Sale on Ecoforms Pots & Saucers!

Urban Bazaar is having a 30% off SALE on all EcoForms plant pots & saucers now through July 1st! If you love the low price of plastic pots, but hate the fact that they’re plastic… then EcoForms are for you!

Made from sustainable and renewable plant by-products, these pots are affordable and NOT PLASTIC! A great eco-alternative to cheap plastic pots, and they’re pretty too! In colors like Harvest, Avocado, and Ebony, you just can’t go wrong. Come on down to Urban Bazaar (1371 9th Ave, San Francisco) for 30% off all EcoForms plant pots & saucers, now through July 1st.

Fair Trade Fashion Show- this Saturday!

Fair Trade Fashion Show & Garden Party

Sat. July 9th, 1-3pm

Find fantastic Fair Trade Summer outfits from SET Boutique!

Here’s a fun opportunity to shop with a conscience! SET Boutique will be in our back garden showcasing some fantastic outfits and accessories from a number of different Fair Trade clothing companies. All clothing and accessories will be on sale from 1-3, with a fashion show starting at 1:30pm. There will be light refreshments available, too. So come on out to Urban Bazaar for a fashionable afternoon this Saturday!

… oh, and did I mention, Urban Bazaar will be giving 15% off all Mata Traders jewelry! From one of the same companies whose clothing will be for sale through SET Boutique, Mata’s jewelry pieces will make great compliments to the outfits you’re sure to find!

To preview some of the items that will be available, visit SET Boutique at www.SETBoutique.com.

URBAN BAZAAR & the economy.

While on my mundane Wednesday morning public transit commute to the store, I picked up a copy of the San Francisco Bay Guardian. The first sentence I read in the Editor’s Notes section asked,

“Does anybody else feel as if the whole country is collapsing around us?”

It went on to describe some of the more outrageously frustrating things happening in our government in relation to the economy. I felt angry, disheartened, and downright pessimistic while reading.

Then I realized I was at my stop, and I gathered my things to get off the train and come open up shop for the day. And it struck me- what we’re doing here, every day at URBAN BAZAAR, is incredibly empowering. There’s no way for this not to sound cheesy. But we’re making a real difference with the work that we do . And by supporting Urban Bazaar, our customers- YOU- are contributing in a very important way to making the world, including our local and national economy, better too.

Want to know how, specifically?

I did the math this morning, and it turns out that Urban Bazaar, in less than 9 months in business, has spent over $60,000 on Fair Trade & locally made goods. That’s a $60,000 direct injection of money into the economy- and every penny has gone towards good that are ethical, eco-friendly, handcrafted, and all around good for the world.

To break it down:

• We have purchased $25,815.17 worth of Fair Trade goods that support poor, disadvantaged artisans around the world. This has helped keep women out of sex slavery, children fed and educated, and families empowered to operate their own small businesses.
• We have purchased $34,227.20 worth of local- and US-made goods. Most of this money  has gone into the crafty hands of Bay Area artists, and a small percentage has gone to companies based in the US who follow ethical labor and environmental practices.

photo courtesy of Asha Imports

I hope you find this information as inspiring as we do, and feel good knowing you’ve been a part of making this possible. With your continued support, we can continue to grow and become an ever larger contributor to global well-being.

Visit Urban Bazaar at 1371 9th Ave, San Francisco CA. (415) 664-4422.  Soon you’ll be able to shop on our website, too!

Announcing… Vagabond Indie Craft Fair!

Vagabond Indie Craft Fair to be held at URBAN BAZAAR!

When? Saturday, April 30th, 11am to 5pm

What? Over a dozen local artists & craftspeople, selling their handmade wares in our awesome backyard. Plus tasty vegan food from Raw Daddy Foods!

Here’s a preview of some of the artists who will be selling their work…

Unique crocheted jewelry by Even Howard.

Vintage inspired accessories by Feather and Branch.

