I Grew Up Buying Stuff



I remember when I got my first job and used it to fund clothes, jewellery, bags, stationery and other stuff. I didn’t think a lot about the effects of what I was doing – on myself as well as on others and the planet. I didn’t question the ideologies that got me so invested in this earning-buying-cycle.

And then, when I learnt about the environmental and social damage being done through my shopping habits, they didn’t just disappear. Because a knowledge of the consequences isn’t necessarily enough when a pattern has been with you for your whole life and you aren’t aware of how it works.

There is no denying that Australians love to shop, but our obsession with consumption is disastrous for the planet and it is adding little to our wellbeing. We are purchasing things, not to fulfil our basic needs, but to make social statements about ourselves.

When I became a parent I adopted a new way of thinking… where are the things coming from that I am using, and who am I buying them from? Where is it going to go when I’m done with it? How can I use things that already exist, instead of asking the planet to continually contribute more resources?

I dream of living closer to nature, having space to grow food, having a small ecological footprint, and being part of a sustainable community and dismantling the guilt, shoulds and self-judgment. Feeling good plus doing good....

Sow 'n Sow Interview& Giveaway

Meet green-thumb Michelle and discover her creative plant products as she tell us about her plans to make the world a little bit greener one precious seed at a time...

Hi Michelle. Thanks for the chat... Can you tell us a little about yourself and your work?

I guess you could say that I’ve had a pretty varied professional life which started at the ripe age of 19 when I was working full-time in television. I found early success in journalism then branding, advertising and marketing.  I also lived in London for two and a half years, and it was there that I discovered some incredible inner city parks and nurtured my love of gardening.  After tending to my own little patch of dirt in our suburban courtyard, it wasn’t long before I became a green-thumb and hooked on gardening! I still can’t explain just how much joy I get from picking fresh veggies from my own garden and seeing them on my dinner plate! I now work full-time on Sow ‘n Sow, which is the business I started to develop early in 2010.  The ethos/philosophy of Sow ‘n Sow is to combine the world of creative design with that of the natural world.  I’ve created a range of organic seed gifts (‘Gifts of Seeds’) and am also exploring other creative plant products including Airiums.  These are like terrariums, but consist of air plants arranged in beautiful, unique vases.  Basically, I’m trying to bring as much of the living plant world into peoples lives as possible.

 To what degree does a commitment to the environment influence your range? 
Sow ‘n Sow is an outlet for me to express my wish for a better environment, combined with my love of design. It’s great that I’m able to make a living doing something that I love. It makes me happy that my business encourages positive actions like edible gardening. It’s a great way to get the public actively involved in reducing their carbon footprint and it’s not just about the food miles but also the drive to the store, the refrigeration in the store, the pesticides on the farms etc. If Sow ‘n Sow is able to encourage communities to grow their own produce, then I believe we’ll be taking a step in the right direction. Home grown produce is fresher, healthier and so much more satisfying to eat than the products you buy from supermarkets. The products themselves are designed to be as good to the earth as possible.I use FSC certified paper stocks, 100% recycled envelopes, soy based inks, and I’m constantly on the hunt for new ways to improve the eco-friendliness of the product.The seeds are also organic and sourced from certified organic suppliers. It’s more expensive to do it this way, but the environmental and health benefits of using seeds that aren’t genetically modified or chemically treated far outweigh the extra costs.

Tell us about the seeds and the beautiful packets and where you get them?
My products are ‘Gifts of Seeds’ - gift cards that double as a packet of seeds.  They are ideal as a small gift or to add to a larger gift. They are designed to get people excited and involved with the world of gardening. The packets are made in Melbourne and I work with two incredibly talented designers at The Mangrove Studio to achieve a high design standard. We have created a range that covers all seasons.  Spring/Summer options include; Sunflowers, Chilli and Basil and Autumn/Winter options include; Poppies, Forget-me-nots and Oregano. You don’t need a big backyard to enjoy the gifts since most of them are perfect for a window ledge, apartment balcony or garden.   It’s a gift suited for everyone! We’re also able to customise the ‘Gifts of Seeds’ for bonbonniere and corporate promotions. I recently customised an order for a large pet care company’s event which included three custom packets; Catnip for kittens, Wormwood for dogs (it’s a great flea repellent!) and Marigolds (also a bird seed!). 
 

Why did you start Sow n Sow?

