Carry a Conversation

FlashSchwag: Coporate Schwag and Specialty Gifts

2010-08-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

Burlington,VT Five years ago Laura and Ali had a vision: to create wearable art in the form of handbags from locally recycled newspaper. Funky, stylish, unique and “green”, Flashbags has been a hit from its launch, carrying conversation all over the globe.

We’ve enjoyed being behind this constantly evolving project and our goal remains to meet the emergent needs and interests of our customers. Companies with a growing focus in ethical and socially responsible operations have been seeking our help, and we are glad to be part of the solution.

As more and more organizations began sending us their logos to create portable advertisements to promote their brands and causes, and we recognized the need for FlashSchwag: an environmentally responsible solution to corporate branding and gifting.

FlashSchwag is produced in the same way as Flashbags, but modified slightly in their production to allow for more affordable bulk pricing. Collaborate with us to produce your unique and sustainable Schwag and Specialty Gifts, we’ll help you leave your mark!

Check it out! http://www.flashschwag.com/

Flashpartners

2010-03-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Help Wanted...10 Flashpartners!

The chatter around

the Flashpad the last weeks has circled back multiple times to community, whether it was in the context of the Haitian culture in the shadow of the devastating earthquake, or how to connect in our own communities with interesting, new people. It seems to be something we're all craving more of, but struggle with how to find it. So, in concert with the theme of community, we have an idea and we're looking for ten people to partner with us.

Carrying the Conversation Forward...

If you're already a part of the Flash community you know how cool it is to carry a bag that reflects your own internal scrapbook of life and how much fun it is to share with others. But how can you use Flashbags to create a shared experience with your friends and family in your home? Could it be travel photos, old love letters, a special charity? We want to select 10 Flashpartners who will help us design and test a community building model around a shared experience. Think Tupperware, Book Club, Crafting Group, but make it your own. So, to all of you wonderful, creative, inspiring people, write and tell us how you would use Flashbags to bring together ten of your friends around a common theme. Please send us your ideas by Sunday, March 29 to flashbags@flashbagsonline.com. We'll share as many of these ideas as possible through our facebook site and blog. And of course, we'll let you all know who the 10 Flashpartners are and keep you in the loop as we wind our way into your home!

Project Flashion

2010-02-10T08:30:00.000-08:00

Project Flashion...Play with us,

and win a FREE bag!

We all have a favorite bag...and want you to find yours too!

We have learned that our customers love Flashbags because they evoke emotion-a connection to something that matters most to an individual, and they provide an opportunity to share with others this love-whether art, a special place, a child, a

message, or a mission.

We LOVE that our customers can become a part of the creative process-

designing their own collages, breaking out old love letters and photos, and bringing smiles to the ones they love. And with that in mind we are proud to present..

Think you can do better??

Project Flashion is a monthly contest challenging you to submit

your own art! The winner will receive a FREE custom bag with the artwork they submitted!

March's contest is Travel Photos!

...and entering is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1)Get a digital copy of your TRAVEL PHOTOS (PDF, TIFF, JPEG, PSD, AI.)

2)Email the image and your contact info to projectflashion@gmail.com

3)Post the image on our facebook page (If you don't have Facebook you can still enter, just follow steps 1 and 2)

Submit your entry by the end of March please!

*Don't have travel photos?? If you know someone who does, encourage them to enter! If not, no worries, there will be

a new category every month, ranging from collage art to oil painting to travel photos! Keep checking back!

This month we are looking for Travel photos. Here are some examples of fabulous custom bags we have made with travel photos in the past!

2010-01-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

Go Red for Women!

