The Do Better Blog

New Soap, Old Bottle

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:28:00 +0000

via josh spear, i'm digging this new cleaning product, New Soap, Old Bottle. The company buys brand-name soap (Soft Soap, for instance) and bottles it in recycled bottles. Then sells.

District Cotton

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:42:00 +0000

I love the district cotton ethos and the art. go grab you some.

Interwoven donations - and a new donation partner!

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:37:00 +0000

The economy's downturn certainly affected sales over the holidays, but Interwoven's faithful came through to help those who live with hardship daily. We donate on a quarterly basis, and have donated shirts to reStart as well as a new Kansas City-area partner, USD 500 Homeless Liason Office (Kansas City, KS) . Additionally, sales of the white "Facade" shirt produced a monetary donation to Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest). Spend some time on the Feeding America site and learn of its services and even more important, the need that exists surrounding hunger.

Big thanks to all who have purchased in the last few months. Speaking of last few months...blogging has been incredibly light lately. It's a product of much business in my personal and professional (the day job) life. Not excuses and I've resolved to "do better."

Also, please note that all shirts are now only $25 online. Think of Interwoven as you think spring.

In fact, I'm going to start with the linkage now with a few things I've found inspiring recently.
Via CitizenBrand, two great campaigns raising awareness for homelessness.

donation time!

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:29:00 +0000

first of all, a big thanks to everyone who has chosen to do better by purchasing an Interwoven Threads T-shirt. this past quarter has seen big impact in a number of new donation opportunities and i'm humbled by the ways in which your purchase of one organic T has yielded meaningful donations across the U.S.

because of you, buying a shirt for yourself, duplicate T-shirts have been donated in Kansas City and Chicago (as part of our donation program via eco-boutique Grasshopper 510). additionally, a monetary donation has been made to reflect the $5-per-shirt model for the new white tees, to Feeding America, which was formerly America's Second Harvest.

november's an important month. it's National Homeless Youth Awareness Month. many of the recipients of donated Interwoven Threads are teens in Kansas City and Chicago. they are a population close to my heart and Interwoven's mission of leveling the playing field among the haves and have-nots. from the inception of Interwoven, i wanted to provide non-hand-me-down clothing that people could be proud to wear. and we all remember our teen years - they are tough enough. having some awesome threads can truly make a difference in one's day.

as i donate shirts, a lot of feedback circles around teens and children being able to pick the style and size they like and most reflects their personality. during this month of awareness, think about the challenges homeless youth face. think about the zits, the awkwardness, the opposite sex, the need for privacy and personal growth...and then magnify that by the fact that the kids we're trying to help also carry the burden of homelessness. it's a great reason to pause. and an even better reason to do better.

thanks again to those who've purchased - your choice to do better is paying off!

Human Powered Gym Bulks Up On the Green

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:08:00 +0000

Wondering how to get more out of your workout? Check this story on a human-powered gym in Seattle. Very cool.

September is Hunger Action Month

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:14:00 +0000

A quick reminder that September is Hunger Action Month. For ways you can help fight hunger in your community and around the country, click here.

Another way you can fight hunger is to purchase Interwoven Threads. For each of the new, freshly-inked white T's on the site, Interwoven Threads donates $5 to America's Second Harvest (now named Feeding America). It's a way you can look good and do better for those who need your help.

New threads available online!

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 02:07:00 +0000

check out the website for the two new designs - and a cool redesign of the Interwoven site!

based on customer comments, i've made the women's shirts longer in the torso - and these new shirts are super soft. even softer than the last designs. you'll love the way they fit.

also, again because of your comments, i created a new donation element. for every sale of the white threads, i'm donating $5 to America's Second Harvest to help fight the growing cost of food for lower income Americans. this will be a meaningful donation during a time when all of our budgets are stretched, but none so much as those who already were in need. the yellow threads will be the same one-shirt-donated-per-purchase model.

these shirts were designed by Suzanne Frye.

look good, do better.

In the audience: Kiva.org, Witness.org

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:55:00 +0000

i'm at an account planning (day job) conference in Miami this week and just had the privilege to listen to representatives of both Kiva.org and Witness.org speak. Kiva co-founder Jessica Jackley Flannery and Witness outreach manager Su Patel were brilliant. here are some notes i took:
• Both organizations thrive because of the Internet
o Connect people to the tools
o Tap into people’s need to form engagement
• Internet brings things far away, closer
• Orgs are powered by people energy
• Engagement is just as important as donation
• Both are constantly evolving and are OK with that
• What’s the stickiness of the social network?
• The difference between a donation and a loan is dignity (BRILLIANT!)

check both these orgs out...participate.

hi. i'm the blog that hasn't been updated.

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:16:00 +0000

things are busy - truly harried - in my world. interwoven threads is going gangbusters in spite of the new designs not yet on the web site (soon, i tell you, soon). meanwhile, the shirts are below, if you dig 'em, holler at me (andy(at)interwoventhreads(dot)com) and I can make it happen old school. or, if you're into the whole "shop at a store" thing, the new shirts will soon join the last three styles at Interwoven Threads two great retailers:
Chicago: Grasshopper 510
Kansas City: Gifted Hands

OK...so, a bit of inspiring "do-better" retailing here from the good folks at and who support 1% for the Planet.

it's another great way to do better with your purchases. and with the spread of brands supporting 1%, you're sure to find some of your favorites.

i'll update this as soon as the new shirts are ready to be purchased on line. then will watch e-commerce happen.

