Fair Trade Produces Quality
Quite simply, when artisans know they receive a fair, living wage for their work, they can focus on their work, focus on creativity, focus on good materials, focus on quality.
Fair trade produces quality, breeds empowerment, fuels creativity and fosters respect and peace.
Jewellers employ a range of skills, from traditional, honed over the centuries, their designs reflecting local culture and environment, through to methods derived from the space programme.
Some artisans recycle local resources such as bone, quills and coconut shell, others work intricate designs in glass, ceramics, silver and semi-precious stones, and still others use space age technologies to produce stunningly beautiful dichroic glass jewellery.
However, it's not necessarily only the quality of the item we focus on, it is also the Quality of the experience our guests feel when they walk through our doors, the friendly greeting, the offering of coffee andthe helpful service that leads to the improvement in the QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCER'S LIVES. Which ultimately is why we do what we do and shoppers like you shop where you do.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
A-Z of Shopping Fair Trade - 'P' is for Poo
Elephant Poo Poo stationary/cards are some of our favorite gift items. I think they may actually rival coal for that 'naughty' little joke Holiday gift. Yet they do have a serious side. These are Products With a Purpose. The purpose is to successfully sell these goods in order to complete a truly creative sustainable cycle: where raw materials with little other use are utilized to make a useful and functional product all the while providing jobs and opportunity along the way and ultimately selling these goods at a profit from which a portion is directed to a worthwhile cause: elephant welfare and conservation.
Basically, the sustainable cycle works like this: as with all creatures on our planet, elephants need a clean environment and a good diet. With these needs met, an elephant produces a lot of dung, which is collected and used to make these products. Producers work with various conservation parks (and mahouts) to gather the dung (which is full of fibrous material and makes great paper). They then process the dung into paper sheets from which the products are made. The more they sell to customers like you and to Fair Trade stores across the country and around the world ...the more they can contribute as a portion of the profits from each item you buy is contributed to elephant welfare and conservation programs!
Basically, the sustainable cycle works like this: as with all creatures on our planet, elephants need a clean environment and a good diet. With these needs met, an elephant produces a lot of dung, which is collected and used to make these products. Producers work with various conservation parks (and mahouts) to gather the dung (which is full of fibrous material and makes great paper). They then process the dung into paper sheets from which the products are made. The more they sell to customers like you and to Fair Trade stores across the country and around the world ...the more they can contribute as a portion of the profits from each item you buy is contributed to elephant welfare and conservation programs!
Monday, December 13, 2010
A-Z of Shopping Fair Trade - 'O' is for Ornaments
Holiday Ornaments can bring back so many memories. As we are decking our Halls and Trimming our Trees, why not start a tradition of sharing your wishes for the holidays by purchasing an ornament (ot two) that help families around the world.
We have hand carved gourd ornaments from Peru, Brushkin animals from the Philippines, beaded zoo animnals from India, Soda-Can Attitude Angels from South Africa, Elephant Poo Tree ornaments from Thailand, Knit ornaments from Bolivia, Rolled Newspaper, Seeds and numerous others. (Get the picture - WE HAVE LOTS!)
Whether your decorations are traditional or eclectic, we have something for every tree and why not start a tradition of purchasing one for your children, so they have a 'starter' set filled with your love as they grow.
We have hand carved gourd ornaments from Peru, Brushkin animals from the Philippines, beaded zoo animnals from India, Soda-Can Attitude Angels from South Africa, Elephant Poo Tree ornaments from Thailand, Knit ornaments from Bolivia, Rolled Newspaper, Seeds and numerous others. (Get the picture - WE HAVE LOTS!)
Whether your decorations are traditional or eclectic, we have something for every tree and why not start a tradition of purchasing one for your children, so they have a 'starter' set filled with your love as they grow.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
A=Z of Shopping Fair Trade - 'N' is for Nativities
One of our Fair Trade Nativity Set would certainly be a talking point in your home this Christmas.
Our Kisi Stone set from Kenya depicts very tall elegant figurines beautifully hand carved. While the set from Peru contains a llama instead of a sheep. Or choose a set from Indonesia where the hand painted characters are partying with joy. We have hand-painted retablos, carved gourds, Tagua nut, ceramics, bean bags, some carved in seed pods and even some made out of kitchen utinsels (cheese grater/wine opener/spoons and strawberry huller) that we like to call our 'Someone's in the kitchen with Jesus' version.
Traditional, funky, child-like or whatever, we have a wide selection for every collector and family.
They come in different sizes so you can choose which would be most suitable for you Christmas Crib scene. You can purchase them and prices start at less than $20.
Stop in and pick your favorite.
Our Kisi Stone set from Kenya depicts very tall elegant figurines beautifully hand carved. While the set from Peru contains a llama instead of a sheep. Or choose a set from Indonesia where the hand painted characters are partying with joy. We have hand-painted retablos, carved gourds, Tagua nut, ceramics, bean bags, some carved in seed pods and even some made out of kitchen utinsels (cheese grater/wine opener/spoons and strawberry huller) that we like to call our 'Someone's in the kitchen with Jesus' version.
Traditional, funky, child-like or whatever, we have a wide selection for every collector and family.
They come in different sizes so you can choose which would be most suitable for you Christmas Crib scene. You can purchase them and prices start at less than $20.
Stop in and pick your favorite.
