Sponsor Giveaway : : goodkarma

: : :

Every-so-often I bring you an interview and giveaway with one of Clean's sponsors. It's a great opportunity to discover a new small businesses and also a friendly reminder that there are alternatives to the mass-produced products, big-box stores, and the status-quo.

Each sponsor is carefully hand-picked and their interviews never cease to inspire me. Enjoy!

: : :

I'm so happy to introduce you to my almost neighbor Bren of goodkarma. Bren is from friendly Viroqua and she crafts some amazing things! Beauty and function, stitched together with loving hands.

Read on for a little inspiration from my 'hood (and a coupon code and giveaway!).

Giveaway: goodkarma. on Clean.


Giveaway: goodkarma. on Clean.

What is your company and how long have you been in
business?

I am Bren of goodkarma and I've been making and selling an array of
hand-stitched goods on and off for about 12 years now. (Oh, wow, can
that be right?! I triple-checked my math.)

This current incarnation
of goodkarma has been going for 5 years and is ever evolving.

I
design and sew housewares and personal accessories with
earth-friendly materials such as upcycled wool sweaters, vintage
thrifted finds, and a hemp/certified organic cotton blend that I
hand-dye myself using low-impact dyes. I strive for sustainable
functionality in everything I create.

Giveaway: goodkarma. on Clean.

What inspired you to go into this line of work?

I wanted to purchase products that were made in an ethical way using
materials that weren't filled with toxins, and was frustrated with
not being able to afford them. Why should only rich people be able
to buy organic textiles?

So I was determined to figure out how to
create them myself and offer them to others. I wanted to give normal
people the opportunity to purchase quality eco-friendly products at
a price that wasn't outrageous. One part of that puzzle was starting
from the most raw materials I could get and dyeing my own fabric,
which has been an incredibly fascinating and rewarding experience.
Learning new techniques will keep me happily busy for a lifetime.

Giveaway: goodkarma. on Clean.

How do you believe you and your business are bringing good
into the world?

I'm giving people and alternative option ot mass-produced, questionably made product bought from stores that don't value their
employees or the planet. A way for people to feel good about what
their money is going to support – both directly and indirectly. The
money I make goes to support other local and independent crafters,
farmers, and businesses, and the cycle keeps going. I use materials
that are grown without pesticides because I care about the health of
the farmers who grow it and the people that process it. I give
people affordable reusable alternatives to wasteful disposable
items.

On a smaller – but equally as satisfying – note, my customers often
tell me that every time they open their wallet/cook dinner/drink
their tea, they see my 'goodkarma' label and it makes them smile.
How could I not love that?

Giveaway: goodkarma. on Clean.

What else should we know?

One improvement that I look forward to making is purchasing hemp
fabric grown and produced right here in the US. We are the only
industrialized nation that prohibits growing this amazing crop, so
unfortunately it all has to come from overseas. But I can see the
tide turning and after some encouraging legislation was passed in
Washington and Colorado this past November, I'm confident that
US-grown industrial hemp is in our future. And I will be the first
one in line to get it when it is.

Giveaway: goodkarma. on Clean.

Thanks, Bren! On a personal note, I purchased one of goodkarma's cast iron handle huggers over a year ago. And we've used it daily ever since. It lives on my favorite cast iron skillet, and evey morning makes the hop to my tea kettle. (Hmm… maybe I need a second one…)

Want some goodkarma of your own? Bren has generously offered to send one winner the following gift:

  • one pot holder of your choice (square or oval)
  • one cast iron
    handle hugger of your choice
  • and one medium size hemp/organic
    produce bag.

To enter just leave a comment below! (One comment per person, please.) You can also find goodkarma on Facebook if that interests you. I'll select one lucky person next week.

Comments are now closed. The winner is Beth who said:

"I love the look of her items – the swirls especially! I'm headed over to check her out :)"

Everyone can enjoy 10% off of a goodkarma order with the coupon code "LUSA13". This discount includes the custom listings where you can just let
me know what colors you want your pot holder/handle
hugger/wallet/crochet case to be, and Bren will stitch one up just for
you.

Discount code good through the end of April.

100 thoughts on “Sponsor Giveaway : : goodkarma”

  7. Beth Schultz says:

    I love the look of her items – the swirls especially! I’m headed over to check her out 🙂

  17. Lyssa says:

    GORGEOUS fabric colors! I would love the pot-holder and handle muffler for my cast iron that I use almost every day! Thank you for the give-away : )

  18. Kelli says:

    Glad I stumbled upon this through Rachel’s blog. Love your stuff! And the color combinations are just
    wonderful! Sure hope I can win something to use. Thanks for the offering!

