Libeco flax fields in bloom
You may find yourself looking for the silver lining while homebound these days and here’s some good news — nature is flourishing. Venice has clear canals, LA has no smog, and wildflowers everywhere are expected to bloom in abundance this summer, supporting the butterflies, the birds and the beloved bees. Traffic-free roads, plane-free skies and widespread business closures have made the planet a beneficiary of this pandemic and Mother Nature has shown us just how quickly she can adapt and thrive in our absence. Although we can’t stay inside forever, we have an opportunity to emerge more mindful of our carbon footprint and committed to reducing it — not just on Earth Day, but all throughout the year.
The world has seemed to get much smaller in these past several weeks and of the many things we’ve learned, perhaps most compelling is the powerful and direct impact one person can have on the entire globe. Never has it been more apparent how each of our actions or inactions will affect one another at home and abroad, which also means that our individual shifts — however small — can truly change the fabric of the earth. So let’s make a pact to ourselves and one another to take a moment today to reflect on what we can do to keep the water clean, the sky clear and the wildflowers blooming once we return to our regular routines.
At Bixby & Ball, we are committed to doing what we can to decrease our carbon footprint by eliminating single-use plastic in our daily operations, using recycled materials to pack web orders, repurposing fabric swatches and candle tester vessels, and sourcing goods from sustainable companies whenever possible.
From furniture and bedding to jewelry and art, we seek makers who are committed to sustainability through the materials they source, the methods they use and values they uphold. These are a few of our favorites:
Cisco Home has been a Los Angeles-based haven for handcrafted ingenuity for nearly three decades. Driven by a passion for elegant design, thoughtful sustainability, and community building, their family of designers, makers, and activists work side-by-side to create one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly pieces that transform your house into a home with your health in mind. Cisco’s exclusive Inside Green™ line is the ultimate choice for natural healthy furniture and made entirely from FSC woods, natural latex, jute, hemp, wool, organic feathers and down.
Libeco Home believes in linen and they have made us believers too. Linen comes from an abundantly grown sustainable source and requires long-trained artisans to take it from a simple weed to the gorgeous textile we all know and love. The flax plant requires no irrigation—growing simply from the rain and sun—and since pests don't flock to weeds, typically no pesticides are needed. Libeco’s mission is to work with flax farmers, spinners and finishers to create the highest possible added value with the smallest possible ecological footprint, always choosing the most sustainable methods for the good of the planet. Libeco supports both their local Belgian community as well as ours with their timeless textiles that offer unrivaled quality, comfort and beauty. They have undoubtedly earned their title as Masters of Linen.
Jaipur Living is a leader in rugs and social business, offering quality, value and beautiful design. Jaipur employs a network of 40,000 artisans — 85% of them women — in more than 600 villages across India. Weaving has given these communities a source to earn a livable and reliable wage, along with opportunities for personal growth and development. Many of the weavers have become grassroots leaders and award-winning designers who have a genuine passion for their work. We’re proud to call Jaipur Living a partner and to offer their stunning, long lasting rugs in-store and online.
K. Hall Studio brings high quality and uniquely handcrafted home fragrance and personal care goods to the marketplace. All of their candles are made with a 100% natural soy and vegetable wax blend grown by American farmers and their dedication to use only the finest ingredients is the hallmark of the company. Made in small batches in St. Louis, all K. Hall products are free from parabens, petrochemical surfactants and are cruelty free. Not only are their scents some of our favorites (Fir & Grapefruit is a best-seller year-round!) but their core values are ones we can really stand behind.
We are proud to support local artisanship by partnering with designers and artists in our community. Jewelry designers Amy Joy, Mimi & Lu and TenThings create our beautiful collections both in-store and online and Wade Koniakowsky is our current artist in residence, painting beautiful local and abstract ocean scenes for our customers. Purchasing locally made goods is an impactful way to help your community thrive and we will continue to seek out new products and lines made in our own backyard.
As far as we extend our incredible reaches with social media, technology and commerce, we must be vigilant in continuing the legacy of protecting our planet, our local communities and in turn, ourselves. We thank our product partners for allowing us to continually bring quality and responsible products to our local and online communities. And of course, we thank you, our customers, for being the best part of Bixby & Ball.