Flashbags is proud to be a part of the American Heart Association's "A Conversation with the Heart" luncheon and forum February 18th at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center. There is a special edition "Go Red" Flashbag that will serve as table centerpieces and be included in the silent auction. All proceeds of the event directly benefit the Go Red for Women Movement to fight Heart disease and stroke (the #1 and # 3 causes of death in women) through research and prevention. The event, which was described as "life changing" by some of last years participants, includes informational 'heart to heart' sessions, a silent auction, survivor speakers, Diana Jordan as the keynote speaker, and a fabulous lunch! This event is a great opportunity to help raise money for a wonderful cause, meet some inspirational women, and have a ball (all things that truly embody the spirit of Flash!) Tickets are still available; visit www.americanheart.org/vermontluncheon

Come to see this year's 'go red' design, we'll be there with products for sale! Hope to see you!

2009-11-06T07:56:00.000-08:00

Katharine Monstream, one of Flashbags' most popular artists is holding her annual sale and benefit next weekend, November 13th-15th at her studio in Union Station. Go to see her new work and even catch a watercolor demonstration on Sunday at 1:00 PM. Not only is Katharine a fabulous artist, but also loves to give back to her community. The first 50 people each day will get a free print with a donation to COTS (The Committee on Temporary Shelter in Burlington.) There is also a food drive, so bring your non-perishable food items!

November 13-15

Friday 2:00-8:00

Saturday & Sunday 10:00-5:00

Women for Women International

2009-11-05T11:58:00.000-08:00

Women for Women International is a non-profit organization with a mission to help women overcome the trauma of war and violence. Through a series of programs, Women to Women International supports women on a journey from victim to survivor to active citizen. After engaging in recovery and rehabilitation, women take on active leadership roles in their villages by expanding the rights and freeedoms of women through community-building, starting businesses, and by training and mentoring other women.

Women to Women International was one of Flashbags' first partnerships. We continue to support their mission by donating 20% of any Women to Women International Flashbag. To learn more about this impressive organization, visit http://www.womenforwomen.org/.

Carry a conversation about...education

2009-10-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Flashbags is starting a new campaign this Fall called 'The Education Conversation,' in the spirit of supporting children, teachers, and learning (Flashbags was, after all, founded by former teachers.) Ten percent of any purchase made at www.flashbagsonline.com between November 13th to December 13th will be donated to the Chittenden County Public School of your choice. Not only does giving or receiving a Flashbag make you feel all warm and fuzzy, now you have the opportunity to share the love with your local community. Here is our newest buzz design called 'An Apple a Day' to celebrate education...

...and another new edition, Flashbags' favorite little girl,

Ahhhh, Fall...

2009-09-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

Fall in Vermont is wonderful for so many reasons. Kids are strapping on their backpacks and heading off to school again, the trees are painted brilliant hues of orange, red, and yellow. Vermonters head outdoors to go hiking, or to pick apples and pumpkins, and to sip delicious cider. This fall, Flashbags has a wonderful edition to our family. It is one that can bring a sense of nostalgia to people of all ages; The Very Hungry Caterpillar ™ from beloved children's author Eric Carle. Our new bags are a great way to celebrate the return to school for the young or to stir up memories for the young at heart.

Another staple of fall in the Champlain Valley are the farmers markets, celebrations of all things local. Every Saturday Vermonters descend upon City Hall Park to enjoy the crisp fall air, a warm samosa, and to explore the local foods, products and art of the moment...Flashbags loves local art and food, so what could be better? Two of our Flashbags artists, Katharine Monstream and Gillian Klein will be at the Burlington Farmer's Markets every Saturday from 8.30 AM-2.00PM.

Katharine Monstream, a Burlington native, paints primarily in oil and watercolor. Her work is known for its bright colors and relaxed brush strokes, and captures the beauty and intricacies of the Champlain Valley landscape. "Fall Leaves" presents autum in all it's glory...

...and look forward to a winter wonderland with "Winter Woods."

You can see more of Katherine's work at her website: htt p://www.kmmstudio.com

Gillian Klein was born and raised

in New York City, and moved to Vermont in 1991, where she grew to love the nature and free-spirited nature of the people. Gillian's paintings demonstrate a unique approach to cityscapes, celebrating the nature of city settings.

Make sure to go check out more of their work at next weeks market in City

Hall Park! We would be interested to know, what do you love about fall?