Earth Greetings
'Greetings from Earth' is a phrase my siblings and I would throw about when someone was acting a little alien! I am sure if aliens were here with us, they would LOVE to get a gift wrapped with a matching card from Earth Greetings.
Earth Greetings have been dedicated to designing sustainably produced greeting cards, gift cards, wrapping paper, bookmarks and Christmas cards since 2003.
The designs are extremely beautiful and are reflective of Australia's natural diversity. We interviewed Earth Greetings founder Heide Hackworth, and this is what she had to say!
What inspired you to start Earth Greetings and how has the journey been for you?
When I had the business idea in 2003 the inspiration was purely a creative one – finding a way to publish my artwork. But then when I realised straight away how difficult it was going to be to create and sell Earth-friendly paper products I became driven by my passion to help the environment. The journey has been a challenging one but its getting easier – there are more suppliers which is helpful and definitely more acceptance from retailers and consumers for Earth-friendly products.
Your designs are incredibly beautiful and delicate with a modern edge, are you the artist behind the artwork?
Thankyou! Yes, this is the fun part of what I do. Its getting harder and harder to find the time for design so Ill be looking for other like minded artists to come on board. Id like to continue being involved in the creative side of things because this is why I started my business in the first place. It would be less fulfilling for me if I was just doing all the admin and marketing!
Earth Greetings cards and wrapping paper, use recycled paper and vegetable based inks, why did you decide to go with these environmentally aware options?
So many reasons.. We need to stop destroying forests if we want to survive on this planet. Deforestation removes our best, most immediate and cheapest chance at mitigating global warming – trees. Trees store carbon dioxide (one of the main global warming gases) and keep it out of our atmosphere. When forests are burned, not only does wildlife lose its home, but huge amounts of carbon dioxide are released back into the atmosphere. The transportation of logs releases global warming gases. The virgin fibre paper production process releases pollution into our water systems and uses up a massive amount of water. The forestry industry claims their activities are ‘carbon neutral’ because some forests are replaced by monoculture plantations. However what they don’t mention is that it takes many years for plantation trees to absorb the huge amounts of carbon that have been released by deforestation activity – and they are cut down before they can reach this level anyway. Also monoculture plantations don’t support biodiversity of flora and fauna like old-growth forests do.
I wont use any paper that has been created in this way. The best alternative at present is to use 100% post-consumer recycled paper because no trees have been destroyed to make it. It is true that some virgin fibre is required to ‘begin’ the recycling process, but I believe we should be turning to hemp, fast growing bamboo or kenaf trees, or other alternative fibre rather than destroying old-growth forests.. just to make paper!
Traditional mineral oil based inks contain hazardous and toxic substances. Thankfully, now many printers have switched over to the vegetable based ink made from soy or linseed oil – and doesn’t cost any more than the mineral oil based ink so they have no excuse.
In your opinion, can changing the way give and wrap gifts change the world?
Definitely! The over-consumption of imported and environmentally destructive products has a huge environmental and social impact. But there are so many wonderful and creative Earth-friendly and fair trade alternative gifts to choose from now. Of course, when wrapping the gift & choosing a card it’s important to be mindful of the environment too! You can have such a positive influence on the receiver who will appreciate the extra thought you have put in to choosing their gift, and perhaps influence their choices in the future.
What do you think gives your cards and wrapping papers a unique edge?
What people tell me is that they love the Australian animals and plants in the designs and that this is what gives them a unique edge. Traditionally Australian imagery has been a bit tacky and souvenir-ey so I've tried to give our Aussie creatures a modern look and celebrate them in this way. I also adore Aboriginal art and that’s definitely an influence too.
The other unique thing is probably the lack of bling in the presentation compared to other products. The 100% post-consumer recycled paper is full of little flecks. Brown unbleached envelopes and recycled brown cardboard display stands certainly make a unique statement – matte is the new gloss!
Do you have a favourite Earth Greetings design?
Maybe the rainbow lorikeets as they are my absolute favourite birds. I just adore them. They are so gregarious and have wonderful personality.
Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
And they would be correct! Its much easier to have a job where you can go home at the end of the day and forget all about work, because you never stop working when its your ‘baby.’ The upside is you are motivated by a pride in what you do as your business success (or not) can reflect on you as a person. I have been through a lot of tough times in business, and can only say that positive thinking has got me through. I'm a ‘never give up’ kind of person. The highs are as big as the lows though!
Any advice for those individuals wishing to start their own ethical business?
I think all new businesses now have to consider ethics as part of their plan so if you want yours to stand out in the tidal wave of ‘eco business’ competition you’ll need to plan carefully along a genuine ethical path. Do this before you start the business and it will be integral to what you do.
As in any business, its vital you have a point of difference in what you are doing. Do your research, look at what your competitors are doing and go one step further. It can be more difficult and a lot more expensive to go down an ethical path but it will give you more satisfaction as a business owner, and perhaps win you more customers as well.
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
Definitely starting with a perfect cup of coffee, then opening my email to discover a wonderfully satisfied customer giving me feedback, and a huge order coming in from a new customer.
No, scrap that – a day off going for a long walk up at Mt Lofty Botanic Garden!
