ArTea Party 2: Thanks and Photos

Below is some photographic evidence that ArTea Party took place earlier this month at The County Arms in Wandsworth. Guests and hosts alike enjoyed a fun afternoon of tea, cake, art, raffle prizes and tombola - what better way to spend a Saturday afternoon in March!

Together we raised over £230 for WFTC which will be put to good use on upcoming projects taking place in the borough soon! Keep and eye out, stay up to date and find out how you can be a part of the Wandsworth Fairtrade Campaign here.

A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to everyone who took part behind the scenes and on the day: the planners, creative bunting and hat makers, eco artists and bakers - those cakes were delicious! - Wandsworth Guardian for covering the event, Chris Gray for his patience in taking such great photos, our extremely generous sponsors - Divine Chocolate, The Co-operative and Abel & Cole - family and friends for their immense help and support, WFTC of course, the helpful folk at The County Arms for lending us their fabulous venue and last but by no means least all our ArTea Party guests for coming down, eating cake, having fun and supporting the cause - it was lovely to meet you all - Cheers!

See you at the next one!

Photos by:
Thomas Woods @ Woowar & Rose Woods | Edited by Racheblue
Chris Gray @ Pikture Perfect

ArTea Party in Green Guardian

Wandsworth Green Guardian - purveyors of all things eco minded in South London visited ArTea and have reported back here.

The hard copy will be out in print this Thursday - 12th March. It is delivered free to residents and can be read online here.

Co-op Sponsorship

The Co-op have rather generously agreed to sponsor ArTea Party Wandsworth and with their vouchers we will be able to heap many more lovely Fairtrade goods into the prizes - so a huge thank you to them!

The Co-operative group are well known as avid supporters of Fairtrade and their supermarkets have been selling Fairtrade marked food products for many years, long before it became fashionable to be seen as having ethical values!

Supplies vary from store to store but over all The Co-op stock over 50 Fairtrade branded products plus around 150 of their own brand which is the largest Fairtrade range to be found in any of the UK supermarkets. If your local store doesn't seem to stock all of the Fairtrade items you'd like to buy - ask them to stock more. The Co-op are good at listening to their customers.

Discount: Remember to look out for the 20% discount on Fairtrade marked goods in Co-operative shops over Fairtrade Fortnight.

From: Co-operative Food
"We believe in social responsibility and self help, so we want a better deal for growers and producers in developing countries. This is why we stock Fairtrade products in all our stores, and in more shops than anyone else.

We were one of the first major retailers to sell a FAIRTRADE mark product in our stores back in 1994, and in 2000 we developed our Fairtrade range well before any other major retailers had thought to support the Fairtrade movement. See our Fairtrade track record."

Your Invitation

Abel & Cole Sponsor ArTea Party

The lovely folk at Abel & Cole are sponsoring ArTea Party Wandsworth by donating delicious organic food produce. Their generous voucher will help ensure lots of lovely goodies for you to win in our raffle prize.

Abel & Cole have been sourcing organic and ethically produced food for over 20 years and delivering it to an increasing group of savvy eco consumers in and around London and the South East. Consumers who keep coming back for more. If you've not yet been enlightened towards the delights of receiving an organic fruit and veg box every week visit Ecomonkey to find out why Abel & Cole are the sensible choice for any consumer:

10 Reasons Ecomonkey Loves...Abel & Cole

ArTea Creative Spaces

We still have a few places left to fill at ArTea Party Wandsworth so if you make, craft and design art (whether it is functional or aesthetic, fashionable or quirky) in an ethical and sustainable way, are keen to sell your work and fulfill the criteria below, then go ahead and drop me an email asap.

Application criteria:
The Artist must live and/or work in South London
The work should either be crafted by hand from ethical and/or sustainable materials or demonstrate a clear ethical and sustainable message
The cost of a table/stall is £5
20% of all sales will be donated to WFTC (see previous posts for details)
Artists must be able to attend at least one of the planning meetings (next / final meeting 2pm Sunday1st March, SW18 (contact for venue details))

Apply by email detailing fulfilment of the above criteria asap.

2nd Party Planning Meet Tonight

7:30pm in the conservatory of The County Arms, 345 Trinity Road (Wandsworth Common end), SW18 (map link)

Anyone who would like to be involved in ArTea Party is welcome to come along to our meet up tonight - (see artisan criteria below).

See you there
Rache x

ArTea Application Deadline Extension

The deadline for application to be a part of ArTea Party Wandsworth next month has been extended until Saturday 7th February so there is still time to apply for a spot in our eco art & craft exhibition sale.

Application criteria:
The Artist must live and/or work in South London
The work should either be crafted by hand from ethical and/or sustainable materials or demonstrate a clear ethical and sustainable message
The cost of a table/stall is £5
20% of all sales will be donated to the ArTea Party II cause (see previous posts for details)
Artists must be able to attend at least one of the planning meetings (next meeting Thursday 5th February in the conservatory, The County Arms, Wandsworth SW18)

Apply by email detailing fulfilment of the above criteria before 11:55pm 7th Feb 09.

