Naturally Simple

Elephant Dung Greeting Cards by Wompom Cards

by NaturallySimple @ Wednesday, Jun. 25, 2008 – 07:56:15 pm

Elephant Dung Greeting Cards by Wompom Cards

Naturally Simple has been looking for some great handmade cards to stock and we think we have found some of excellent quality. They are great fun, they give employment and also help the elephants. When looking for materials to make our hand made cards, we prioritise using recycled / renewable resources.

The card and envelopes are from 100% post consumer waste materials. The buff coloured cards are 75% post consumer waste paper and 25% elephant poo. This supports a project in Sri Lanka where a 'habitat war' between villagers growing crops and elephants looking for food is an ongoing tension. The decoration on the card also uses recycled materials where possible, although this is not necessarily 100% recycled.

The packaging we use is also sourced with recycled materials in mind and we have tried to find envelopes and boxes that protect the cards in transit, but with reasonable renewable credentials.

We hope you enjoy cards and they bring lasting pleasure to those you send them to, whilst minimising the impact on our world. A natural fibre, it is a renewable resource. The inks and decorative papers are acid free.

How Is Elephant Poo Cards Made?

Elephant dung paper is made using a process that has been used for several years. Elephant dung is collected from conservation parks or from other natural areas and the fibres from that dung are cleaned. Once they have been thoroughly cleaned, they are dyed so that producers can make many different colored elephant dung papers. After the dyeing process is complete, the fibers are mixed with natural materials so that the entire mixture gets thicker and makes it easier for the paper to be produced. Once this thickening happens, the mixture is formed into cakes or patties and put into mesh trays so it can dry. While the cakes are drying, the trays are often put up against trees so that the sun can accelerate the drying process and make sure the fibers are as dry as possible. Once the cakes or patties have dried, sheets of elephant dung paper are pulled off the mesh trays. This is how elephant dung paper is made.

Quality of Elephant Dung Paper

Many people think that being made out of elephant dung makes recycled paper low in quality. This is not the truth at all. In fact, elephant dung paper is just as high in quality as paper produced with raw materials. The high levels of quality make it easier for manufacturers to turn elephant dung paper into other products.

Elephant Dung Paper Products

Once the paper has been made, it can be used to make many other elephant dung paper products. Please click here to see our huge range of Elephant Dung Paper. This kind of paper is often used to make journals that come in a wide variety of styles and colors. These journals can feature very plain covers or have more decorative covers so that many people will like what is being offered.

Since millions of greeting cards are sent each year, (see our range of Elephant Dung Greeting Cards) having an environmentally responsible alternative to cards made with raw materials is a great idea. Elephant dung paper can also be used to make stationery sets that include writing paper, note cards, and envelopes. A wide variety of products are made with elephant dung paper.

Where does the Elephant Poo Come From?

The Millennium Elephant Foundation is situated on a 15 acre estate known as Samaragiri, which has been home to the Samarasinghe family for many generations. The family has owned elephants since the 1960's and in 1979 Mr. Samarasinghe (1939 - 1991) opened the estate to the public as the "Elephant Bath". Currently the MEF is home to 5 cow (female) elephants. The youngest, Pooja was the first captive elephant to be bred in Sri Lanka, born in 1984. It is estimated that the MEF grounds have a total holding capacity of 10-15 female elephants; of course consideration can be given to male elephants if necessary. In an effort to increase awareness and generate the funds needed for the maintenance and care of our elephants, the MEF actively welcomes visitors and encourages one to one interaction with them.

At the turn of the 20th Century, there were more than 12,000 elephants in the jungles of Sri Lanka. Now it is estimated that there are only between 2,500 and 2,800 and 192 elephants living in domesticity. The Millennium Elephant Foundation seeks to promote and improve elephant welfare in Sri Lanka by encouraging the conservation of Sri Lanka's threatened elephant population and compassionate elephant ownership. We hope to do this by raising awareness of the elephant's struggle; offering medical help / assistance and promoting education relating to elephant welfare, not only in Sri Lanka but around the world.

