Before, During and After Phoenix Fashion Week Event November 20, 2007

Oops!! It’s almost Thanksgiving already. I could not focus on the latest newsletter since the last couple of months have been so busy. I volunteered to be one of the select few planners for Phoenix Fashion Week this year, which was a tremendous amount of work and responsibility. Despite the time and effort involved, I am happy that I participated to help the local community, spread knowledge about Attapinya and meet many new people… it was worth it!

I gave so much attention to make sure that my responsibilities were carried out to the best of my ability and to work in a cooperate spirit so that the event could be smooth as possible. In addition to volunteering, Attapinya unveiled two new pieces on the runway and participated in the trunk show. I spent my energy to the last drop. It was a glorious ride that ended with my total exhaustion. One of the new pieces seen at the Phoenix Fashion Week is a stirring bracelet called Hope in Africa. The second showpiece, the Global Warming Bangle, is a gorgeous work of conscientious art.

Hope in Africa Bracelet was created to support the Partners in Malawi non-profit organization www.partnersinmalawi.org. Attapinya donated the first Hope in Africa piece to the PFW for the fund-raising auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to Partners in Malawi. Now, Attapinya is making this beautiful bracelet available to everyone. For each piece sold, 25% of the proceeds will go directly to Partners in Malawi. This is beautiful and well done design, perfectly suited to sponsor such a wonderful organization. I talked to Dr. Janson, the founder, and told him that I would love to volunteer to work at his clinic in Malawi, Africa. He joked that, as long as I do not mind paying for the $2,500 for the plane ticket, I am more than welcome along with anyone else who can do it. He is a very down to earth, well-meaning person. Already, he has inspired me to keep going with Attapinya and all the beautiful things I believe in strongly.

Global Warming Bangle is just a hit. We are already proud of this wonderfully original design, but knowing its potential to serve as a reminder for sustainable, responsible living makes us ecstatic!

The PFW was a four day event. Attapinya participated in the trunk show on Tuesday night, November 6. On the night of Thursday, November 8, we were featured in the runway show along with Sir Alister Rai. Sir Alister Rai www.siralistairrai.com features a beautiful line of clothes that carry a spiritual motif. I highly recommend that you look at their products for yourself. Kiran, the president of Sir Alister Rai, is a beautiful and amazing woman, I am thrilled that I got to partner up with her.

There were two reasons for Attapinya to get involved in the fashion event.

   First, we sought to inform people in the Phoenix valley about fair trade business and why it is so meaningful. It is too unusual to meet somebody in the area that understands the depth behind the act of purchasing. With a simple, informative wake up call, we hope that people will look further than price to discover that a well-informed purchase can make a positive impact on laborers and the environment compared to an irresponsible purchase.

   Secondly, we set out to ask people to live and act in consideration of the consequences of global warming and an exploding world population. Great change is afoot and it is our present lifestyle that will determine the lifestyle for so many down the road. Modern industrial life has blessed us with incredible convenience, but not without a cost. It is time for a pause in productivity, time to account for the side-effects and to ask ourselves, “how long can this last?” We believe that investing money and effort for cleaner living now is monumentally wiser than reacting to a predictable calamity.

Considering all the work that Attapinya did in preparation for and during the Phoenix Fashion Week, we are encouraged to see that the local media is listening to the voice of our action. We have tremendous hope that they will further publicize our responsible line of products and help create responsible shoppers for a happy humanity and a clean planet.

And finally, we hope you will enjoy to look at our latest video clip online www.youtube.com/attapinyadesigns. It provides an intimate view of the teamwork, the desire to learn, and the love for what we do, all the things that make Attapinya special.

Happy Turkey Day everyone!!

9 Things that you could recycle November 17, 2007

The useful sources from Co-op America to make our life easier in finding home for our unwanted objects. Hopefully, we all will do a little of our own effort to safe the earth and our own backyard before it turns into a landfill.

1. Cardboard boxes: Contact local nonprofits and women’s shelters to see if they can use them. Or, offer them up at your local Freecycle.org listsev or on Craigslist.org. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more boxes each month.

2. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to Aural Tech for refinishing, and they’ll work like new: 888.454.3223, www.auraltech.com. (For recycling see “Technotrash”)

3. Computers and electronics: Find responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html

4. Exercise videos: Swap them with others at www.videofitness.com (See “Technotrash”)

5. Eyeglasses: your local Lion’s Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need.

6. Foam packing peanuts: your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept these for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800.828.2214. For places to drop off form blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recycles, 410.451.8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html

7. Oil: Find Used Motor Oil Hotlines for each state: 202.682.800, www.recycleoil.org

8. Phones: Donate cell phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to people in developing countries: 770.856.9021, www.collectivegood.com. Call to protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com. Recycle single-line phones: Reclamere, 814.386.2927, www.reclamere.com

9. Tennis Shoes: Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring: www.nikereuseashoe.com. One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin, America, and Haiti: www.oneworldrunning.com

Technotrash program with GreenDisk is an easily program to recycle all of your CDs, jewelry cases, DVDs, audio and video tapes, cell phones, pagers, rechargeable and single-use batteries, PDAs, and ink/toner cartridges. For a small fee, GreenDisk will send you a cardboard box in which you can ship them up to70 pounds of any of the above. The fee covers the box as well as shipping and recycling fees. 800.305.GREENDISK, www.greendisk.com

We dedicated to what we love and want to do better October 28, 2007

Learn to be an effective shopper!! August 30, 2007

Everyone knows how important it is to recycle. Why let our old cans, bottles, and paper block landfills when we can turn them into new cans, bottles, and paper, and save resources in the process?

