In Part 1, I talked about wishing for and designing a new line of bags for our Rebagz Eco-Chic Handbag line. I’d just ordered samples of the bags - and was keeping my fingers, toes and everything else crossed…

Ah, samples. When new samples arrive, it’s occasionally a champagne moment, but more often than not I’ve had to reach for the Pepto Bismol. So when I got the first box of samples delivered to me when I was in New York for the Gift Fair, I hesitated before I opened it. I was so nervous! I took a deep breath and told myself that we could always do revisions, that there had to be a way to make these new bags work. I then took my little cuticle scissors – the only sharp thing I had – and cut the tape on the box.

"Polar Bear Love"
Off-the-Cuff Wristlet

I’m sure I must have scared the people in the next room because I shrieked that loud. They were that beautiful! And I was that relieved. We showed them to some of our customers at the Gift Fair and they loved them as much as we did. (Have a look here.)

I had big plans for the designs I’d developed for these bags, and now that I knew the line would work, I needed to start setting things in motion. That means coming up with a name for the line and aligning ourselves with organizations that I hoped would agree to let us donate proceeds from sales to them.

The name “Statement Makers” was the result of a very fun and illuminating strategy session with my dear friend and long-time publicist Lisa Elia.  We were brainstorming and “Statement Makers” just popped out of her mouth. Why was that the perfect name? Because from a distance, these bags are a style statement. But up close, they’re a personal statement – about peace, about environmentalism, or about being a she-geek. (Being smart is sexy again – ‘bout time!)

"Cubic"
Shoulder-to-Shoulder Bag

A big part of the Statement Makers vision is that they’re a way to show your point of view in a fun and amiable way. I don’t know about you, but all of us here at Half the Sky and Rebagz feel that all the nasty, noisy nonsense that dominates public dialogue right now is depleting, pointless and destructive. We strongly feel that one should have opinions, but have you noticed that a lot of the noisemakers don’t actually take a stand? Instead, they just tear down any idea they don’t like without offering any kind of sound, alternative solution to the problems facing us.

So that’s why we’ve aligned ourselves with the organizations that we have, and we’re proud and thrilled that they’ve accepted our invitation. Just so you know, I’m extremely picky about what non-profits we’ll work with, both here and abroad (where they’re called NGO’s – non-governmental organizations). Having done humanitarian work in Chiapas, Mexico and worked with organizations here as well, I’ve discovered there are a few very good groups and a lot of others that range from mediocre to downright awful.

The groups we chose to approach are ones that I know to have a strong track record for effectiveness in their arena. They’re part of the solution, and I can’t fully express how much I admire the work they do. I’ll be blogging about each one separately in the coming week or so, and I’ll highlight each of the new bag designs too.

So we proudly announce the launch of Statement Makers. It’s time to start the conversation…with style.

XOXO Marty

You’ve heard me mention our new Statement Maker line about a zillion times - and now they’re finally here!

"Panda Love"
Shoulder-to-Shoulder Bag

Where did our Statement Makers come from?  About a year and a half ago, I started thinking that at some point I’d want to create a third branch of our Rebagz Eco-Chic Handbag line.  I wanted something I could really make my own in terms of the graphic design.  Don’t get me wrong – I love love love our recycled rice sack line and our colorful bags made from recycled juice packs.  But there were two issues I had.  First, when you’re making anything out of recycled materials, you sometimes have to wait for things to come through the recycling system – which means that production gets delayed, and your customers are stuck tapping their foot, waiting for their handbags.  And I like keeping our customers happy.

Second, from an artistic standpoint, I’d so far only been able to work with the colors of the juice packs or the graphics that were already printed on the rice sacks.  As much as I love the bags we have, my designer’s ego was getting the better of me.  I wanted to put my own visual stamp on my bags, damn it!

I thought of doing something along the lines of an organic cloth bag, made from cotton, bamboo or something like that.  I even considered silk.  But I wasn’t finding anything that I could really wrap my heart and eye around, plus there were other bags out there – beautiful ones – already made from these materials.
So what to do, what to do…

Well, it’s funny how things work.  At the beginning of the summer, our Philippine broker Malu mentioned that she’d found an organization that was making hand woven bags from a recycled material that could be printed on, and that had straps made from recycled plastic.  (I don’t like plastic, but it’s out there, so it needs a second life.)  This meant that we didn’t have to worry about production, seeing as this organization had located an abundance of these two materials to recycle.

It was a real “Eureka” moment for me.  (That term comes from the ancient scientist Archimedes, who ran naked through the streets of Syracusa one night…On second thought, I think I’ll just stick to handbags.)  It’s so wonderful to put a wish out there and then have what you’re seeking find its way to you.  I immediately set to work coming up with new designs and artwork, and then had samples made.

Up close & personal with our "Panda Love" design

(You can’t really see it in the photo, but it says “SAVE” in the black part of our “Panda Love” design.)

