Fair Trade
The most important focus of our store is to offer products that are ethically responsible and have some sort of value and meaning behind their existence. So much of the products we are faced with as consumers are made in huge mass produced quantities by severely underpaid, overworked laborers in underdeveloped countries. Companies no longer focus on quality and workmanship, they now look toward quantities, and how much product they can produce at the lowest possible cost. This unfortunately leads to child labor, poor working conditions, and even dangerous working conditions, and ultimately poverty and lower standards of living.
We work very hard and do extensive research into manufacturing processes and philosophies of companies. We have a huge selection of products that are obtained through the Fair Trade Federation, Women's Co-ops, and other ethically responsible companies and organizations. We care deeply about the artists who make the goods we carry and feel great about offering products that are made with care and passion, by people in need who are given a safe working environment and are respected by the companies they work for. These people are given the opportunity to obtain the bare necessities of living and to use the skills they have learned to improve their lives.
In respect to the artisans we do not offer a large portion of our Fair Trade products online. The companies prefer to encourage a more personal contact from artist, to storefront, to customer, rather than electronic ordering. If there is anything you see pictured on our website that you would be interested in, please give us a call, we would be thrilled to work with you! Or, even better, if you are in the area, stop by our store to see our entire collection of ethically responsible products!
The items pictured to the right are beautiful handcrafted products from Peru that support the growth of women's and family workshops. They are from a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation that is committed to helping improve the standards of living for their artisans, and their communities.They offers unique handcrafted products such as carved Gourds, hand knit finger puppets, birdhouses, and beautiful jewelry!
Handmade Journals
Handmade Journals, and stationery from Nepal. Made from Daphne Bark using ancient techniques.
Pine Needle Baskets
Pine needle baskets - Members of a women's collective in El Cerro, Nicaragua collect pine needles and carefully hand-weave this renewable forest resource into sturdy, beautiful baskets and vases.
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Aid to Artisans
Founded in 1976, Aid to Artisans (ATA) changes the lives of thousands of artisans each year through its empowering programs of product design, business skills training, and marketing. Historically, handmade crafts are legacies of cultural traditions. In developing countries, handcrafts continue to provide an important source of income, especially for women who have limited options and resources for productive employment.
Aid to Artisans is a nonprofit organization whose staff, design and business consultants, volunteers and an active board of directors helps handcraft-based businesses compete in the global marketplace. Our work is made possible by support from government institutions, foundations, corporations and individuals and by the participation of importers and retailers.
The Beaded Angels pictured to the right is just one example of the beautiful products they offer!
Every purchase of the handmade Bible Covers and Batik Jesus Fish pictured to the right, improves lives around the world! They are just two examples of many items we carry that come from a Mission based organization that works with artisans in underdeveloped countries to improve and enrich their lives. It is a nonprofit ministry that imports handcrafts from 31 countries of the world and markets them in the USA.
When you make a purchase you:
- Assist over 2,000 women and men that live in poverty in providing for their families.
- Support missions while buying meaningful gifts for your family and friends.
These items are from a fair trade organization that seeks to ensure that artisans are paid and treated fairly.
The carved Onyx and Olivewood items are from a Christian relief and development ministry committed to helping those living in extreme poverty.
The Ministry does three things:
- Provides relief to people in crisis, food, clothing, medicines, and other supplies are given to people in crisis for immediate and life threatening needs.
- Helps the poor produce a product they can sell. This program enables people to lift themselves out of poverty and provides food, clothing, health care and an education for their families.
- Empowers pastors and evangelists to share the love of Christ in poor communities. Poverty is not just about a lack of physical resources, but also about spiritual and emotional needs. The pastors we support expose the spiritual issues involved in poverty and may come to know the hope found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
They offers beautiful products including hand carved onyx, Hand made wooden puzzle boxes, olivewood sculptures, and ornaments.
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