The Work at Home Woman

At five ACCESSORIES one of our goals is to help men and women by creating income generating programs and support our artisans and vendors by giving back a portion of our sales directly to them. With the advent of technology and all of its advances, more and more women here in North America are working from home. Opportunities that enable these women to remain home with their children while helping to contribute to their family’s income. Therefore, today’s post is for them – The Work at Home Woman.
TheWorkAtHomeWoman.com is a resource for women desiring to work at home, are working at home or know someone who is doing one or the other.Holly Reisem Hanna has done a lot of work to put together a place where women can offer and give support to other women working at home. She has also gathered many different resources like work at home opportunities, advertising and a directory for women to promote and support other women in business.
TheWorkAtHomeWoman.com is:” …A website dedicated to helping women and moms fulfill their dreams of working at home and/or becoming self employed, while providing inspiration, motivation and support.”To read more about Holly or for more information, please visit: http://www.theworkathomewoman.com/
Photo courtesy of : Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

five ACCESSORIES and Fair Trade

We at five ACCESSORIES strive to be in complient with Fair Trade principles.

We are committed to promoting fair trade through:

• Providing work and income for the most economically disadvantaged artisans throughout the world;

• Encouraging the empowerment of women and men in commerce through raising their self-esteem, dignity and self-sufficiency;• Creating a non-exploitive, supportive business environment in which women of different religions, ethnicities and ages can gain energy and learn to work together

• Protecting children's rights;

• And developing employment opportunities for many artisans, many of whom would not be employable in mainstream business.

Green America

five ACCESSORIES is Officially a Member of Green America
In August of this year, we went through the application process of applying to Green America to become a business member. “Green America's Green Business Network™ is the largest network of socially and environmentally responsible businesses in America. Membership is subject to approval.”

About Green America
“Green America is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1982. (We went by the name "Co-op America" until January 1, 2009.)
Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.”

Green America offers green businesses with a number of perks as a member. Things like being listed in their business directory and having the privilege to sell on World of Good on eBay and more as listed on their membership page.
Becoming a member of Green America was important to us because it gives five ACCESSORIES credibility to consumers in the market place and in being known as a sustainable business. So it is with great pleasure that we announce we have received word that we are now officially members of Green America!

CRAVE Chicago

Monday, November 16th 2009, five ACCESSORIES and our Interns had the opportunity to go to the CRAVE Chicago 'book launch' party, at The Arthur Murray Dance Studio.It was a great opportunity to mingle and network with other Chicagoan business owners, such as The Meatloaf Bakery, The Damian Group, Honey Cafe, Dry Soda, Solixir, Candyality, Busy Beaver Button Company, Chocolate Gourmet and NAHA! The night consisted of meringue dance lessons, good music, great conversation, and delicious samples! Best treat of the night had to be the gummy bears from Candyality! They definitely kept us going back for more!

Visit the Crave Chicago website to see what they're all about. You can pick up a copy of the book at the five ACCESSORIES retail location at 5247 N Clark St, Chicago, IL. Check out five ACCESSORIES on page 90!

Shop Glitter and be Eco-Friendly

Come join five ACCESSORIES this December 3rd from 11 to 8 pm at the Chicago Cultural Center and go green for the holidays with some fantastic gifts.

Join other designers and boutiques that are all apart of the Chicago Fashion Resource!! More info below:

http://www.ChicagoFashionResource.com

Find us on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/fashionfocus

Find us on facebook! http://tinyurl.com/fashionfocusfanpage

Guide to Special Values book! http://www.chicagoofficeoftourism.org/fashioncoupons/

Social Entrepreneurship

“Social entrepreneurs have existed throughout history. In fact, the rise of social entrepreneurship represents the leading edge of a remarkable development that has occurred across the world over the past three decades: the emergence of millions of new citizen organizations.”-- David Bornstein as taken from http://www.betterworld.net/quotes/entrepreneur-quotes.htm

In light of this, our founder, Christine Hutchison, has spoken on numerous occasions about this topic and has discussed how the companies eco friendly handbags have added to this cause. Five dollars is donated from each handbag sold to a charitable organization in the locale where the item was handmade. Below is a picture of a family from Bali, Indonesia that has benefited from our grants.

Other Resources:
http://www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes/whatis/

Best Seller at the Andersonville Galleria
It is with great pleasure to announce Andersonville Galleria (Chicago) best seller…drum roll please…
The Cambodia Recycled Plastic Bag!

Remember that this handbag is made from recycled black pastic bags, putting it to good use again when it is no longer effective as its original purpose – creating the perfect recycled eco-friendly handbag. One that many in Andersonville obviously love!