So much about what we discuss on this site seem to be meaningless compared to the tragedies of what is happening in Haiti. But we try and do what we can, and little by little, we hope our efforts amount to something that will make a difference. Maria Moyer from Bureau of Friends is taking an initiative by assembling her friends together for a benefit auction, gathering a premium list of items and services from Heath Ceramics, Adam Silverman, Billy Reid for men, Lutz & Patmos, and Alabama Chanin. 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards Architecture for Humanity’s work in Haiti. The auction started yesterday and will end on Monday. We commend Maria for her proactive spirit and her benevolent efforts.

2009 has proven to be a challenging year but also a rewarding one. We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has bothered to read what we had to say. Your support and interest has kept us motivated. 2010 looks to be an even better year as we pursue other areas of interests, completing our documentary series, and collaborating with new and old friends including Bureau of Friends, Partners & Spade, Vitsoe, and wejetset. Sign up for our mailing list to be updated on our doc series and other happenings.

We’ll be on hiatus for the next week, spending time with friends and family. If you haven’t already, follow us on twitter. We’ll be active during this time. It’s similar to our blog only with more updates and sprinkled with the occasional rambling.

Happy holidays everyone, and thank you again.

A few months ago, The Scout visited Heath Ceramics in Sausalito, California—perhaps the last ceramics manufacturer of their scale left in the United States. Upon touring their factory, it was clear that there was a strong sense of pride in the craftsmanship behind Heath’s simple pieces. The people we spoke with had worked there for 10, 20, 30+ years, and were still beaming with pride. Heath had brought together the trifecta of beautiful, local, and sustainable—and created a successful business out from it.

While this approach is a rarity, there is growing concern for ethical products that last. Maria Moyer of WINK Communications and Cathy Bailey of Heath Ceramics have banded together with several other creative types and taste-makers to form Bureau of Friends. Their mission is to share ideas about creating beautiful things in a responsible way.

They are working outside the typical conference framework, and gathering small groups of thought leaders to brainstorm new ways of working and making. Recently, they’ve held a sewing circle at Partners & Spade in New York City inviting folks from the Wooster Collective, New York Times, ReadyMade magazine and Reference Library.

Unlike most other Bureaus, let’s hope they share their secret knowledge. If it means more companies like Heath have the opportunity to last, then we are better off in many ways.

It was always our intention from the beginning to include moving images to our static site. What that entailed, we weren’t quite sure. Six months into launching The Scout, we mapped out a plan to create a series on craftsmanship. Interviewing small businesses that still cherished old forms of producing quality goods and services. The series would include three episodes each covering different industries all with the attention to design. Over the summer we promised the first episode would premier in the fall. We began the project in May, shooting the episode in June. After several months we can proudly say that we’re ready to unveil the first episode to our readers. Introducing Billykirk, we hope you enjoy it. Watch Now.

When we heard about Partners & Spade hosting a ping pong tournament, we were intrigued. A gathering of enthusiasts chatting and leisurely playing a few rounds we thought to ourselves. Then we received this flier announcing the event. Ten hours worth of ping pong! Starting at noon next Saturday and running all the way to 10pm. There’s even a pro demonstration.

Today is our one year anniversary. We want to thank the readers for taking an interest in what we do and supporting us as we grow. It’s been a challenge but rewarding. We have a lot in store in the coming months, most of which I’ve already mentioned, so you may want to stick around.