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SuSu on Tour!!! Our 2007 festival dates
SuSu on Tour!Our 2007 Festival Dates
This year we have a gentle, yet exciting festival season lined up, with a leaning towards the spiritual and esoteric plus a few blow-out parties like Glastonbury thrown in to keep us on our toes….
The season kicks off with
The Goddess Show
April 21st &22nd
Brighton Racecourse, Sussex
www.boktalo.co.uk
Sorry, you already missed this! At Brighton racecourse, a beautiful event with wafts of shamanic incense drifting around and gorgeous, powerful goddesses, belly dancers and faeries everywhere. Workshops and performances. The only criticism I could level at the event is that we could have done with a bit more of an audience. More advertising next time, please!
Anderida Gorsedd Spring Camp
Arthur, Myrdhin and the Grail
May 11th, 12th, 13th
A field in the heart of Sussex
www.anderidagorsedd.org
SOLD OUT!!!
A private chill out with my local druid group, Anderida Gorsedd who are putting on this Arthurian themed transformational weekend camp deep in the heart of Sussex. Events include a Friday night Sweat Lodge based on the Arthurian quest poem ‘The Spoils of Annwn’ and fireside Eisteddfod., Saturday morning ritual and meditation, plus guest speaker - Dr Roland Rotherham (world respected scholar and lecturer in the legends of King Arthur and The Grail). Saturday night will culminate with the Grail Quest ritual - not to be missed!
Global Fusion
June 15th, 16th, 17th
Herstmonceux Castle, Sussex
www.thirty-six-hours.co.uk
Previously held at the Pestalozi Children’s village near Hastings, the new site sounds beautiful at the Observatory Arena on the Herstmonceux Castle Estate. Although venue has changed, the heart and soul of Global Fusion remains the same, the best in world music at affordable prices and family friendly environments. Headlining this year: Afro Celt Sound System, a true blend of fusion world music, also in the line up: Culture, The Flying Marrows, Hi Life, Oojami, Sekou Keita Quartet, Usifu Jalloh, Sujata Bannerjee plus story telling, belly dancing, drumming workshops, children’s entertainment and nightime stargazing...
Glastonbury
June 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset
http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
SOLD OUT!!!
You know the drill……..
SuSuMaMa can be found in a new site this year selling all of our magickal children’s clothes and faery and dressing up clothes for faeries of all ages at affordable, non-rip off prices. Look for us in F1 market, (not too far from the circus field we had inhabited for the past 8 years), stall #13. See u there! X
The Faery Festival
June 22nd, 23rd, 24th
Colliford Lake Park, Bolventor, Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
www.3wishesfaeryfest.co.uk
Sadly SuSuMaMa will not be able to have their magickal faery stall at this new event due to trading at Glastonbury, but it sounded so nice, we wanted to promote it. There will be guest musicians and bands including The Mediaeval Baebes, Daughters of Gaia, Priscilla Hernández (SPAIN), Daughters of Elvin, Beck Sian (Cousin of Kate Bush), Elizabeth-Jane Baldry, Magicfolk, Soul Path, Elfin Spiral, plus more! There will also be a magical midsummer faery masquerade and procession, dancing fire faeries, wing and wand making workshops with the Fairy Land Trust, and a magical faery fashion show. Sounds right up our street! Ah, well, perhaps next year!
The Somers Town Festival of Cultures
July 7th
Somers Town, London
020 7278 2833
Supporting my wonderful activist friend Alan Patterson, who lovingly crafted this annual fun-filled family day from a small gathering of local tenants in his council estate to a landmark event in the local calendar with 10,000 plus people in attendance. Alan, who moved into the area many years ago, was shocked to discover so many of the communities’ inhabitants were isolated and afraid. Communication, he believes is the best way forward, and what better way than with a festival to celebrate the diverse cultures and creative energies of the area. The difference this has made in people’s lives is immense and I salute my friend Alan, a true working class hero! Catch Somerset sensation Al O’kane (http://www.myspace.com/alokane) at this event, amongst many other talents.
Buddhafield
A Living Mandala - the Magic of Community
July 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th
Devon /Somerset borders
http://www.buddhafield.com
Each individual brings their particular gifts, skills and heart wishes. Mixed together in the cauldron of community, they can create a magical brew, with great power to transform. Buddhism - Ritual - Meditation - Yoga - Tai Chi - Healing Area - Kids Area - Cafes - Workshops - Debates - Music - Dance – Crafts……Ahhhhh!!!! Nirvana!
