Tea Tree Designs Couture EcoJewelry by Erika Backberg Page 0

LIFESTYLEYou don't have to compromise beauty to be green Our designs are much more than a piece of jewelry. They are remarkable, one-of-a-kind works of art with personality and a past. Whether you are looking for an elegant eco-piece, or a simple everyday wear accessory, Tea Tree Designs has carefully handcrafted a piece just for you. Every piece is constructed from the highest quality eco-chic materials: locally purchased, redesigned, upcycled, organic & natural. We are also very committed to supporting, using & promoting fair trade. Enjoy the originality of your designs, you do not have to compromise beauty to be green.COLLECTIONSCollectionsSummer 2010ArchiveRunwayFall 2009

Summer 2010One-of-a-kind designs... Elements of the past become the vigor of todayBACK TO COLLECTIONSArchive

ArchiveBACK TO COLLECTIONSLookbook

RunwayBACK TO COLLECTIONSPage 8SHOPTEA TREE DESIGNS IS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
BUY DIRECT FROM DESIGNER SHOP ONLINEClick HereCHELSEA STREET BOUTIQUE114 East Main St., Visalia, CA 93291559-734-7467CLICHEVoted #1 Boutique 2 Years Running by City Pages2403 Lyndale Ave., Mpls, MN 55405 612-870-0420 PATINA ~ SHOPPE LOCAL813 W. 50th St., Mpls, MN 55419612-827-3071PICCOLO BOUTIQUEVoted #1 2010 Women's Boutique by BayList636 First St., Benicia, CA 94510707-747-9321SOMETHING ORIGINAL1 NW 3rd St., Grand Rapids, MN 55744218-999-5432TAKAPUNA428 E. Haley St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101805-963-4848WEDGE CO-OPLargest Co-op in the United States2105 Lyndale Ave., Mpls, MN 55405612-871-3993CUSTOM ORDERS We Specialize in one-of-a-kind Adornments. We would love to create a one-of-a-kind custom piece for you! If you choose to make a custom order, we will need at least 30 days lead time. A 50% deposit is required, and we require the full payment when we notify you that your order is ready to ship. Custom ordered merchandise is non-returnable and non-cancellable. RETAIL & WHOLESALE Information available upon request. If you are a boutique owner or corporate buyer and are interested in carrying Tea Tree Designs EcoJewelry, please contact us and provide your name, store name, store address & phone number, with a valid tax I.D # (to verify wholesale status). Opening orders are $100 with no reorder minumum. Sales_TeaTreeDesigns.comSTORYSTORYDESIGNER Erika Backberg, founder & designer, was proudly born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. A self-taught artist, community organizer & educator, Erika began creating jewelry & organizing earth clubs as early as age six. "I am a social entrepreneur ~ using media art, photography and ecojewelry as my mediums of expression and economic reform. I am honored to say that I have found a way to make my passions my work. Community and social responsibility are at the heart of my art business. A portion of all proceeds earned, are contributed to a variety of local and national initiatives and organizations. Instead of investing in corporate America invest in community, and invest in my designs." In 2006 Backberg, set out to develop a unqiue, limited edition collection of vintage fashion-inspired jewelry with an emphasis on ipseity, craftsmanship, and affordability. Each piece is created organically, without sketching, and the materials, collected from around the globe, all have a unique story to tell. Influenced by international travels, the study of cultural art, and the desire to create a more sustainable and beautiful world, each work is a reflection of Backberg's passion to empower, educate and bring color to people's lives.MISSION Revolutionize the social & ecological impact of the fashion industry one eco piece at a time. Why? The jewelry industry is one of the most toxic industries. It has a tarnished history of exploiting, displacing, & polluting communities all over the world.CORE BELIEFS We believe in making a style statement by creating one-of-a-kind / limited edition collections. We believe in buying our components from local, independent, fair trade & green vendors. We believe our products are of good value