AMERICAN APPAREL

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Usually for the Factory Tour we feature a video above, but American Apparel has a video for every department and floor of their Los Angeles factory on their website. Grab a bowl of popcorn, kick back and get to know the factory that makes your favorite American Apparel garment. There are 38 department videos to peruse. INTERACTIVE FACTORY TOUR VIA THEIR WEBSITE. FACTORY TOUR DETAILS: Cost: Reservations: Yes, call ahead: 213.488.0226 Tour Duration: Factory hours: American Apparel Factory 747 Warehouse St. Los Angeles, CA 90021 213.488.0226 americanapparel.net

JACK DANIELS – JULY 4

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This week represents a huge part of what our country stands for, and was built upon. Freedom & Independence. Jack Daniels has been doing an American craftsmen series with designers and artists around the country to showcase freedom & independence in their own style and their unique crafts. It’s fitting since Jack Daniels is one of the most recognizable American brands and best selling Whiskey in the world with their sour mash Tennessee whiskey and iconic black label. Jack Daniels has been produced in Lynchburg, Tennessee by the Jack Daniel Distillery since 1875. The above video is of Derek McDonald, a traditional sign painter in Berkeley, California. He paints on wood and on the door of a vintage, 1950 pickup truck. According the Jack Daniels website, “The door was later removed from the truck and, along with the signboard, photographed to create the artwork for print ads, posters and large-scale…Continue Reading

SUBSIDIZED

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This week’s wallpaper highlights the challenge domestic manufacturing is up against when foreign governments lure domestic companies with subsidies. Available in 4 different sizes for your computer or iphone. Free to download. Also available as a poster for purchase in the shop. STANDARD SCREEN | WIDESCREEN SCREEN | HD SCREEN | iPHONE

HANDY TWINE KNIFE

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There is not much left to review after watching the video above and reading the details from Best Made Co.’s website. It’s American innovation in a small ring-size package. It’s been around since 1904 and the shear simplicity has kept it relevant in our 2012 world. Manufactured in Upper Sandusky, Ohio for over a century. From Best Made Co.’s website: • Patented in 1912 • Aluminum ring, steel blade • Titanium Nitride coating on the blade for extended sharpness • comes in a three pack (sizing below) “James Caldwell ran a railway mail route from Pittsburgh to Chicago. On the bucking train he watched over his cargo with a sidearm and ofttimes worked a knife to open twine wrapped bundles of mail. This job was a juggling act and so Caldwell invented the Handy Twine Knife: a highly useful cutting tool worn around the finger (any finger) thus freeing up the…Continue Reading

HARLEY DAVIDSON

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Harley Davidson has 4 US factories: York, Pennsylvania; Tomahawk, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri; Menomomee Falls, Wisconsin. Each factory has a tour so you can get an up close look at the production of an American icon. Also, be sure to check out the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.   Harley Davidson Vehicle Operations – York, PA From Harley Davidson’s website: Established as an assembly facility in 1973, Harley-Davidson Vehicle Operations in York, PA assembles the Touring, Softail®, CVO™ and Trike models. They also perform a variety of manufacturing operations – making parts like frames, fuel tanks, and fenders. At the Vaughn L. Beals Tour Center, you’ll explore exhibits that detail the manufacturing and assembly processes of the factory. You’ll also have the chance to sit on current production motorcycles and visit the gift shop for tour-related souvenirs. The Kids Corner, a specially designed area for visitors under the age…Continue Reading

YOUNG AMERICA

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Founded in 1924 by Thomas Bahnson Stanley, Stanley furniture is an American furniture company with manufacturing in Virginia and North Carolina. In 2009 they brought 100% of their overseas manufacturing for their Young America line back to the states. Young America furniture is built for the youth market, making pieces from cribs to armoires. Their cribs are Greenguard certified and their product line offers a large selection of color and stain options. With a focus on craft, quality, sustainability and safety, Young America is a great option for any child.

CHURCHILL WEAVERS

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Today’s interview is with Heather Powers, a designer who worked for the historic textile company, Churchill Weavers. For over 85 years Churchill Weavers manufactured premium handwoven textiles in Berea, KY. A few years ago Churchill Weavers closed its doors. All images posted above are from the Kentucky Historical Society collection.   Can you give us some background info on yourself and your experiences in the textile industry? I started out in textiles with a BFA from Savanna College of Art and Design in 1998. Churchill was the first job that I got in the industry working after college.  I was really lucky to be able to go there straight out of college and I spent about a year there. I chose to work for them because I knew that they had their manufacturing on site and that really interested me. I had a woven focus in my textile degree and…Continue Reading