Creative Talent Request

There is still time to be part of the Wandsworth Fairtrade Tea Party extravaganza that will be ArTea Party II this March! But the deadline is Sunday 1st February so get your skates and creative thinking cap on and apply by email today!

ArTea Press Release Jan09

The ArTea Party Wandsworth Press Release is available for download here

Party Planning At County Arms 12Jan09

We have an awesome venue booked for next year's party on Saturday 7th March. The County Arms on Trinity Road, Wandsworth, is not only friendly and welcoming to drinkers and eaters alike but it is beautifully and comfortably decorated providing an enchanting home away from home with a little mystical magic thrown in. If you've not yet experienced The County Arms, we would highly recommended a visit: 345 Trinity Road, London SW18 3SH - let them know we sent you!

We will be meeting there from 7:30pm on Monday 12th January 2009 to discuss ideas and plan the event. Please do come along if you would like to be involved. If you can bake cakes, cookies and other edible goodies from fairtrade ingredients or if you are an artisan who can make beautiful items from eco (sustainable, fairtrade and ethical) materials do come along and join us.

Other than edible treats, the kinds of art & craft we are hoping to sell includes but is not restricted to the following:

* Paintings - perhaps using eco paints and/or on organic canvas and/or with an ethical or sustainable message or theme
* Photography - printed on sustainably sourced paper or other material and/or with an eco theme or message
* Clothing - made from fairtrade and/or organic cotton, recycled and/or sustainable fabrics such as hemp
* Jewellery - constructed from ethically sourced and/or recycled materials
* Toys & Homeware - made using from ethical and/or sustainable fabrics and materials

For more information or to register your interest email racheblue@bluAngeldesigns.com

Until then, seasonal greetings and happy holidays!

Mad March ArTea Party

The ArTea Party has been re-scheduled for early March 2009 which, we think, is perfect timing for a Mad Hatters Tea Party! Coinciding happily with Fairtrade Fortnight 2009 (23rd Feb - 8th Mar) ArTea Party promises to be a fun, fair and fabulous event.

Party Preparations:
Alice, the Hatter and friends would love you to come along and help celebrate all the goodness of fairtrade drinks, cookies and other edible goodies alongside a fine selection of art and craft lovingly fabricated by local artisans. The Wonderland team are busy working on some wonderful creations to tempt and entrance guests in-between all that tea and cake.

The White Rabbit is rushing around organising the day, checking times and schedules and will undoubtedly ensure all goes according to plan (which plan that will be, we're not entirely sure - but hey, it's all part of the fun!)

Email Us:
Would you like to help out the White Rabbit with event organisation (either in the run up or on the day) or perhaps you are keen to assist Alice and the Mad Hatter to create eco delights for sale? Then send us an email detailing the following:

* Your name (+ company name if appropriate)
* Location - we are seeking South West London individuals and organisations for this party
* Which items you would like to create /design / craft / bake OR
* Which skills and services you would like to offer ArTea
* How your products are eco - fairtrade, organic, recycled or sustainable in some other way
* How many cakes / cookies / pieces of art / items of clothing / accessories / pieces of jewellery etc you envision being able to bring to the sale

Donations & Fundraising:
100% of all fairtrade food and beverage sales and
20% of all art & craft sales will be donated to the cause

ArTea Party will be raising funds for the Wandsworth Fairtrade Campaign Group (WFTC) to support their essential work raising awareness of Fairtrade within Wandsworth. This year they are focusing particularly on working with local schools and faith groups. The group are also campaigning to achieve Fairtrade Borough status for Wandsworth in line with London Assembly backing and the city's recent attainment of fairtrade status.

London's Mayor, Boris Johnson said: "It's super news that London is now officially the world's largest Fairtrade City, with 20 Fairtrade boroughs in the capital. It sends a clear message that Londoners want their products to be Fairtrade and to make a significant difference to the lives of farmers and workers in the developing world."

More details will be forthcoming...

ArTea Postponed 'Till Early 2009

Sadly, circumstances suggest that ArTea Party II would be best postponed until next year.

On a positive note, this gives us more time to organise a fabulous event for 2009!

Please continue to get in touch if you are keen to be involved either as an artist, designer, crafter, baker, marketeer, odd-job person, sponsor etc. and we will keep you updated with party planning progress as it happens.

Rache
racheblue@bluAngeldesigns.com

ArTea Party II - Wandsworth

ArTea Party has moved to the sunny streets of South London and it is envisioned that the second party will be held in one of Wandsworth's fine establishments before the end of the year.

The format will be similar to the debut party - local art & craft sale (South London artists preferred) with Fairtrade refreshments and goodies for sale. Around 20% of art and 100% of food & drink sales will be used to support either a local Fairtrade project or charitable cause.

Details will be confirmed shortly but if you live, work or study in Wandsworth borough or surrounding areas of South London and would like to be involved either with baking Fairtrade goods for sale, creating art & craft from eco (fair trade, organic, sustainable, recycled materials), donating time on the day or to marketing beforehand, please drop me a line: racheblue@bluAngeldesigns.com

There will be a small Artists' fee for exhibiting and selling work at the party to cover costs but this may be reduced if enough interest is garnered, so please get in touch, forward the info to your creative friends in Wandsworth and let the party begin!