Do better this weekend! and new threads!

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:50:00 +0000

Want to do something entertaining AND meaningful this weekend? Join the Barclay Martin Ensemble at 7:30 this Saturday, June 7 in UMKC's Spencer Theatre. Local singer-songwriter Barclay Martin is collaborating with the global non-profit HALO and organic clothing company Interwoven Threads to raise money for HALO's newest international aid effort. The night of the concert, $1 from every CD sold as well as $5 from each Barclay Martin Ensemble and Interwoven Threads T-shirt will be donated to HALO. Martin hopes to raise $1,000 during the evening to fully fund the purchase of beds and bedding for 20 at-risk Ugandan girls in need of residence at the HALO orphanage in Kampala. The event will be sponsored by PresentMagazine.com.
Tickets available at the door.

You also will be able to purchase the BRAND NEW INTERWOVEN THREADS' summer line, before they are available on the Interwoven website.

More pics!

The girl who silenced the UN

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:06:00 +0000

This is powerful. A child's perspective on environmentalism from a very personal perspective.

Nau, now a then.

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:24:00 +0000

Just posted some thoughts on the closing of clothing brand Nau, over at WoolardSpeak.

who will be the green referees?

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:43:00 +0000

the dozen blog has a great post on Brita and Fiji water options' fight over who's the most green.

read it here. i don't know if this is a relevant argument, but for me the relevance lies within the possibility that brand competition now will be including "who's the most green." i think it's easy to see that a reusable filtration system - when paired with a reusable bottle - is much greener than a disposable bottle shipped miles and miles.

more of a moral of this story might be what do you, as a consumer, view as the line you'll cross or the greenness you'll expect from your favorite brands. are you your own green referee? do you rely on companies to tell you they are greener?

Sustain Newsladder

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:31:00 +0000

got a note from Klara at Sustain Newsladder after Alternative Consumer featured Interwoven Threads yesterday. been playing with Sustain Newsladder today and love the resource. it's a Digg-like site for sustainability.

check it out and bookmark it. better yet, start posting stories. i think SN will be a great resource for green and sustainable research (and blog topics!).

Interwoven Threads now at Crown Center

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:42:00 +0000

if you're morally opposed to mail or have a hatred for the Internet...or if you would dig another way to do better, get this: Interwoven Threads can be purchased at Gifted Hands in Crown Center. Gifted Hands is a boutique store with everything from handmade jewelery to abstract paintings. the best part of the store is that it's not just a store. Gifted Hands is a mission first, to educate and raise awareness among young women about domestic violence and abuse. some scary statistics on national and Kansas City-area domestic violence occurrences here.

each company/artist featured (Interwoven Threads, for instance) giving 40% of each sale to support Gifted Hands mission. in addition to a diverse store, a large meeting room is within the store where art projects, education and meetings can take place to raise awareness and fight domestic violence.

i am thrilled to be able to work with Gifted Hands. its innovative retail strategy is in line with Interwoven Threads, and the help and positive influence Gifted Hands provides is something i'm honored to support. it's a new way for Interwoven Threads to incorporate a donation aspect, and another way for you to spend your money with someone else in mind.

so, if you've purchased a couple shirts already, but want your money to go to a new cause, head over! the store is on the upper level between Franklin Covey and Halls.

also, the new shirt designs are done! big thanks to Suzanne Frye of Stir Frye Design. i'm currently in the manufacturing process, which now includes a more earth-friendly shirt color dye! i think everyone will be pleased. unfortunately, in the process of changing manufacturers and embarking on a new phase for Interwoven, time slows a bit. be patient! shirts soon.

The water bottle solution

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:13:00 +0000

i could go on and on and link and link about bottled water...we all know it's an evil enterprise and absolutely unnecessary. here's stephen colbert's take on it, in classic truthiness and humor.

my friend sara was in town this weekend and gave me a Platypus bottle. not only will it be great for travel, hikes and sport, but its anti-microbial and compact-construction sure beat my Nalgene and Sigg bottles, which I'm truly in love with. i've had my Sigg bottle since 2001, when I purchased it in London, and have a couple loving dents but otherwise no other sign of wear. it's still the freshest-tasting, most versatile bottle i own. even makes a great wine flask for movies. but i can tell the innovative Platypus will win me over soon enough.
whether Nalgene, Platypus or Sigg...or even a nice flashy pint glass from your favorite brewery, just use a reusable container when drinking your water. come on. even Colbert has your number on this one.

overdue update

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:09:00 +0000

things have been crazy in life and Interwoven world lately, but like all times harried in my world, i am loving each bit and looking forward to some new developments.

news:

new shirts! designs are finalized and i've included a new organic cotton manufacturer into the fold (apparel pun!), which should both create a new option for look and open up a wider color palate.