WOMAD
July 27th, 28th, 29th
Charlton Park, Wiltshire
http://www.womad.org
A new site for this old favourite. Susu’s 13th year here! WOMAD stands for World of Music, Arts and Dance, expressing the central aim of the WOMAD festival - to bring together and to celebrate many forms of music, arts and dance drawn from countries and cultures all over the world. WOMAD was originally inspired by Peter Gabriel: "Pure enthusiasm for music from around the world led us to the idea of WOMAD in 1980 and thus to the first WOMAD festival in 1982. The festivals have always been wonderful and unique occasions and have succeeded in introducing an international audience to many talented artists. Set in a picturesque rural landscape, WOMAD at Charlton Park, family seat of The Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire, presents an opportunity to experience the festival in a truly green, pleasant and spacious environment. The festival will feature seven stages and workshop areas, including a children’s village, many new activities and festival features, all in the idyllic environment of Charlton’s arboretum, open lawns and rolling fields. An audience of 20,000 will be treated to over seventy world-class artists from forty different countries. Alongside the new attractions of Charlton Park, WOMAD’s familiar feast of entertainment and celebration will remain: brilliant live music; weekend camping; a full programme of participatory workshops for adults and children; Taste The World cookery sessions; late night dance, DJ’s and grooves at Club WOMAD; relaxed entertainment on Thursday evening; a children’s procession on Sunday; a chance to ‘shop around the world’ at over 250 international food, drink, arts, craft and merchandise stalls in our Global Village; sumptuous site decoration featuring hundreds of flags, projections, visual art and temporary structures; plus the unrivalled WOMAD atmosphere that our audience simply loves.
Goddess Conference
August 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th 5th
Glastonbury, Somerset
http://www.goddessconference.com
With Ceremonies, Adorations and Praise Songs to the Crone for Her love, wisdom and transforming power. We shall honour the Crone in the landscape of Avalon, as Crone Nolava, as Keridwen, Keeper of the Cauldron of Death and Rebirth, as Queen of the Underworld, as the Dark Goddess who reveals what is hidden, and as Nine Clan Grandmothers. This Crone Conference is open to women and men of all ages who want to experience the Crone’s loving energy. With illustrated talks, presentations, workshops, beautiful artwork & stalls, performances, music, song, poetry, dance. Take part in inspiring workshops. Join one of Nine Clans for support and to participate fully in the Opening Ceremony and others throughout the Conference. Celebrate the Queens and Crones in our Goddess community. Make Lammas Bread Crones. Participate in a Healing Ceremony on Chalice Hill and at the Sacred Lammas Bonfire. Take an inner journey to deeply heal childhood and past-life wounds to your Feminine Self and listen to the wisdom of the Nine Grandmothers. Dance the night away at the Goddess Gala Buffet and Masque and join our Pilgrimage through the Landscape to Chalice Well and Glastonbury Tor with a Fruit Feast!
EnDorset in Dorset
August 10th, 11th, 12th
Oakley Farm, Dorset
http://www.lgofestivals.com
First time for SuSuMaMa at this festie in Dorset (hence the name….duh!) We’ll report back after the event, but have heard good things about this from friends that have been over the previous 3 years of it’s’ existence.
Small World
August 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
Kent
http://www.smallworldsolarstage.org
We had such fun last year at this chilled out little festival in a single field, that we’re comin’ back! Pony and co give this tiny solar-powered event a party vibe, where everyone knows everyone…Feels like you’ve come home. Great music and plenty of cafes to chill in. Tickets have not yet been released. Check the website for latest info.
Out of the Ordinary
September 21st, 22nd, 23rd
Knock Hatch Adventure Park, Sussex
http://www.theantiquariansociety.com
For the Autumn Equinox, the first time for this local (local to Sussex, anyway!) event organized by the marvellous Antiquarian society A unique three day event of workshops, discussions and forums with some of the most learned speakers on prehistoric culture, ancient knowledge, Earth Mysteries and Healing. Live and acoustic entertainment, ethical market, local produce and an enormous amount of kids and family entertainment, including access to the Knock Hatch Adventure Park and ski slope!
Posted on 22.5.2007
Imbolc Sale!!!Sale!!!Sale!!!
In celebration of the first stirrings of Spring, and to give our stock room a much needed clearing, we are launching our “ARE THEY OUT OF THEIR FLUFFY LITTLE MINDS” IMBOLC SALE. With some items marked down up to 75% off. Look out for bright UV hand knitted jumpers with a Native American FIREBIRD motif (£5), a gorgeous green faery dress with contrasting fuchsia buds (£5), long, floaty adult lotus tutus in a choice of black, white, hot pink or turquoise (£10), hand-knitted Nepalese wool cardies with bright contrasting fluffy trim in PINK, RED or TURQUOISE (£10), our wonderful roomy, practical and gorgeous BAGS (£10), and our ethereal ELEMENTAL cotton dresses available in FIRE, AIR, MOON, IRIS, and ROSE (£10). There are 50 items in our new sale, including old favorites like £5 faery tops, but hurry, hurry, hurry! When it’s gone, it’s gone!!!!!
TAKE ME TO THE SALE!!! I NEED TO SHOP!!!
Posted on 28.1.2007
Woodland Trust
Over the Yule period, in honor of all my friends & customers, SuSuMaMa dedicated 10 trees in Geordie’s Wood, Muckhart, Clackmannanshire (Near Edinburgh) through the Woodland trust. This small gesture is an attempt to offset some of the carbon emissions produced by flying around the world to source our groovy clothes. Having recently seen Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” (Everyone MUST see this!), and having always had a global conscience, SuSuMaMa has been very concerned about climate change. This can be seen as one of the biggest threats to our future as a species on our planet…Act now before it’s too late!