Toting our recyclables to the restrain for collection is only the first part. We also need to purchase products made from the materials we recycled which we call closing the loop.

To be an effective shopper, it’s helpful to know the terms companies use to define the kinds of recycled materials they’re using in their products and packaging. Understanding these terms will help you make the best choice and the biggest difference.

Virgin Materials

Virgin materials are created from things found in nature such as virgin paper is made from trees. These kinds of materials take the biggest bite out of the environment because they consume natural resources, and need large amounts of energy and water to turn themselves into usable commodities.

Pre-Consumer

Pre-consumer recycled materials are made from things that have been recycled at the point of manufacture rather than by consumers. For example, paper mills will take the scraps and roll-ends that are left over after a batch of paper is made and simply toss them back into the pulp machine. This type of recycling has been going on for as long as there have been factories.

Post-Consumer

Post-consumer materials are obtained from things people have actually used in their daily lives and then recycled at the home or office. Once your recyclables are collected, they’re taken to a processing center, sorted by type, and sent to manufacturers that use them in place of virgin materials.

The higher the percentage of post-consumer content a product contains, the more preferable it is.

Next time when you are shopping, look for and select products made with the highest amount of post-consumer content. If no post-consumer options are available within a particular product category, look for products with the highest amount of pre-consumer content. These aren’t as earth-friendly as post-consumer products, but they’re still better than products made from virgin materials, which you’ll have to use if no recycled content alternatives can be found.

If you really have to purchase products made from or packaged in virgin materials, look for those made out of materials your local recycling program accepts. It’s a way your purchase still can make a contribution to recycling and an important difference in the world.

A fan of Attapinya August 12, 2007

**Tara Christiansen**, my dear friend and a fan of my works. She and I become friends because God wants it.

It was one of amazing moments in my life of how we were getting to know each other. We was at the coffee shop, sat at the different table which not too far from each other, then I felt the beautiful energy from her directly toward me. Sound’s weird, isn’t it? I was so surprised with this energy movement, then with not doubt I got up and excused myself to tell her what was happening. Can you imagine how she should response to my approach? To make it short, it worked out great since she tuned into the energy right away. The conversation that day was on top of the world since I could share deep messages with her and she didn’t make a weird face J because she knew them as well.

I am honored to her support and feel very fortunate with the progress within Attapinya.

Tara still wears Attapinya, one of the first designs, necklace. It is such a good reminder to see how far we accomplish.

Attapinya Designs Accessorize Socially Responsible Consumers August 9, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Attapinya Designs, a privately-owned web based boutique, introduces one of a kind exquisite yoga accessories and bags handcrafted by a team of artisans in Thailand. Since its inception in 2004, Aphinya Deley, Founder and Chief Designer, has transformed her love of nature and Yoga into a socially responsible line of Yoga jewelry and bags whose production enhances the lifestyle of not just the yogi consumer, but the artisans themselves. An ardent supporter of the Fair Trade Federation social movement, Attapinya adheres to high business standards and environmental principles that benefit low-income artisans and laborers in developing countries in order to create economic self-sufficiency.

 

Not just socially and economically responsible, Attapinya accessories also represent spiritual growth and the fusion of nature, yoga, and cultural diversity inspired by Deley’s travels as a former professional Thai dancer and her avid passion for the spiritual practice of Yoga. Intricately crafted bracelets, necklaces, and earrings adorned with global symbols including om, peace, and infinity, in 18K gold, turquoise, black garnet, citrine, and pearl add an inspiration for harmonious living to consumers from a variety of backgrounds. Each piece represents a personal statement or mantra and the website promotes a personal shopping experience that guides consumers to determine what is the right piece for them.

 

For the Yogi and Yogini enthusiasts, Attapinya’s luxurious yoga bags are woven in bold colors of silk or cotton and adorned with traditional Thai patterns, symbols, and alphabet characters. Another testament to honoring individual style, Attapinya’s yoga bags are one of a kind and handcrafted by skilled artisans one at a time making each product individually unique.