I’d wanted to start a business for many years, but didn’t know what my business would be or where to start.   All I knew was that I needed to do something that challenged me creatively, that I was passionate about and that I could be in control of.  Creating Sow ‘n Sow has enabled me to live this dream and encourage positive actions at the same time. In my eyes, it was a win, win situation! 

Of course, I have to ask…what is your favourite flower?
Daffodils!   When I was living in London I was amazed how they popped up absolutely everywhere early in Spring! The parks become covered with their perfect yellow bulbs and it was always so beautiful and refreshing after a long, cold winter.  I used to buy bunches of them from street vendors for one pound so that I always had a vase full in my bedroom.

What is one thing you absolutely love doing? I absolutely love visiting gardens!   There are some amazing gardens in the world and discovering all the plants and flowers and vegetables really makes me happy.  I also find gardens very inspiring and often catch myself unconsciously building my dream garden in my head when I’m meant to be working!  My partner and I are hoping to move out of the City in the near future.  That’s where my dream of a big, luscious veggie patch with chickens and goats will come to life!  Watch this space. 

*~ *~* GIVEAWAY *~*~*

Michelle has kindly given us one of each of the 'Gifts of Seeds'   to give to 6 lucky facebook friends.   These boutique gift cards double as a packet of organic seeds and are made using environmentally friendly materials. For your chance to win one of the Poppy, Forget-me-not, Oregano, Basil, Sunflower and Chilli varieties, just visit our facebook page and tell us which one you love

 
Enter Here

Introducing our lovely little backyard veggie patch

We have recently settled into our new home in beautiful Northern NSW and I have had the absolute pleasure of helping my two young boys set up their new backyard veggie patch. I have given them complete free range with it. It has been so much more fulfilling for them if I just let them go...and just look at what they have produced, I am impressed!

Green Christmas Challenge

Christmas is almost upon us again. It’s the time of year when we do things to excess and sometimes end of year celebrations can end up feeling like they are just about mass consumption. I am hoping that everyone has a jolly green Christmas this year, but for me that doesn’t mean a plastic green Christmas tree and oodles of tinsel decorating your home – it means organic, sustainable, recycled, eco-friendly and all those other lovely earth-conscious words.

I’ve had enough of overcrowded shopping centres and I don’t want to celebrate another Christmas that has ‘Made in China’ stamped all over it. This year, I want beautiful handmade gifts and eco-friendly tree decorations. So I’ve set myself the challenge of having a green Christmas, and I want to get as many other people as possible doing the same and sharing their ideas and discoveries with each other.

Do you have any fabulous eco wrapping paper ideas? Have you made a gorgeous upcycled tree decoration? Perhaps you have created something festive from your op shop find? I am inviting everyone to participate, by linking your own green Christmas related items back to this blog. If you have anything green to share, please attach your link below using McLinky and join me in my Green Christmas Challenge.

Things are changing

Have you started to see the signs? They are small, but they are there... the signs of a new future, where consumption (and life), will take on an entirely new concept and will concentrate on one thing – meaning.

I believe that this quest for meaning will be one of the core drivers of the 21st century. There is some sort of shift taking place right now around the world as people start to move towards building a new sustainable world where ethics and eco principles set the standard.

This shift is coming from the ground up, there is no leader, no spokesperson, no ideology. It is the biggest movement in human history where “quality of life” replaces “standard of living”.

The world is going to change, but it is up to us to decide how it is going to change.

Hidden Laneway's

Recently I went along to the new Valley Laneway Market. It was a wonderful, sunny day spent eating brekky and sipping coffee and following the map to find the lanes tucked away in the Valley consisting of three areas: California Lane, Little Winn Lane and Bakery Lane. It was so great to see these hidden laneway's open up into something magical... The buzz was infectious and I can't wait to visit again.

For those who have not heard, you can now discover the Valley's hidden laneways, offering art, fashion, design, accessories and more, it is sure to become a quintessential Sunday session.

Inspirational Artisan Stories - For Lucy

Ethikl had the pleasure in visiting Gillian at Capalaba Markets near Brisbane and chatting to about her artisan range of gorgeous handmade and natural skincare For Lucy. We were absolutely delighted to discover the wonderful story behind her down-to-earth range of products.

