Saturday Market - 4/2/11

Just missed April Fool's for our first day of market for 2011. But, no fooling, it was a great day for sure. So nice to see everyone again. We didn't even get washed away so early in the season. Had some rain, but mostly sun and fun.

Our granddaughter, Lil was on hand and had fun petting and holding a bunny. Just one of the tons of things going on. I think her favorite thing was scoping out the bags that her grandma makes and sells at the market, but that's just my perspective (might be wrong). She ended up taking home a pet skunk - not a real one though - a little stuffed animal. Cute and doesn't smell as much - easier to take care of.

Hey, there's something for everyone, plenty for the kids to do and see. Good food, good people, good grief, come on down. See ya this Saturday, yes? And hey, if you forget to bring your own bag, just stop by and see Bzz Bags, we can help out with that one.

Saturday Market - 10/29/10

It's starting to wind down toward the end of the 2010 season at the Eugene Saturday Market, but that just means we're winding up to the Holiday Market. Then a chance to catch our collective breath and get ready for 2011 - hard to believe.

It was pre-Halloween fun and scary times this past Saturday. We almost had to run and hide from this very, very scary witch who wandered by. But, we stood our ground.

We always seem to hear some interesting stories about our bags, like how they're being used or where they've traveled to with their new parents, stuff like that. But here was one we sure didn't see coming. Our friend and neighbor at the market, Heather, had purchased a set of bags for her vegetable (and other grocery) shopping. She decided to leave here tomatoes in a bag when she stored them in the fridge. While her husband, Rick, was looking for something in the refrigerator, he saw the bag and got a bit puzzled. He asked Heather why she had pajamas for the tomatoes. Just another reason to get some Bzz Bags. You wouldn't want your veggies to have to sleep naked - its cold in there.

Thanks for the story Heather. You can find Heather at the Saturday Market or online at a few places - earnestefforts.com or earnesteffortsnaturalwoodworking.blogspot.com and also on etsy at earnestefforts.etsy.com. Great crafted wood stuff. We had to get one for a present recently.

Remember to bring your bags to the market everyone - BYOB.

Holiday Bags Preview

We're not putting these on the website for this season, but want to get some feedback at the Holiday Market in Eugene and see what happens. Here's a picture (by popular demand) of 3 of the bags we're going to introduce. The two on the left are gift bags and the taller one on the right is designed for a wine bottle, but we won't tell if you use them for something different.

I think the paper wrapping industry should be shaking in their paper rolls! Talk about easy to wrap - pull the drawstrings (we suggest putting the gift in first though) and stick a tag on it. Bet you could use these bags over for the rest of your lifetime if you wanted, but you'd have to get them back from your "giftee" to use them again - or, maybe they'll use them back to gift back to you the next year and they can travel back and forth as long as you keep liking each other enough to keep giving gifts - that would be your part. We'll be happy to just keep making bags and making sure their available to you.

If you can't make it to the market this year, just drop us an email and we can talk some turkey, but again, we'll keep these off of the website this season.

A reminder of where we'll be this season - we've decided to be there over 3 weekends for a total of 7 days. For two of the weekends we'll be right at the main entrance, easy to find. Our last weekend will be in the Holiday Hall.

Our dates at the Holiday Market are:

November 20 & 21

November 26, 27 & 28

December 18 & 19

Dang, a new way to Bring Your Own Bag - way cool.

Saturday Market - 8/7/10

Just a tad on the warm side. Even though I said I wouldn't do a stand-in for the weather person anymore, it was hard to avoid the fact that (did I mention) it was warm. The Saturday Market area was probably a few degrees cooler than some other hot spots, so we are thankful for that. Still, lots of people came out to enjoy the company and hand-made products created by local vendors.

Always something new, even though we didn't get a picture this time, sinks made out of stone? Way cool, and you'll have to come in next week to find the vendor. And while you're here, you might as well stop by and see what new bag sets we've come up with for the week. Hey, you gotta have something to put your stuff in, right? Might as well be 100% cotton and reusable. Check them out at BzzBags.com.

Here's one we're working on this week - still in progress, pins and all. Be the first on your block to "bag" this baby. See you at the market next Saturday. Remember BYOB earth fans.

