Natalie Barhumi is a 19 year veteran Designer in Lima Peru.  Her bedding is currently featured in most if not all the 5 star Hotels in Peru.  Her devotion goes not only into her bedding but she has ensured that at Plumas it is your sleep that is most important.  Each pillow is carefully constructed to ensure that your sleep is the best, each and every time you snuggle between a set of Plumas sheets.  Each sheet set comes exquisitely wrapped in a baby blue box with a plastic cover so that you can see the sheets.  Even the quality of the box, and it’s presentation give you the feeling of utmost luxury and quality.  Natalie has ensured that she has not missed a beat, in defining luxury bedding.

Plumas does not utilize patterns or printed fabric as those types of mechanical processing deteriorate the cloth so that the fibers become weak, and ultimately do not last.  For a review of what the Cotton Inc considers defects or to read more on the benefits/origins of Cotton please follow the following link to Cottoninc

Sleeping on clouds is how I would have to describe the Plumas showroom.   Each bedding ensemble on display whispered sweet dreams as your head touched the fabric.  Natalie had a saying inscribed on her walls at her showroom.  It read relax, rest, sleep, dream….. It is a  saying that has stuck with me, and each time my head touches my pillowcase, I feel that comfort, and my sleep is most definitely relaxed and I feel well rested.  It is so amazing how a good nights rest can invigorate you.

Needless to say, we forged ahead knowing that we had to bring the exquisite line of bedding to our fellow Canadians.  For those that do not know “botanically, there are three principal groups of cotton that are of commercial importance. The first, (Gossypium hirsutum), is native to Mexico and Central America and has been developed for extensive use in the United States, accounting for more than 95 percent of U.S. production. This group is known in the United States as American Upland cotton, and varies in length from about 7/8 to 1 5/16 inches. A second botanical group, (G. barbadense), which makes up the balance of U.S. production, is of early South American origin. Varying in length from 1 1/4 to 1 9/16 inches, it is known in the United States as American Pima, but is also commonly referred to as Extra Long Staple (ELS) cotton.  Egyptian Cotton could be ELS but not necessarily.  The ELS Pima Cotton provides a smoother finish to the cotton as it’s length allows it to maintain a nicer weave and tighter knit.” Cotton Inc

I could probably go on for days about how luxurious the sheets are but I will just have to leave that up to you to find that out for yourselves.  So the next time you’re heading to the Bay or your favorite bedding shop, and thinking about picking up a new set of sheets, think about spending a few extra dollars and get yourself a set of Plumas, custom embroidered,  designer 600 thread count,  Pima cotton, sheets delivered to your door.  Keep an eye out for our specials as we will be offering exceptional discounts for anyone that follows our blog.  Enter the following Code, O3Q4AP5FKXJ1 at check out to receive a 40 % discount  off your Plumas bedding purchase.

Bulk/hotel pricing available (Extremely favorable rates for orders of 11 and 50+)

Kevin Shankland

Director

Elemental Imports Inc.

Why Peru?

We were fortunate enough to touch down in Lima long enough to have our driver sneak us into the show last year. That particular trip, was merely investigation as we had a few hours to spare between flights; not to mention, we had only found out about the show itself, 3 days prior.  We entered the show at about 8:00 am. Many of the attendees hadn’t even arrived to open up their exhibits.  With our ‘interpreter’, we jumped from Kiosk to kiosk, talking with the locals, making notes, collecting cards, taking pictures and gathering company information.

By the time we had finished our rounds at the exhibition, it had seemed like an eternity – hot sweats, faintness, dizziness, all the wonderful joys of early morning travel in a foreign country, yet we had been there less than 60 minutes.  “That’s it, that is all we have time for if you still want to catch your flight back” said Peter, cousin of our Peruvian friends.  I know by the smirk on Jennien’s face, EI’s other director, that she was entertaining the idea of not going back.  I think if either of us would have given the AOK, we would be writing this from there.  Other than Nicolas, Kevin’s son and a few nagging obligations back home, we were leaving paradise.

