This just in . . .

Even though it snowed the tiniest bit today,
SPRING is IN the AIR!!!

that means . . . designers have been busy like bees!!

we received multiple boxes of goodies from
our beloved independent designers
in the past two weeks:

~ some new caps for kids from Punkin (Crescent Valley, BC)
~ new jewelry from Erin Then (Nelson, BC)
~ new earrings from EKB - Liz Barnes (Nelson, BC)
~ new leather belts from Earth Nynja (Calgary, AB)



and finally, new clothing for men and women
from Inkspoon Clothing (Vancouver, BC)
(https://www.inkspoon.org/main/main.html)

This collective of artists always uses sweatshop-free
clothing to showcase their amazing art,
and lately have been working with local designer
Catherine Gaudreault (Nektar Designs)
to create slinky, wearable canvases from
sustainable fibres for Inkspoon
to customize with their screen prints!

~ Athena Dress with Arial print

~ Tunic Dress with Arial print

~ Longsleeve VNeck with Arial print

~ Sleeveless VNeck with Aviary print

~ Boatneck Longsleeve with Celestite print

~ Men's Fitted Longsleeve Top with Symbiotica print

~ Zip Hoody with Gneem-Scape print

~ Track Jacket with Gneem-Scape print

stay tuned for LOTS more photos,
my bro bought me a new camera!!!
WOO HOO!!

take care all!

january,
out.

OMG it's 2010!!

apologies for being away for so long,
time's flown by since my last post!!!

i'd like to bring attention to a Collage Contest that our local chapter
of Interior Health is sponsoring for

Eating Disorder Awareness Week
February 1 - 7, 2010

"What do YOU think the media could look like if...?"

Consider that most (if not ALL??!) photos containing models
in mainstream magazines have been altered in some way.

Can you spot the differences between the REAL Faith Hill and
the ALTERED version that was published ??



more importantly, were the alterations necessary?

would you still buy the magazine or covet the dress in the ads
if you saw page after page of the real Faith? 
or the real Beyonce?
or the real . . . ANYONE??

SO!!!

Show the world what YOUR VISION of this would be !!

Fame!
Fortune!

and an opportunity to

BE THE CHANGE 

await you!!!


PRIZES!! :

~ 18 years and over – 1st and 2nd Prizes
    $100 gift certificate for Cowans
    $75 gift certificate for Snowpack
~ 17 years and under – 1st and 2nd Prizes
    $100 gift certificate for Cowans
    $75 gift certificate for Snowpack


COLLAGE CONTEST REQUIREMENTS :

A collage is a work of art on a single surface composed of
various materials not normally associated with one another.

•Physical dimensions can not exceed 36” x 48”
•You cannot submit any images that infringe or violate someone
else’s rights or violate the law.
•Your collage must address the theme question :
“What do you think the media could look like if…”
•Your submission must include: your full name,
age, address, email address, and phone number.

•Submit your collage photo via email in a jpeg file
format to caryn.malabar@interiorhealth.ca

The deadline for submitting your collage is
February 12th, 2010, 3:00 PM.

Any submissions that fail to meet these requirements will be ineligible.


TO SUBMIT THE COLLAGE AS A JPEG :

Do NOT send the original collage to us!!!

Please email your submission with the information required above
in the body of your email and the jpeg attached to
caryn.malabar@interiorhealth.ca


HOW WILL WE CHOOSE THE WINNER?? :

After submission acceptance closes on February 12th,
our panel of judges will review each eligible entry
and we can’t wait to see what your ideas!

The winner will be announced February 19, 2010!!

GOOD LUCK!!

*We reserve the right to use any submission at its discretion.
Your submission constitutes your agreement to irrevocably release the rights
to the image you have submitted for unrestricted use.

Floating Gold Iceberg

i just realized that the blog

has been representing only the
tiny sized kid's stuff that we've stocked
for Xmas gift ideas!

So! here is a little taste of the handmade goodies we get
for grown-ups from the ladies at
Floating Gold Iceberg in Victoria, BC
(http://floatinggoldiceberg.squarespace.com/)

~ the Little Lady Wallet is small enough for her back pocket
but still has a zip and a snap to help her keep it all together!!

~ Wrist Warmers - these colorful & cozy sleevelets
add a splash of color and keep you warm!!
LOTS of different fabrics and prints to choose from!

~ the Overprint Scarf in soft jersey is
extra long and can also be worn
as a tube wrap top or a mini skirt!

