A Successful Filipino Entrepreneur Story of Innovation: Business from Twigs

Eco-entrepreneurs main drivers of green marketing

USA – Naturescast Introduces Bloss Collections

NaturesCast Boti Bowl

Earth's Trash Turned to Art by Naturescast

Designer Discovery: NaturesCast

Generation G: Live Good. Live Green

Philippines brings eco-design ideas to the Japan Home and Building Show

For its 5th participation to the JHBS, the Philippines delivers cutting-edge products to the fore as it solidifies its reputation as a reliable source of stylish and sustainable home-building and construction materials demanded the world over.

Naturescast, the brand Nature’s Legacy Eximport, Inc. (Golden Shell Awardee for 2004) is famously known for, is produced through patented material innovations that transform agro-forest debris into designs for furniture and home accessories, lawn and garden products, fashion accessories, footwear, architecture and interior designs, and packaging materials. Pete Delantar, President of Nature’s Legacy, calls their advocacy as “regeneration… we put [these wastes] into good use and extend [their] life.”

GreenPeace Cogon Project

"TREE PLANTING"

October 25, 2009

Brgy. Cogon, Compostela, Cebu

Cebu-based Exporters Make Their “green” Mark In Japan

Japan has always been considered to be a country that would rank high among those that are most environmentally conscious. Their products as well as manufacturing processes are attuned to the global standards in sustainability and environment protection.

Leaving Nature’s Legacy

Eco-entrepreneurs Pete and Catherine Delantar, the husband and wife tandem behind Nature’s Legacy Eximport Inc., have come up with an innovative line of home and garden furniture and accessories as well as architectural components, fashion complements, and footwear made out of “forest castaways.”

This patented material innovation, which took two years to perfect, was borne during a clean up drive in their community where mounds of dried twigs, leaves, and forest wastes gave Catherine the idea of making use of these agro-forest debris as raw material. “These twigs are not endangered. [They] die after a certain number of months because the top soil has no more nutrients,” explains Pete Delantar, the company’s President.

Called Naturescast, these scraps are shredded and bonded together using odorless water-based binder and then fashioned into functional, decorative pieces which are 100% biodegradable. “We don’t just gather [the scraps], we rescue them; give them a second life. We call it regeneration…from being wastes, we put [them] to good use and extend [its] life.

Nature’s Legacy is highly recognized and awarded for its pioneering innovations and efforts as well as its green practices. Among its recognitions is the prestigious Golden Shell Award for excellence in design and manufacturing in 2004.

Eco Luxury Award (Marvey wall art by Nature's Legacy

Naturescast by Nature's Legacy goes to "Tree Planting"

"TREE PLANTING" in cooperation with PBSP, September 19, 2009 at Sitio Cantipla, Tabunan, Cebu City

MAGIC 2009: "Naturescast furniture featured at the Ecollection Lounge"

Green Products Expo

Naturescast® individually designs eco-fashionable jewelry collections and eco-friendly home furnishings and accessories collections including wall art made from agro-forest debris such as twigs, bark and leaves. Jewelry collections introduced include a new line of bangle, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. Home accessories collections including souvenir items such as key holders, charms and small paperweights will also be shown. A furniture line is also available. Product components are biodegradable, recyclable and environmentally friendly.

Naturescast®: Shades of Green (Las Vegas Market)

In this part of the world, the color green can easily elicit a big yawn. Perhaps this is because long before green became a buzzword, we have been recycling all sorts of things. Think chop-chop (surplus auto parts), or the corner ukay-ukay. Ours is a lifestyle dictated by necessity, where most things are given a second life.

Nature's Legacy: Condo Living

Manila F.A.M.E 2009
Going green turns on a new leaf

Testimony from design patriot
"We believe that designing an eco-friendly product starts with an understanding of your environment first. We must recognize that sustainable and renewable resources are around us," confirms Manila F.A.M.E. exhibitor Pete Delantar of Natures Legacy. Their company manufacturers artistic and functional home pieces and various outdoor accessories.

Naturescast® in 'Echo-nomical' store

Think of the word "trash" and these things may come to mind: an old tarpaulin left on the sidewalk, an empy soda can on the street, a plastic bag afloat on the sea.

Perhaps most of us have grown up with this concept of trash in mind, as if being useless is the definite end to an item's "lifespan".

Marvey Wall Art

Viernes 22 de Mayo de 2009 16:39

Marvey Wall Art
El Marvey Wall Art es un producto decorativo creado con una combinación de materiales innovadores: el Nucast, que está compuesto de material reciclable y aglutinante a base de agua, y del Marmorcast, que es un polímero de alto grado con resinas de poliéster que puede lograr diseños durables con un acabado similar al de un espejo o un piano.