FISHING INDUSTRY

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This week’s wallpaper highlights the huge fishing zone the USA has access to and yet we import 83% of our seafood. Available in 4 different sizes for your computer or iphone. Free to download. Also available as a poster for purchase in the shop. STANDARD SCREEN | WIDESCREEN SCREEN | HD SCREEN | iPHONE

GOOSE NECK TWINE DISPENSER

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Reason one why this product is awesome: It was invented way back in 1905 and has been made by the same US based company, Bulman Products, since its’ inception. Reason two why this product is awesome: it performs the basic, often overlooked task of unraveling twine impeccably. Constructed of steel with the ability to be either table or ceiling/shelf mounted, this little invention will save your wasted minutes re-raveling a dropped roll of twine. From Bulman’s website: Elvah Bulman created his first product in 1905, a twine holder and dispenser. Over the proceeding decades, Elvah’s brainchild product evolved into a wide assortment of dispensers and cutters for virtually all types of rolled material. It wasn’t long before Elvah, later joined by his son Orville, found themselves with a small but thriving company focused on quality workmanship, creativity and service. bulmanproducts.com Images above are from Bulman Products & The Museum of Useful Things websites.

18” CANVAS LEATHER MASON BAG

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The fashion world offers consumers many options when it comes to materials, styles and colors of carriers and bags.  Unfortunately, we are often disappointed by the bags functionality and longevity.  The solution to this problem; the 18” Canvas Leather Mason Bag by Museum of Useful Things.  It is one of many “Made in the USA” products offered on their site.  It is constructed for heavy duty use, with such features as double stitched handles, a Masonite base, water weight canvas and heavy duty metal clasps.  Of course, this bag was originally designed for plumbers and masons, which means it can and will withstand any wear and tear a non-trade consumer brings its’ way. Images from: museumofusefulthings.com

GM CORVETTE

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Bowling Green KY, home of the American super car, the Corvette. As you drive around the city you are reminded of this fact from the names of the business, often referencing ‘Vette City.’ It’s a small example of the effect manufacturing has on towns across the country. It not only provides jobs and a strong economy, but pride and an identity. As you exit the freeway for the GM plant and come to the first stoplight, you have a choice: turn right to go to the plant for the factory tour, or turn left to visit the National Corvette Museum. Make time for both experiences. As you drive along the frontage road on your way to the ‘Factory Tour’ parking lot, you are reminded numerous times, no cameras & no phones. Once parked you make your way under a bridge and into an atrium where a patriotic mural is painted…Continue Reading

BLUE WATER ROPES

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If I was a risk taker and had to trust my life to a strand of rope, then nothing would be more important than safety and a long history of quality and top-notch manufacturing. You get these things with Blue Water Ropes of Georgia, and with it comes the knowledge of 7 generations of textile experience. From Blue Water’s website: BlueWater traces its roots to a family-owned textile business that began manufacturing in Georgia in 1890 . Our modern history began in 1969 when we manufactured the first American-made kernmantle caving rope. After Seven (yes Seven !) consecutive generations in textile manufacturing BlueWater is THE standard in quality and durability. In 1975 we introduced the first synthetic low elongation rope for fire and industrial high-rise rescue. Synthetic nylon fiber was a radical departure from the norm of one inch manila ropes that were in use. Our UL Classified NFPA 1983/2012…Continue Reading

HARMONY ART

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Tell us a little bit about your background as a designer and your experiences in the textile industry that brought you up to the point of starting Harmony Art. Thank you for having me on. It’s nice to be here. I went back to school to be a textile designer in 1998.  I graduated in 1999 and immediately started working for Karen Newberger designing prints for pajamas. So I worked in house for her for a year and then I got a job offer to work freelance for a design firm doing a lot of home and bedding products. Bedding, bath, kitchen, that kind of thing. I worked for them for 4 years. We did a lot of designing for mass markets like Wal-Mart, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens & Things, Nordstrom, Mervyn’s. You name it, I’ve probably designed for it at some point in my life. Even when…Continue Reading

NASA INNOVATION

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This week’s wallpaper highlights the all of the innovation and manufacturing that comes from NASA, and the decline in funding. Available in 5 different sizes for your computer. Free to download. Also available as a poster for purchase in the shop. STANDARD SCREEN | WIDESCREEN SCREEN | HD SCREEN | iPHONE

THE TUBE WRINGER

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I wonder how many gallons of toothpaste is thrown away prematurely after frustrated attempts of draining the tube?  Thankfully the smart tube wringer can help solve the waste by extracting the last remaining bits of toothpaste, glue, paint or anything coming from a tube.  Made in the USA and constructed of heavy duty aluminum rollers and steel handles, this little device will last for quite a long time. www.museumofusefulthings.com

