The Biz

LIVE IN UNITY, GIVE BACK, ACCEPT DIVERSITY, BE AWARE, TRUTH, FORGIVE: They’re noble thoughts, each and every one, and worthy to be written across the sky in letters. They’re just as meritorious doodled on a kid’s notebook, displayed as bumper stickers on the family car, or even selectively tattooed on the breast of the person who embraces the concepts and cares enough to wear one permanently over the heart! The good people at Good Work(s) Make a Difference choose to render them in more-versatile media: beautifully inscribed leather bracelets to grace the wrist of man, woman, or child.

Many American companies find that manufacturing in the U.S. helps them do a better job of maintaining quality control and reliable delivery. While big retailers can afford to keep buyers abroad or send executives across the Pacific to check on suppliers, this doesn’t make sense for smaller companies. Made in the U.S.A. brands provide goods buyers want, made to their precise specifications, and delivered on time. These brands are just a few good examples of American-made pride: Petites Frites, Noli, Noli, Funkie Baby, and Fleming Clothing.

New moms often face a unique challenge: how to breastfeed without creating a Janet-Jackson-at-the-Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction! Breastfeeding undergarments abound, but postnatal tops and dresses are in short supply. Veteran mom and former news producer Jamie Rubin experienced the “slump after the bump.” Not one to shy away from a challenge, she pulled out all stops to find the best in couture that would allow her to appear cool and classy while breastfeeding. She crafted her own clothes that were both utilitarian and stylish: Milkstars.

Children need to have innovative outlets, and they need to have their own work (and play) appreciated to build confidence. There’s no better way to do this than through crafts. Recent studies have shown that crafts help relieve stress –– something that everyone can appreciate. Clayzee by Aliquantum-International, Creations by You, Sandtastik, and the Chenille Kraft Company all provide pleasurable, safe crafting materials that delight the senses while allowing children’s personalized artwork to be shared with an appreciative audience.