The Millennium Elephant Foundation believes good welfare standards are possible for all captive elephants in Sri Lanka. Our project '2000 and Beyond' aims to promote this through good health, compassionate ownership and education.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at Naturally Simple Ltd on help@naturallysimple.co.uk

Fairtrade Lacquer and Mother of Pearl Tea Light Holders from Vietnam

by NaturallySimple @ Wednesday, May. 21, 2008 – 04:04:12 pm

Collecting Vietnamese lacquer ware has become more and more popular in recent years, as more collectors and art lovers discover this unique form of decoration. Today, lacquer ware is available from many Asian countries although pieces from Vietnam are highly sought after both for their beauty and their durability – typically lacquer ware retains its unique appearance for many years if properly cared for.

METHOD OF PRODUCTION

Almost 100% of the whole production process is implemented by hand. Yet, nowadays machinery can be applied for some minor steps of the production process like polishing and the making of base products. However, there must be always people’s hands in all of the steps.

MAJOR STEPS INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION PROCESS

1.                  The raw/base products are hand-examined. Any cracks, indentations and holes are sealed up with a mixture of natural lacquer resin and sawdust in order to strengthen the products, then dry the products and then sharpen the products surface with sandy paper.

2.                  The products are covered with fine cotton gauze and one layer of a mixture of natural lacquer resin, sawdust and silty soil in order to prevent the products from being cracked or bent, then dry the products, and then sharpen the product surface with sandy paper.

3.                  Apply another layer of a mixture of natural lacquer resin, sawdust and silty soil in order to make the product surface smooth, then dry the products, and then sharpen them with sandy paper under water, and then dry the products again.

4.                  Apply another layer of a mixture of natural lacquer resin or refined cashew nut oil and silty soil onto the product surface, then dry the products, and then sharpen them under water with sandy paper, and then dry them again.

5.                  Step 4 is repeated.

6.                  Apply another layer of a mixture of refined cashew nut oil and weakened crude oil onto the product surface, then dry the products and then apply another layer of a mixture of refined cashew nut oil and silty soil onto the product surface, and then dry the products and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper, and dry them up again.

7.                  Apply another layer of refined cashew nut oil onto the product surface then dry the products and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up again.

8.                  Seal up all holes on the product surface with a mixture of cashew nut oil and silty soil then dry the products and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up.

9.                  Step 7 is repeated.

10.             Step 7 is repeated.

11.             Hand-colour the products, Paint them to required colours and drawings. + Colour the products in plain/solid colour: Hand-colour the products to required colours then dry them and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up. + Paint drawings on products: Hand-draw to require drawings then colour products to required colours and then dry them and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up. + Apply silver onto products: Apply a thin layer of cashew nut oil then apply a layer of white silver leaves onto the product surface and then dry them up and then colour the products to required colours (if required) and then dry them, sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up.

12.             Apply onto the products with a layer of special Japanese lacquer paint then dry them and then sharpen them under water by sandy paper and then dry them up.

13.             Step 12 is repeated.

14. Step 12 is repeated.

15. The products are polished by machine and bare hand where applicable with a special local black wax.

16.             Apply a layer of wax called Cana onto the product surface then clean the products with cotton gauze in order to make the products shiny and clean.

17.             Hinges and hooks are fitted (if required).

18.             Company logo is silk screened onto the products where applicable (if required).

19.             Wrapping and packing the products for delivery. Steps 1 to 5 are sanded by rough sandy paper, steps 6-10 are sanded by more fine sandy paper and steps 11-14 are sanded by fine sandy paper. Steps 1-14, each step takes one day to get dry up and another one day to be completed.

LACQUER CARE

By following a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the beauty of your lacquer wares for many years. Here are a few general instructions to assist you in maintaining the beauty and quality of lacquer products.

1.                  Keep out of direct sunlight and away from extreme heat. Ultraviolet light and extreme heat will fade the surface of the lacquer ware and allow fine cracks to form. Once light or heat damage has occurred, other kinds of deterioration can happen as well, and the beauty and life-span of your products will be reduced.

2.                  Do not stack on top of other lacquer products.

3.                  Do not soak, use hot water to clean your products or place your lacquer products in wet places for a long time. Otherwise, they may get swollen.

4.                  Do not use any chemicals to clean your lacquer ware products. Instead, use a dry or damp & soft cloth to gently wipe it down. This should be done routinely as dirt or moisture may build up if your products are used often. When using your lacquer ware with food, you can clean with mild soap and warm water, then rinse and dry them immediately after cleaning.

5.                  Do not insert into dish washers or microwave ovens.

6.                  Your Lacquer products are susceptible to damages from very dry conditions or fluctuating humidity. A balanced climate that is between 60% and 70% humidity is recommended to store your lacquer products in order to ensure long life.