For more info, here are some websites that might help:
CARBON NEUTRAL
CLIMATE CARE
THT C-CHANGE TRUST
Posted on 28.1.2007
Morocco
For the first time, SuSuMaMa has ventured into the depths of the souks of Marrakech in Morocco to hunt down jingly, jangly belly dancing belts/hip scarves. The ones we found are locally made and come in sizes for both kids and adults. They are available in our usual range of bright chakra colours. While we were combing the bazaars, we came across these traditional, miniature Moroccan leather slippers. Only available in a baby’s size, we couldn’t resist them. A perfect gift to celebrate a new birth!
YES PLEASE! I WANT A TASTE OF MOROCCO!
TAKE ME THERE!
Posted on 27.1.2007
Free tutu top with every TUTU!!!
While stocks last, we are offering a free stretchy tutu top with every tutu purchased, either in child or adult size…Colour choices are limited to HOT PINK, PURPLE or BLACK. To get your free tutu top don’t forget to mention the colour you would like on your on-line order form. A size will be sent that is appropriate for the size of tutu you have ordered. On top of this, we still offer our free surprise gift for all orders over £20…Have mercy on the poor postie who has to deliver all of your SuSuMaMa freebie goodies. Give him or her a big smile today!
Posted on 27.1.2007
TUTU FEVER!!!
SuSuMaMa is proud to present our newest sticky-outiest tutus for adults and teens....Now available in every colour of the rainbow....Perfect for dressing-up and the party season, we have even supplied these for hen nights and bridesmaids and SuSu likes to wear hers to do the hoovering, just to add a bit of magick and sparkle to any day....We also have the cutest little gothic bat tutu sets in purple and black, complete with wings, bumblebee and mermaid faery dresses, long floaty lotus petaled tutus and exotic belly dancer/harem trousers and jangley skirts...All with matching, stretchy, sparkly tops available, and also aura/halo headdresses to complete the look. Our ever popular tutus with built in knickers and adult faery dresses in any colour you can name are still going strong.....So dress-up and get out and PAAAARRRRRTTTTYYYYYY!!!!!!!
Love and Sparkles and Faery Blessings from Carli SuSu, Queen of the Faeries....X
Posted on 18.11.2006
NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW
Our NEW STUFF from Nepal is about to hit our shores any day now...Here is a little preview of all the goodies to come. We have two new sets of dressing up clothes, specially for the boys (but girls can wear 'em too!) DRAGONS and UNICORNS. Our new toadstool range of red and white spotty magickal mushroom felted hats have matching purses and bags available. Also in felt, there is an IVY ELF range of zappy hats, with felt necklaces, hair bands and clips and purses to match, all featuring felt ivy leaves. If you are feeling all loved up, check out our hot pink and red felt HEART BAGS, also with matching necklaces and purses. In bright brocades, we introduce cute Tibetan style wrap over tunic dresses, plus matching waistcoats, also in brocade with fun fur trim and warm fleece lining. We have soft fluffy little pixie jackets with long pointy hoods. Made from soft Nepali shawl material, these jackets zip up in the front and are fluffy, fluffy, fluffy!!!!!! 3 new pieces of jewelry are added to our collection; realistic oak and ivy leaves, and a magickal pentagram with semi precious stones at each point. Our GOTHIC ANGEL t-shirts have had an update, and the same designs (PENTAGRAMS, GOTHIC ANGELS, GODDESS) are now available in an embroidered design (white on a black t-shirt), plus a new design, of Che Guevara, entitled REVOLUTIONARY FAERY. Our velour patchwork now is also available as a waistcoat, very funky for both boys and girls! The jewel in the crown of our new collection are realistic felt butterfly wings, sewn onto little black sleeveless t-shirts...Gorgeous beyond words!
All new items will be available from December 15th. We are currently taking pre-Yule orders. Just check everything out in our NEW STUFF section......Bright Blessings for the season...LOVE and LIGHT, Carli SuSu x
Click HERE for all our new stuff.
Posted on 17.11.2006
Back from Nepal
SuSuMaMa is back from Nepal with the scrummiest things! Still twisted with jetlag, it will take a few days to put everything onto the website...be surprised!...Just as little taster, here is the simply divine MISSION, 5 year old son of my talor, MADHAV, wearing a two piece outfit consisting of KURTA (shirt) and trousers...We have called this look BABA BABY! More soon...Namaste...X
Posted on 25.10.2006
Festival News Report 2006...Faeries, Mermailds, Elves and Pixies...Spot your child and get 10% off your next order!
A beautiful, hot steamy summer was had by all. This year, once again, we present a slideshow of images of all the beautiful little Faeries, Mermaids, Elves and pixies we met on the way. Spot your child and get a 10% discount off your next order...
All you need to do for your 10% discount is to send an email with your next order, describe what your child is wearing, what background colour is in the image and which festival the picture was taken at.
Here are my impressions of the events we were at....