Note•ify

Eco-friendly, farm chic note cards and paper products handmade in San Francisco.

For more information, visit the Vagabond website. (It might be a few days before it’s updated- please keep checking back!)

Much Craftiness Coming Your Way!

March is a huge month at URBAN BAZAAR for crafting! Here are some upcoming events we have scheduled.  All will take place at URBAN BAZAAR, 1371 9th Ave (between Irving and Judah), San Francisco. (415) 664-4422.

Quick Calendar: March 13th, BYOB Craft Night, 5-8pm …………………….. March 16th, GoGo Craft Workshop: Make Your Own Fingerless Gloves, 7:30-9:30pm …………………………………………………………………………………. March 30th, Collage Workshop, 7-9pm …………………………………………….. March 31st, BYOB Craft Night, 7-9:30pm

BYOB Craft Nights!

Sunday March 13th, 5-8pm and Thursday March 31st, 7-9:30pm.

No, you’re not seeing double… We are indeed hosting TWO craft nights this month! Also known as BYOC (Bring your own craft, bring your own chair), Craft Nights are free, after-hours crafting sessions. All you  have to bring is a project to work on (sewing, knitting, sketching, or anything else you don’t need a machine to do!), and we’ll provide snacks and friendly, crafty company. If you’d like, you can bring a bottle of wine or a 6pack to share, too! (All ages; 21+ if you plan to drink)

Wednesday March 16th, 7:30-9:30pm: Upcycled Fingerless Glove Workshop with GoGo Craft!

In this workshop you’ll learn how to make a shrunken sweater into a pair of cozy fingerless gloves.  Not too handy with a sewing machine?  Not to worry! This low sew project can be completed in under 2 hours with our patterns and a needle and thread.

$20 admission to the event includes all materials for the project, pattern, and expert instruction.

Space is limited – so click here to  reserve your spot now!

Wednesday March 30th, 7-9pm,”A March Burning” Collage Workshop

Join us in this gathering with other women where we will use writing,
intention and FIRE in a process to help us let go of that which no
longer serves us, using discussion, writing and a burning ceremony to
release old ideas and create a beautiful open space in our hearts,
minds and spirits for that which comes next to help us along our
paths.

Warm delicious tea and all writing/burning material will be provided.
Limited space, please RSVP to secure your participation!

Join us and lighten up – emotionally, mentally and literally – as we
gather with other women, collectively releasing the old and welcoming in the new. (Please bring a warm jacket, as this will take place outside for part
or all of it and it is the Inner Sunset at night.)

Sliding scale of $10-$15 to help pay for materials. Register in advance at URBAN BAZAAR (415) 664.4422.

Fair Trade Fashion!

We held a fantastic, fun, and successful Fair Trade Fashion Night at Urban Bazaar last night, with S.E.T. Boutique. (Photos courtesy of Attic Floc, SF Station.)

One of our lovely models

Lindsay, the owner of S.E.T. (stands for Support Ethical Trade), brought a great selection of Fair Trade clothing, jewelry, and handbags, which were modeled during the fashion show and were offered for sale at a 40% discount during the party. Here are some more photos of the evening!

S.E.T. owner Lindsay, with friend

Urban Bazaar owner Briana (right) with friends

Looking at SET Boutique Clothing

Urban Bazaar owner, Brandi

Modeling Fair Trade Fashion

Ethical Fashion just looks so good

To see more of Attic’s incredible photos, check out the SF Station photo guide here. For updates about all of the great (and free!) event we hold at Urban Bazaar, sign up for our email list here or “Like” us on Facebook.

Next events to come soon…

BYOB Craft Night, Sunday March 13th 5-8pm

Upcycled Fingerless Glove Workshop with GoGo Craft, Wednesday March 16th, 7:30-9:30pm.

BYOB Craft Night, Thursday March 31st, 7-9:30pm.

Outdoor indie craft show, sometime in April to be announced.