The Marvey Wall Art ganó el premio Eco-Luxury durante el Katha Awards Fame International en la ciudad de Manila, Filipinas, que reconoce productos ecológicos.
Solicite información GRATIS sobre este producto.

GREEN MAGIC - Magic Convention's Ecollection - Green Vegas

GREEN MAGIC

MAGIC CONVENTION’S ECOLLECTION
By Deanna Clarin

The Men’s Apparel Guild in California or MAGIC Convention comes to town twice each year to showcase new clothing collections from hundreds of exhibitors. But what we do not know is how MAGIC really lives up to its name—and that is by playing host to a variety of eco-friendly exhibitors committed in making a difference.
This year’s MAGIC Convention featured sellers who are not only knowledgeable about fashion, but also in building a more sustainable future. From flip-flops made from recycled car tires to purses made from old plastic juice packs, MAGIC’s ECollection had them all. And as a Greener Vegas Convention partner, we went in to speak with the sellers at the ECollection and learn about how their products are helping to preserve and protect our environment.

Peace-Together and Z-Ply Corporation are just some of the many clothing companies that promote the use of 100 percent organic cotton for garment production. A representative for Peace-Together, Heidi Able said their company also uses water-soluble inks for their products, and contrary to what most people would think, their products are also relatively inexpensive.

Elizabeth Searle from Z-Ply Corporation said the planting of sunflowers near their cotton farms also helped divert the insects that would have otherwise be feeding on their cotton trees. This helped them stay true to their mission of creating products that are free from harmful chemicals coming from pesticides.

Bamboo was also a popular choice for those looking for an alternative fabric material. It is naturally anti-microbial and up to three to four times more absorbent than cotton. These trees are also naturally regenerative and its fibers are 100 percent biodegradable. Bamboo Hugs creator Claudia Night said bamboo trees also possess “bamboo kun” which is a natural agent that prevents bacteria from cultivating in it. Aside from this, she says bamboo trees also grow without the use of pesticides.

Ethos Paris also promotes the use of organic cotton as well as Alpaca fiber in their clothing products. General Director Ann Leroux said Alpaca fiber is a great alternative to traditional clothing materials. Aside from the fact that it is hypoallergenic, it is also stain-resistant. It is also known that Alpacas leave a very minimal ecological imprint.

MAGIC’s ECollection also featured a handful of extremely creative exhibitors. Naturescast’s collection from household items to footwear and jewelry is so innovative that one would have to look twice before realizing that the company actually uses fallen twigs, dead shrubs and dry tree barks to make their items.

These forest debris collected from the Philippines are then grinded and shredded and then hand-bonded together with a water-based glue to before being formed by their designers. Company representative Peter Delantar also said that their production company continuously provides livelihood opportunities as well as housing projects for all their workers.

Gary Ward, the President and Founder of Ocean Minded not only thought about making sustainable products but also continuously organized events to help protect our environment. Upon arrival to the city of Las Vegas, Ward, along with some volunteers and friends actually went to hold a clean-up activity at Lake Mead.

His line of footwear sold in surf stores nationwide is also extremely sustainable. Their company uses recycled car tires, as well as re-used Ethylene vinyl acetate or EVA’s as their main raw materials in making their footwear. The products are also bamboo-lined and only utilize vegetable dyes and water-based glues.

Naturescast and Ocean Minded are not the only ones using materials that could have already been easily thrown away. Re-bagz by Half the Sky Designs also featured an innovative way to turn trash into treasure. President and CEO of the company Marty Stevens-Heebner says she got the idea upon a trip to the Philippines. She decided to use discarded rice sacks and plastic juice packs as the main materials for her line of handbags.

While they are made of nylon, they are completely sturdy and even waterproof, meaning they can be used for a long time. Stevens-Heebner also proudly said her company only employs a certified fair-trade women’s cooperative in the Philippines so buyers can be assured that they are sweatshop-free.

Manufacturers and exhibitors can also take advantage of what California Label Products has to offer. They manufacture eco-friendly labels and tags for different companies. California Label Products also uses organic cotton, hemp and bamboo for the labels and print them with soy or water-based inks. They also manufacture recycled paper tags and seed papers that can actually be planted and grown.

MAGIC’s ECollection was just proof that it is possible to improve our environmental conditions if anyone would be willing to take a part in the mission to create a more sustainable future. Most, if not all the exhibitors I spoke with at the ECollection are also very optimistic that our society will soon assume the responsibility of caring for our environment.

The MAGIC Convention’s ECollection offered us a variety of new ways to better our everyday processes and make the best of what our environment can offer us-- and that is truly the magic of it all.

Editors Note: Our Featured Guest Writer and photographer for this article,
Deanna Clarin, is a Senior Journalism Student at UNLV

EcoChic: Going Green in Las Vegas

EcoChic: Going Green in Las Vegas

Going Green in Las Vegas would, for most people, conjure up images of hitting it big at the slot machines or black jack tables, or perhaps getting a winning hand in poker.