At that moment, we both knew, that we had to make time for the Peru Fashion show in the following year to come.  This time we have an agenda, and we have a market.  We know what we are missing in our line of textiles and we’re sourcing it!  Some recent delivery issues, have left us seeking alternate suppliers and Peru is the place to further our business with reputable textile manufacturers that believe in sustainability and fair-trade.

We have two main goals in our attendance at the show for 2010.  Both goals are to close gaps.  We identified a gap in our fashion summer fashion line.  As much as we love Alpaca, our customers have expressed an interest, errr demanded that we look towards a summer fashion line.  We are on the hunt for Pima Cotton.

Our second gap, is one of cultures and distance.  The South American people have differing common place names for things, times and events, than we do as Canadians.  We seek to close that gap by meeting with our suppliers face to face.  We are meeting directly with the Managing Director of Sahino brand sporting wear to further solidify our  relationship and supply of fine sporting goods.

“This is a strategic event for us.  We will have a chance to reconnect with our Manager of South American Operations, Sr Marco Guererro.  He knows the markets we want to be in and has already established relations with some of the best producers South America has to offer.  From alpaca to Pima (Egyptian) cotton, I think we will have the designer lines that our customers want to see.  Many of our garments are unique and one of a kind, as many of the producers do not produce in large enough quantities to interest the big guys.  These items are typically hand made.”

Just as  a teaser for those that do follow our blog, here is our new product site, with fully integrated paypal.  It works but is not 100% complete, so please just check it out and if you are interested in ordering something please try the system but allow us to correct any mistakes and please follow up to ensure your order is correct.  We must apologize for the lack of updates on our site, we have personally been knee deep in a bathroom renovation and when you have one bathroom, it tends to become a priority.

Kevin Shankland & Jennien Yarmie

Director Elemental Imports

I still have my red Olympic candle torch from when my native Calgary hosted the 1988 Olympics; I remember proudly holding it high.

Tonight, people were holding up their mobile phones, or plastic Coke bottles that lit up and screamed ‘made in China’ ( I’m guessing). There were many paper Canadian flags, and unfortunately many larger and plastic Coke flags. Now, I’m wondering how many of these flags will end up in landfills, as I already see many sadly making their way to the ground.

The monitors light up and you can feel the energy rising in anticipation of the Olympic torch arrival, bringing its legacy and dreams back to the Olympic Plaza, on route to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The countdown begins and I am overcome with emotions as I glance up at the tower, with its flames illuminating the black sky, the crescent moon keeping a close watch. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… ok… um.. er…

Where is it? Where is the torch? Nope, not yet… that was the countdown to the Coke song… Coke = Happiness. Insert confusion here. That’s almost cruel. As I listen to this song, my thoughts turn back to the plastic coke flags waving around me and I look around at all the Olympic clothing, and my mind begins to wander further.

The 2010 Olympics have many things that as a Canadian, I feel ashamed of. Firstly, those damn mascots.  They clearly do not represent Canada, but they look like some Pokeman animation critter created in a technological world in a far off land. Whomever designed the mascots knew very little about the pride Canadians have and they failed us miserably in transferring that spirit to the mascots… gone of the days of the friendly Heidi and Howdy!

Secondly, The Hudson Bay Company sourced their Olympic sweater design from our native Cowichan Indians. Now the contract was not given to the native Canadians, but The Hudson Bay Company felt they could produce these in China with a lower cost of production.  Keep in mind that these jackets retail for $350.

So hanging in every store (heritage HUDSON’s Bay Company) across our nation, are NOT the jackets that have been mastered over time, by passing down traditions from generation to generation. Instead, the stores are filled with garments that are made in polluting factories in China, where the over worked employees are unknowingly subjected to toxic chemicals.

The Bay sacrificed our nations pride to ensure their profit margin stays healthy. A huge injustice.  What about our native Indians?  This contract and the sweater design was rightfully theirs, The Bay modified the pattern slightly to remain “above the law”. This is truly a shameful way to make a buck (no pun intended)… off the backs of our Bucks!