MIDSUMMER SENSATIONS
June 24th-25th
A lovely gathering to wipe out the winter cobwebs and reconnect with friends. Heavy on sustainability issues. Plenty for the kids to do and a joy to wake up in the morn and see a field full of children of all ages frantically hula-hooping! This was the first time SuSu tested out her new LOVE BUS, "SuSu's Shamanic Spirit Ship", a hot pink mobile home, clothing emporium, and solar powered light show, all rolled into one! We offered our free solar powered light show experiences inside the bus to a small, select audience of 5 people at a time. Plan to create the smallest solar-powered cinema on the festival circuit for next year!
http://www.southcoastregen.co.uk/midsummer_sensations.htm
QUEST
July 6th-9th
Beautiful vibes and a glut of workshops made this a restful event.
http://www.quest.newtonabbot.org/index.htm/
BUDDHAFIELD
July 12th-16th
Creme-de-la-creme! This was certainly one of my top events of the summer. Themed "Dharma Warriors", the intentions soon became clear and the magick created by the Buddhist rituals filtered thru out the whole field. Clean, serene and enlightened, with a non-stop flow of smiling beautiful people to chat to all day long, amazing music and cafe society; I was in Buddhist heaven! More please! Make the next one a month long! http://www.buddhafield.com/
EASTERN HAZE
July 21st-23rd
After Buddhafield, the contrast of this event with it's thoughtless generators and lack of recycling points was poignant. Pretty disorganized with very heavy handed security. Pregnant women were having their food and water confiscated at the entry gate so that they were forced to buy from the multitude of stalls there. I know the intentions were good, but, hey guys, next time put out a program with the times the bands are on! We missed every single band because of this. Line up was great, but pointless! http://www.rickels.co.uk/easternhaze/index.php
WOMAD
July 28th-30th
A World Music smorgasbord! Smiling faces everywhere, mellow vibes, not too bad loos and you felt you were amongst friends. This was SuSu's 12th year at WOMAD and it felt like coming home! http://womad.org/
BIG GREEN GATHERING
August2nd-6th
The Big Green Gathering has outgrown itself. I swear I heard generators! Many mashed people and garbage everywhere, which the green litter team bravely tackled. Still lots of amazing campaign groups, but really preaching to the converted. On the positive side, I bought a new solar panel for my set-up, as Big Green is a great place to source such things. Also, something connective and magickal happened to me everyday, but I had to look hard. Felt the Healing and Earth Energies spaces were so packed with therapists and stuff, that the vibes made my head spin as I passed thru! Chaotic energy! Quite a few people coming to buy clothes from us because their tents had been robbed, and we spent a lot of time watching out for shoplifters, which is not really what I want my head space to be involved in. The addition of licensed bars this year meant lots more drunks. Had my stall "tagged" (graffittied) by some jerk. Heard that the farm pigs had also been spray painted. Literally hundreds of fly pitchers, whom I shall most probably joining next year if I go at all http://www.big-green-gathering.com/
GAUNTS HOUSE
August 11th-13th
A tiny, safe, mellow chillout of less than a 1,000 people with lots of workshops and music. Pretty much the opposite of the Big Green Gathering! http://www.gauntshouse.com/
GODDESS CAMP
August 18th-19th
Sorry! Shear exhaustion meant we missed this one, but heard it was great! Do it again!
Posted on 13.9.2006
.........Indonesian Rupiah, that is! Posted on 18.5.2006
Just before we pop off on a lengthy buying trip to Asia, I needed to tie up a few loose ends, one of those being our fund raising for Guatemala (post hurricane Stan mudslides) and Bali (post October bombings)...SuSuMaMa managed to raise £240 during the Yule season, and this money will be shared evenly between the two places...Being a cynical sort, I took my time over choosing the appropriate charity to hand our money over to, not wanting to give money to an agency that skims off money for itself....Out of the blue, and with beautiful synchronicity, a contact for a charity called "The Guatemalan Disaster Fund", popped into my email in tray...You can read for yourself about the wonderful work they do by going to http://www.guatemalan-disaster.org/index.html/Our cheque for £120 will be going to them...As for Bali, seeing as I shall be there in person at the end of April, I felt it will be appropriate to hand over their £120 cheque directly to the family of our tailor who was killed in the bombing......LOVE and LIGHT, Carli SuSu X
Posted on 22.3.2006
Fresh in from Nepal, we present new additions to our magickal ELEMENTALS range. There are floaty faery dresses for all the elements, plus a few flowers as well, pixie hooded tops for boys or girls and cute little floaty cotton crinkle skirts. Also, we have the cutest little Holly Elf bootees/slippers you ever did see. So cute are they, that I had some made in adult sizes, cos i wanted a pair! Check 'em out in out NEW STUFF section. Posted on 11.11.2005
Ta-dah! Finally, we have managed to get all of your lovely photos of your beautiful children in our funky clothes into a stunning slideshow from Blue-dreamer.co.uk...I realize that it has taken us soooooo long to get this together, some of your children have already grown up and gone off to college, but we thought it would be fun to show them anyway...Please keep your pics coming so that we may update this slideshow. Send 'em to carli@susumama.co.uk Posted on 10.11.2005
Still deeply grieving the loss of my partner, Trevor, 6 months ago, I have not had the heart to write a report on our summer festival experiences until now…I am happy to say that SuSuMaMa had a superb summer, and I offer here, instead of waffling on, a slideshow of all you beautiful faeries out there. Enjoy!