At the Las Vegas Market, whose theme this year was “Survive or Thrive,” going green was certainly thriving on the 2nd floor of Building B in the Living Green Pavilion. A full program of informative seminars entitled, “Brave New World Environmental Series,” sponsored by the Las Vegas Market and The Sustainable Furnishings Council, were held to help attendees make the transition to sustainable products. The Sustainable Furnishings Council’s mission is to promote sustainable practices within the home furnishings industry and raise awareness among manufacturers, retailers, designers and consumers. Executive Director, Susan Inglis, says that it is the SFC belief that sustainable practices are those that promote a healthy balance between the environment, local economies, and social equity.

The companies featured in the Green Pavilion Showrooms were some of the 300 members of the SFC, and the products they displayed were innovative and highly creative as well as sustainable. While speaking with some of these manufacturers, Trendease was intrigued by the fascinating stories of how products were made and by the materials that were used to make them.

At Bevara Design House, started by owners Erik and Stacy Jorgensen in 2008, I was introduced to their “Slab” line of products. Built with flexibility in mind, bases and tops can be configured using eco-concrete, reclaimed elm, or metal. Eco-concrete is a reinforced natural fiber cement that consists of a mix of cement, granite, stone, marble powder and natural fiber. The amazing thing about eco-concrete is that it weighs 40% less than regular concrete. I can attest to this fact because when I visited their booth I was asked to lift one of their stools and was completely surprised by how light it really is.

This San Francisco based company’s “Slatt” premium line is produced locally in the San Francisco Bay Area and is made from regionally harvested woods, using local labor and by 2010, green energy.

Take a look at the selection of photos from Eangee Home Designs. The Lawrence, Kansas company makes lampshades for their Hue collection from cocoa (chocolate) leaves found in the Philippines. The leaves are colored with eco-friendly dyes and the shade is held up and supported by three stained bamboo posts.

The abaca plant, a fast growing plant that resembles a banana, produces rope, twine and paper for another Eangee lighting line called Durian. The abaca matures in 18 to 24 months and consists of 12 to 30 stalks from a central root system. What is special about this plant is that it will re-grow from the same root system after being cut and it can be grown within the rainforest without destroying critical habitat.

Besides creating their sustainable line of products, Eangee is also proud to participate in fair trade practices with its workers. This lighting company provides their workers with free room and board so that the artisans can have more money to support their families.

The story behind Naturescast Inc. starts with its parent company, Nature’s Legacy. During one of the many Clean and Green Community activities sponsored by Nature’s Legacy in Compostela, Cebu, a small province of the Philippines. Nature’s Legacy staff and associates had gathered a large heap of agro-forest debris composed of fallen leaves, shrubs and twigs. It was suggested that the debris be burned, but one of the company’s founders came up with a way to use the waste. After two years of research, Naturescast was created as a versatile material innovation that uses Mother Earth’s natural scrap materials in making a diverse line of handcrafted products. Naturescast uses an odorless water-based binder in the product to hold the debris together. The products made with Naturescast are biodegradable, sustainable and environmentally friendly and no trees are cut in order to produce any of the products seen in this gallery. Naturescast is also committed to Profit with Principle, sustainable development and doing business with ethics.

When looking at Green Concepts Imports’ products, try to imagine that the furniture was once a part of a home or structure in the south of Brazil. The room divider shown with the lounge chair, for example, is made from shutters reclaimed from a building.

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the rain forests of this region were logged extensively and the best wood from the peroba rosa trees was used to build homes and buildings. Only 7% of the Atlantic Rain Forest from which those trees were harvested still remains. Fortunately, the peroba tree and the rain forests of this area are now protected and it is illegal to cut old growth peroba.

Over the last several years these structures are being torn down to make way for progress. In the days before recycling, these historic buildings were simply demolished and the wood was burned. From the extraordinarily durable recycled lumber artisans now create pieces that are not only beautiful and practical, but that preserve in new forms the history of the wood and of the people that inhabit the region. The bright colors of the houses are evident in many of these weathered and worn rustic treasures. All of the furniture and accessories from Green Concepts Imports are made from the recycled wood of these houses of long ago. Lucia Pinto, one of the owners of Green Concepts Imports, tells me that she feels so passionate about the business she is involved in because she is not just selling a piece of furniture, she is telling the history of her country of Brazil and preserving a unique material, the recycled wood of the peroba rosa that has been saved from being burned and instead transformed into art.

The common factor that binds the companies featured here and the other companies that are part of the SFC is their passion and commitment to discover new ways to re-use our world’s resources. Sometimes the greatest ideas come from the ability to view something common like forest debris or old wood from torn down houses and to give it new life by re-creating it. To this end, beauty truly is in the eyes of the beholder.