Now the irony of the sweater story is that the tags that the Hudson’s Bay Company felt justified in hanging on their Olympic clothing is a COMPLETE INSULT TO ALL CANADIANS. And I quote directly from their tags,  “ We were made for this. Each piece of Official Canadian Olympic Gear celebrates the rich fabric of Canada and its people. It is inspired by our climate, our land and our history. And all that has made us who and what we are today”.

The Olympics are all about coming together, supporting and encouraging our dedicated athletes. This is a time for Canadian patriotism and pride.

It seems like the Olympics have become a celebration of the most powerful Corporations, who have no regard for the people or our planet. When you hear our Canadian Anthem, proudly sing it out loud.

Say no to the Bay’s Olympic gear, and the corporate advertizing that is being forced upon us. Sorry Coke, and sorry to the Hudson’s Bay Company… the Olympics are not about you. It’s ALL about our amazing athletes, about fair team play and about coming together to stand up for what we believe in.

After the prolonged and disappointing countdown to the torches arrival, I turn my back on the celebration and decide with a heavy heart to leave.  I peer up one last time to see the Calgary tower burning brightly and wonder when it will light up the night sky again.

Jennien Yarmie

Director Elemental Imports

Why a solstice special instead of a Christmas special?

“We believe in the environment and our planet, not the frenzy that is accompanied with the manic rush to shop for gifts in the current  holiday traditions.  Our products are good for the environment because they are sustainable.  I guess it’s just a different view of what the season is all about.  We wanted to help bring people back to that which sustains our life being, the seasons and the earth.”

Nov is a little early to be planning for xmas, err Solstice isn’t it?

“All our products are imported from South America.  We are currently dealing in 2 countries with multiple suppliers.  We could not guarantee that our customers orders would be delivered by Dec 25.  Well we could air freight items but then we would not be able to offer the low pricing for the special”.

How long does your sale run?

“The sale will continue until Dec 31 but the free shipping ends this weekend.  I am sure there will be other sales, but it is doubtful if we will be able to offer 100% free shipping to Calgary, as we have recently secured wholesale pricing from our manufacturers in South America.  That allowed us to pass some savings on to our customers. We have a great product and we have established some excellent working relationships with our suppliers and we want our friends and customers to be the beneficiaries of our hard work”.

Your website has changed quite a bit, but it’s not completed yet.  When do you expect to introduce all your product lines?

“We will be introducing new products as we secure contracts, ensure supply and evaluate logistics.  Our website wasn’t 100% complete when we rushed the Solstice Special in order to meet Xmas deadlines.  It is still not fully competed as we are constantly evolving, going back to our web design team and changing things on them.  It is functional, and it works but needs some aesthetics and minor tweaking I’ve been told.  Our issue is that our E commerce provider can not offer bulk discount rates without going to a third party provider.  Hopefully that will all be rectified in the new year, but you know computer guys ha…”

When director Kevin Shankland provided a sample of the degreaser to restaurant owner Rishi Khosla, Rishi was more that pleased with the results.  “Wow, this is amazing, it cleaned everything.  Heck it even cleaned my bucket.  I’ll take 3 gallons”.  When the costs were compared, it was an easy sell. 1 Gallon of Elemental Degreaser Makes 64 RTU Qts. @ only $0.75/Qt.

When asked the question, ‘How do you get from textiles to Enviro Cleaner?’

EI’s response ‘We are an importer/exporter of Eco-friendly products.  When we read the MSDS sheet, and found a product that is 100% organic, bio degradable and certified carcinogen free, we knew we had to have it in our product line.  Our children’s health and future depend on products like this.’

We have partnered with Paypal to make your online shopping experience easier.  Don’t have a paypal account we accept Email web payments, visa, mastercard, American Express all at the click of a button just follow the checkout links.

To assist our customers in combatting the recession, we will attempt to bulk order from our suppliers to help reduce shipping costs, CO2 emissions and ulitmately do our part to help keep our products as environmentally friendly as possible.