T-shirt Models join forces with HGBG!

On September 26, I announced the search for ten people willing to model a T-shirt for my small business, Honey Girl Books and Gifts LLC, in return for a donation of $100 on their behalf to Fusion Kung-Fu and Movements Arts: a martial arts school that we all love in central Seattle. (That’s our teacher in the cover photo, with a Kung Fu student. The student may be taller than Sifu Michelle Pleasant, but I doubt she is mightier than our teacher.)

Today I’m delighted to announce that we did it!

We made an alternative economy happen.

We invested in this school, our community, because we are aware of the joy and convenience it gives us to learn martial arts, without travelling too far from home. (And we are aware of the high cost of Seattle real estate.) If you’d like to join the effort, please do!

Great thanks to all of those who contributed–I’m sure readers will agree that everyone looks marvelous!

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Seattle really is that kind of place. Proud to be born here, to work here, and to have HGBG become a new member of SEATTLE MADE, a network of local artisans and creators who sell products all over town, even at SeaTac Airport. (Wow, what a thrill that would be; maybe one day!)

P.S. Get your own HGBG T-shirt for only $19.95 while supplies last…

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Next week: NAACP event features “Respect” wall-hangings!

I’m thrilled that my work will be included in the items auctioned by the King County NAACP during the Live Virtual Event next week! Two “Respect” wall-hangings–“For Him” (left) and “For Her” (right) will be featured. Details below!

Here’s to the great work done by the NAACP in Washington state and nation-wide!

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1. “Respect” wall-hanging “For Him” (left, above)

2. “Respect” wall-hanging “For Her” (right, above)

The “Respect” wall-hangings: civil rights artwork for the home!

There are many symbols stitched in these wall hangings, such as the three little birds which conjure up Bob Marley’s song, the state names, and the two pockets which represent resourcefulness, grit, and homegrown American sweetness. The artworks represent an effort to honor Black culture in the USA, so that the history of struggles, the ongoing connection to Africa, and hopes for the future live on.

Both feature fabric from today’s leading designers—the historical vignettes of dignified African Americans are made of “Harlem Toile de Jouy” by Sheila Bridges and the silhouettes of Afro-wearing women by Aphrochic—both of Brooklyn, NY.

– Three patches declare our political statement: 1) a portrait in yellow and black of slain civil rights leader Malcolm X, 2) a cheery reminder of Bob Marley’s song “One Love,” and 3) the slogan “Respect Existence or Expect Resistance.”

– The back of “For Him” is made of plain red cotton; “For Her” is made of a blue and green African print resembling a palm tree or long-necked woman. Both are bordered with Japanese block prints from Hosekibako, an elegant resale shop in Seattle’s Int’l District; “For Him” features white cotton with brown bamboo and flowers; “For Her” features a dark blue cotton with large black lilies.

– Materials: cotton, satin, denim, flannel

– Size:  Height: 37”; Width: 57”; Depth: 1/3:

– Polyester batting (1/3” thick) assures lightweight warmth and a cozy feel.

– Quilted the old-fashioned way, with tiny knots of embroidery floss, tied on the back.

– The final binding is stitched on by hand, with tiny stitches to keep it safe and sound.

– Each wall-hanging has a cloth “sleeve” at the top, for easy mounting (with a stick or dowel and a couple nails).

Made in Seattle by Honey Girl Books and Gifts LLC: a woman-owned business, estab. 2018, by Seattle native Julia Douthwaite Viglione (daughter of G.K. “Jeff” Douthwaite, former WA state legislator and civil rights advocate).

https://www.etsy.com/shop/HoneyGirlBooksGifts

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Respect wall-hangings, backs, “For Him” (left) and “For Her” (right)

Announcing the HGBG T-shirt model search (and fund-raiser for Fusion Kung Fu)!

Hello clever people who read this blog!

To evade the ever-building gloom of rain in the PNW, we’re launching the coolest look for fall: the HGBG T-shirt! The Ts are modeled here by me and Honey Girl on this cloudy morning.

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First ever HGBG – FUSION KUNG FU Fund-raiser

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FREE T FOR THE FIRST 10 MODELS!

Conditions:

1. You agree to model an HGBG T for use in HGBG advertising (no names, your photo will simply serve as a model of the T-shirt on our two websites: https://www.honeygirlbooks.com/ and https://www.etsy.com/shop/HoneyGirlBooksGifts ).

2. In order to participate in the FREE T-shirt give-away (FIRST 10 PEOPLE ONLY):

a. You request a free T-shirt by email to juliawsea@gmail.com.

b. In your letter of request, you agree to email me at least one photo of you wearing the HGBG T-shirt, in jpeg format (cellphone photo), within 48 hours of receiving the T. You designate the preferred size: Youth Medium; Adult Small; Adult Medium; Adult Large; or Adult Extra-large. You provide me with a mailing address.

RESULTS:

a. You keep your word, and thereby not only look cool in person and online, but also feel good about life and spread positive energy through the universe.

b. (FIRST TEN ONLY): Your generosity will prompt a donation of $100 to the Go Fund Me campaign underway for Fusion Kung Fu and Movement Arts: an awesome woman-owned martial arts school in Seattle (where I am learning the Japanese art of Aikido, as in the photo below, of an Aikido uniform with a Fusion hoodie).

BTW: This is how we keep cultures alive, by taking matters into our own hands. This is an example of an alternative economy that serves a local community and the brave folks who run small businesses. In this case, both businesses are run by women. That this fund-raiser serves to keep our bodies and minds in top form, by propagating the strong yet peaceful practices of Aikido and T’ai chi, is simply icing on the cake.

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P.S. Thanks to Luvvie Ajayi Jones and her book, Professional Troublemaker, which gave me the courage to launch this campaign with photos of myself. –embarrassed yet proud emoji !!!