—MaryJane Mitchell

Green Observer: Special Earth Day Section of the New York Observer

Green living never looked this good

Starfish | 03/31/2009 12:35 AM

By Marcia Czarina Corazon Medina
Ayala Young Leaders 2006; Ateneo de Manila University

As I held the interesting material made from twigs and dry bark, the first clarification I got was: Nature’s Legacy is the company, and Naturecast is that material. But the difference somehow seemed marginal for me, because at that moment, I was enamored with the products – furniture, jewelry, and shoes – displayed in their exhibit. And they’re right. Green living never looked this good…

And looking good to Nature’s Legacy meant doing good. And I found out, the company’s story has been a process of falling in love, and staying in love.

Falling In Love

Husband and wife, Pete and Cathy Delantar, established Nature’s Legacy in 1996. Their partnership is made successful by Pete’s attention to detail in their pioneering of product development, combined with Cathy’s innovative ideas. Cathy, now Nature’s Legacy’s Vice President for Administration, shares that when they were starting, she never thought that the success of Naturescast would be as it is today; “I just had the passion to do things, and I wanted to do something good.” And as a couple, the Delantars set their stand firm: the clean and green principle is part of their company’s culture.

Cathy fell in love once more – this time, to the mountains of Compostela in Cebu, where the factories of Nature’s Legacy are now located. “Yung simoy ng hangin, nakakawala ng pagod. Kakaiba ang aura. I just fell in love with the place.”

But the community didn’t immediately meet their arrival with gusto. Cathy says they had to contend with the community’s impression that the company would take advantage of the people and the resources. “At that time, we knew we had to prove that we are different [from what the community thinks of us]. We set up a foundation for them, provided housing, and explained that these things are without strings attached,” she said. The company also helped in community organizing and provided means for the community to establish other means of livelihood through farming.

And true enough, the perception changed. The community was also soon in love with Nature’s Legacy and its stance to protect and develop nature.

Staying In Love

The relationship of nature-company-community involved a great sense of social responsibility.

The process of making Naturescast (and the furniture and jewelry) involves zero waste for the environment. Nature’s Legacy takes pride in the fact that no tree has ever been cut in the production process. The community members would pick up fallen twigs, dried leaves, and branches, as well as other indigenous materials such as limestone and the local Mactan stone, and create the products mostly with their hands. Even the ‘special glue’ that holds the raw materials together is also made of eco-friendly components.

While the furniture products have been in the market for many years, the accessories are new members of the company’s product line. Marie Sol Delantar-Gonzalvo, OIC for Corporate Affairs, explained that when Naturescast material is made into furniture, there are left-overs that they thought should not be just thrown away. Thus, those left-overs were developed into necklaces, bracelets, and even shoes.

And because the contribution of the community is crucial, Nature’s Legacy continues to provide opportunity for the members of the community through the Nature’s Legacy Foundation. Sol said that, aside from the community organizing started when the company moved in the area, the foundation has scholarship programs for the children of the employees and the community. Those children are now studying in the University of San Carlos in Cebu. There is also the Summer School Internship Program which covers values education and performing arts. And most importantly, rooted in the core value of the company, Nature’s Legacy employs young people even those who have not finished their education.

Garnering Laurels

The collaboration of Nature’s Legacy and the community has earned its rewards. In 2004, Naturescast was launched in Frankfurt Germany, and a year after, Nature’s Legacy won the “Most Creative Exhibitor Award” in the 6th Annual Environmentally Preferable and Recycled Product Trade Show in Ontario, California. And in the succeeding years, Nature’s Legacy also received nation-wide and international awards and distinctions for its innovative and eco-friendly products, and for its contributions to the local community. In 2007, Nature’s Legacy Foundation won the “Child-Friendly Organization Award” from the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines, International Labor Organization, and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

But perhaps the greatest laurel Nature’s Legacy has garnered is to be able to uphold the principle which it stood for from the very beginning. The company has shown that modern technologies need not compromise the environment and local communities for gain. Nature’s Legacy is an excellent example of how collaborative efforts of a company and the community could produce world-class, eco-friendly, and undeniably beautiful items.

In this time and age, when the clamor to protect nature is reaching its loudest call, Nature’s Legacy holds the Filipino flag high and says, “We did it.”

And they will continue to do so.

-------

First published as one of the Cover Stories in Starfish Magazine Back to Basics, Volume 3 Issue 4 & Special Issue (February 2009).

Starfish Magazine is the First Youth Empowerment Magazine in the country, organized and managed by the Ayala Young Leaders Alumni. For more information, log on to www.starfishmagazine.com, or www.ayalayoungleaders.ph. You can forward your inquiries to starfishmagazine@gmail.com or (02)752-1065.

