P.O.D. (Products-On-Demand) Philosophy
It's big world out there, and there are plenty of things to spend money on. Thanks to the internet and the global economy, it is easier than ever to have designs applied to a wide range of products.
Juniper and Bone started out as a slow-craft, one-of-a-kind jewelry business with pieces painstakingly assembled from natural specimens. As I expand into the world of on-demand production, I want to carry forward the values of mindful creation and responsible impact.
As a result, I've done an exhaustive (and ongoing) amount of research to find manufacturers and materials that align with my commitment to be a responsible global citizen.
1. COMMITMENT TO BODY DIVERSITY.
It’s important to me to be able to offer clothing for all body types; unfortunately, not every manufacturer carries a large range of sizes. When available, I will post or link to product versions that are more size-inclusive and continue to seek out and request wider size ranges from my production partners.
I will also seek out model photography that represents real people of all shapes, sizes, and colors (sometimes a challenge, but brands are beginning to improve in this area).
2. COMMITMENT TO ETHICAL LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
As much as possible, I seek to use North American-based manufacturers and materials, both from a labor perspective and to reduce the delivery carbon footprint.
3. COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLY-SOURCED MATERIALS.
Textiles are a tricky thing to source ethically. Cotton requires an astounding amount of water (and often pesticides) to produce; bamboo must undergo lengthy chemical processing; silk is expensive; and synthetics such as polyester and nylon release non-biodegradable microplastics into our water every time they’re washed. (Unless you use a guppy bag!)
When I can, I will offer natural fabric options such as organic cotton for frequently-washed items, and I will continue to investigate lower-impact options as they become available.
4. COMMITMENT TO PRICE TRANSPARENCY.
The products in my store are most likely more expensive than the kind that you would find at Target, because (surprise!) it costs more to make one custom item than thousands at a time. I’ve done a lot of research to try to find the best compromise between cost to you as the consumer and compensation to me as the artist.
Print-on-demand drop-shipping means that when you order a product, the manufacturer charges me whatever the product costs to make and I receive the difference between the two amounts. So if you see a product for $55, it may cost me $45 to manufacture and I make $10 from your purchase. I will share the base price for any item with you on request.
5. COMMITMENT TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND SELF-EXAMINATION.
Do you have a question or concern about anything I’ve shared here? Are there additional commitments you would like me to consider? Feel free to share your thoughts with me: julia[at]juniperandbone[dot]com.