Gillian has been a wildlife carer for 12 years and as a wildlife carer, she often gets tiny, pink, hairless babies to care for, we were absolutely flabbergasted when she produced a tiny pink little bundle who had been nestled inside her shirt to keep warm while she worked at the markets selling her products

Gillian told us how it all started with a tiny swamp wallaby named Lucy who she received as a tiny furless joey. Her eyes were not yet open, and she weighed about 200g. During the course of her rehabilitation, she developed a severe skin problem, and not wanting to use the commercial creams so full of preservatives and mineral and petroleum oils, Gillian did some research and began to make her own.

“After lots of trials, mistakes and disasters, I have found a passion for creating gorgeous moisturisers from fresh plant oils, and soaps also from plant oils. From that starting point, it has grown. I still care for wild babies, and still care for their skin using the balms and creams I make.” Gillian told us while we huddled around her and watched the tiny little bundle she held in hands for us to see.

While we chatted to Gillian we also had the opportunity to sample her uncomplicated yet heavenly range. Her Heavy Duty handcrafted cream is rich and gentle, based on olive oil, macadamia oil and avocado oil and her delicious smelling Coco2 Cream is to die for with a delicious blend of coconut and rice bran oils. Gillian also has a large range of handmade soaps that smell beautiful and are incredibly well priced for such generous sizes.

We were greatly impressed with the For Lucy products and her inspirational story behind them. For Lucy is a simple, affordable, handcrafted range of products that has been lovingly made with the best local produce that Gillian can find and to know that her products are so natural that they can be used on such tiny fragile little creatures really means you can really trust them.

Visit the For Lucy store http://www.ethikl.com.au/forlucy

Our International doors are open!

We are excited to announce that we have launched international shipping and selling today. Yipee!

Thanks to all the international ethical shoppers who have patiently watched our site, dreaming of all it’s loveliness…

We are continually amazed by the enormous support that is coming our way. Thank you all for your energy, support, contribution and love.


Help us out by linking to our marketplace, blogging about the wonderful world of ethical shopping, and telling all your friends to have a look.


Peita x

Meet the Maker - Celtsmith

Name: Peter Wright
Shop: Celtsmith
Location: Deep in the forest, Nearest town Grafton, Australia.

 Visit Store

Tell us a bit about yourself and what makes you happy?
Busy people are happy people and there are not enough hours in my day. It is magic of making something beautiful and facinating from some very plain materials and then finding someone to love it .

What do you make, and how are your products environmentally friendly?
I paint, pot, draw, do woodwork , play music and every day make jewelry (jewellery) from found materials. Usually old cutlery, silver dishes, stones and recycled copper. All this gets done in a studio powered by solar electricity, totally solar.

Why did you start making earth-friendly goods?
There is so much inspiration in found objects. They are cheap or free. They do not increase our impact in the planet.

What's your favourite thing you've ever made? Why?
My house, It is small, beautiful, functional, collects its own water and uses solar electricity from my studio.

What's your #1 tip for living greener?
Before you buy something ask yourself "do I need it or do I just want it"

How long have you been creating?
Since I was a child, my mother would always be interested in something we had made. It has been my life since about 1970

Last but not least, why do you believe that supporting ethical consumerism is important?
It provides an avenue to undo a little of the damage we have done to the earth.

Lots of Shiny New Things!

We're excited to launch a complete site redesign and lots of new features on the ethikl marketplace....come and have a peek and tell us what you think

Improved artisan profiles

Research groups routinely comment on the joy they find in connecting with an artist, a real person, at the point of sale. Transferring that connection to a virtual environment has always been a challenge, but this week Ethikl introduced a feature to bring that "virtual" connection a step closer to reality.

The improved artisan profile provides you, as a seller, the opportunity to introduce yourself to a customer. Rather than being just another seller in a marketplace, your profile gives you a chance to put your personal story, add your logo and location and a photo of yourself and your behind the scenes photo. The artisan profile shows your customers your picture, your story, your inspiration.

At ethikl, we want to create a community so we have also added morespace for you to link to your other social sites like Facebook, Twitter, and your personal offsite blogs, and ev your own websites. We want to help you grow your business and increase your online footprint and encourage ethical shopping.

The new profile gives you more space to take that real life connection that buyers enjoy in real life and transfer that into a virtual environment. The improved profile links are found in "store setup". Login to your ethikl store now and start uploading your info!

And finally...