Cebu’s first green fair

Cebu’s first green fair

Cebu Daily News
First Posted 13:35:00 03/24/2009

Filed Under: Environmental Issues

In a step to solidify its corporate social responsibility, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa is spearheading the “Go Green Cebu Fair” from March 27 to 29 at the resort’s The Marquee.

The first green fair in Cebu is the most comprehensive conference and exhibit on the subject of going green.

Corporate executives, government agencies, suppliers, non-government organizations and other advocates will discuss and learn the impact of businesses and individuals on the environment.

A panel of speakers will share their expertise and best practices on environment protection and conservation.

Environment Undersecretary Lucille Sering will open the seminar series with a talk on the department’s various green initiatives.

Other topics to be tackled on the first day include “Developing Green Building Rating System for the Philippines” by Architect Chris dela Cruz; “Green Initiative: the Key for Sustainability and Taking Care of the Environment” by Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival; “Green Practices on Permaculture and its Contribution to Households” by Joel Lee and “Children’s Environmental Awareness” by Maricris Sarino.

A coastal clean-up dive will open the second day. The afternoon sessions will be devoted to topics such as: “Hybrid Cars” by Bobit Mamawal; “Bantay Kalikasan” by Winnie Dimalig; “Community Engagement in Sustainability of Cebu’s Water resources” by Architect Socorro Atega, “Solutions for Sustainable Future to Rheinland Philippines” by Eric Santos and “Philippine Business for Social Progress and Aboitiz Foundation Environmental Thrusts” by Antonio Aboitiz.

An exhibit showcasing green products and other initiatives will also be held at the venue.

Exhibitors include Philippine Business for Social Progress, UV Rheinland Philippines, ASWPC Weddings, Cebu Holdings Inc., Powerbooks, Bright Academy, Artizans, Arkane International Corp., Naturescast, APY Cane Incorporated, Island Souvenirs, Cebu GlobeNet and Avatar Accessories.

For inquiries and ticket reservations, please call the Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa at 2318267 or email gwen.hufano@shangri-la.com.

Green Daily: Club Chair and Stool

Naturescast Club Chair & Stool
If Austin Powers had a cabin the woods...

Green Daily: Aylin Necklace

Naturescast Aylin Necklace
Groovy, pretty and natural!

Green Daily: Barque Table

Naturescast Barque Table
A mod conversation piece in the living room.

Green Daily: Stride Stool

Naturescast Stride Stool
Like a very large chess piece for the living room.

Green Daily: Agnes Bracelet

Naturescast Agnes Bracelet
The mix of natural fiber and geometric shape makes this a conversation starter.

Innovation: Materials and Design

By Arch. Karl Aries Emerson F. Cabilao

Cebu, known for its vibrant furniture industry, is consistently pushing the envelope for imaginative designs and the creative use of indigenous materials.
Who would think that a termite mound and barnacles would make beautiful furniture and home furnishings pieces? And you'd be surprised with the usefulness of loofah beyond the vicinity of a bathroom.
Even cassava and tobacco have joined this fascinating list of innovative use of materials.
And nothing really goes to waste for Cebu's manufacturers. Several materials, like waste-wood, which would have been destined towards the trash bin are given their so-called second lives.

The upcoming Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X) will showcase more of these unique creations and original designs. The annual event will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu, Philippines on March 5-8, 2009.

Cebu Retains Its "Wow" Factor

Powell Slaughter

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While the show's a third the size it was when I first visited here eight years ago, in terms of exhibitors, the Cebu International Furniture Foundation's annual Cebu X has lost none of its "Wow!" factor for someone used to seeing product in High Point and Las Vegas. Nothing against those U.S. venues, but when it comes to real design imagination in just about every display, Cebu's hard to beat. The region's been hit hard by imitators in other source countries and a tough market for furniture in major destinations for the Philippines' exports such as the United States, but for eye-grabbing product with creative use of materials, Cebu still shines.

It does an old product writer's heart good.

Green Products Expo NYC

Green Products Expo NYC

By: Sara Wilson | February 26, 2009 7:26 AM

There's nothing quite like a room full of entrepreneurs to lift one's spirits. Just when stock market lows were getting me down and doubts about how helpful the Economic Stimulus Plan would actually be for entrepreneurs were sinking in, I shut off the computer and headed to the Green Product Expo in NYC. There, I reveled in the energy and optimism of entrepreneurs. Never mind that they're in the thick of things, serving as the first line of defense where they're personally battling it out with the credit crunch and nervous, price-conscious consumers.