and that we should make a profit. ECOCOMMITMENTWHAT MAKES US A GREEN BUSINESS? Every jewelry piece is constructed from materials that are local, repurposed/upcycled, ethically sourced, organic and natural. We use 100% recycled ethical precious metals made in the United States. These metals are ethically sourced meaning the mill that our vendor buys wire from never mines for its silver, it is either bought as scrap metal or bought from other ecofriendly refineries. Tea Tree Designs is very comitted to supporting, using and promoting fair trade. All paper products used - from business cards to gift boxes - are 100% post consumer waste recycled paper and are printed with soy based and natural dye inks. The cardboard boxes in which our gifts are shipped are saved and reused or recycled. Tea Tree Designs is powered by 100% Wind Power purchased from Xcel Energy's Windsource program. We use Working Assests services, a company which supports peace, equality, human rights and the environment by donating a portion of their charges to these causes. We use eco-bulbs to illuminate our studio - they last longer than their more popular filiment burning counterpart. We use "Restore" (MN Made) & "Living Green" brand cleaning products. They don't use evil ingredients and are 100% non-toxic and biodegradable. We vermi-compost office and event perishables diverting waste from the landfill daily. We're always looking for more ways to make our eco-footprint smaller! IDEAS? SUGGESTIONS?EVENTSEVENTSLA MARKET March 19th-23rd, 9am-6pmNew Mart Building - 8th FloorViewings by appointment only. For more info. contact 213.248.3775 or appointment_teatreedesigns.com.FashionDistrict.orgPOWDERHORN ART FAIRSaturday August 8th, 10am-6pmSunday August 9th, 10am-5pmTea Tree Designs will be located in the community tent.Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis. Over 200 professional artists based both locally & nationally. Entertainment, food & free busing from Loring & Uptown Art FairsPowderhornArtFair.orgCLICHÉ: FIVE YEARS OF LOVEThurs. June 11th | 8pm DoorsHigh Fashion Runway EventTickets $8 | Limited Seating | Cash BarPlaza Verde: 1516 East Lake St. MplsFeaturing all Cliché Boutique clothing & accessory designers. Cash Bar Only! ClicheMpls.comVOLTAGE FASHION AMPLIFIED '09Friday April 24th | 8 oclock pmTickets available at First AvenueFirst Avenue Mainroom701 1st Ave N, Mpls 55403Tea Tree Designs featured with runway designers 2709 MN Fashion's premiere event seamlessly combining rock and runway into an intimate mix of sound and style.Features local fashion designers & local musicians.Click here to view photos from eventVoltageFashionAmplified.comENVISION: High Fashion Runway Event Saturday, April 11th 9pm Doors open | 11pm ShowTix $20 pre-sale | $25 door | $35 VIPBallroom of Graves 601 Hotel 601 1st Avenue North, Mpls. Featuring Tea Tree Designs w/ Renate Adjei DesignsColorful spring collections from the Twin Cities chicest fashion boutiques, gorgeous Ignite models, an interactive hair show and music by DJs Timmay & Jevne. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Young Survival Coalition, a breast cancer research fund. Click here to view photos form eventVIEW PAST EVENTSMore 2009 Events2008 EventsCONTACT MEPRESS

City Pages June 2009 Local Designer Fashion Spread

City Pages June 2009 Close-up

The MidWasteland June 2009

The MidWastland June 2009 Close-up

The City Pages ~ Cliche Fashion Show Summer 2009

City Pages June 2009 Close-up

Vita.mn September 2008

Vita.mn September 2008 Close-up

Star Tribune April 2008 ~ Voltage

Star Tribune April 2008 ~ Voltage Close-up

Uptown News March 2008

The Craft Report February 2008

Uptown News January 2008

Minneapolis Picks November 2007

Vita.mn Septemebr 2007

CONTACT We would love to hear your feedback & comments!Erika Backberg Owner. Designer. e: Erika_TeaTreeDesigns.com p: 651.470.4868 Based in Minneapolis & Los Angeles

Jennah Fischer West Coast USA Sales Representative e: JennahFischer_gmail.com p: 213.248.3775Page 7Page 9Tea Tree DesignsCouture EcoJewelry

Lifestyle

Collections

Shop

Story

EcoCommitment

Events

Press

Contact