Fanny Pack, A Donkey's Dream Come True

When I first realized I needed a Fanny Pack to help with (peacefully) training JuJu the donkey, I thought about most people my age with kids... and how dorky they probably feel in their mini van carrying diaper bags instead of sexy handbags. I be-moaned my new dorked out stage in life publicly on my facebook status and was miraculously rewarded with the CUTEST vintage fabric handmade fanny pack ever from artist/writer/crafter Autumn Wiggins!
YAY! Let the non violent, reward heavy, totally hip fanny style donkey training begin!!!

My first Fanny Pack goal was to get JuJu the donkey to lift her hooves for me - this is so I can start the ritual of cleaning them for good hoof health, and for later trimming. I cut up a pear as a super special treat and filled the fanny pack with it. The fanny pack makes it fast and easy to reward the donkey WHILE she's doing what you asked instead of after, or too late for the donkey to understand which 'thing' it did right.

I have never done this with a horse or donkey before, and was learning from watching youtube videos and reading the Donkey Companion book... there was also no one around to show the little nuances to this trick so if you are an expert you will notice I was standing backwards (but it did work). I simply relied on JuJu's past experience of most likely having done this before & the fanny pack full of treats.

I have been spending alot of time rubbing JuJu down in a sort of "show and scratch" game i call "Itch and Scratch", where she shows me where her itches are and I scratch them - this has made it so she doesn't mind me touching her legs to begin with.

For doing hooves, I say the word "HOOF" as a cue, I begin to lift her leg and as she starts to lift it up in my palm I hand her treats from the Fanny Pack. I also hand her another treat from the F Pack while she stands letting me hold her hoof for a while... so that she understands she will need to stand for a longer time eventually while I clean the hooves - the treats are to help her build up good feelings about this activity with me and it certainly works... she started pointing to her legs after asking me to lift them so she could get more pieces of F Pack pears!

Success!

Oh FANNY PACK... hells yeah, you are my savior! Seriously.

Thank YOu SOoooooo much Autumn for the fabulous, functional, eco and easy to work with Fanny Pack! You rock!

Xoxoxox

Organic & Upcycled Lingerie

There is something about lingerie that is pure being so hot! There was a time many many years ago that I thought Victoria's Secret was the magazine and credit card of my dreams- until I grew up and learned about the deplorable conditions of the workers, and the environmental impact of the mass manufactured synthetic fabrics. My lust for soft and beautiful lingerie never faded, so lucky for us all I am slowly building an earthy friendly lingerie empire @ The Oko Box... ;)

This beautiful brown locally woven organic cotton set is coming to The Oko Box this month, made by designer On The Inside.
For your must have basics Ecoland's 100% organic cotton bra, pantie, and tank tops can't be beat- they are dye free and perfect for those with chemical sensitivities.

Clare Bare makes gorgeous upcycled lingerie from vintage fabrics that are not only adorable but have punk & retro attitude!

(back view of the Clare Bare bloomers!) Vintage Upcycled Fabric with organic cotton liners.

Camisole and pantie set in 100% organic cotton by On The Inside.
Eco luxury lingerie by Enamore coming September 1st 2008 ! Yippee for luscious hotness in organic cotton, soy, silk and hemp!

Today's Magic Word: UPCYCLING

The concept of upcycling completely enthralls me, the way I imagine an archaeologist feels when they stumble onto a new site full of bones that they'll have to reassemble. But I am stumbling onto a gravesite of old out of style garments left to collect dust in wayward thrift shops. The fuglier the better when it comes to upcycling because you know that crazy ole' puff sleeve prom dress with the big stain on it will never be used again in it's current condition. For those of you who are new to the word, as I was not too long ago, Wikipedia describes upcycling in plane terms like this : "Upcycling is the use of waste materials to provide useful products. Ideally, it is a reinvestment in the environment and embodiment of the notion that while using resources one is also contributing to them and their value. This is antithesis of the consume and waste concept in society."
So I have this box of super ugly clothes that I am setting out to transform into adorable new creations. To learn more about all you can do to green the craft of upcycling check out this post at Crafting A Green World. To see a great example of upcycling check out Clare Bare @ The Oko Box.

Clare Bare Lingerie Arriving Monday!

Can we just say ADORABLE!?! Designer/Artist Clare Bare's vintage fabric lingerie will be available at The Oko Box starting Monday evening. Each one is part of a limited edition or is strictly a one of a kind creation made from limited amounts of sassy vintage fabric. Buying things re-made of fabric already produced is the most eco friendly option possible, because no new resources are being used or creating demand. It's all about upcycling, re-use, re-wear, and re-creation. And what fabulous results it can give! Super sexy eco lingerie, handmade by a brilliant artist at prices far more affordable then most eco designers (this bra and pantie set pictured here is only $48). Yay Clare, you rock!
There will be some other styles available too, bloomers, garters, camisoles and ruffly panties - check it out @ The Oko Box!