  22. Alyssa T says:

    ooo – the mason jar cozies are so sweet! I especially like the luna moth one in the shop….

  23. Bianca says:

    This kind of craftiness speaks to my heart. I am thrilled that more people like Bren are making alternatives to the low-quality items that are widely available. And, living in Colorado, I know some farmers are chomping at the bit to grow hemp. It’s gonna happen!!

  29. erin says:

    thank you for the opportunity! you should see the state of my pot holders and my handle hugger! beautiful work, bren!

  32. Debs says:

    Bren’s work is beautiful, i have a por holder from her, and i’d love to add to my collection!
    (I’m in the UK, couldn’t see anything to say this is US only, but thought i should mention, just in case!)

  37. Holly Denham says:

    What beautiful material and I appreciate the fact that you make beautiful yet practical things for every day use!

  40. trinlayk says:

    Ooohhh, all lovely work, and great materials.

    that potholder in the pot with the blue flowers on it… I may just have to go buy that one.

  42. Shannon says:

    Love Brens wares. I am inspired to lug out my little stich machine thingy. (imposter sewing machine gift from my mother in law)

  44. Ariadne says:

    Oh my! All of her work in the images was really stunning, but when I saw the labyrinths sewn onto the pouches in the last picture I nearly flipped! My life’s passion is labyrinths and I work with them every day. How cool to see that she is doing something unique with them. Thanks for sharing her work and hosting this giveaway.

  45. shayray says:

    That owl glass container holder is so lovely. The colors remind me of fall, which is my favorite season. Thanks for the giveaway.

  48. LindaSusie says:

    Bren’s items are so creative and she’s saving the planet all at the same time! Nicely done!

  49. Kyra says:

    I love these and I really LOVE the story behind it all! And seriously, “Why should only rich people be able to buy organic textiles?” Yes yes yes!

  53. Natalie says:

    Simply beautiful! Like most things I find on your blog Rachel. I would love to have those gracing my kitchen.

  55. Becca Riley says:

    I’ve wanted a cast iron handle hugger for years, and I can never have enough pot holders or produce bags.

  58. SusanK says:

    Thank you for the give away offer! You have such nice things in your shop! I’ll visit again soon.

  59. Chelsea Wipf says:

    Such lovely things! I dream of the same things…organic textiles grown and dyed here in the US, and affordable for the common man.

  63. Beth says:

    Oooo, I love the beauty that Bren has added to these pesticide free and useful products. Thanks for the give away.

  71. Daisy says:

    Interesting that the US does not grow hemp! Let’s hope that changes soon. Thanks for the giveaway

  73. Lisa Feyen says:

    What a wonderful giveaway. We have recently added more cast iron to the rotation and I am still quite clumsy with balancing pot holders just right to avoid the inevitable burn!

  76. Mason says:

    “One improvement that I look forward to making is purchasing hemp fabric grown and produced right here in the US. We are the only industrialized nation that prohibits growing this amazing crop, so unfortunately it all has to come from overseas.” I didn’t know that. I like learning new things – thanks! Your philosophy and work ethics are great. Keep up!

  77. danielle says:

    I love that when you couldn’t find what you were looking for you made it yourself! Your philosophy and business practices are an inspiration keep up the good work!

  80. Kirstin says:

    Yay! One more local or close to local business to add to my list. I love the fabrics, colors, ideas, etc…

  81. Shell ~ says:

    ~ Wow, Bren ~ !!
    Your colors are AMAZING !!! So, so beautiful, and loVely together. All the colors are warm, inviting and your designs unique.
    Thank you, thank you ~ for using pesticide free grown products.
    LoVe the photo of all the fabric stacked in a rainbow.
    I will enjoy telling my friends of your work & site.
    Best,
    Shell ~

  89. meghann says:

    What great stuff she has there! I desperately need to make some new pot holders, but in the meantime winning this little bundle would be amazing!

    (PS – I covet that sewing machine. Seriously.) xo

  90. Danielle says:

    It’s so nice when the things we use every day are beautiful. There must be something in the water in Viroqua…

  92. Madalyn says:

    Such lovely work! How inspirational! By the way, give Brenda a shout-out from Maddy and Luke in River Falls. It was such a nice surprise to check into the Clean blog and see our friend who moved to Viroqua so many years ago. Keep up the great work Bren!

  99. Angela says:

    I could seriously use a skillet handle hugger. I was just thinking the other day how awkward it was using a regular hotpad while cooking with my cast iron skillet. Beautiful shop, thanks for the chance to win!

Comments are closed.