MOOTS BICYCLES

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Moots prides itself on hand-building every single bike. Using USA titanium tubing they have been making premium bikes for asphalt and dirt since 1981. Moots states on their site: “100% of our frames, stems, seatposts and titanium accessories are crafted by hand in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The aluminum rear triangles on our full-suspension mountain bikes are handbuilt for us by two different partners in the United States.” If you’re in the area give Moots a call. As they put it on their site: “we’d love to show you around and give you insights into the best single track options, most scenic road rides, sweet hidden powder stashes, best groomers and most abundant fishing spots.” FACTORY TOUR DETAILS: Cost: FREE Reservations: Yes, call ahead: 970.879.1676 Tour Duration: 1 hour Factory hours: M-W-F 10AM Moots Bicycle Factory 2545 Copper Ridge Drive Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 970.879.1676 moots.com

OAK STREET BOOTMAKERS

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I was raised on the idea that you don’t have to have a lot of things and junk, but when you do decide to purchase goods, look for quality that’s going to last. Sometimes sticker shock keeps us from buying American Made goods without giving thought to the durability, the warranty or the longevity of the USA product vs a foreign import. Oak Street Bookmakers holds the value of quality as the most important ingredient when making their shoes in Maine, USA. They believe we have turned the corner on the mass-consumption of frivolous cheap products. From Oak Stree Bootmaker’s website: “The son of a cobbler, Oak Street Bootmakers founder and designer George Vlagos apprenticed at his father’s shop where he learned the craft of shoemaking from an early age. Today, George seeks to preserve the heritage of fine shoemaking through thoughtfully designed and attentively crafted shoes. All Oak Street…Continue Reading

COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF

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Today’s interview is with Paul Balzer, Vice President of Supply Chain at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Mr. Balzer brings nearly 30 years of experience with sourcing and manufacturing from companies like Baskin Robbins and Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. The video above is a short clip and 1 of 5 that Coffee Bean put together showing their process.   Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you came to the position you hold at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf? I graduated Fresno State in 1993. My degree is business administration with an emphasis in what is called LOM: logistic/operations management. The reason that they called it LOM is because the term ‘supply chain’ really didn’t exist. The buzz-words sort of change over the years. The bottom line is that my emphasis is in Supply Chain, exactly what I have been doing. I’ve been doing this for 29 years, in…Continue Reading

ARNOLD PALMER LITE- HALF & HALF

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We take it for granted that most of the food we eat and beverages we drink are made in the USA, but it’s not always the case. Check the labels, as always. Lucky for us Arizona Iced tea brews their drinks in NY, USA. The best Arnold Palmer is out of a can – and you can get it full calories, 1/3 of the calories, or zero calories – talk about options!  During the 1980s and 1990s, the founders of Arizona iced tea sold home brew out of their VQ bus intil they saw a Snapple truck unloading crate after crate of iced tea. They switched their brew to tea, despite what naysayers told them. All teas are awesome tasting with no preservatives. People like their teas so much that they’ve driven the brand to #1 in their market. Arizona Iced Tea was founded in Brooklyn and is still American owned and operated running…Continue Reading

TEKNOR APEX HOSE

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Teknor Apex has a reputation as an industry leader and environmentaly responsible manufacturer of quality garden hoses. Their Eco-Smart TM and Family Safe TM line of hoses comply with the Consumer Product Safety and Improvement Act. Their hoses are lead and phtalate free and drinking water safe. Teknor Apex’s goal has been to manufacture high quality garden hoses. They have listened to consumers’ needs and designed their line of hoses to meet those needs. In particular, the Neverkink R self-straightening garden hose. Teknor Apex guarantees their technology to eliminate kinks, twists and tangles. Teknor Apex hoses can be found in many locations across the US and Canada. The “Kink Control hose with Triple Frame Technology at a 60 ft length, 5/8” diameter comes with a 7 year warranty, retails for under $20 and Made in the USA. Website: www.teknorapex.com

MATIX x LOSSA

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There are few industries that are as quintessentially American as the Motorcycle industry. Iconic skateboard apparel company, Matix, teamed up Lossa Engineering of California to build an all-American motorcycle from fabrication to upholstery. The motorcycle build was based on the Harley 1200 a company dedicated to American manufacturing for over a century. The attention to detail, paint scheme and the end product is a great example of what can happen when you have the power of manufacturing at your finger tips. Cruise on over to Matix’s website for more on the project. The above video is from Matix’s Vimeo Stream.
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