Visit www.earthgreetings.com.au for more information and to find a stockist near you.
Earth Greetings have been dedicated to designing sustainably produced greeting cards, gift cards, wrapping paper, bookmarks and Christmas cards since 2003.
The designs are extremely beautiful and are reflective of Australia's natural diversity. We interviewed Earth Greetings founder Heide Hackworth, and this is what she had to say!
What inspired you to start Earth Greetings and how has the journey been for you?
When I had the business idea in 2003 the inspiration was purely a creative one – finding a way to publish my artwork. But then when I realised straight away how difficult it was going to be to create and sell Earth-friendly paper products I became driven by my passion to help the environment. The journey has been a challenging one but its getting easier – there are more suppliers which is helpful and definitely more acceptance from retailers and consumers for Earth-friendly products.
Your designs are incredibly beautiful and delicate with a modern edge, are you the artist behind the artwork?
Thankyou! Yes, this is the fun part of what I do. Its getting harder and harder to find the time for design so Ill be looking for other like minded artists to come on board. Id like to continue being involved in the creative side of things because this is why I started my business in the first place. It would be less fulfilling for me if I was just doing all the admin and marketing!
Earth Greetings cards and wrapping paper, use recycled paper and vegetable based inks, why did you decide to go with these environmentally aware options?
So many reasons.. We need to stop destroying forests if we want to survive on this planet. Deforestation removes our best, most immediate and cheapest chance at mitigating global warming – trees. Trees store carbon dioxide (one of the main global warming gases) and keep it out of our atmosphere. When forests are burned, not only does wildlife lose its home, but huge amounts of carbon dioxide are released back into the atmosphere. The transportation of logs releases global warming gases. The virgin fibre paper production process releases pollution into our water systems and uses up a massive amount of water. The forestry industry claims their activities are ‘carbon neutral’ because some forests are replaced by monoculture plantations. However what they don’t mention is that it takes many years for plantation trees to absorb the huge amounts of carbon that have been released by deforestation activity – and they are cut down before they can reach this level anyway. Also monoculture plantations don’t support biodiversity of flora and fauna like old-growth forests do.
I wont use any paper that has been created in this way. The best alternative at present is to use 100% post-consumer recycled paper because no trees have been destroyed to make it. It is true that some virgin fibre is required to ‘begin’ the recycling process, but I believe we should be turning to hemp, fast growing bamboo or kenaf trees, or other alternative fibre rather than destroying old-growth forests.. just to make paper!
Traditional mineral oil based inks contain hazardous and toxic substances. Thankfully, now many printers have switched over to the vegetable based ink made from soy or linseed oil – and doesn’t cost any more than the mineral oil based ink so they have no excuse.
In your opinion, can changing the way give and wrap gifts change the world?
Definitely! The over-consumption of imported and environmentally destructive products has a huge environmental and social impact. But there are so many wonderful and creative Earth-friendly and fair trade alternative gifts to choose from now. Of course, when wrapping the gift & choosing a card it’s important to be mindful of the environment too! You can have such a positive influence on the receiver who will appreciate the extra thought you have put in to choosing their gift, and perhaps influence their choices in the future.
What do you think gives your cards and wrapping papers a unique edge?
What people tell me is that they love the Australian animals and plants in the designs and that this is what gives them a unique edge. Traditionally Australian imagery has been a bit tacky and souvenir-ey so I've tried to give our Aussie creatures a modern look and celebrate them in this way. I also adore Aboriginal art and that’s definitely an influence too.
The other unique thing is probably the lack of bling in the presentation compared to other products. The 100% post-consumer recycled paper is full of little flecks. Brown unbleached envelopes and recycled brown cardboard display stands certainly make a unique statement – matte is the new gloss!
Do you have a favourite Earth Greetings design?
Maybe the rainbow lorikeets as they are my absolute favourite birds. I just adore them. They are so gregarious and have wonderful personality.
Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
And they would be correct! Its much easier to have a job where you can go home at the end of the day and forget all about work, because you never stop working when its your ‘baby.’ The upside is you are motivated by a pride in what you do as your business success (or not) can reflect on you as a person. I have been through a lot of tough times in business, and can only say that positive thinking has got me through. I'm a ‘never give up’ kind of person. The highs are as big as the lows though!
Any advice for those individuals wishing to start their own ethical business?
I think all new businesses now have to consider ethics as part of their plan so if you want yours to stand out in the tidal wave of ‘eco business’ competition you’ll need to plan carefully along a genuine ethical path. Do this before you start the business and it will be integral to what you do.
As in any business, its vital you have a point of difference in what you are doing. Do your research, look at what your competitors are doing and go one step further. It can be more difficult and a lot more expensive to go down an ethical path but it will give you more satisfaction as a business owner, and perhaps win you more customers as well.
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
Definitely starting with a perfect cup of coffee, then opening my email to discover a wonderfully satisfied customer giving me feedback, and a huge order coming in from a new customer.
No, scrap that – a day off going for a long walk up at Mt Lofty Botanic Garden!
Visit www.earthgreetings.com.au for more information and to find a stockist near you.
Labels: christmas, gift ideas
posted by Gina Cacho | 2:02 AM
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