i'm truly stoked about the upcoming shirts and can't wait to share them!

also of note: Interwoven Threads will soon be available at Gifted Hands in Crown Center. Gifted Hands is a phenomenally inspirational organization devoted to educating and empowering girls on the topic of domestic violence and abuse. each sale of Interwoven Threads creates a donation of 40% to Gifted Hands! so, it's a new way to do better with your T-shirt purchases, as well as another way to buy should you have some sort of eCommerce allergy. the store is right next to Halls on the second floor.

new Web site coming! easier to buy, learn about donation options and hopefully more scalable to future growth!

i spoke to an amazing group of homeless advocates the other day (thank you, MAACLink), to share the Interwoven Threads story and will be meeting with the group again next month. as i told the group before i began yammering away, i was intimidated by the reach and work they do in the Kansas City community. it was refreshing to hear how much is going on and the breadth of resources available in this community.

also, Interwoven was featured alongside good friend and collaborator Barlcay Martin in Urban Times this week. check it out online by downloading the arts and entertainment PDF, page four.

more soon. if you haven't grabbed the current designs, now's the time to stock up on short sleeves. not to be a downer, but a couple of the designs are going to go away once they sell out...so grabb'em while i gott'em.

do something

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:37:00 +0000

via I Heart Mountains, a great guide to addressing global warming. simple steps, set in a visual map...it's the perfect image to pass on to friends and family.

Introspection

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:25:00 +0000

Jeff Risley posted an insightful take on corporate social responsibility, greenwashing and consumer demand for greener business. i added to his thoughts on WoolardSpeak. check 'em out.

Yvon Chouinard on Treehugger

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:05:00 +0000

two things that inspire me, and have continued to shape Interwoven Threads: Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard and Treehugger.

check out this interview with Treehugger Radio. audio or text available.

what does leading the "examined life" look like to you? to your consumption?

fashion and culture

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:20:00 +0000

just posted some thoughts and great links on fashion and its influence and representation of culture over at WoolardSpeak. check it.

Final 2007 shirt drop!

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:50:00 +0000

thanks to an amazing holiday sales blitz and an already-busy 2008, i had a lot of shirts to donate to reStart today. the best part of the donation was meeting a couple of the kiddos in their adolescent program who would get the shirts. these kids happened to be hanging around when i arrived, so they got first pick. many of the folks at reStart were excited to see the "green ones" appear. they've been wearing the blue and brown designs for the most part. after much prodding during the holiday photo shoot Rebecca and i did, i decided to print an extra run of the "green ones" for the final donation of 2007. thanks to the artist, sethy g.

we took these photos today, of two kids who were surely psyched to get some new threads. the boy pictured summed up the entire purpose of Interwoven Threads when one of the reStart employees said, "Do you want a T-shirt?" and he said, "Can I choose my own size?" that's the point, folks. so this little dude picked up a XL, as it was the style he was used to wearing and the style his friends wear. he threw the shirt on over his shirt immediately and began pointing out the make and models of the cars pictured. then, they were both excited to go tell the other kids there were new shirts downstairs.

both he and the girl pictured, who will move on from reStart within the month more than likely, got to pick the sizes they wanted and got a fresh piece of clothing none of their peers at school have ever seen! it's that type of reaction and those types of realizations that should make those of you who buy Interwoven proud. this is what we're trying to do. these reactions sum up "success" better than any QuickBooks balance sheet in my opinion.

i thank reStart for letting me use these photos to show all of you where your donations end up. and most of all, i thank those of you who have made Interwoven Threads part of your wardrobe. we are changing a little corner of our world.

i'm working out some new details for 2008's spring and summer shirts. the designs are done and a few (3!) new collaborations could launch late spring, so please stay tuned for new ways to do better with your purchases.

justin marable, inside the artist's studio

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:13:00 +0000

the man responsible for the interwoven threads homepage background and soon-to-be shirt collaborator, Justin Marable, is nicely profiled in the blog Designojek, which ironically is written by Dave Gnojek, a fella with whom i attended jr. high. small world, this kansas is. check out the pictures, and hit up Justin's website for more.

The LifeStraw

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:50:00 +0000

my friend Rebecca and i were having lunch awhile back and she mentioned the LifeStraw as something very relevant to the children she works with through her non-profit, HALO. we thought about adding an element to Interwoven Threads that would allow for the purchase of these amazing water-purifying straws through a collaboration between Interwoven and HALO. i was reminded of the LifeStraw last week while reading the EnviroMedia blog. thought it was high time to raise a bit of awareness for the invention TIME Magazine called the "best invention of 2005." i agree.

hit up the EnviroMedia blog for some great facts on water quality and shortage throughout our world.

how green is your candidate

noreply@blogger.com (Andy Woolard) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:30:00 +0000

Outside Magazine and Grist remind us to do a little fact checking on our candidates, as Super Tuesday hits. i'm looking forward to caucusing in Kansas tonight, and though i know my candidate, this link helps define all candidates green positioning.

another bit of green thought: Green Marketing Manifesto author John Grant gives a stunning and hopefully empowering recap of green in 2007.