For many of our customers, it's enough that our products are made well and
look good. Still others like to know what's going on behind the seams. This story is for you...
Sus`tain able
a. Of or relating to a method of harvesting or using a resource so that
the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged [sustainable techniques] [sustainable
agriculture]
b. Of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable
methods [sustainable society]
All materials in the Artisan line are held up to three criteria: Are they sustainable?
Will they perform well under a variety of conditions? And if a non-renewable material is
to be used, will it significantly add to the life of the product?
Hemp is Legendary… its durability unparalleled. Until
the advent of synthetics, cannabis hemp had been the standard fiber of the world. From the
canvas sails and ropes aboard the clipper ships to the Conestoga wagon covers, the first
choice was always hemp. In fact, the word canvas derives from cannabis. While the term
"hemp" has been used generically to describe several different fiber species,
Artisan Gear uses only cannabis sativa or True Hemp. It's several times stronger than
cotton; more resistant to abrasion and tears; to mildew, soiling, shrinkage and the
deteriorating effects of the sun. Hemp is an annual crop which thrives without
chemical applications. For the last six years we've been using hemp as the
basis of our line because of its great personality, it is nature's strongest soft fiber,
and it's the world's premiere sustainable resource.
Hemp is Durable
It's several times stronger than cotton.
It's more resistant to abrasion
and tears.
It's more resistant to mildew, soiling, shrinkage and the deteriorating effects of the sun.
Hemp Ecology
Hemp grows throughout the world.
Many industrial grade varieties are
adapted to the Northern hemisphere where it thrives.
Hemp is among the earth's primary
renewable resources: Trees cut down to make paper can take fifty years to grow back while
hemp can be cultivated in as little as one hundred days, and according to the U.S.D.A.,
can yield four times more paper over a twenty year period. Hemp produces three times as
much fiber per acre as cotton. While cotton is grown on only 3% of the world's farmland,
it takes a staggering 25% of the world's pesticide use per year.
Hemp Economy
Currently
all hemp seed and fiber is imported; sending millions of dollars as far away as China and
Eastern Europe.
Hemp is being used today by hundreds of businesses around the world. Firms like The Body Shop, BMW, GM/Canada and Mercedes Benz are incorporating hemp as a
resource. Designers from Armani, Calvin Klein, Patagonia and others are responding to
consumer interest and demand for hemp based products.
Eventually hemp cultivation in
America will benefit the local job and tax base. The domestic industries that would be
boosted include agriculture, construction, cosmetics, energy, food, fuel, furniture, paper, plastics,
recycling, retailing, and textiles.
To create our color palette we employ the synthetic dye groups that use the least amount of water,
salt and avoid heavy metals. We never use chlorine bleach. The rich colors we have developed are "fast";
which means they won't bleed when exposed to moisture. However, by avoiding many of the common
(but hazardous) dyeing agents, our products will show some gentle fading with use.
We donate 3% of profits towards environmental preservation. Click on Our Mission, to learn more.