How did those samples turn out?  Stay tuned for Part 2.


XOXO Marty

I constantly get asked where I got the name for my company, which is Half the Sky Designs LLC. Why “half the sky?” - that’s what people are curious about.

It comes from the Chinese saying, “Women hold up half the sky.” (Yes, I know – even the guys admit we hold up more than that.) I also think there’s nothing like that wide open feeling you get when you tilt your head way back and gaze skyward. During the day, the sky serves up that lyrical blue, the texture of clouds and a blast of sunlight. At night, it’s the subtle shimmer of stars that delights the eye, with the moon dangling overhead like a pendant.

That’s why, since time immemorial, when an artist has needed inspiration, all she had to do was walk outside, look straight up and breathe deep. (The word “inspiration” is actually a synonym for “inhaling.” Who knew?) It’s a given that creativity springs from inspiration. But what springs from creativity?

At Half the Sky, we’re all about the 3 “C’s”: creativity, confidence and community. I truly believe that nothing inspires confidence like newfound creativity. Just try one project. Once you’ve gone from “I’m not creative” to “Wow, I made that,” you’ll start to think about all those other things you keep saying “I can’t” to and wonder if perhaps, after all, you can do them.

That’s what I did, years ago, when a friend of mine cajoled me into making my first pair of earrings. From there it was onto necklaces and decoupage (which is just paper and glue - the same stuff you’ve been playing with since kindergarten). Now I’ve added building bookcases and starting my own business to my repertoire. And did I forget to mention designing eco-friendly handbags?

Maybe it’s time for you to find out how simple learning a new skill can be, to discover the satisfaction that comes from freeing the colors and shapes in your mind’s eye and fashioning them into something for the whole wide world to see.

All you have to do is take a deep breath and plunge in.
XOXO Marty

Man oh man – I’m way overdue for a blog. So sorry about that. I’m trying hard to make blogging a habit but it’s taking me a while to grow into it.

There’s actually a book called The Creative Habit that everyone should get. Its author, acclaimed and spritely choreographer Twyla Tharp, not only documents her own artistic journey but also provides exercises she’s used over the years to develop her own creative habits.

One of Tharp’s most useful exercises is also the most obvious: simply set aside a certain time each day or each week for your creative endeavor. So, for example, if I were to sit down each and every Saturday at 10 AM to write, I’d get used to letting my creativity percolate at that time every week. Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?

Initially, yes, it’s not exactly easy. Building constructive habits rarely are. But think of it like a dance step – remember this from my earlier blog about working with wire? The first few times it’s awkward. But as you get accustomed to it, you know it, embrace it and come to enjoy it. You may even miss it if you have to skip a session, though you better have a spectacular excuse and not just be avoiding your newfound habit.

I’ve also used this same approach toward making responsibility and accountability a habit. In this world – and I know it’s not just L.A. – it’s all too easy to weave your way around being dependable, truthful and otherwise trustworthy. I swear it feels like we’re forced to be the opposite of these things.

I’m not saying I’m completely accountable every way or all the time. But I really do choose to be as thoroughly as possible. For example, among my friends I’ve become known as a CLC, a constant latecomer. So I’m endeavoring to be more accountable. Granted, sometimes it’s just impossible due to an unforeseen 3-car pile up on the 405. (That’s a main north-south freeway, for you non-Californians.) But I now force myself out the door earlier than I’d like, and it’s not easy! I’ve spent years building my late habit. It’s very comfortable for me. It feels so right – I really should finish reading that article, writing that e-mail or applying one more coat of mascara before leaving because…because…well, because!

I literally have to make a conscious choice, to remind myself I’m building my accountability habit, and get my ass out the door sooner and not later. And amazingly enough, it usually works. However, I still do break my new habit on occasion. But when I do, I don’t blame my lateness on traffic. I’ll cop to leaving late, accepting the responsibility – which aids my new habit in a different, if not exactly timely, way.


These things affect every corner and cobweb of our lives. How often do you say “I wish/should/want/would/could…but…?” Those big ol’ buts sure do get in the way, don’t they? I think they should be outlawed. Because I’m know for as much for my whole arts and crafts thing as I am for my handbags, I often get told people that they wish they could knit/sew/make their own jewelry, etc. Well, if you want to knit, if you wish you could make your own jewelry, if you really should learn how sew – then do it! You don’t have to do it right this minute. But make a plan. Tell yourself that, as a Christmas gift, you’re going to ask for or give yourself the gift of doing whatever it is you’ve been dodging. Print out our Project Monthlies or scan the web for ideas. Over on the HGTV and DIY Network websites, they have all kinds of ideas and instruction.