SMALL WORLD
AUGUST 23rd-28th
I can not think of a better way to end the summer! Pony and crew somehow glean only the nicest people for this event. No creeps allowed. Simply divine music at this full on, yet chilled and safe party all powered by Mother Nature. This was my first time, and I hope to come back for the spring event. http://www.smallworldsolarstage.org/
THE ANIMAL INSIDE CAMP
Sept. 1st-3rd
This was a personal voyage for me. Anderida Gorsedd is our local druid grove, and they put on tiny, amazing camps on an organic farm in the heart of Sussex. This year we had the wonderful Brian Bates, an expert on Shamanism giving a talk about animals. We then made animal masks, leading to a ritual and fire labyrinth. The stormy weather was challenging, but I got just what I need out of the camp. This is my own private time for self exploration.http://www.bardicarts.com/anderidagorsedd/anderidagorsedd.htm
Bright Blessings to all my friends out there! See you in a field somewhere soon! Go Well...
LOVE and LIGHT from
Carli SuSu X
SuSuMaMa donates 1.8 million.........
As promised, during our time in Bali, we went to search out the family of our tailor who was killed in the November 2005 Bali bombs in order to give them the money raised during our Yuletide charity drive. The young woman killed, Nyoman, had no husband or kids, and so we wanted to go to see her parents. We were told that making such a gesture could be seen as offensive, as Bali has very strong community support, and the local BANJAR, or council would be looking after the parents thru the local temple. Plus, bringing up the subject of their daughters death would not be appropriate, as the Balinese have very highly ritualized death/cremation ceremonies, and grief is private. The best thing we could do, we were told, was to offer the money to the temple Gods during a ceremony, and the DALANG, or high priest would appropriate the donation for the general good of the community and the temple.
This was an incredible experience.
We were told on the day of the dark moon, there would be a powerful ritual taking place at the dead girl's local temple. Arriving at the set of small outdoor shrines, the DALANG was deep in trance, shouting and wailing with incense swirling all around. At a given moment, I was pushed forward with my pink susumama envelope bulging with Rupiah as an offering. I placed this on the little empty throne, which tops every Balinese shine, a seat for the Gods to come down and accept the essence of my offering.
Afterwards the Dalang told me that the money would be put to good use to restore and renovate the temple and help the local community. Blessed Be!
Our fund raising results
NEW!!!!!!!!!NEW!!!!!!NEW!!!!!!!!!
We have been slaving over the website and are finally ready to unveil our new look. We hope you have noticed our new style website, fresh in it's winter ivy greenery and our new, more user-friendly shoppe. We love feedback, and if you want to oooohhhhhh and aaaaahhhhh, or if you want to report any gremlins please write to us at our usual email address carli@susumama.co.uk
Brightest Blessings for the holiday season...Snuggle up and keep warm...LOVE from SuSu X
Kidz 'n Clothes
Festivals 2005!
Posted on 10.11.2005
Dancing Buffalo
It is with unspeakable sadness and heartbreak that I must announce that my Beloved Buffalo passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April the 21st, shortly after 11AM at the age of only 43. Trevor was optimistic until the very end, but the cancer he had been battling with for the past 6 years finally won. Everyone who ever knew or only briefly met him, loved him for his beautiful, positive and gentle approach to life, and he enriched everyone's lives with his humor, wisdom and music. I, myself, though numb with grief, feel only love and privilege at having shared the past 2 years with him. I am moved by the countless phone calls and messages I and my son Alex have received since Trevor's passing, and it strengthens me to know that he was so loved and that I am not alone in my grief. I sense that his spirit is at rest and will always be with us. Blessed Be!
Posted on 23.4.2005
Guatemalan Rainbows
Freshly back from our travels in Guatemala and with a shipment of Guatemalan rainbow clothes waiting in the wings, I just wanted to take a moment to share a magickal image of CHICHICASTENANGA, a highland market town, in the early light of the morning...LOVE & LIGHT, Carli x
Posted on 20.4.2005
Mahni & the Marathon
Here's to the lovely Mahni (pictured on left), who is just rubbing oil on her sore muscles after completing the LONDON MARATHON in aid of shelter..."When's the next one", she asks, hardly moments after the finish line...We're all proud , Marni! Go girl!!!!! It's not too late to donate to this noble cause. Donate by clicking https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/mahnimonsta/
Posted on 20.4.2005
!
Results of our tsunami appeal
After much deliberation, SuSuMaMa has decided to donate the money we have raised in our tsunami appeal to a charity we have supported before. S.O.S. The Sumatran Orangutan Society, who operate out of Northern Sumatra, and who were there with immediate aid when the disaster stuck. There are several reasons for our decision, best described in S.O.S.'s own newsletters.... I quote here from Lucy Wisdom, founder of S.O.S.:
"In recent weeks, SOS has lived up to its name, rushing emergency aid to tsunami victims in Aceh and North Sumatra. Staff and volunteers from SOS's Medan office, the Orangutan Information Centre (SOS-OIC), were amongst the first convoys to deliver relief along Sumatra’s battered north coast and now coordinate efforts with Aceh Aid at IDEP, the Department of Forestry, WALHI (the Indonesian Forum on the Environment), and others."
