Sea Bags: Musings from Maine » sails

Customer Stories from the Sea Bags Freeport Store

Sea Bags Headquarters — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:28:12 +0000

While it’s a pretty wet and dreary day here in Freeport today, the weather didn’t keep this old salt from visiting the Sea Bags store. Our newest friend, and her captain, sail their 36 Pearson up from Padanaram Harbor, MA each summer and have been visiting the coast of Maine with their 13 year-old black lab, Max, for the last 13 years.

She had heard about the Sea Bags store in her hometown (we love how news spreads like that). She decided to come check out the place where we would eventually turn their old sails one day into something useful that also helps the environment as well. As much as they love the beautiful state of Maine, she loves her new Sea Bag that tells her retirement story equally as much.

Featured: Medium SAIL tote.

Is there anything better than an outdoor shower?

Alicia — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:26:24 +0000

We love summer! The fresh air, the salt and the ocean. Love to see the boats go by and really love a good outdoor shower. There is something so refreshing about the hot water and the cool air at night or cool water on those sticky days. Not to mention it’s really nice not to track the sand and dirt inside the house. We love these Sea Bags curtains from recycled sails we did for a customer on Isle au Haut. Where is your favorite place to shower outdoors?

Sea Bags and North Sails Partner for Recycling Program

Sea Bags Headquarters — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:41:31 +0000

Earlier this week TreeHugger Editor, and our guest poster, Meaghan O’Neill mentioned that the sails that Sea Bags uses come from a sail loft in Rhode Island. That would be North Sails! We’ve recently parthered with them for the “Think Green, Buy Blue” program to encourage more people to recycle their sails.

Here’s how it works: From now through September 3rd if you place a new North sail order you’ll automatically receive 25% off the purchase price of your new North sail. They’ll send you a FREE UPS shipping tag along with your new sail so you can ship your old sail to the North Recycling Center. But of course that’s not all! You’ll also get a FREE large tote bag made from recycled sail cloth by Sea Bags, designed by Beth herself!

Not only are you helping to save the planet, but you’re saving money on your new sails as well! Visit the North Sails “Think Green, Buy Blue” page for more information and to register.

Sea Bags: A Bag I Can Get Behind by Meaghan O’Neill, Editor of TreeHugger

Sea Bags Headquarters — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:51:15 +0000

When it comes to style, I have a few guidelines for myself: Quality over quantity. Don’t buy it if you don’t love it or if it’s not practical. Go shopping in your own closet. Notice, here, how I am not talking about “fashion,” but something much more universal, less time sensitive, and, frankly, more important. Though my husband doesn’t believe there’s a difference between the two (to wit: his style is bit sloppy; his fashion sense is non-existent), if you’re reading this (which you are), chances are you understand the difference between the two. Fashion is fleeting; style endures. I happen to like style that has a sense of place. And as the editor of the environmental news and lifestyle site TreeHugger, increasingly the pieces — be they throw pillows or brooches — that I like most are those that pass my personal test of sustainability, too.

But going green means a lot more than simply looking for organic cotton or eco-friendly dyes (though these are good characteristics). When I buy stuff I ask myself the following: How long this will last? Do I need it? If it’s clothing, does it fit and drape well? I’m not afraid to spend a little more money on something if I know it will last for ages — nor am I afraid of hand-me-downs, vintage, or stretching basics as far as they can go. I wouldn’t call myself a minimalist, but I don’t like the idea of having too much stuff. I buy for keeps.

So when my sister came home with a Sea Bags tote a few years ago (above), my eyes were drawn straight to it. And when she told me the bag was made from recycled sails from the sail loft where her husband works, my eyes lit up. Here was a Bag I Could Get Behind! If you’ve ever gotten up close and personal with a sailboat sail, then you know just how long-lasting these textiles are. But Sea Bags aren’t just durable, they’re also adorable. And if you live in a place like Newport, RI, as my sister and I do, then carrying a good-looking tote made from reused materials from a local company makes for a great story to tell when you turn heads with one (which you will).

Longevity, style, reuse, and local flair, all tied together with soft cotton rope? Sea Bags can drop anchor in my closet any day.

Sea Bags Partners With SailMaine to Offer Scholarship Fund

Sea Bags Headquarters — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:32:18 +0000

Image via: SailMaine.

We’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with SailMaine to create a scholarship fund to introduce and encourage students ages 8-18 to learn the sport of sailing.

Individuals who drop off a sail to Sea Bags will receive a complimentary Sea Bags accessory, or, they can donate their sail to the “Sea Bags Scholarship Fund.” We will then donate to SailMaine, made as a quarterly donation. The program started in 2007 and has just been enhanced by this commitment to work together.

SailMaine is a non-profit organization formed to support sailing in Maine at the grass-roots, community level. SailMaine connects people of all ages and abilities to the coast of Maine through fun and affordable sailing education, recreation, and competition, stimulating individual growth and creating community.

“We know that all children should have the opportunity to sail and we’re thrilled to be a part of these efforts,” said Hannah Kubiak and Beth Shissler, co-owners of Sea Bags. “Partnering with SailMaine is a perfect match for our business and we’re extremely proud to support our local community.”

Sails can be dropped off at Sea Bags located at 25 Custom House Wharf in Portland, ME. For further information about the program, call Sea Bags at 1.888.210.0744.

What do you like to do on your birthday?

Alicia — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:32:10 +0000

For mine, I played hooky from my normal responsibilities at work and played all afternoon. Hannah and I went back to the “old days” and played on the design floor. Looking at the old funky colored sails with their beautiful colors was like opening a bunch of great presents. The colors reminded me of ice cream and sprinkles on a cake–the end result was delicious! See them in our Freeport Store while they last. Like birthdays, they won’t last long!

Sea Bags in Better Homes & Gardens!

Sea Bags Headquarters — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:34:22 +0000

If you received your issue of Better Homes & Gardens last week, check us out on page 40! The article explains that blue is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. “Nautical blues express simple truths: honor, strength, purity – what we’re all looking for this year.”

The magazine features our Custom House Gull tote - a new addition to our website. It can be purchased for $145.

The Sea Bags Wine Bag – How Jackie O Would Hit the Vineyard

Sea Bags Headquarters — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:26:20 +0000

July’s issue of Marie Claire features a feel-good fashion page, which includes our Wine Tote! We’re in good company with other great summer finds to make your vacation one to remember. It features a TO – FROM label at the back to record the names of all the gifters and giftees on its way around the globe, eventually begging the question, “Where has your wine bag been?!”

Marie Claire says, “Reduce your carbon footprint with eco-friendly Cape Cod style: It’s how Jackie O would hit the Vineyard today.”

Our Wine Tote can be purchased through our website for $29. It also makes a great hostess gift!

Sails for Haiti – Donate Yours by March 21st

Sea Bags Headquarters — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:13:24 +0000

Haitians still have a pressing need for food and shelter as they recover from the massive earthquake that struck in January. We’re partnering with others in the Maine sailing community to collect used sails to be shipped to Haiti to be used as makeshift shelters. The rainy season is quickly approaching in the Carribbean, so the faster we can get our used sails to Haiti, the better off the 770,000 homeless will be.

Donate your used sails to us by March 21st and you will in turn be supporting this effort. We”ll give you a Sea Bag in return as our thanks. Our address: 25 Custom House Wharf, Portland, ME.

Check out the recent press coverage about the Sails for Haiti efforts:
Maine Sailor Organizes Sail Drive for Haiti
Used Sails from Mainers to Help Out Haiti
Old Sails Recycled as Tents for Haiti