Mend and Bend Newsletter - April 2023
Hola, and happy Earth Month! Thanks for taking a quick gander at my [somewhat inconsistent] newsletter! I've got newwwwwws.
Mending News
I'm teaching an in-person Visible Mending Workshop THIS MONTH on April 29th! It will be held at a rad space in RiNo/Five Points, Fruits of our Labor, in the TAXI Maker Space, right next to the South Platte River. In this workshop we will be focusing on basic hand-sewing techniques to patch up your clothes and combat fast fashion. We'll look at patches both on the inside and outside of garments, and I'll guide you through sashiko-style techniques to reinforce the fabric. The class is designed for all skill levels of hand-sewers. Bring your own clothes to be patched up!
You can register for this workshop with FoOL. I'm so excited for this class!
Leah from Round Trip Goods and I have become friends, and we are going to co-host monthly Repair Nights at FoOL. These will be on the second Tuesday of the month, and we would love to see you there! The first date will be Tuesday, May 9th. RSVP & Info HERE.
Remember those pants I showed off in the last newsletter? Well, in the words of our lord, Alanis Morissette, "you live, you learn," and I learned that I needed a bigger patch. So here they are in Phase 2 of mending, with a large corduroy patch hanging out behind the thigh where they ripped again.
CLASS ALERT: Level 1 Iyengar Yoga. This class is suitable for those new to yoga, and please note I welcome folks with scoliosis, back pain, or back issues still. This class is held at Akasha Collective in Wheat Ridge near 38th and Sheridan. This is a hybrid class, meaning you can take it online or in-person. Thursdays, 5:45-7:00pm MST. I am heading to THE Iyengar Yoga conference in May, and I'm stoked to travel and practice yoga with mentors and friends. I'll be out of town for a few days, which means I will have substitute teachers and/or cancellations the week of 5/13. This is my current yoga class schedule for April & May: For Akasha Collective Classes, register through my website. For Living Yoga Classes, register through Living Yoga's website. For Samamkaya Yoga Classes, register through Samamkaya Yoga's website. You can always see my upcoming classes here. In addition to my public group classes, I offer in-person and online private yoga sessions where we can work together one-on-one. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact me.Bending News
Other News & Musings
It's Earth Month! In light of sustainability, low-waste, and nature, here are some things I've been pondering and would recommend (I'VE GOT SO MANY - I LOVE EARTH MONTH AND SUSTAINABILITY AND STUFF!):
Fruits of Our Labor are hosting a Swap 'n' Sip on Saturday, April 15th at Zeppelin Station. This is free to attend with 1 bag of clothing or $10 to shop the swap. I'll be there with jes and tara from FoOL, and it's going to be a fun time.
Refill Shops! Shop plastic-free at these refilleries in Colorado for all your household needs. You can bring your own jars or containers (or snag one from the shop) and take home plastic-free goodies. (psst, I have a jar problem...)
Simply Bulk Market - This is my all-time favorite refill shop with so many snacks, flours, soaps, and more. It's on Main St. in Longmont, so if you're in the area, check it out.
ZERO Market - This is one of my local shops, and there are 2 locations: Edgewater & Aurora. Here you'll find a plethora of teas, cleaning supplies, oils, makeup & body-care supplies, and more. They don't carry food like Simply Bulk, but they have a great selection of everything else.
Joy Fill - I get all my bar soap and body lotion from here. They don't carry food items, but they have a great array of cleaning & body-care supplies, zero-waste cards & gifts, and a recycling station for odd bits & bobs. Located in Northwest Denver.
Homefill Co. - They're right on Larimer in RiNo, and they carry an abundance of lifestyle goods.
Nude Foods Market - If you're in the Boulder area, check this place out for zero-waste groceries. They have a wide selection of snacks, pre-made foods, frozen foods, etc.
Off the Bottle - I can't believe I haven't made it here yet, as I'm discovering it as I write this newsletter, but best believe I'll stop by the next time I'm in Cap Hill. Looks like they carry salts, oils, vinegar, and many lifestyle goods. LOVE their name.
Clotheshorse podcast - Amanda interviews folks in the fashion industry and guides us to the path of Slow Fashion by shining a light on the less-than-sustainable practices in the global fashion world. "Never give your money to assholes!"
Leena Norms - Leena is a YouTuber I've been watching for years, and while being a lovely BookTuber, she also covers climate change, fashion, and advice for young adults. I love her Positive Panic series where she gives positive pep talks about eco-anxiety related topics.
Gardening - with the rise of grocery costs, gardening some produce is one way to lower your grocery bill, plus it's a great hit of dopamine. I've started my seeds, and I can't wait to harvest greens, loofa, tomatoes, and potatoes this summer. You can check out my gardening progress on my personal IG page under the 2023 Garden highlight.
When I have some available time and energy, I love volunteering with Grow Local Colorado. They donate harvests to promote local food, local community, and local economy, and they always need help planting, maintaining, and harvesting at gardens all around the Denver area. Get ready for garden season!
Thanks for sticking around, and I hope you are well.
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Sara Mahowald, CIYT (she/her)