URBAN BAZAAR, 1371 9th Ave., SF CA 94122. (415) 664-4422. www.UrbanBazaarSF.com

URBAN BAZAAR Presents:

Fair Trade Fashion Night, Saturday Feb. 26th, 7:30-9:30pm; fashion show at 8pm.

Join URBAN BAZAAR and S.E.T. Boutique owner Lindsay Sullivan for a fun night of Fair Trade fashion. Lindsay just returned from Nepal and will be sharing with us her new line of Fair Trade hand-knit sweaters she had created there. There will be a fashion show at 8pm, and plenty of opportunities for trying on her great designs. We will have free wine too, and Lindsay is offering exclusive discounts on her sweaters and other fantastic Fair Trade accessories at this one-night-only event!

Held at URBAN BAZAAR, 1371 9th Ave (btw. Irving & Judah), San Francisco. (415) 664-4422.

Featured VDay Gift, Day 3!

Every day until Valentine’s Day, URBAN BAZAAR is featuring a socially conscious gift item. These great gifts are handmade with love, and many are eco-friendly, helping us love the earth. They are all either Fair Trade or made by local artisans, helping us show some love for handcrafted art. And all can be found at URBAN BAZAAR, 1371 9th Ave, San Francisco. (415) 664-4422

Today’s Featured Gift: Cookie & Brownie Mixes!

These tasty oatmeal chocolate chip cookie mixes and “sinfully delicious” brownie mixes come from the Women’s Bean Project of Denver, CO.

“Since 1989 we have been helping women break the cycle of poverty and unemployment. We are a nonprofit organization that teaches job readiness and life skills for entry-level jobs through employment in our gourmet food production and handmade jewelry manufacturing businesses. Women come with the goal of transforming their lives and moving toward self sufficiency.”

Your purchase of these tried and true mixes will benefit this amazing program that has helped so many women transform their lives- and you’ll have a great freshly-baked gift to give for Valentine’s Day too! (We’ve tried them both… yum)

$7.50 each, available now at URBAN BAZAAR.

 

 

Valentine’s Gift Countdown, day 4!

Every day until Valentine’s Day, URBAN BAZAAR is featuring a socially conscious gift item. These great gifts are handmade with love, and many are eco-friendly, helping us love the earth. They are all either Fair Trade or made by local artisans, helping us show some love for handcrafted art. And all can be found at URBAN BAZAAR, 1371 9th Ave, San Francisco. (415) 664-4422

Today’s Featured Gift: Tiny Little Hearts!

These adorable Fair Trade hearts are all handmade in Africa. The tiny colorful ones are soapstone, the wood hearts are made from beautiful, rich olive wood, and the large hearts are recycled glass. From $3-$5 each, these will make a great little addition to your other Valentine’s Day gifts!

Valentine Gift Countdown: Days 8 & 7!

Every day until Valentine’s Day, URBAN BAZAAR is featuring a socially conscious gift item. These great gifts are handmade with love, and many are eco-friendly, helping us love the earth. They are all either Fair Trade or made by local artisans, helping us show some love for handcrafted art. And all can be found at URBAN BAZAAR, 1371 9th Ave, San Francisco. (415) 664-4422.

Day 8 (we were closed so you get 2 in one): Fair Trade Chocolate from  Divine Chocolate, “Heavenly Chocolate with a Heart”

With flavors like Milk Chocolate with Spiced Cookies, Dark Chocolate with Raspberries, and White Chocolate with Strawberries, you’re sure to impress your sweeties with your great taste in delicious sweets! Large bars (pictured) are $5 each, and smaller bars are $3 each.

Day 7: Flower Lapel Pins from Nepal

These adorable (and very popular) flower pins are handknitted in Nepal from100% wool. They are made by ACP, a fair trade cooperative that offers economic freedom, empowerment, and opportunity to hundreds of Nepali women. These flowers are designed in Arcata CA by sisters Gayle & Andrea Shackleton of Hot Knots & Tara Handknits, a woman owned business.