Tomorrow we celebrate the mother of all mothers, Mother Earth!

Tomorrow is “Mother Earth” Day! SHE is the mother of all mothers!  Without her none of us would be here!  Stop and think for a moment how simply stunning she is.  Her oceans, rivers, mountains, deserts, rain forests, vast plains, I could go on and on, are all breathtaking.  She is home to so many beautiful species of animals and plants and us of course. 

The name "Mother Earth" is a metaphor for the idea that the Earth is like a nurturing mother who provides sustenance, shelter, and protection to all living beings. The term has been used by many cultures and religions throughout history, and it reflects the deep connection that humans have with the natural world. Earth is our home, and it is the only planet known to support life as we know it. The Earth provides us with the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. It also supports a wide range of ecosystems and species, which contribute to the overall balance of the planet's ecology. The Earth is a complex and interconnected system, with many different processes and cycles that work together to sustain life. It is a precious resource that we must all work to protect and preserve for future generations.  The exploitation of these resources has also led to environmental degradation and climate change, which pose a threat to the planet's sustainability. It is important to recognize the value of Mother Earth as a living planet and to work towards protecting and preserving her natural systems and resources for future generations. This requires a collective effort from individuals, communities, and governments to promote sustainable development practices and reduce our impact on the environment.

Camels relaxing (after carrying Tiffany and family) in Morocco

If Mother Earth could speak, she might express concern and sadness about the way humans have treated her and her natural systems. She might ask us to treat her with more respect and care, to take responsibility for the damage we have caused, and to work together to create a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.  She would probably tell us that we are not living in harmony with nature and that our actions are causing irreparable damage to the planet. She might ask us to be more mindful of our consumption habits and to make choices that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. She might also remind us of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and the importance of preserving biodiversity and protecting the habitats of all living beings. I’m quite certain she would urge us to prioritize the health and well-being of the planet and all its inhabitants over short-term economic gain and consumption.  Ultimately, the message Mother Earth would have for us would likely be one of caution, wisdom, and a call to action to protect and restore the natural systems that sustain us all.

Here at Intertwined we pride ourselves on our model of sustainability. All our products are made in small batches, reducing waste and Intertwined’s environmental footprint. In many cases, our products are produced with little electricity using traditional wooden looms and pedal sewing machines. Creating a new life for vintage handwoven fabrics has become one of our biggest passions. It’s a passion that we all can feel good about: reuse is more important than recycling in the three “R”s of sustainability (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).  In choosing a signature fabric for the back of our pillows, we learned a lot about hemp and nettle. These fabrics are made from the fibers of industrial hemp and Himalayan nettle, plants that grow in northern India and Nepal. Both plants grow quickly with no pesticides and less water than other natural fibers.  For some of our other items, we partner with FabScrap, a NYC non-profit that collected 305,977 pounds of discarded fabrics in 2021 alone. FabScrap recovers fabrics from high-end designers in New York City, recycles proprietary material and resales its other collected textiles. These fabrics would otherwise be discarded and end up in our landfills. With our purchases from FabScrap we’ve also been able to provide sewing work for Afghan refugees living in Greensboro. We also do our best to use as little packaging as possible which is always recyclable. We’ve made it our mission to do good for our artisan partners and good for Mother Earth which ultimately is doing good for all of us. I hope we are making Mother Earth proud!

Lucilla and Kata proudly display a cotton corte blanket, made from a repurposed handwoven skirt with hand-embroidered detail down the middle.

Let’s each do our part to make sure Mother Earth remains the beautiful, vibrant planet that she is. Spread awareness and educate others about the importance of protecting the environment. Share your knowledge and inspire others to take action and make positive changes. Remember, every small action counts in protecting and preserving our Mother Earth!  By making small changes in our daily lives, we can all contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for her and for ourselves.