Brothers Jared and Josh Ramos hosted a block party event dedicated to Earth Day with messages of sustainable and ethical living through fashion, food and plant vendors among the community. The Ramos’ have been in the thrifting business for over 11 years and have had their brick-and-mortar, “House of Trends,” for four years. This year, they hosted their first Earth Day event outside their shop on Fredericksburg Road.
Classic 90s to Y2K shirts fill the block of vendors with other staples for the upcoming season, such as denim shorts, floral skirts and tank tops. Other sustainable and earth-like vendors offered plants, herbs, tea and crystals to those participating. Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, they also had three bins filled with free clothes sourced from McAllen and Laredo rag houses.
Both brothers agree to continue to promote shopping mindfully. Connecting with the community throughout their years working in the thrifting business came naturally to them. Along the way, they have met like-minded individuals who support the message to shop locally and advocate for small businesses.
A small booth called “Degenerate Gardener” displayed little oddities of taxidermy insects, propagated plants of pothos, monstera and arrowhead plants. The owner, Destinie Bruno, runs her independent business and often participates in market events. Everything is created by her efforts of recycling and upcycling ethically sourced materials.
“The insects and the bones that I use to make my oddity displays are foraged. I grow the plants at home, and I recycle or reuse mason jars or liquor bottles or whatever from home for my propagations,” said Bruno.
Bruno promotes her message with the repurposed jars and vases she uses to hold her plants. The owners reached out to her personally to include her business and the message it stands for with their Earth Day market.
“When it comes to Degenerate Gardener or just myself in general, I love making a positive impact and being a kind of voice for what a lot of vendors are here doing, which is wanting to push our lifestyles towards sustainability. I think that goes hand in hand with gardening and plants, and that’s why I have these seeds here today. I’m trying to start this movement to pollinate San Antonio, beautify San Antonio, and that’s just something I’m really passionate about. And that’s what I like to tell everyone that stops by my booth,” said Bruno.
UTSA alumna Calli Recore had a booth at the event offering custom-made printing on cards, clothing, tote bags and more. Calli has been printing for some time now and expressed her excitement to be there after anticipating the event for over a month.
“I’m excited to have created some new designs just for people to use on their shirts to upcycle them,” said Recore.
Her designs include star sparkles, rabbits leaping, flowers and lizards. She encouraged those interested in getting a print to pick a free clothing item from the bins so she can then print on the old item to make it anew.
“Working with The Paisano has taught me so much as an artist. I continue to use the same graphic design techniques I learned while working with The Paisano in the art and zines I create today. I have always appreciated the independence [The] Paisano has as a publisher, and it inspired me to work and create independently with my own business as an artist,” said Recore.
This was the first Earth Day event hosted by the House of Trends, but it could be the start of more in the future. To check out the shop, visit the brick-and-mortar location at 1512 Fredericksburg Rd. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