A big, big thanks to everything who has supported us so far. We are really appreciate the feedback we get and want to thank everyone who has shopped or sold or promoted Ethikl up to now. Do visit us today to see the fabulous things on offer. http://www.ethikl.com/

Road Trip to Nimbin

I don't need much of an excuse to take a road trip....I've been doing it all my life and love it, but now with Ethikl, I have plenty of reasons to pack up the car and hit the highway on a road trip. This weekend we headed down to Uki and Nimbin in Northern NSW on our search for new ethical designers to come and join our growing community.

It was a beautiful drive down, I am still awestruck by the natural landscape that was all around us...

http://www.markets.nimbincommunity.org.au/

Our first stop was the Nimbin Markets where we discovered some amazing jewellery designers as well of lots of other amazing and colourful people. I had some delicious organic coffee and homemade thai coconut cake...Mmmmm

We stopped in at the Nimbin Environment Centre and had a chat with the inspirational and dedicated volunteer staff there. They told us about all the great work they have been doing since they opened their new head office in the main street

Our next destination where we stuffed ourselves silly was the legendary Sphinx Rock Cafe, an amazing cafe nestled at the base of the mountains with mouth watering organic food, great music and a sandpit for the kids to play and heaps of space for them to run around. Situated at Mt Burrell between Murwillumbah and Kyogle, it’s a great destination to relax and take in the positive energy of the rainbow region.

http://www.sphinxrockcafe.com/

After we rolled out of there we took the back roads over to Stokers Siding and stopped at Stokers Siding Pottery, where we had a long chat with the Wife of Bob Connery (the world famous potter) about local designers.

http://www.stokerspottery.com.au/  

A lot of fun things are happening online with Ethikl, but as often as possible we try to take advantage of trips like this to get offline and hang out with all the great people that make our products.

Meeting Ethikl friends at 'Green Day Out'

Ethikl went to the Gold Coast's biggest environmental festival, Green Day Out and we were delighted to catch up with some of the wonderful artisans selling on ethikl. It was lovelly to have a chat about how things are going on ethikl and see their new products and funky green stalls....

Cynthia from Healing Concepts had a beautiful stall and we were really excitied to see her new labels which will be on her organic herabal tea range available on ethikl

Rosemary from Spouting Smiles had a very cool apple peeler at her store that my boys absolutely loved, it turned an apple into a slinky! very cool indeed...such a fresh and yummy store with lots of living sprouts to sample and grow at home

Carla from UnCielo showed me her new little childrens t-shirts that were the cutest. I can't wait to see them on ethikl, the zebra one was adorable.

Even better was that my boys had a great day...at the end of the day, we bought some organic tomatoes and lettuce seedlings to take home and plant in the vegie patch.

Meet The Maker - Velvet Bean

Visit Store

Tell us a bit about yourself?
I’ve been working with burlap for almost a year now creating pieces for family and friends. It is through their love and support that Velvet Bean was born in August 2009. Their continued encouragement has given me the creative freedom to develop additional repurposed products to Velvet Bean’s ever expanding product line. From shipping coffee sacks across the country right through to packing customer orders, their help has played an integral part in Velvet Bean’s growth. Quite simply, I could not have done it without them.

What can't you live without?
I definitely couldn’t live without my morning coffee or my handsome cat Sash. He’s always close by, sitting on top of a pile of burlap sacks and keeping a close eye on things which make him perfectly suited to his role as product tester. That’s about as close to animal testing as Velvet Bean gets!

Describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
Velvet Bean cushions are made with love from burlap sacks which were once used to transport green coffee beans all over the world. Each burlap sack is handpicked by me for its own unique personality. The sack’s next purpose in its life cycle is based upon its individuality and is focused on highlighting the sacks best features. The sacks are immersed into a warm bubble bath and left to soak the stresses of their previous life away. They are then air dried, cut and sewn into stunning feature pieces just waiting to take pride of place in your home.

Describe how your product is ethical, natural, organic or fairtrade?
According to one website, approximately 800,000 tons of burlap is sent to landfill annually and that figure is just in the US. Whilst burlap is made from 100% natural fibres and biodegradable, we’d rather see the sacks repurposed and kept out of landfill. At Velvet Bean we’re reducing landfill, one coffee sack at a time.

