pieces will be auctioned off in October by the Merville Grandmothers, with proceeds going to the Grandmothers Campaign."

Comment 77 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

The evening was an immense success thanks to certain peoples very hard work ;) As far as picking up more stock from Mark, looks like it may be later in Nov that we venture down to the North Cascades and Bellingham area....just in the process of moving house here in the next few weeks so can't squeeze a trip in for October...sorry!!! Let me know if that timeline will still work for Nov. Anna

Comment 78 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Meron, I am in love with the textiles as well. Have you ANY idea what kind of prices these pieces will bring? I don't want to inject an insulting bid and there is a piece (or two) that I would love to have as well so I would like to bid so that I might really get it (if I can afford it). Thanks for sharing.

Comment 79 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Me too. I loved "who will tend the gardens"

Comment 80 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

They are more beautiful 'in person' Linda ... unbelievable.

There are 38 pieces up for auction and I recall reading somewhere that they are hoping to raise $80,000.00 ... that kind of math is too steep for my pocket book but I'd love to have "Who will do the heavy work?" or "Who will take the food to market?". I felt like I could almost step in to the tapestry with those two.

Comment 81 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Meron Moroz said:

..... they are hoping to raise $80,000.00 ... that kind of math is too steep for my pocket book

Mine too .... :-(

Comment 82 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

SOLID Exchange (almost) 6 Month Financial Report

Gross: $5,541.00
Costs: $1,781.00
Net$: $3,760.00

Comment 83 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Super - kudos all!! How have peace tile kits sold?

Comment 84 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Hey Lars!

We've sold 4 of the 6 Peace Tiles kits so far. Half of the proceeds are going in to the <ned> account. The Peace Tiles cards Sam made are selling well and I just put in a second print order for the Peace Tiles calendar we made up.

Go Peace Tiles!!!

Comment 85 on SaltSpring & SOLID Exchange

Go Meron and SOLID!!