~ the Cossack Pant is made with great stretch fabrics;
right now we have them in jet black linen/lycra.
with a comfortable yoga waistband, these are both
dressy and casual all wrapped up in one!

~ the Reversible Short Dress is a best-seller here at GU!
made from a cotton/lycra stretch material
in a rainbow of colors
each with custom screenprinting!
you can wear it long like a dress with tights
or
rouched up at your hips as a top
(this style is very popular with Moms-to-Be!)

~ the Long John Skirt in a wool blend fabric
has a smocked waistband that you can wear high or low
and almost - hidden side pockets.

~ Le Trou? Mais Oui!!
these full length trousers come in a thick denim/lycra fabric
with a yoga waistband and a structured cuff that can
be easily turned up to change the length and the look!
of course, these are printed with FGI's original art too!

~ the Circle Scarf is my new FaVe!!
so easy to wear, it's simply one continuous length of jersey:

* once around your neck is long and elegant
* double it up = two cozy layers
* bring one of the layers up over your head for a little hood
* over your shoulders and under your arms = a shrug!

the FGI ladies have added a ribbon accent along with
their lovely printed art.


Floating Gold Iceberg is another Lady-Driven business
that we are so proud to be associated with!!
Mademoiselle Angie (Oui!?) has graciously
consigned her handmade wares with us for
two years now, from even before there was an FGI collective
and for that we will be ever appreciative!!

Honorable mention to Lizz, a mutual BFF,
who brought us all together in the first place!!

Angie was a big part of our first big in-store event:
a Fashion Show and Trunk Sale
in Sept 2007
that included
Bonspiel! - designer Ellen Box (Victoria, BC)
(http://bonspielcreation.com/)

it was such a fun night
and we have yet to duplicate it
but we'll keep trying!

here's a fun video of the evening that our friend Soniko
put together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Wr4QIJ0wo

Did i say thanks yet to whoever
sent all this yummy
SnOw!!!???

it's the best kind too:
it's sticking to everything,
making the world seem quieter,
and no problem to shovel!!

are you getting into the Xmas spirit yet?

xoxo, global

too cute to leave out !

so they get their very own post!

these are just a few new photos of items from the
Punkin line of kid's clothing
(http://www.punkin.ca/),
made here in the West Kootenays by designer Katie Tabor



Punkin works closely with local artist & graphic designer
Emily Beamer (http://www.emilybeamer.com/index.htm)
incorporating some of Emily's original artwork
into the finished pieces




the sweet Tunic Top pictured below is currently available in
black bamboo/lycra with a
dainty turquoise filigree screenprint


once again, these photos are credited to
Alison Watt (http://www.bragphotography.ca/)
here in Nelson, BC.
Alison specializes in children's portraits
and these particular pics are a wonderful
example of her creativity and style!!

OK, time for one last thing:

our friend Grace McKirdy is a student in the
Human Services program at Selkirk College.
she and some other students from the program are
currently fundraising to cover the cost of
an international practicum where they will travel to
Guatemala for three weeks to learn more about Human Service practices.



we are happy to help Grace (& the other students)
raise this $$ by offering two of their products
for sale at Global Underground:




~ from Onya Bags (http://www.onyabags.co.uk/)



the Original Onya Bag is
made of durable & washable parachute material,
measures 14.5" x 18"
and squishes right down into a tiny pouch
on a key ring so you always have it with you!!



the Onya Weigh bags are a set of
5 nylon mesh bags
measuring 10" x 11"
that can be used for fruit & veg or bulk food
shopping & storage
(or for washing your delicates!!)


these also compress into a
3.5" x 4.5" pouch with keyring
so you won't forget them!



only $10 each!!

100% of the money raised from the sale of these bags is going to the
international practicum trip!!

we have an assortment of colors to choose from so
drop by and help the Selkirk College students
with this effort!



finally, i'm just curious . . .



is it snowing where you are??



i'm getting a little bummed with the current brown-ness

of our little mountain town

so maybe share a little if you can manage?


*Thanks*



xox, global

New Website!!

New website!

New photo gallery!