"It has been noted by international press that the small NGOs, like SOS and Aceh Aid at IDEP, have been most successful in getting aid where it has been most needed in the immediate relief effort in Aceh."
SuSuMaMa is proud to hand over a cheque for £78.90, not a huge sum, I know, but 10% of our web sales from December 26th (the day the tsunami stuck), to February 2nd., IMBOLC, the first awakening of spring. Not too bad during a quiet business period, post Yule! Thanks to everyone who placed orders during this time! You all helped!
If you want to find out more about S.O.S. and the marvelous work they do visit their website by CLICKING HERE
Don't forget to sign their anti-road petition!
Posted on 4.2.2005
Tsunami
Along with the rest of the world, we here at SuSuMaMa World Wear are numb with shock at the tsunami tragedy in South East Asia, and beyond. The disaster is even more poignant, as we have worked with people in nearby regions, and are familiar with the day-to-day struggle for survival many of these people normally have to deal with at the best of times, so it struck me as doubly tragic, that now there is so much death and destruction to contend with...So shocked and upset am I, that for one whole week, I have been unable to have any clear idea of what small contribution we could make...So, meanwhile, whilst I try to decide which tsunami appeal to support; which tsunami appeal will guarantee the maximum amount of money and resources goes straight to the people in need, SuSuMaMa World Wear pledges 10% of all retail web sales as of Boxing Day, the day of the disaster, until IMBOLC (the spring awakening on February 2nd) to be donated to a suitable tsunami charity....I'm sure all of us are united in our thoughts and prayers on this sad occasion...Om Mani Padme Hum....Blessed is the Jewel in the Lotus...Love to all souls from Carli and the SuSu Posse……
THE PHOTO WAS TAKEN ON NEW YEARS EVE AT RIVENDELL IN SALTDEAN, BRIGHTON. WE ALL LIT CANDLES AT MIDNIGHT.
Posted on 2.1.2005
Back from Bali
Just a little taster to whet your appetite whilst we recover from our jet-lag! Our new chakra faeries will be in stock mid November...Love and light and sunshine and faery blessings from Su Su and the gang x
Posted on 22.10.2004
Festival Report Part 2
Here is the second installment of our 2004 Festival report. Can you spot your kids in our photos?
After relaxing at Quest, and a brief time back at our Brighton base, SuSu headed for the Devon/Somerset border and the beautiful Buddhafield Festival. This is the first time I have done this event, and I was knocked out by the whole thing...It was lovely to be able to be in a space where you could smile openly into peoples faces without having to justify your actions...The festival started with a spiral dance, which gave alot of people time to smile into each other's eyes...We had to wear a lotus blossom inscribed with one word which summed up how we wanted to be...mine said "non...judge...mental"...Climax of the event was a lantern procession, being led thru different realms up a hill, until, at the brow, we looked down into a sparkling giant lotus, opening and closing gently to the chanting of hundreds of voices...Om Mani Padme Hum.....blessed is the jewel in the lotus....the lotus unfolds.
Onto One World Camp, a macro-biotic camp in the grounds of a school in Surrey. 700, or so of us were fed wholesome food three times a day, and there a was an extensive workshop program, including such gems as 5-rythms (I’m an addict!), lots of different yogas, talks on nutrition, shamanism, earth mysteries, and any new-age subject you could imagine...the caliber of workshops was first rate, and tho there was some chaos in the organization, everyone mucked in, including my hero, Jimmy Page, who was there with his family. We listened to stories around the campfire, and generally had a mellow time...And, oh, yes, we also managed to SuSu-up a load of children...By the end of the camp, there were moons and stars everywhere!
Well, that concludes our gentle summer season...
Wrap up warm, friends and see you in the fields of Avalon and beyond again, when the great wheel turns rounds once more....
Brightest Blessings and Love...
Carli Su Su
x
Posted on 13.9.2004
New for Autumn!!!!!
Here’s a sneak preview of all the lovely new things we have brought back from Nepal. All items will be available for on-line purchase by the end of October. Please call us on 01273 300 606 for any wholesale or retail pre-orders.
Click here for the full “NEW STUFF” list...
Posted on 12.9.2004
Festival Report Part 1
Dear Friends....
Here are a few snapshots of some of the festivals we have been to this past summer.
The season started gently with The Pestalozzi Global Fusion Festival near Hastings in East Sussex, featuring a great set from Bob Geldoph. Su Su and co stretched their festival wings, and created a psychedelic stall with our new UV backdrops from Bali (find them on our NEW STUFF section). With our brand new thumping UV floodlight, a selection of fluoro slinkies and aliens, a bubble machine, and the brightest clothes you ever did see, we made quite an impact and did our best to rainbow-up the world.