In that room, on the fourth floor of the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, I soaked in the entrepreneurial spirit and felt protected somehow from what was happening on the other side of the door.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that the economy never came up in my discussions with the entrepreneurs in attendance. Lee Archer, cofounder of New Wave Enviro Products, a manufacturer and distributor of eco-friendly products, admitted that his business has been affected by the economy when the company that was making the filters for his reusable bottles apparently went out of business and that he has had to deal on several occasions with retailers that don't pay up. Yet, despite the challenges, Lee was overall optimistic and was excited to see what types of innovative companies would emerge from this recession as has been seen in past recessions.

Other than New Wave Enviro Products, which Lee started more than a decade ago, and b. happybags, which launched six years ago and was one of the first to bring reusable bags to the market, many of the entrepreneurs were startups. Michael Dwork just launched his line of environmentally-friendly dinnerware made from fallen leaves (literally) last month but can't get the product out fast enough to meet the demand. It seems as though fortune has been with him since the beginning. In order to compete in a business plan competition, he had to create a one-page website for his company, Verterra. With zero advertising, site visitors were soon inquiring about ordering products. So is green still hot even in this economy? Michael believes that as long as the product is authentic and offers a unique value proposition, consumers will definitley be interested.

Products ranged from 100% biodegradable doggie doodie bags (created by three guys who met in law school) to reusable waste-free lunch bags (created by two friends who were both moms and who cringed at the avoidable waste occurring at schools) and the startup stories, as usual, didn't disappoint.

Maggie Mohs was cleaning houses with traditional cleaners when she started suffering from an allergic reaction. When she couldn't find a green cleaner that didn't have fragrances or dyes added in, she called upon her sister-in-law to help her develop her own line of products.They incorporated the company, Simply Neutral, in August 2007.

Pete and Cathy Delantar founded Nature's Legacy, a global manufacturer of home furnishings and garden accessories, in 1996, but, during a cleanup of agro-forest debris, they came up with the idea of turning that debris into sustainable products. In 2004, they launched NaturesCast, a manufacturer and distributor of sustainable and versatile products such as furniture, home accessories and jewelry.

As a writer for Entrepreneur magazine, I talk to a lot of entrepreneurs, but since I'm interviewing entrepreneurs across the country, I don't always get to meet them in person. To be surrounded by them, feel the energy and excitement in the air, and get a taste of the innovation and ideas, was truly invigorating and refreshing. The economy isn't the best right now--it's hard to not be reminded of that constantly--but the spirit is still alive, and the entrepreneurs that I met today are far from slowing down.

Naturescast to showcase its sustainable fashion accessories and sandals

LAS VEGAS, USA (AVING Special Report on 'MAGIC Marketplace 2009') -- Naturescast(www.naturescast.com) showcased its sustainable fashion accessories and sandals at the MAGIC Marketplace from Feb 17-19, 2009 in Las Vegas.








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All Visual Internet News of Goods
by Miso Kim ( aving.net )

Club Furniture by Naturescast

New Club Furniture is available in a variety of colors including natural, black, RC tone, brown and two-tone. Made from agro-forest waste using an innovative process, the set includes a sofa, chair, footstool, ottoman and side table. The Club Sofa stands 20 in. off the ground and conveniently stores the ottoman underneath.

www.naturescast.com

Design2Refine

naturescast uses nature's debris, including dead twigs, leaves, and shrubs that litter the forest floor to cast furniture, accessories, and home furnishings...

Direct from Market: Las Vegas Market

By Caroline Kennedy and Meredith Schwartz -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 7/30/2008 1:00:00 PM

July 30, 2008 — The Las Vegas Market is rocking; the champagne is flowing and there is plenty of celebrating. The newest addition to the World Market Center campus, Building C, was officially opened with a bang — “fireworks” made of streamers soared upward in the courtyard between the market complex’s three completed buildings. Celebrity Susan Anton emceed the ribbon-cutting ceremony and introduced WMC president Bob Maricich, WMC managing partners Shawn Samson and Jack Kashani, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, and Ron Wackrow and Mike Brenner of The Related Companies, who all wielded the official giant scissors. In his opening remarks, Maricich stated, “Seven years ago, this began as a vision

Rod Stewart rocks the house.

… It has been three years since the opening of Building A. Today we celebrate tenacity and optimism for a new world marketplace.” The ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by an opening night concert by rock star Rod Stewart, who played to a packed house of more than 10,000 buyers, exhibitors and industry guests.

Opening day of the market got off to a busy start that saw attendees streaming into the three buildings and long lines at registration desks throughout the day. Registered attendance was reported to be up 35 percent over the January market. On the upper floors of the new building, the hallways seemed busy with people, browsing showrooms, exhibits or trying to find their appointed destinations in the new building. Some exhibitors even reported early order-writing.

The temporary exhibits, all brought on campus for the first time, are set up in a block of unleased showroom spaces on the fourth floor of the new building. The wide aisles and straightforward pattern make them easy to browse, but minimal signage and numbering — mostly on the floor — makes it tricky to find a particular destination. We found a number of familiar faces from the gift shows including Tervis Tumbler, Pearlessence and Country Home Creations.