Updated designer listings and links!

http://www.global-underground.net/



Oodles of gratitude and appreciation to
Tessa Stark from think pink design
(http://www.thinkpinkdesign.ca/)
for all of her creativity and hard work as
Global Underground's graphic designer and website master.
somehow Tessa manages to be a great business woman
AND a supermom and we are so happy she's
part of our G U team!!



also, big BIG hugs and coffee mugs full of boozy Irish Creme
for our gorgeous and handsome models:

Brianne
Ryan
Alina
Beau
& Sheryl

not only did they each do us a massive favor by
being Supah-Models for our first professional photo shoot ever,
but they did whatever we asked, with style & humor,
in the rain & cold, 'til we said they were done!!!

these are some of the peeps we have supporting us
in our business venture and we
Love you Guys SO MUCH!!!
Thanks Again!! ♥


Photography Credits: Alison Watt, Nelson BC
(http://www.bragphotography.ca/)

Alison was also the photographer for the Punkin Kid's clothing line
photo shoot that was featured in a previous blog entry.
we had a lot of fun with her during our first ever photo shoot even though
we were a bit lost. Ali was professional yet casual and spent just as much
time coming up with suggestions as we did!

ok, by now you should already be looking at
http://www.global-underground.net/

why are you still reading this?

get going!!?

xoxo, global

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

". . . bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
brown paper packages tied up with strings,
these are a few of my favorite things"

here are a few of OUR favorite things,
eat your heart out Oprah!

~ from Dear Pony (designer Tracy Fillion, Nelson, BC)
(http://www.etsy.com/shop/dearpony)

a cozy fleece hoody with bluebird embroidery

recycled merino wool armwarmers

and recycled sweater mittens

finally, a reversible Obi belt
made from organic cotton

~ from Clever Fawn (designer Beth Schwartz, Nelson, BC)
(http://www.cleverfawn.com/)
stylish & functional fall and winter arm warmers

a wool poppy pin for your hair
(or your cap. or your collar. or ...)

and just one piece of Beth's unique hand made jewelry to tease you,
a dragonfly pendant in sterling silver and copper

** new to our store this week! **

~ from Artifact Design Co. (designer Marnie Eikenaar, Nelson, BC)
(http://www.thesiscrew.com/)
soft and stylish OneOfAKind reconstructed tees and hoodies

~ from Love Bobbie (designer Julie Chung, Vancouver, BC)
(http://www.lovebobbie.com/)
a modern fabric flower headband

and damn cute customized bobby pins
that are as functional as they are pretty!!


~ from Green One Ventures (designer Melissa Blyth, Vancouver, BC)
(http://www.greenoneventures.com/)
100% organic cotton canvas shopping bag
* No Need to be Koi *

this bag will hold so much!
we fit a full picnic's worth of food in,
from the baguette to the Bordeaux!!


just in case you missed it,
all of these great products were designed
and produced right here in Left Coast Canada!

a mere sampling of what you might find behind

~ the Red Door in the Alley ~

Global Underground
Nelson, BC

kids with style!

punkin by designer Katie Tabor (Crescent Valley, BC)
(http://www.punkin.ca/) is "smart indie fashion for babies & kids. the very
heart & soul of punkin is creating looks that express the
confidence, strength & spirit of children.
sweet, edgy style, made with xo.
all design and sewing for this line is done in
Katie's home based studio."

these hats are hand made, sizes from 0-6mos up to 4-5yrs
they are so seriously cute, and very well made!
* custom orders available -- see website *

Katie is one of the many talented local designers we have the
pleasure of doing business with. we are linked as self-employed entrepreneurs,
as women in business, and as friends!

she connected us with another local
businesswoman, Alison Watt (http://www.bragphotography.ca/), whose
brilliant photography is featured in this post. we all happen to be clients of the local
Community Futures program too!

if for some reason You, the reader, and i have never had a
conversation before, i say the word networking at least once a day,
probably more. (this is michelle, in case you couldn't tell.)
our business has grown through some serendipitous networking
over the past 3+ years . . . it feels
like a huge family tree!! (sappy, i know) (groan...)

cute Koots kids huh?
some of these photos were taken in our alley -- Herridge Lane.
it has a colorful mural wall on one side and
brick wall + a green door on the other so it's a great backdrop.

Ali and Katie (Kate&Ali?) were amazing wrangling
these little ones in what might have been the
fastest photo shoot ever!
yet another bonus of MoMs in business!

ok! i blog too long.
i'm new at it so it takes me forever to do anything too complicated.
hip hip hooray for the END OF NOVEMBER!!!
it's been a tough month brothers and sisters,
let us rejoice and be Mary.
i mean, merry.

xox, global