So stop avoiding and start doing. Make a date. I will too to further my endeavor to be a better blogger.
XOXO Marty

Colleen Wainwright, the Communicatrix

First off, a shout out to my outrageous new friend Colleen Wainwright AKA The Communicatrix. If you haven’t checked out her site, do it now! She gave Rebagz Eco-Friendly Handbags an amazing - dare I say outrageous - plug on Friday.  She dropped by for an office visit and we had a long chat on our “QVC Couch” (bought, obviously, to celebrate our first airing on the shopping channel.) She’s also a terrific photographer - check out the pics she took! How can I not absolutely adore someone who describes me by saying, “she’s like the Pollyanna of eco-commerce, I sh*t you not. And she somehow does it all without making you feel bad about what a lazy, first-world Cheeto-eater you are. And by ‘you’, I mean ‘me’.”

I especially love that because my mother’s name was Polly, so I guess you can call me “Martyanna.” Or maybe not. Either way, thanks Colleen!
Communicatrix Colleen also did an amazing job scouring my company’s entire online presence - a very BIG job - and gave me fantastic feedback. She’s smart, she’s fun and she seriously knows her way around the whole cyber-world. And now she’s carrying a Rebagz Messenger Bag. All I can say is, ’bout time!
Colleen and I actually met via a very illuminating webinar she did for the Cornell Alumni Network. Yes, both of us spent time “far above Cayuga’s waters.” When I was a student at Cornell, once upon a time, I had a wizard of a professor…

Words & Attention

His name was Frederick Marcham, who died in the middle of his 70th year – of teaching. He was 94 years old at the time he died and my mother had been his student too. Prof. Marcham was a cross between Socrates and Merlin because he helped us discover our own answers by showing us the magic in everyday things, like the way sunlight dances through tree leaves when caught by a spring breeze. I used to visit him after I graduated and he’d tell me about the new students who were in his seminars. He always talked about “stirring them up,” by which he meant igniting the engines in their brains. How did he do it? By having us all read Shakespeare and Spencer aloud, by having us listen to and discover the passion of words so that learning became not just an exercise of the mind but of the spirit as well.

For the first time in my adult life we finally have a U.S. President I want to listen to. The others I’ve had to ignore because their disingenuousness, their arrogance or policies that made my innards drag. When I listen to the President’s speeches, I’m reminded of Professor Marcham because I find my imagination rekindled and that I’m once again “stirred up.”

And given the recent events in Iran, I now feel a strong determination to see not only change but transformation. “Hope” is an uplifting thing, but to forge what hope envisions words like “intention” and “focus” must come into play. I’ve been disappointed with how the media and people in general have forgotten about the situations in both Iran and North Korea (they’re still firing missiles, according to Seoul reports) and instead are focused on the celebrities that have passed on recently. Sad as these things are, my concern is that people prefer this simpler - albeit sad - news rather than the more complicated sort.

Remaining focused on things like the Iran protests and North Korea’s pathetic but perilous foot stomping is so much more difficult because it’s a prolonged process layered with uncertainties and great frustration – plus there aren’t any tunes you can dance to.

Let’s be outrageous and keep our minds attuned to the larger, untidier issues because they have the far greater rewards and, somehow, doing that makes those subtler moments when the sunlight plays among the trees that much more transcendent.

XOXO Marty

I’ve had a lot of support from my hometown of Buffalo, NY, and that includes another wonderful Rebagz mention in Buffalo Spree magazine. Just check out their “Skin Counsel” article. Buffalo Spree’s a beautiful and well-written magazine, which is no wonder given that it has an amazing editor in Elizabeth Licata.

Now I know you’re all envisioning snow and sleet, but Buffalo’s summers are as hot and humid as Miami’s. Another thing most people don’t know is that Buffalo was the premiere city of this hemisphere during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The city’s wisely preserved the architecture from that time and it’s now used - recycled? - as elegant homes and office space. There are some elegant Frank Lloyd Wright buildings to visit and one of the finest modern art galleries in the country, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. I visited the Albright-Knox for the first time in years last December and it has (in my admittedly humble opinion) a finer collection by far than the Musem of Contemporary Art here in Los Angeles.

Albright Knox Art Gallery

I’m not sure why I’m waxing nostalgic here, but it seems a lot of the old steel cities have been forgotten and cast aside. Buffalo deserves a renaissance! It’s been called the “Queen City of the Lakes” and “The City of Good Neighbors” with good reason, and it’s not just aluminum cans and paper that deserve a second life.

Back when I was doing human rights work, it always made me nuts when someone would bring up a project we ought to do and then expect the rest of us to do all the work. I firmly believe that if you put an idea out in the ether and want any kind of action regarding it, you better be prepared to chip in, big-time.

So, having just talked about a second life for my hometown, I suppose I should put my work ethic where my proverbial mouth is. My company, however, is here in California - not exactly in the same neighborhood. However, I also believe in long-term planning.

And I’m thinkin’ my next five- or ten-year plan needs to include something for the “Queen City.” How’s your hometown doing, by the way?

XOXO Marty


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