Glastonbury was next. An oasis of love at Worthy Farm. There was just enough mud to make people feel like they were at a real English festival, but it did not seem to cramp anyone's style or energy. We were in our usual spot in the circus field. So much to do and see. Highlights for Su Su were James Brown (funkier than funk!), the amazing Tree Pirates' sculptures in the Green Fields (that giant scorpion!), and dancing all night, and seeing faeries, real ones, everywhere. Top moment must be seeing a complete arch of a rainbow at sunrise from horizon to horizon, arching over the entire enormous site. It felt like everyone on the festival site was being protected in a giant bubble! It was Su Su's mission to get people out of their dull combats, and into something a little (well, okay, alot) brighter. Su Su is proud to report that we managed to get quite a few men into our adult faery dresses and tutu's, and sent them off into the night to party, including a few of Su Su's male staff. We can't wait for next year.
From Glastonbury, we went straight to Quest at Newton Abott racecourse in Devon . This was a bit of a chill out and recuperation. Lots of amazing stalls offering all kinds of therapies and enlightenment. Fire walks and sweat lodges. Great music. Wholesome food stalls. We had lots of wheatgrass shots and gently detoxed. Highlight was dancing in the full moonlight to Riven, and a moving set by Dragonsfly.
More pictures and reports to come, featuring Buddhafield and One World, stay tuned!
Love and Light,
Carli Su Su
X
Posted on 30.7.2004
pAtChWoRk is BACK!!!
Just thought I'd let you know, due to popular demand, and extreme pressure from our customers,(No! No! Stop! I'll be good!), we now have our Bali batik patchwork dresses back in all sizes from newborn to teen, as modelled by Bo, aged 5. Also, check out Charley, aged 6, in our RAJ trousers from the WILDCHILD range, teamed with a GOTHIC ANGEL pentagram t-shirt. Thanks, kids for being such super models!
Posted on 28.5.2004
Unfair FAIR TRADE...Be Aware!
It has come to our attention that several companies who sell imported clothes from Asia, similar to ours are claiming that they are "fair trade". These are, on the whole large companies, with over a million pounds of turn-over, and due to the nature and scale of their business, it is impossible for them to operate under fair trade conditions...Some of these businesses have been trading for 10 years or more, and have suddenly become "fair trade" overnight! Wahwhoom! The term "fair trade" has become a trendy marketing term...Customers, please if you are buying clothes that claim to be fait trade, please ask for the company's credentials...If they are not an accredited official importer for BAFTS, the British Association of Fair Trade Shops like we are, or a member of IFAT, The International Fair Trade Association, give them a wide berth...
CLICK HERE find out more about fair trade from BAFTS...
CLICK HERE find out more about fair trade from IFAT...
HERE IS A COPY OF OUR VIEW OF FAIRTRADE AND OUR BUSINESS ETHICS
SuSuMaMa means “mother’s milk” in the language of Indonesia.
SuSuMaMa World Wear is a small enterprise, designing, manufacturing and importing beautiful, unique and fairly traded clothes from around the world. We have been trading for more than 10 years and have touched the lives of many. Many of our clothes are made from traditionally produced local natural textiles, and we use only small local businesses, which are all personally visited to ensure our fair trade policy is adhered to. Our more modern ranges are made from synthetic fibres, but always, our suppliers’ best interests are at the heart of our business. When we arrive in Bali, Kathmandu, Jaipur, or any of the other places we work from, we are always greeted with joy, and the local people who make our clothes are happy to know that they can feed, clothe and educate their families, and generally improve the quality of their lives, whilst getting a fair price for their efforts.
It is SuSuMaMa’s aim to create an awareness of the diverse cultures. It is our policy to promote the art, culture and lives of the people with whom we all share this cosy little planet. Our connection is the feel of cloth from a land far away against your skin. SuSuMaMa’s clothes tell tales of other lands, of flight and freedom, of nature and spirits, of art, labour, life, light and love. It is thru education, sharing of ideas, and mutual respect, that the riches of our world, and the experiences and lives of others can be appreciated. A respect for other cultures and lifestyles can be borne.
I love shopping, and a while ago I figured out why….The market place is the heart of a culture, It is where people meet, exchange ideas and trade their goods, catch up on the latest news, socialize…This is an ancient tradition, and the axis of society. That’s why I love it! Go into any market any where in the world, and you will find out what is happening, all the local gossip and news…it satisfies my Aquarian soul!
The term “fair trade” is heard a lot these days, often used as a marketing term, by trendy companies trying to jump on the global awareness bandwagon. But what does fair-trade mean to me? In a nutshell, SuSuMaMa aims to ensure that small scale producers in developing countries get a decent price for goods produced under fair, decent and humane conditions. Millions of people world wide are kept in poverty by imperialist nations putting a greater value on profits earned, rather than quality of life. Making the greatest amount of profit, regardless of human suffering, seems to be part of the economics of the world. Everyone aims to get bigger and bigger, and seems to want more and more. It is SuSuMaMa’s policy to only deal with small family run businesses.
Fair trade also applies back home, a loyalty to our customers, reliability, charging a fair price and giving a personal service.