Why Recycle

by NaturallySimple @ Wednesday, May. 14, 2008 – 03:46:31 pm

Why recycle?
Recycling lessens the requirement for raw materials. In turn, the environment and health damaging operations undertaken to obtain these materials are also reduced. Transportation and manufacturing processes of these raw materials uses fossil fuels. Another resource is thus reduced and still further environmental improvement made.

Use of recycling products within manufacture can also use less energy than using raw material, and result in lower emissions.

Most rubbish is either buried (landfill) or burnt (incineration). There is limited space available for landfill and both these forms of disposal effect our environment.

What happened to that old saying 'waste not want not'?

The overall amount of waste is increasing as we buy more packaged and disposable products.
Domestic UK households produce about 1 tonne of rubbish annually. This amounts to around 27 million tonnes of waste in the UK each year and approximately a quarter of this is packaging waste.

Recycling therefore needs to increase. Recycling services need to get much better and everybody needs to recycle much more.

What is recycling?

Recycling gives no longer wanted or useful items a new lease of life. Occasionally things can be made back into the same, or similar, item whilst others into something completely different.
Glass bottles can be recycled and manufactured into new ones. Plastic vending cups can be made into pencils and plastic bottles into clothing.

What can be recycled?

A great many materials could be recycled but what can be recycled in practice is dependent on economics.

Products suitable for recycling are being marked with symbols detailing what they are made of to assist with both collection and reprocessing.

In the UK many kerbside collection schemes are now in place to collect items such as tins, cardboard packaging, newspapers, plastic bottles etc and also recycling sites/banks for glass, clothes, shoes and organic garden waste.
Once recyclables have been collected, or are taken to a recycling site/bank, they will be sorted into the various materials i.e. paper, plastics and transported to appropriate reprocessors. Then they are broken down e.g. into chipped plastic and used by manufacturers to make a new usable product.

The economics of recycling improves if there is a market for goods made with recycled raw materials. So buying recycled promotes recycling.

New Fair Trade Jewellery (Silver)

by NaturallySimple @ Thursday, Mar. 06, 2008 – 02:37:06 pm

Please have a look at my new jewellery section - we only stock Fair Traded jewellery which is handmade and it is post and packing free!

We have a new logo

by NaturallySimple @ Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 – 03:45:02 pm

Have a look at our great new logo. We think it is great and gives a great new feel to our website.

Credit Card Facilities

by NaturallySimple @ Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 – 03:53:46 pm

We now have credit card facilities on our shop. Have a look and make the choice between Paypal or Credit Cards via Paynova.

Happy Buying.

Wendy

Sale Now On

by NaturallySimple @ Friday, Jan. 04, 2008 – 03:09:01 pm

Naturally Simple Sale

Have a look at the bargains for sale and grab one before we sell out.

www.naturallysimple.co.uk

Happy Christmas from all of us at Naturally Simple

by NaturallySimple @ Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007 – 04:35:38 pm

christmas To you all and thank you for your support.

Regards

Everyone at Naturally Simple

Perfect Start Organic Cotton Baby Gift Sets

by NaturallySimple @ Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007 – 09:17:00 pm

Perfect Start 3 Piece & 5 Piece Gift Sets

A truly perfect gift to give to a new born! Beautifully presented 3 piece natural organic cotton baby wear set size 0-3 months. The set includes a stripy sleepsuit, hat, bib and mits and brown body. All the colours are produced naturally by the cotton plant!

The 5 Piece lovely boxed set, suitable for 0-3 months, from The Natural Colour Cotton Company consists of a sleepsuit, hat and mits, short bodysuit and bib.

3 Piece Gift set costs only £14.00 including post and packing to mainland UK

5 Piece Gift Set only costs £24.00 including post and packing to mainland UK

Go on get a bargain because they are going fast, go to www.naturallysimple.co.uk

Elephant Dung Gift Set

by NaturallySimple @ Saturday, Dec. 08, 2007 – 10:57:55 pm

Special Offer, all the below for £27.00 including first class post and packing. You will receive this in time for Christmas if you order it in the next week(10th - 16th December 2007).

Included in this Gift Pack:
Address Book
Note Cube
Note Box
Bookmark
Keyring
Free pen
The above items may vary in colur because they are handmade.

Have a look on the shop www.naturallysimple.co.uk

Thanks

Wendy