Saturday Market - 7/17/10

Gorgeous summer day in Eugene for the Saturday Market this past weekend. Lots of foot traffic and people enjoying the weather, the products and the entertainment that floods the market. We were excited to have some of our bags travel with their new families to other parts of the United States. Check them out if you head to Connecticut, I'm sure they are out shopping with their adopted family. We've also had some venture to Canada, South Carolina, New York (apple bags in the Big Apple???), California, Colorado. I guess with Canada, that makes us international. Thanks Saturday Market for the exposure.

We had a ton of family at the market this time, with an age range of about 60 years. Never too young or too old. So, come on down next weekend and have some fun in the sun. We'll "bee" there and lots of diverse products all around. Remember to BYOB when you go to the store this week. Use ours or whatever you've already got. What an easy way to make a positive impact on Mother Earth. She needs our help.

Saturday Market - 6/19/2010

Thanks to all of you who came to the market this past weekend. We had a new neighbor Saturday. She had tea of all kinds and we were able to sample all day. Caroline (The Tea Lady) was so kind to let us try and keep us hydrated.

Eaduard finally got a spot this week and looks like he has some new items to add to his hair sticks - he had some chop sticks. Very cool stuff. If you didn't stop by, make sure and be there next Saturday. Welcome to the world of the semi-permanent-maybe-will-be-there ground Eaduard.

We added single bags to our list of sellables this past weekend, so if you're in the market for just one bag instead of a whole set, we got 'em. We won't list those on the website, but it will just be a market thing, so stop by. As always, feel free to browse on the Bzz Bags website. You can buy there or just figure out what it is you want and stop in and see us at the market.

See you next blog, next market and/or online. Meanwhile, keep bringing your own bags to the store.

Saturday Market - 6/5/2010

Another fun-filled Eugene Saturday Market. We moved back to our "usual" spot along the south edge of the market this week and enjoyed the green grass in front of us and the great June weather.

We keep our product moving, so you'll have to stop by and see what we have from before and what we've added. Here's a cool print that we don't have on the website yet, but we'll have for next weekend's market. We've got it mixed with a nice deep green leafy looking material that we think makes a nice set.

Short and sweet this week. Come on by and see us and remember to BYOB when you go shopping. Its something easy we can all do to help save the planet. See ya.

Saturday Market - 5/22/2010

The season is buzzing by. I can't believe we're almost through with May. Next weekend should be interesting being Memorial Day weekend. This past Saturday at the Market was a little dryer than anticipated - really not bad at all. We set up Bzz Bags in a larger area than we usually do, to try it out. Had some new neighbors and it was fun meeting more folks.

This picture is from a couple weeks ago. Folks checking out clothing made by one of the vendors. Something for everyone, for sure.

I wanted to mention that our website has gotten a face lift of sorts. Come take a look and see what you think. We have a number of tote sets - we like to call them Bag-Bags - as well as updating our custom product fabric inventory divided out by types; animals, plant-life, designs and produce.

Enjoy wandering through our site. Make sure to come and wander by all the vendors next Saturday. Just to entice you, we'd love to give you $2 off on any of our bag sets. Just tell us that you saw us on our blog and remember this secret word for Saturday, May 29th - "BLUEBERRY" - shhhh. Don't tell anyone except for us when you stop by.

Remember to save a couple bucks next Saturday and especially remember to BYOB when you go to the store next time.

Saturday Market - 5/15/2010

Saturday Market now dives into its 41st year with the birthday celebration taking place for the 40th last week. And to celebrate, the weather was magnificent. Lots of musicians out and about Saturday also, and here's picture-proof. Didn't catch their group's name, but it was some good bluegrass and we sure appreciated them playing in front of our little space.

Again, a great turnout to enjoy the day, the local made-products, good food and enjoyable people-watching.

We sold a few sets of Bzz Bags which always makes us feel great knowing that more and more people are using reusable, recyclable materials to do their shopping. We see a number of people that have purchased our bags in the past and sure makes us happy to hear that they are taking them to the store each week. Thanks everyone.