As a small business, I try to ensure that fair-trade guidelines are followed throughout the entire process of the manufacture and production of my clothing, but can not take on all aspects of the textile industry single handily. The production of clothes is far more complex to track, than, say, simple commodities like coffee. Take something such as our cotton hoodies, for example. The process begins with the growing of the cotton, involving many people, sowing, weeding, harvesting, etc. Then the raw material gets spun, dyed, woven or knitted, cut, sewn, and finished. There are button manufacturers, label makers, zipper producers, and so on. As you can see, a lot of people and labour is involved. On top of this, there are environmental issues like the use of pesticides in growing raw materials, disposal of spent dyes, and political issues involving human rights infringements, such as the oppression of the Tibetan people by the Chinese government. We try not to buy Chinese made goods, but then individuals in China, who do not support the regime, but have been born into it, may suffer. It’s a complex, moral tangle.
Therefore, I have set myself a basic set of guidelines. These are outlined in my fair trade criteria. The very nature of a small scale business like mine ensures that I deal directly and personally with my producers and I can monitor the conditions under which my goods are produced. I have a fair trade questionnaire, which all new suppliers must fill out, and often, it is the catalyst for a lively debate The awareness about fair-trade is not just relevant in western, industrialised countries. I am also educating my suppliers to be more conscientious of how they operate. I place orders personally, and visit each exporting manufacturer. Indeed the buzz and inspiration I get from my business comes from the travelling and sharing of culture and ideas. It is a holistic business, not just an end product; a whole lifestyle and system of beliefs for me and my producers. Many of my producers and their families have become close friends, and we have watched each other’s children grow up. I have several “brothers” and “sisters” in far flung places. The more I travel and learn on this journey, the more I get the increasing vision that we are all brothers and sisters of many colours, all raised on mother’s milk…..Om Mani Padme Hum…Blessed is the Jewel in the Lotus.
Think before you shop…..Small is beautiful….Consume with conscience….Make love, not money…..
ALL TEXT IS COPYRIGHT OF SUSUMAMA.CO.UK...NO PART MAY BE COPIED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE OWNER 2004
Posted on 27.5.2004
Summer Frocks
Summer is finally here! Hurrah! For the warmer weather we offer our finest, prettiest frocks for all your little goddesses. In our ELEMENTAL range, we have ethereal dresses in pink or purple with sari overskirts and pagan embroidery. From hand printed Indian cotton, our RAJ dresses from our WILD CHILD range, are cool and comfortable in maroons or indigos. If you want to go off with the faeries try some floaty faery dresses in hot pink, bright purple or vivid green. Complete with wings! From our WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW range, natty little rainbow tie-dyed dresses. We couldn't resist these funky rainbow flares with matching singlets, which can be found on our TROUSERS and TOPS shopping pages. (We know they're not dresses, but we thought you might like 'em!) And finally, from our STARCHILD range, batik moons and stars, on pink, purple or blue backgrounds, with matching leggings and t-shirts with long or short sleeves for both boys and girls. SuSu's frocks rock!
CLICK HERE to shop for dresses and frocks...
CLICK HERE to shop for trousers and leggings...
CLICK HERE to shop for t-shirts and tops...
Thanks to Bo and Alex our star models.
Posted on 27.5.2004
BIG FAERIES ROCK!!!!!!!!
This season, we have decided to carry on pampering the mamas....By special request, and due to popular demand, we now do our ADULT faery dresses in every colour of the rainbow! Name a bright colour, and we are bound to have a faery dress in it! So many of our customers have been asking for our dresses in sizes for bigger faeries, so here they are! We are also proud to present tutus for "grown-ups" in sizes up to UK 16 also in every colour of the rainbow, plus, for the more gothic amongst us, black...Click on BIG KIDS/ADULT-BIG FAERIES to view or buy... You too, can have large faeries prancing around at the bottom of your garden. SuSu loves wearing hers to the supermarket!
As well as big faery outfits, SuSu presents our ever popular KURTAS (thats tops to you!), in the softest fabric ever!!!! These tunic style tops can be worn on summer evenings to keep off the chill....They have been popular in our kid's sizes for ages, and we got tired of hearing people ask, "Do you do these in grown up sizes?", so here they are....Click on BIG KIDS' STUFF-ADULT JUMPERS to shop....
Posted on 23.5.2004
SOS.....Our Sumatran Orangutan Appeal Results
Thanks to everyone for placing your orders during our spring charity appeal. As many of you know, we donated a proportion of our web-sales to the Sumatran Orangutan Society. S.O.S. was set up in 1997, by Lucy Wisdom and a group of volunteers working at the Bohorok Centre in Sumatra, united in their concern for the plight of the Sumatran Orangutan and determined to help. In Sumatra, Indonesia, road development has already decimated large tracts of rare tropical rainforest, home of the orangutan. Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered. Habitat loss and poaching are pushing them towards imminent extinction. SuSuMaMa presented S.O.S. with a cheque for £127.30. So, when you bought our clothes in the spring, you also helped the vanishing Sumatran rainforest. Stay tuned for our next appeal, which will run from Samhain (Halloween) to Yule (Christmas)....
Find out more about S.O.S. at:
http://www.orangutans-sos.org
or sign a petition at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/935075622
Posted on 14.9.2003
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Posted on 24.2.2003