It’s no secret that Seltzer Goods are green conscious. Their cards are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with veggie-based ink. They collaborate with companies that are eco-friendly, and they have created a pen that lasts for seven years (a pen by the way that a couple of us at Badge Bomb own with pride). Still, Badge Bomb decided to go investigative and find out the gritty on Seltzer.

We Interviewed Gay Lam from Seltzer Goods and she was happy to give us the scoop on sustainable business, button love and more.

BB: Seltzer has been given the Green America Seal of approval. The Green America Seal is no joke their requirements for approval go down to the core values of a company, some might say the folks at Seltzer are serious about the planet. Did you plan from inception that Seltzer was going to be an eco-friendly company?

G: We at Seltzer love to go the 100%! Our paper is custom made so that we could get the 100% recycled content in a super deluxe paper that is thick and luxurious to write on. It was a challenge at first, but through force of will we got to the highest level of recycled content. Brian is a super dedicated vegetarian, and his commitment to the environment has led us to create a company with a conscience. Seltzer was intended to be a green and conscious company, that also makes well-designed products people want to buy.

BB: Do you hope to motivate as an example? Here you are a creative company that designs, cards, journals, and gift wrap amongst other things, and yet you still manage to create products while saving on the use of trees, water, emissions, and energy. Do you see more consumer, art product based companies moving in the same direction?

G: Seltzer would love to be a shining role model, and many in our industry have joined us in using better materials and production. However, there is still so much in the marketplace that is not conscious; consumers ultimately decide with their dollars. If more people buy from independently owned companies, that will help the cause. Small companies like Seltzer are not required to make extra profits for shareholders and meet quarterly earnings goals.

BB: Your designs are modern, but have a very classic feel almost reminiscent to old timey art work. Where do you get the inspirations for your graphics and designs? What are your artistic influences?

G: Seltzer intends to make modern designs, but still have the hand-made feel or a personal touch in each piece we create. It’s not just the art, but the writing, too. A Seltzer product should make you think, “this reminds me of my friend”, or “they would like this!” The artistic inspiration comes from everywhere– flea market finds, great artists- as long as it shows a personality or tells a story.

BB: Do you work collaboratively as a team and do all the design work together or does each person focus on a certain department and collaborate later? What is your creative process?

G: Yes, we work together as a team– there are four of us and we all have different strengths. Brian is our writer and resident right-brained person. I am a librarian of ideas, and Nikki is our resident fine art professor. Jordan is the only one of us who studied design, and he shares my love of retro typefaces.

BB: Okay, now our fifth question really gets down to the nitty gritty: What are your feelings about buttons? Accessories or expressions?

G: Buttons are both! As an expression, buttons say a lot in a small space, which makes them powerful and disarming. As an accessory, buttons scream “youth” and “cool”. The inexpensive, small details that make a statement– as strong as wearing a Chanel bag.

BB: How did you first meet Badge bomb? Was it love at first sight? Can you remember what you did on your first date?

G: Oh, the love! Badge Bomb are the greatest, and they are so cute they eat super healthy and then their treat is noodles! Scott and Lauren are so ambitious and full of ideas. It’s impossible not to get caught up in their enthusiasm. You never know what they’re going to do next…

BB: Now that you are seeing your work in button form what would you say is your favorite Seltzer design?

G: Our fave design is “praise bees!” The bees and all hard-working creatures of this world deserve our respect and support.

BB: Okay, this is a very important question: If Seltzer had a super power what would your super power be?

G: If Seltzer could have any power, it would be to stop the insanity.

Thank you so much for talking with us and answering some of our questions. We are really excited to be collaborating with Seltzer and becoming a part of the eco-friendly team. Your designs are awesome, the Seven Year pen is genius, and PRAISE BEES!

One Inch Round makes all Badge Bomb buttons, magnets, and packaging in Portland, Oregon, and is Recycle Works Certified.

Thanks for kicking it at the Badge Bomb booth Kidrobot, the artists, and all the other nice folks at NY Comic Con!

NYCC 2010 Booth Crash – Badge Bomb

by wheelbarrow |  October 12, 2010  |  Published in Toys |  3 Comments

Badge Bomb recently kicked it with Tesha Beaudry, creator of “Cute Institute,” for a quick interview about her artistic inspirations and, of course, her love of buttons.

-What does it take for Badge Bombers to enroll in The Cute Institute?
Not more than 2 dollars; the price of a badge!

-What classes would I need to pass to attain a Master of Cute Arts?

For my students to get that far, they need to be hard working and loyal pupils for many many years. Having a sweet tooth always helps!

-Most of your designs seem inspired by a Japanese design aesthetic.  Can you pinpoint any specific moments of your life that inspired you to embrace this style?

One night, after a cupcake too many, I dozed off and I had vision of this cute pirate girl dressed in a bear costume that came to me with an important message: bring kawaii, cupcakes and joy to the world! That was my calling…

-Your mushroom buttons seem very Zen. Are you influenced by Eastern culture beyond the pen and paper?

I don’t consider myself a zen person, but I do seem to have been influenced a lot by eastern culture; I do martial arts, collect kung-fu flicks, have japanese tattoos and love japanese art and fashion….

-Who would win in a fight- a tough Samurai warrior or a brigade of smiley faced cupcakes?

I think the samurai would overdose on the cupcakes- the smiley ones are usually poisonous, so beware!

-Have you ever run across anyone wearing Cute Institute buttons?

Do my friends and parents count?! if so, yes and it makes me very very happy!

-Do you wear buttons yourself? If so, what was the first button you loved to death?

I wear them all the time! My favorite button I made has a closeup of my cat’s face. It was adorable! I put him with the rest of my badges during one of my craft sales for just for fun.  Believe it or not, someone bought it!

-How/where do you wear your buttons?

I tend to lose em’ often if I put them on my purse or hoody…  I’ve decorated some cute ballerina shoes, used them to attach my tops and dresses to my bra (yes, very classy, but practical!), and they work perfectly to replace that missing button on your pants. When I feel sweet, I’ll put on a cupcake badge, if I feel badass, I’ll put on a skull!

-Have you had any problems with fans trying to sneak off with handfuls of your dessert themed buttons?

I caught a bunch of ninjas one night trying to steal my new stash of pins. That didn’t end well!

-Have you had to expel anybody from the Cute Institute? I need to know what heinous acts to avoid- I pride myself on being a model student.

I rarely expel my pupils, so no need to worry!… But, I do not tolerate art theft. Just be original AND be yourself!!! cheers! +____+

Visit Tesha at The Cute Institute!