{"id":873,"date":"2008-04-28T22:43:28","date_gmt":"2008-04-29T02:43:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/catchingfireflies.com\/blog\/?p=873"},"modified":"2008-04-28T22:43:28","modified_gmt":"2008-04-29T02:43:28","slug":"the-mirror-4270","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.catchingfirefliesgifts.com\/blog\/2008\/04\/the-mirror-4270\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mirror 4.27.08"},"content":{"rendered":"

Green Gifter<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

by Diana Wing<\/p>\n

April McCrumb, owner of the Catching Fireflies gift shops in Berkley and Rochester<\/a>, is doing her part to reduce the stores’ carbon footprint by offering more eco-friendly products and packaging options. She has a line of lightweight, super-strong, nylon reusable bags<\/a> that are easily compacted and less bulky than canvas totes. <\/p>\n

"They’re very useful. I use them regularly," she said. "What I like about these is since they’re nylon and they have a big gusset in the bottom, they hold a lot, 25 pounds, which is great for groceries and whatnot. You can stuff one in your purse, or if you’re going grocery shopping you can stuff a bunch of them into one." <\/p>\n

McCrumb sells the sustainable shopping bags<\/a> at cost with purchases over $30. She also offers incentives when customers bring back the store’s paper bags and boxes. <\/p>\n

"We feel we should be a leader in the community and if we start promoting this kind of thing then it will trickle down and our customers will go, ‘Ah ha, all those things make a difference." <\/p>\n

Catching Fireflies has always carried works by local artists, but I didn’t know that about one-quarter of the stores’ products are locally made – reducing shipping and freight distances, and carbon emissions. <\/p>\n

You’ll find beautiful tiles by Royal Oak artist Gretchen Kramp<\/a>, whimsical clocks by Duane Scherer<\/a> of Lathrup Village and recycled goods (angels made from old bowling pins) from Royal Oak artist Marsha Filipiak, known for her attractive stained glass art. <\/p>\n

The shops also carry some unique wine glasses made from reclaimed materials<\/a>, and gadgets, like bottle openers<\/a> and business card holders<\/a>, created from old bicycle chains. <\/p>\n

"Berkley has a green committee which is awesome," said McCrumb of the new Environmental Advisory Committee that will look for ways to reduce city-generated pollution. "It’s really neat to see the community getting involved." <\/p>\n

Check out the green options<\/a> at www.catchingfireflies.com<\/a>, or visit the shops at 3117 W. 12 Mile in Berkley and 203 E. University Drive in Rochester.<\/p>\n