Thursday, October 19, 2006

New Christmas Stock Has Arrived

I've been waiting for this fair trade consignment for 6 months and it was certainly worth the wait. Some fantastic organic cotton stockings and sacks and 12 foot long palm leaf garlands in red and green. There are also a variety of palm leaf Christmas Tree decorations. All these items have been made to order by a Community Workers project in Kuppam, South India set up in 1985 by Bristol based Bishopston Trading Company. We have to order stock 6 months in advance so that the workers have a continuous supply of work throughout the year and are not laid off. All items are made with care and attention to detail using organic non GM cotton.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Whats in a Name? Why Green Eyed Frog?

Well, this is something I am often asked... It was my 8 year old son's idea. At the time he was into Crazy Frog songs in the charts and suggested Crazy Frog but we said oh nooooo silly boy. Then we thought about the frog theme and after several months, with help from my son, again, came up with Green Eyed Frog. It needed to be catchy, easy to remember and have a simple, reproducable logo so Green Eyed Frog was born.

A Green Eyed Frog is actually an Australia Tree Frog:
The green-eyed tree frog has adapted its appearance to blend in with the moss-covered rain forests of Queensland, Australia. The frogs' coloration and markings vary with their specific habitat, but they usually have a brownish-green body with rust-colored blotches that match the lichen-covered rocks lining the creeks and streams they tend to live near.This species gets its name not for green eyes per se, but rather for a line of brilliant green that often adorns the brow of each eye. They are also distinguishable by a row of skin flaps along their arms and legs, which resembles a serrated knife.
http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/green-eyed-tree-frog.html

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Why an Eco Gift Store?

Our family has for years been 'environmentally' aware and we have been active campaigners for real cloth nappies and eco buildings. We lead a somewhat different domestic life to the 'normal' family with young children but I have never been one to follow the crowds. The children wear or have worn cloth nappies, were taught from an early age how to recycle and we don't buy junk food.

Before Green Eyed Frog I found it very difficult to source affordable eco and organic products especially deodorants, toiletries and linen. I don't agree to paying a premium just because something is organic after all does the extra money you pay really go to the farmer or producer, I doubt it very much? So we decided to set up our own internet gift shop so that others could also find eco and organics goods more easily and accessibly at an affordable price...and thats how it began...

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Stock Take & Special Offers

Just managed to do a stock take and have decided to reduce some lines to clear some space for the Christmas stock otherwise my new shelving will be overflowing. If you get a chance, take a look at the bedlinen and organic toiletries which are on specials. http://www.greeneyedfrog.co.uk/ForHer/

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Turkey or Duck Eggs

Went to get some eggs from my local farm today and saw two turkeys pecking around the garden with the hens - this is what you call free range! The farmer asked if I would like some turkey eggs but I declined and took some duck eggs instead along with the usual 1/2 dozen hen eggs. Not sure whether this is just a Suffolk thing but I've never had a turkey egg don't know if any one else has?

Thats what I like about living in rural Suffolk so much choice. Bantom eggs, duck eggs and of course, for the not so adventurous like me, good old hen eggs.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

New Spiel & Holz Toddler Wooden Shapes

I went to collect some toddler wooden shapes today from someone I know who is selling off her toy business. Got a bit lost in the Suffolk countryside as my multimap print out in draft mode was too poor to read but found it in the end. Although I will only have 9 of these sets, they are a lovely addition to the childrens toys. There are no varnishes, paints or pigments just alder wood and some linseed oil.

The Germans are certainly years ahead of us where eco and organic products are concerned. A lot of Green Eyed Frog's products come from Germany. The quality is excellent and craftsmanship superb.

I thought that buying wooden toys for my children was far better than plastic but then I found out about the toxic paints and varnishes which can be used on some toys from China and Taiwan. Its very difficult for parents these days to know what is best for their children especially with all the media pressure to buy expensive plastic tat. Get the children watching BBC channels - they don't have adverts!!!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Dear husband

The only problem working with your other half is that they don't do what you want them to when you want them to...

My husband, who is also my business partner, designed and maintains the green eyed frog web site fitting it in with other 'more important' work. He photographs new products when they come in which are then supposed to go up on the site, however sometimes the photos can sit on the camera for weeks before he gets a chance to put them up. I apologise for products listed which do not have photos this is the reason why...

When the Christmas gifts arrive I've told him to get a move on otherwise Christmas will be over by the time the photos go up. I call it motivation he calls it nagging.


It all gets done in the end and what a good job he makes (if he reads this blog!).