 

Attapinya’s designs are fashioned by a five-person team that creates luxurious and intricate prints for the boutique’s line of yoga bags and jewelry that includes bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants. Attapinya’s design team includes Worapan, yoga bag designer and her jewelry designers including: Boodsara, Karunee Tengprasert and Wirawan Keereepetch. The close nit team pulls from their background to create products that are built upon the company’s mission of creating high quality and beautifully handcrafted products. Available exclusively online, Attapinya bags and accessories can be purchased directly from the website, www.attapinya.com.

For more information on Attapinya, plese visit www.attapinya.com. For media inquiries, please contact Brosseau PR at (480) 247-8090.

A fan of Attapinya July 26, 2007

Shane Wilson is a great friend who has practiced meditation and yoga for many years.
Right now he teaches meditation at his house www.meditationlearningcenter.com and at Inner Vision Yoga studio in Chandler Arizona.
He loves Attapinya’s yoga bags exclusively.

What shane have to say about Attapinya………………..
Prior to using at the Attapinya yoga bag I would pull my car into the yoga studio parking lot and feel unorganized
whilst scrambling for my clothes and yoga mat. Now I feel more confident, and although I am excited to get into the yoga class, I just simply grab my yoga bag and I’m on my way. These bags look great; they are very stylish and practical.
Every yogi and yogini should have one.

Attapinya’s fan which i’m honored July 10, 2007

Is that amazing when the whole day doesn’t seem to go well, and you just caught up in that miserable situations then a little miracle thing happen and just light you day up again!

It’s amazing (to me) and I enjoy and appreciate those miracles deeply. So many times the miracles are transferring from my honor fan (Kathy M Poscharsky). We are connecting in a spiritual level to one another even though we never meet in person. Every time when I thought of her, it is because of she was thinking of me. I will not ever find the proper words to express this beautiful feeling. Maybe it’s better not to

She is a big fan of Attapinya since she is able to connect with the energy within my works. I’m so delightful and have a great honor for this beautiful person.

She has so many beautiful things to say about my works, and those words are keeping me up.

“Your new “World Peace” and “Peace Symbol” jewelry is perfect. Once again, the weight, quality and beauty of your jewelry make me feel good when I wear it.”

“I recall Deepak Chopra saying we should all desire, dream, hope and wish for “World Peace.” Then, when enough individuals are focused on “world peace” and there are significantly more “peace lovers” than “war mongers”…world peace will occur. I’m using your jewelry as a subtle “tool” to achieve that goal.”

“So dear one, take care. And thank you again, for your brilliant array of jewelry designs.”

A Fan of Attapinya Yoga bags and jewelry July 8, 2007

 

 

Julie Dreyer, a certified yoga instructor, she is teaching yoga classes at Inner Vision Yoga Studio (www.innervisionyoga.com) in Chandler, Arizona. She is a big fan of Attapinya jewelry, and she dearly loves the moonstone bracelet she bought from us. I was so happy to have a chance taking her beautiful pictures when we met at chanting on Friday July 6′07. I have to say that night she looked stunning and the bracelet looked nicely and bright on her wrist.

 

This is the impression which she has been shared with us… “I’ve had the bracelet for at least a year now. I absolutely love it and so does everyone else! I get so many compliments. It is so beautiful and unique, with the pewter 3 OM symbol and roses and the moon stone gems. The intricacy of the work is so impressive, very high quality.”

 

Health food maker promotes “China-Free” products July 7, 2007

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - It’s bound to go down the wrong way in Beijing: A U.S. health food company will label its products “China-Free” to ease concerns about contamination.

Food for Health International, based in Orem, Utah, makes whole food nutritional supplements for people and pets, and President Frank Davis said the company will begin trumpeting the fact none of its ingredients come from China.

Plans call for a “China-Free” sticker on products such as Food for Health’s “9 a Day-Plus” capsules, “Active Adults” whole food shakes and “Healthy Dog” supplements. The company also will use “China-Free” in advertisements and promotions.

“It is a response to the (headlines) coming out, and we are taking a position that we are not the only ones reading them,” Davis told Reuters, referring to news stories detailing contaminated products linked to Chinese manufacturing.

Food for Health’s products are made from organically grown foods processed and packaged in the United States without chemical additives, company executives said.

Consumer awareness that products from China may be tainted has greatly increased in recent months since contaminated pet food made by Canadian-based Menu Foods Income Fund and other manufacturers made its way onto U.S. retail shelves.

The food, tainted by the industrial chemical melamine from China, was sold in more than 100 brands and is being probed as the possible cause of illness and death in thousands of pets.

The scare has put a spotlight on food items and chemicals from China, ranging from fruits and vegetables to toothpaste and phone batteries, and it has heightened global scrutiny of products with ingredients from that country.

China has tried to rein in substandard food and drug makers, and just last month a government agency said it shut down 152,000 food processors in 2006 alone.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires seafood to be labeled showing its origin, but not meats and produce. While government officials, manufacturers and consumers are all discussing ways to better label products, no group yet appears to have come up with a “China-Free” promotion.

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The story by Bob Tourtellotte