What first made you want to become an artist/producer?
To take a dirty burlap sack which most people would never consider bringing into their homes, breathing new life into it and transforming it into a unique accessory that features in their homes really has been both challenging and rewarding. It truly is satisfying knowing that something you have created is sitting proudly in someone’s home.

Any new products or flavours in the works?
There are quite a few repurposed products that I’m working on. I often finding myself gazing at objects and wondering what they would look like draped in burlap. You’ll have to keep an eye on the website for their grand debut.

Win a Pure Earth gift pack for Mother's Day

Let Ethikl spoil your mum this Mother's Day!

We know that a simple kiss, hug and a smile is reward enough for being a mum; but we think your mums needs just a little more recognition for all that they do.

That's why Ethikl is giving you the chance to win a luxurious Pure Earth Noosa Gift Pack. All you have to do is place an order on ethikl between now and 30th April 2010 and you can win!

As a special bonus anyone who subscribes to the ethikl Newsletter between now and the 30th April will go in the draw to win a $15 gift voucher to spend at Pure Earth Noosa,

Mother's Day is the perfect time to pamper mum and to cater to her favourite passions with something unique and special. Whether she has a sweet tooth or a love of organic luxeries, you're sure to find something she is sure to cherish at Ethikl. Here are ideas to get your gift giving started. Come on over and see what else you can find at www.ethikl.com.au, the new online marketplace for fair trade, eco friendly and ethical products directly from producers.

Synthesis 345 Organic Roses Bath Bliss - Rose petals have been enjoyed for centuries for their exquisite scent and luxurious quality $49

Wicked Chocolate sauces...decadent , rich and oh so tempting ... for you to enjoy dolloped over ice cream, fresh fruit or cake! Our Wicked Chocolate Big Brown Bag contains our Rich Chocolate sauce, White Chocolate sauce and our new Chocolate Peppermint sauce. $20

8 Tips for Ethical Shopping

We all know that being green is important – from the organic or free trade food you buy and where it comes from, to recycling everything from bottles to carrier bags. So how can you improve your green credentials whilst out shopping? Here are 8 simple tips to get you started.

1. Consider local, independent producers. They discourage car use, offer a more personal service and support the local community.

2. Say 'no' to unnecessary shopping bags and take carrier bags with you or a reusable cotton bag.

3. To buy ethically look out for Fairtrade Foundation marked products which guarantee workers have been fairly rewarded for their labour.

4. Look out for 'not tested on animals' labels .

5. Avoid animal products. This can be tough if you are vegan or vegetarian, especially when they crop up in surprising products such as beer and sweets.

6. Buy organic produce. Organic food is free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which benefits the workforce, the consumer and the environment.

7. Go GM free. Genetically manipulated (GM) food is something that many people wish to avoid. Look out for GM-free labels or the Vegetarian Society symbol.

8. Buy recycled and second hand products, they save precious resources and reduce pressure on landfill sites.

The Ever Increasing Trend of Ethical Consumerism

PRESS RELEASE

Ethical shopping is an empowering and exciting concept. It operates on the principle that spending money is like voting. So, if you buy cage eggs, you’re voting for animal cruelty. If you buy certain brands of clothing, you’re voting for sweatshop labour. And if you buy a gas-guzzling car, you’re a fan of global warming.

The idea of “ethical consumerism” or “conscious consuming” is a social movement based around the idea that people should be mindful of the impact their purchases have on the environment and the health and well being of the people involved in making those products.

Consumers are now looking at ethics when they buy. It goes with the territory of being more careful where they spend their money in a tight economy. “Following a period when conspicuous consumption was both socially acceptable and economically feasible, consumer behaviour is likely to become more “conscious,” spurring a trend toward ethical consumption,’’ Citigroup analyst Edward Kerschner says*.

The movement advocates abandoning the relentless and fruitless drive to find satisfaction in endless consumption. Shoppers are starting to care about where their products come from, how they were made and how they impact the planet, says Peita Gardiman, who has launched Ethikl.com.au, the first Australian trading website for eco-friendly and people-friendly products made using natural, organic, or recycled materials. The online marketplace also allows consumers to communicate directly with sellers, many of whom hand-make the products themselves.

We live in a time of human rights abuse, animal cruelty, genetically modified foods and the massive impact of industry on the environment. These can often seem beyond our control and quite removed from our everyday life. However, the fact is that every time we buy something, our spending dollar endorses a company and its activities, whether we are aware of it or not – whether we like it or not.