Throughout the first day, there was a palpable buzz of excitement as those serious about doing business, as well as the curious, explored the new venue and anticipated the evening’s big events — the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and the rock concert.

On Tuesday morning, however, some market-goers wondered where all those bodies that had filled the pavilion to capacity for the concert had gone, at least in the new building, where lower floors were more sparsely attended. A good number of exhibitors spoke of a slow start to the day, attributing the shortfall to everything from too much late night fun Vegas-style, to appointments at the more established showrooms in Buildings A and B, as well as, of course, to the economy. Many noted that “the new traffic patterns [of buyers working the market] haven’t been established yet” and remained hopeful that traffic would pick up later in the day (as it seemed to) or week, especially with the weather-related flight delays preventing some market attendees coming into Las Vegas from the East and an earthquake in the Los Angeles area possibly causing delays as well.

One exhibitor, taking the long view measured in years, told Gifts & Decorative Accessories, “It will take a long time to build [sales and business here], but it will be worth it,” A happy few reported already reaping those rewards, including K. Hall Designs. And following the pattern of this summer's earlier markets, many vendors mentioned that those buyers who are here are buying.

Ribbon Cuttings

OneCoast ribbon cutting

Many showrooms were also celebrating grand openings with ribbon-cutting ceremonies and champagne toasts – and not just in Building C, although there were plenty there. Among the Building C ceremonies were ribbon-cuttings at the OneCoast showroom, which moved into a new larger showroom, and the Franz Collection.

Kathy Ireland and Francis Chen

For the Franz Collection, this is the company’s first U.S. corporate showroom, and designer Kathy Ireland joined owner Francis Chen to mark the occasion. While the showroom presents the range of the Franz line, including the collections designed by Ireland, the showroom is a showcase for the new Jean Boggio for Franz collection. The Jean Boggio Collection is a higher end furniture and décor collection created by French designer Jean Boggio. By presenting whole décor concepts, “We are trying to move Franz Porcelain to a higher level in fashion,” noted Chen in his opening

Jean Boggio for Franz

remarks. Pieces range from playful figurines to sculptural lamps to porcelain tile inlaid chairs.

When asked how the new collection might inspire new directions in her design work with Franz, Kathy Ireland replied, “Working with Francis Chen and Franz to bring art into the home is a wonderful partnership. There are many areas in which we can expand. And in fact, we are having a design meeting later today. One area that we are looking at is expanding our architectural style guides.”

Jim Shore cuts folk art cake

In Building A, artist Jim Shore cut the ribbon to officially open the new Crazy Mountain showroom housing his “Jim Shore, exclusively for Crazy Mountain” home décor collection. A special cake created to resemble one of Shore’s home décor pieces was served. Shore notes that all the pieces in the collection are inspired and influenced by folk art that he has collected, lives with and loves. But his designs are adapted to blend with today’s homes and lifestyles, and to appeal to a broad customer base. One example is a striking tramp art-styled box that was inspired by an original piece that he owns; he feels its styling will fit as much into a rustic lodge décor as well as a more contemporary one.

Artisan Studio cut the sculptured metal ribbon

Artisan Studio, a new division of upscale sculptural wall décor company Artisan House, made its debut in the temporary section. And in the spirit of the product’s medium, instead of a fabric ribbon for the debut ceremony, a metal ribbon crafted especially for the occasion was cut. This division offers a more moderately priced range of sculptural décor by many of the same Artisan House designers.

Showroom Debuts

CatStudio

While some building C exhibitors, such asArt Classics Ltd., moved over from buildings A or B to gain more space, the majority are new to the Vegas market.

CatStudio, known for its geography collection of hand-embroidered pillows is one such “newbie.” Helen Watson noted, “We made this investment in our first showroom because we believe in this market for the future. Those vendors who are still taking a wait-and-see attitude about Vegas are making a big mistake. Those who are here are reaching out to a new market and are getting known by being here.” G&DA got a sneak peek at the new beach towel designs that will debut in January.

Midwest soft-launched its new showroom in Building C. The company only brought a part of its line to this market, so the showroom has a more minimalist look to it compared to the other Midwest showrooms. Midwest’s Renee Solczak commented, “We didn’t know what to expect, but our traffic has been strong. We’re seeing many new customers — from Connecticut to California. Buyers are looking for more everyday product that they can bring in now … they are looking for new product, but they are also looking for new places to find it.” The official opening of Midwest’s showroom will take place in February 2009, and then, according to Solczak, “It will be over the top!”

Barreveld moved over from Building B. The space is much larger and set up to give the feeling of walking into someone’s home. The entire showroom is broken down into different room settings – living room, dining room, conservatory, etc. The back of the showroom, which actually faces out on another hallway, opens into a very contemporary space for DK Living, which is a stark contrast.