We've mentioned before that we make custom bags too. We have made some bags for a local bagel store, a market vendor for hair sticks and have had recent requests for a cell phone bag and one for party gifts, so there are lots of fun, inventive was to find uses. But for us, the most important is to use bags as a replacement for plastic. We've found, in our house that our overall use of plastic has been reduced by about 90%. Just think, if everyone did that . . . So, make your own, find someone online or buy ours, but please remember to BYOB to the store.

See ya next time.

Last Bzz Bags Saturday Market for 2009

It's been a great first year for us at the Saturday Market in Eugene. We'd like to thank the team that coordinates the event and allowed us to be a part. We were unable to attend this weekend due to being a bit under the weather, so sorry if you came by. But remember to come visit the Bzz Bags website - because I know you'll miss us.

Beth is working on some new combinations of tote bags (we like to call them Bzz Bags' bags for bags - 4Bs) with coordinated bulk food and produce bags. The first tests look very cool and work well for sure. We'll get some pictures of them here and on the website soon, but for now, here's one under construction.

Just wanted to thank everyone who was motivated to either buy our product or make their own in an effort to help save our planet one bag at a time. Remember to BYOB every time you go to the store. After you've done it 6 or 7 times, it starts becoming routine and you'd feel like you were missing something if you didn't pack them up.

Fairies' Arrival

We just got back from Southern California and took some Bzz Bags time, to find some great new fabrics for our bags. B can't wait to start working on the new Bug-Eyed Fairies. Way cute.

Keep an eye out for them on the website soon. In the meantime, come on by and see us this Saturday at the Eugene Saturday Market. It'll be good to get back after a couple weeks away and see our new old friends and we plan to make some new ones. Don't forget to get your bags out of the drawer and take them with you to the store. They don't do any good unless you take them with, so make sure they are #1 on your shopping list.

Not at the Market

We will not be at the Saturday Market for two Saturdays this month. The Bzz needs a rest and a chance to pick up some new material, so off we go to the deep south (of California). We'll miss the rain and the people, but we'll be back on the 31st, so make sure to stop by.

Not much new to share this week, but we will most likely have some new fabrics to add to the arsenal, so keep a close eye on our website for the latest.

Pictured here is our 6-bag set of Earth Day Jungle. This is fun and colorful set as you can see. Come on by or check it on the web.

Saturday Market - 10/10

Another market day come and gone. Good turnout on a day that required some patients to get the sun up and started. Eventually the coffee kicked in and the sun and people got more active. Thank you to those that came out - no Duck game to compete with in town this time.

Wanted to take a second and introduce our Bzz Bags coffee bean bag - one of our newer family members. As with all of our other bags, it is 100% cotton with an elastic band at the mouth of the bag for easy access. Just need to wrap a tie (supplied by the store) to the top with the product number. We reuse our tie a number of times to create less waste that way too.

So join the recycle, save and BYOB generation. One way is through our website at BzzBags.com. Another is to stop by the Saturday Market in Eugene and see us. Heck, make your own or find another vendor online, just do it (sorry Nike).

Saturday Market - Eugene 9/26

Wow, what a beautiful day it was in Eugene this past Saturday. Saw some friends today taking in the sun and the atmosphere. As you can see, the flowers were out and about, walking around - with a little help.

We're going to be at the next two markets, then take a little vacation, but back for more later in October. Hope you don't miss us too much.

There was another home Ducks game this weekend and made for some more interesting traffic. But if you come down during game time, no problem, just escape before the end. Eugene doesn't sport much in the way of traffic, except . . .

We should have some organic bags ready to go on the website this coming week, so stop by online and check it out. What a great way to help save the planet. Its one you can do easily, one bag at a time. Reduce your use of plastic bags in the landfill - and its really fun with a ton of different patterns to choose from. See ya'll soon.

Saturday Market - Eugene 9/19

No self-defined "good open market" would (or wood) be complete without a "tree guy" roaming the neighborhood. Just one of the many things you missed if you haven't been to the Saturday Market in Eugene. Lots of vendors sharing their talents, products and eccentricities. Now, this past Saturday was a little wet for the tree guy; he might have just grown roots.

But, we were there none-the-less and missed seeing you if you decided to stay home or go to the Oregon Duck game. Next time, stop by on your way to or from the game really support the area artisans and the green world. If you insist on staying home, then visit us here or on our Bzz Bags website.