It is the responsibility of consumers to support the environment and rights of workers who produce goods for them. More than the government and green companies, it is the responsibility of consumers to realise their role in creating real change. Money makes the world go round, and deciding how we spend our money might just help save it.

Meet The Maker - Elizabeth Jean Jewellery

http://www.ethikl.com.au/jeanjewellry/

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I emigrated from England in 1986 with my husband and 2 children. We spent the first 20 years living in Melbourne before we came to Queensland in 2006. Our children are now married and are both living in Cairns and we have 5 grandchildren!

How long have you been creating your products?
About 4 years

What first made you want to become an artist/producer?
I start beading to take my mind of my chronic back pain at night, and then I found that I really enjoyed this hobby and began making during the daytime as well, even when not in pain. Over time this hobby became a passion, I discovered that I loved creating jewellery. I began searching for more interesting and beautiful beads, ones that you cannot find in the local shops.

This then created another problem, my husband is retired, and funds are rather low, and I was spending more and more on beads. I was giving them as gifts but spending too much! Finally I decided that my passion needed to be self-funding, so I starting selling at a local market, then 2 markets...my husband Bill started to help and things got busier, we expanded to a double size stall at some markets.

The customers from these markets requested that maybe we could open an on line shop, where they could purchase in between market days, so 12 months ago we invested in our own web site. Now we have joined Peita, and her exciting new venture, an on line marketplace for ethically produced products.

Any new products in the works?
My bracelets are strung on Tigertail beading wire; this is made from seven strands of wire that are twisted together like a very thin wire rope. The result is a very strong medium on which I can thread my beads. Unfortunately ladies wrists come in a range of sizes, so a lot of my bracelets are made to order. This is fine when ordering on line, but a little difficult on a market stall. Very often someone will fall in love with a bracelet, but it is not their size. To help over come this problem I have starting making some bracelets using stretch cord in place of tigertail. This allows for the bracelet to be expandable, and fit a range of sizes.

What are some of your favourite things in life?
Obviously jewellery making for one! I also enjoy seeing our grandchildren, which is not as often as I would like, because they live in Cairns.

We live on a one acre block which my husband has landscaped, and I love the ever changing vista of the plants and the tranquillity of living rurally, watching the kangaroos and the bird life. We also love our holidays, visiting my twin sister and other family in Melbourne, and children in Cairns, and also I love cruising holidays. Our last cruise was around New Zealand, which was absolutely fantastic. We try and to return to England occasionally, to catch up with Bill's family, who all still live there.

Last but not least, why do you believe that supporting ethical consumerism is important?
In these days of mass produced, poor quality, imported items, I think it is very reassuring to know that on a site like Ethikl, the person selling the item is the person who made the item. All my jewellery is handmade by me, and I take great pride in my work. If ever a customer is not happy, for whatever reason, I am more than happy to replace the item, or offer an alternate item, or offer a refund. I am also happy to do custom orders for that special occasion.

BLOGGER CONTEST: Blog the Ethikl Marketplace Launch!

Calling all bloggers!The Ethikl Marketplace recently launched with a fabulous collection of organic, handmade and fair trade goodies, and we need your help spreading the word about our ethical bounty!

In order to get the word out about our new site, we’re trying a new experiment and holding a green blogger contest. Consider yourself a trendsetter? Think your blog is influential, and want to prove it by winning your favorite item from the Ethikl Shop?

If so, pick your favourite item from the Ethikl Shop and blog it. The blogger  who sends the most traffic to the Ethikl Shop will win the very item they chose to write about – not to mention bragging rights as most influential blog in the ecosphere. Intrigued?



It’s easy to enter this contest. Just:

1. Go to Ethikl.com.au, and pick your favourite item that you want to blog

2. Blog it

3. Comment on this post below with a link to your story

4. The post that generates the most traffic for the Ethikl Shop will win your item of choice from Ethikl

Contest runs Wednesday 16th – 5th March 2010, and traffic/influence will be judged through Google Analytics.The winner will be announced on Saturday, 6th March. Happy Blogging!

Questions?

1. Can I write about multiple items?

Yes – each item/link will be judged as a separate submission

2. Can I write multiple posts about the same item?
Sure, as long as you aren’t boring your readers to death!

3. How are you going to objectively measure who drives the most traffic?
We’re going to use Google Analytics to track the traffic levels from each blog.