Party Pictures & Feedback

Photography by IRW Scott & Tom Woods (edited by Racheblue)

Comments from our guests & artists:

"Loved Saturday – it was lots of fun" - Tash
"Thanks for yesterday, you, Tom and co did a great job and I hope you did well out of it for Oxfam!" - Mel
"Thanks for organizing an amazing ArTea Party and the money we raised for Oxfam is great" - Miriam
"Sunday was a roaring success I have to say - well done! You should do them more often as it was fun and I'm happy as I sold some jewellry!" - Danni
"Sat was great... Good feedback from everyone that I knew who attended" - Gemma
"My work colleagues said the show was great" - Wendy

ArTea Party One Success!

The debut ArTea Party went swimmingly! Thank you so much to all those who were able to join us despite the atrocious weather blowing round Ponsonby on the day! Your support, generous raffle ticket purchases, art interest and sales were very much appreciated!

In the 2.5 hours ArTea Party ran, we sold several pieces of art work, almost 100 raffle tickets, heaps of Fairtrade cakes, muffins & cookies as well as Fairtrade tea & coffee through our kind hosts The Crib bar.

Together we raised $194.80 for Oxfam which will go towards their work to alleviate global poverty. Here are some examples of how the donation may be used:

$80 could enable Oxfam to provide safe drinking water for 50 people
$150 could enable Oxfam to help four women in Indonesia start their own business
$500 could enable Oxfam to provide technical and business training for coffee farmers in Timor-Leste
$1000 could enable Oxfam to construct living quarters for 2 teachers at a rural school in the Solomon Islands

Thanks once again to all our generous sponsors and supporters

If you have any comments or feedback please email me here

Until next time...

You are cordially invited...

design by Gemma Roberts * illustration by Racheblue * distribution by ArTea Party * print by Image Centre * printed on 100% recycled works laser paper by Spicers Paper

For a low res copy of the flyer to email to friends click here or email Racheblue here

New Sponsor - New World

New World, Victoria Park have kindly contributed to ArTea Party by means of a generous donation which will feature in the Raffle Prize Draw.

"New World Victoria Park is committed to offering our customers the best shopping experience available, with ever changing services, great products and fresh ideas. Here at New World Victoria Park you will find the best selection of fresh food, from our organic meats prepared fresh at our store, to our huge selection of the freshest fruit and vegetables..."

The range of organic products available at New World is growing with dairy products, dried goods including flour, sugar, coffee, cereal etc plus fresh meats and some beer and wine. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of Fairtrade certified products, however New World are 'constantly looking for new products' and strive to stock items 'that reflect local customers' preferences', so just drop them a line if you would like to buy more Fairtrade from New World.

New World, 2 College Hill, Freemans Bay, Auckland
Tel: +64 (0)9 307 8400 Web: www.newworld.co.nz/

ArTea Eco Print

Printing sustainably is not easy but there are more and more eco options becoming available in NZ, albeit slowly. It is unfortunate that recycled and FSC certified paper, for example, costs more to buy and is far less accessible than non-recycled and paper from unsustainable sources. This situation will change over time but the process can be speeded up drastically if we, the consumers, request more sustainable products from our paper suppliers and printers. As this happens costs of sustainable products will also be reduced.

In an ideal world all of ArTea Party's print work would have been printed on recycled paper with non toxic inks and finishes. But this is not an ideal world so we have had to compromise a little due to budget restrictions. However, thanks to the kind donation of some printing costs by Image Centre we were able to print our main flyer on Works Laser 100% recycled paper. Combined of 30% pre-consumer (from printing and converting waste) and 70% post-consumer (from milk cartons) recycled fibre this paper from Spicer Paper is derived from 'well managed sustainable forests', has undergone 'process chlorine free' bleaching and is ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 -Quality Management certified.

Most other printing for the event is on Reflex FSC certified source paper.

New Sponsor - Organic World

Organic World is our latest sponsor and they have very generously donated an array of gifts for our raffle prizes! Thank you so much!

Organic World is located on Point Chev. Road. The very friendly staff are always happy to chat and can provide heaps of information on the comprehensive range of organic, fairtrade and natural products available. Amongst other things you can purchase organic fruit, vegetables, dairy products, breads, pasta. grains, herbs, teas and a variety of homeopathic items.

Open 7 days a week (from 8am to 6pm most days) Organic World serve delicious, fresh vegetarian pies as well as a host of dried food goods, laundry and cleaning products plus eco health & beauty products. All stock is free of harmful chemicals and sprays.

Organic World also provide a great delivery service whereby your organic fruit and veg (and other essentials on request) are delivered to your door every week, saving you time and reducing your carbon footprint - perfect!

Organic World, 181 Point Chevalier Road, Point Chevalier, Auckland
Tel: +64 (0)9 845 3249 Email: info@organicworld.co.nz