Our organic bags are just around the corner and our cotton bulk food and produce bags are ready to start using today. Hey, have you put in your two cents worth yet on how to remember to bring your bags to the store? You can post your thoughts on our contest post.

See you next weekend, right?

Saturday Market - Eugene 9/5

Dispersed in this post are pictures from the Eugene Celebration parade. I'll let you figure out what the heck they all mean . . . It was a wet day at the market this Saturday and not as much activity as we would have liked. The Eugene Celebration was going on at the same time and the parade was in the "back yard" of our booth.This year's theme was "Strange We Can Believe In," and no, I have no idea what that means, but it sure fits Eugene. But we weathered the storms and held the front lines - where were you? In the safety and dryness of your homes? I guess I can't blame you for that one. So come out and see us next weekend and we'll call it even.
Hey, don't forget to go to our contest post and help us figure out the best way to remember to bring your bags to the store. It only does good to have some if you use them. Gotta start changing the mindset and old habits (hope I didn't offend any nuns out there reading this). We just extended the contest to last through the end of October to makes sure we get a stockpile of great ideas. Next subject is organic bags. We're just about done with our first set and will have them up and available on our website - BzzBags.com - in a week or so. These will cost a little more as the fabric is a bit pricier, but for those that find organic material important, it should be no problem. We're excited about being able to offer this new product along with all our other 100% cotton fabrics.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Never a dull moment in Eugene.

Saturday Market - Eugene 8/22

Another Saturday Market in Eugene, another beautiful day to spend outside. About 82 today with morning clouds - perfect.
Met a lot of great people this weekend, so if you weren't there, you missed out. Here's some pics for you to soak in. I'm telling you, it was nice and the fountains help for a great ambiance.

These guys were probably just taking a break from their intensive Bzz Bags shopping experience. There we are in the background. Hope you stop by next weekend. See you there.

Organic Bags Coming Soon

Exciting news for those who are organically driven. Bzz Bags is going organic with new certified organic fabric. We will continue to use the popular elastic banding sewn into the opening of the bag, so you'll get the best of both worlds.

No pictures to share yet, but it will be coming soon. Come on out to the Saturday Market in Eugene or visit the us at BzzBags.com to see what we've come up with for you.

So, until then, keep remembering to BYOB - Bring Your Own Bags. Whether you're buying from Bzz Bags, making your own or buying from someone else, the important thing is to remember to grab them, take them to the store and use them over and over again. We've got one planet and we should all think green - do the right thing - help save our planet one bag at a time. Recycle what you can't reuse and think about leaving this place in better shape than it when you first got to it. That's just got to make you feel good.

Plant to Help Pollinate

Here's a test. What kind of plant do you think this is. Is it under water? Is it from a rain forest?

Okay, we'll pull the picture back a little and see if this helps.

Give up? Well, first of all, the bees love them when you let them bloom, but you've given up a good meal for it, so your decision. If you just let them go, the artichoke plants have a unique bloom and the pollinators seem to love it. So from our garden, to you your computer - the blooming artichoke.
Here's a couple more plants that the critters love. Remember, if we didn't have pollinating critters, there would be no need for Bzz Bags, because you wouldn't have any good food stuff to put in them.

Saturday Market - Eugene 7/18

Got a lot of feedback from our give away of bags from last week. We heard and saw people using them at the market today and it really feels like a grass roots push. Can't wait to start hearing from people at the grocery stores in the area.

It was warm today in Eugene - low 90's, with a decent turn-out. Here's a picture of a local pirate. Okay, probably not a pirate, but he did have a bird on his shoulder. They don't allow dogs at the market, so I'm only guessing here, but this must have been his next best choice - man's second-best friend.

Speaking of birds, we've started to Twitter - so feel free to check it out on the site. You can also see the most recent twitters just to the right of this - second from the top.

Have a great one folks and don't forget to Bring Your Own Bags (BYOB) when you go to the store. Lot's of folks are starting to now and its definately the thing to do. Get ours, make your own, buy from someone else, just do it. Its fun to watch things change and head in a more responsible direction and its even more fun to know that you're part of the change.