SPI/Belaverra now has a home of its own, with its new corporate showroom. “We have expanded our base of customers and opened many new accounts,” said Ron Knutson.

Elements, div. of Lifetime Brands

The Elements division of Lifetime Brands is showing a line created specifically for the home décor and furniture market that will only be shown in its new Las Vegas showroom. According to Alan Kanter, so far it has been well received. The themed collections will be completely changed every four to six months. “Newness is freshness in the market,” he remarked.

Over in Building A, The Phillips Collection took over a prime showroom spot right off the escalators on the second floor. The company is known for its collections of design forward “hand touched” contemporary pieces. Jason Phillips noted that the company is making a push to come out with more eco and outdoor pieces. They will also be debuting a furniture collection in High Point in October.

Italian Showcase
An attention-getting exhibit, Design Italiano, on the ground floor of Building C showcased examples of the best of Italian furniture design from 1956 to 2008. The exhibit marks the beginning of a collaboration between World Market Center and Fiera Milano, the Italian tradeshow organizer. Mr. Sandro Bicocchi, chairman and CEO of Fiera Milano, explained that because there are new challenges in the market today that we all face, they felt that, for the next five years, they needed to think of new ways of growing their fair. “We need to stop drinking out of the same glass; we need to drink from the ocean. We have to be more global.” Seeing how World Market Center and The Las Vegas Market have grown in size and international reputation and with an eye to the future, Fiera Milano feels that establishing a partnership with WMC is a good step toward becoming more global. Fiera Milano will continue to have a presence at WMC to build relationships with buyers and exhibitors. It will also invest in building up and marketing Macef over the next three years to increase international awareness of Italy’s premier gift and home tradeshow.

What’s In in Vegas

Eangee Home Design

Billed as the gift building, Building C does house a large number of gift and particularly decorative accessories resources on floors four through nine, including a sizeable selection of holiday decorations and permanent florals. However the furniture industry influence remains felt, with a more heterogeneous mix of home products ranging up into larger accent pieces. The juried Green showcase in particular skewed heavily toward larger items, with a few standouts such as Green Glass, Eangee and the intriguing Naturescast, a Phillipines-based green manufacturer, which makes jewelry as well as furniture and decorative accent pieces. Outside the showcase, however, buyers can find additional green gifts such as the Lightstone candles, which are made with plant wax, natural perfumes and eco-friendly packaging.

Cyan Designs

Consistent with what G&DA saw in Atlanta and Dallas, birds, especially owls; black and white, metallic finishes and sophisticated or urban lodge looks continue to dominate. Branches appear on everything from pillows by Suburban Silk to candles by K. Hall Designs to vases by Cyan Designs.

In addition, watch for yellow, especially combined with grey, white, and black; already popping on fashion racks, the colors are starting to show up in home. Groupings of multiples that are merchandised for use together, as well as a display effect, are seen in everything from candleholders at 18 Karat to Buddha heads at Phillips Collection to wall décor at Art Classics Ltd. Metallic finishes on ceramics as well as actual metal, appear on candles and reed diffusers from Trump Home by Pearlessence and vases from KoKoWare and Lux Avenue Design.

Lojo Balls

This market’s standout find is Lojo Balls: a European product which made its U.S. debut at the Intl. Contemporary Furniture Fair, they are high design objects that zip open to double as a floor lounger and an ottoman; brightly colored indoor-outdoor versions are tween and dorm friendly but sophisticated enough for adults, while a higher end leather version appeals particularly to men.

Lamoon

Another standout is from Lamoon. Its Modular Interior Pattern sets consist of interlocking dense foam designs that can be put together to create intricate lacy floor mats, wall décor, lamp shades, or whatever. The come in a variety of bright colors.

Curious as to why some buyers came to The Las Vegas Market, we stopped a pair of brothers from Staten Island, NY. “This is where it is happening,” remarked Alan Bram of DormUniverse.com. Their only criticism? They were disappointed in the children’s furniture area. They had expected it to be more.

Naturescast to showcase its earth-friendly home decors and accessories

Naturescast to showcase its earth-friendly home decors and accessories

LAS VEGAS, USA (AVING Special Report on 'MAGIC Marketplace Show') -- Naturescast(www.naturescast.com) showcased its finest collection of earth-friendly home decors and accessories at the MAGIC Marketplace Show in Las Vegas, August 25-27, 2008. Handcrafted using fallen twigs, dried leaves and barks, Naturescast uses nature's castaways to produce a high quality, versatile material that is 100% biodegradable. With patents across Europe, USA and Asia, Naturescast follows eco-efficient production methods that ensure the protection and preservation of our natural resources. <>