Friday, December 10, 2010
A-Z of Shopping Fair Trade - 'M' is for Music and Musical Instrruments
Christmas and the Holidays are the time to really make a JOYFUL NOISE (and make it LOUD)! And there is nothing more joyful than the sound of children making music.
One of the reasons we decided to do this A-Z of Christmas on our blog was to let people know about the wide variety of fair trade goods there are available. One thing I don’t think people would associate with Fair Trade is musical instruments. We have a range of percussion instruments, from a lovely Gecko Clacker for little hands, percussion frogs/crickets/pigs to a full size Vietnamese Gong and a Jammer Djembe.
They are all made around the world by local artists, communities and craftsmen. Producers represent theircommunity's traditions, and both male and female craftsmen are employed through the various stages of the production process. This helps to further maintain a social balance in these areas. Producers are allowed to dictate prices and these prices are well above local averages.
We also carry a full selection of Putumayo World Music CDs. Come on in, sing and play along.
One of the reasons we decided to do this A-Z of Christmas on our blog was to let people know about the wide variety of fair trade goods there are available. One thing I don’t think people would associate with Fair Trade is musical instruments. We have a range of percussion instruments, from a lovely Gecko Clacker for little hands, percussion frogs/crickets/pigs to a full size Vietnamese Gong and a Jammer Djembe.
They are all made around the world by local artists, communities and craftsmen. Producers represent theircommunity's traditions, and both male and female craftsmen are employed through the various stages of the production process. This helps to further maintain a social balance in these areas. Producers are allowed to dictate prices and these prices are well above local averages.
We also carry a full selection of Putumayo World Music CDs. Come on in, sing and play along.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
A-Z of Shopping Fair Trade -'L' is for Light
Candles certainly do their part in creating a Christmas atmosphere in your home.
Our onyx tealight holders are carved from onyx in Pakistan and are simply beautiful! Look lovely alone or grouped together. The artisans are based in Kurachi, Pakistan where nearly 20 independently owned workshops make up the group called Dominion Traders. They receive large boulders of onyx from the mines in Naukundi and a representative from each workshop chooses the boulders with the most beautiful coloring and grains. They then chisel the blocks into smaller pieces that are turned into items ranging from candles to apples and elephants. Each one is truly a work of art!
Please keep in mind that onyx is a natural stone, so colors and patterns vary widely, but all are beautiful!!
The Mission Marketplace also carries hand-painted candles made by women at Tokoloshe in South Africa. We also have a selection in Holiday colors. These hand crafted African candles allow you to take home a little piece of Africa.
From the Cape to Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana and East Africa this functional art product captures the warmth and beauty of Africa. The vivid colors reflect the variety of the landscape and its many cultures. The designs of the African hand painded candles incorporate animal prints and geometric shapes that are frequently used in tribal patterns.
Because by buying Tokoloshe you are ensuring that the women of Tokolkoshe, Ashley, Beauty, Esilly, Gift, Maria, Nonhlanhla, Prudence, Thokozile and Vusani are able to earn a fair living wage in the local context.
Like other fair trade products, the atmosphere in the workshop is lively. There is singing, music, laughter, chatter and the joy is evident on the faces of our team. Together with our African artisan team we design and create color, stripes, spirals, squiggles and whorls to bring you the warm art of Africa.
Our onyx tealight holders are carved from onyx in Pakistan and are simply beautiful! Look lovely alone or grouped together. The artisans are based in Kurachi, Pakistan where nearly 20 independently owned workshops make up the group called Dominion Traders. They receive large boulders of onyx from the mines in Naukundi and a representative from each workshop chooses the boulders with the most beautiful coloring and grains. They then chisel the blocks into smaller pieces that are turned into items ranging from candles to apples and elephants. Each one is truly a work of art!
Please keep in mind that onyx is a natural stone, so colors and patterns vary widely, but all are beautiful!!
The Mission Marketplace also carries hand-painted candles made by women at Tokoloshe in South Africa. We also have a selection in Holiday colors. These hand crafted African candles allow you to take home a little piece of Africa.
From the Cape to Mozambique, Malawi, Ghana and East Africa this functional art product captures the warmth and beauty of Africa. The vivid colors reflect the variety of the landscape and its many cultures. The designs of the African hand painded candles incorporate animal prints and geometric shapes that are frequently used in tribal patterns.
Because by buying Tokoloshe you are ensuring that the women of Tokolkoshe, Ashley, Beauty, Esilly, Gift, Maria, Nonhlanhla, Prudence, Thokozile and Vusani are able to earn a fair living wage in the local context.
Like other fair trade products, the atmosphere in the workshop is lively. There is singing, music, laughter, chatter and the joy is evident on the faces of our team. Together with our African artisan team we design and create color, stripes, spirals, squiggles and whorls to bring you the warm art of Africa.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
A-Z of Shopping Fair Trade - 'K' is for Kenya
We have a range of traditional, ethnic fair trade fashion jewellery which is skilfully produced by physically challenged artisans at Bombalulu in Kenya, who would otherwise be homeless and destitute.
Their fair trade jewellery collection has received international acclaim for their exclusive African designs and excellent finishes and demonstrates fantastic fair trade crafts.
Founded in 1969, the Bombalulu Cultural centre is well worth a visit. It is a project of the Association for the Physically disabled of Kenya.
The Project trains and employs over 180 people in handicraft production and related business skills.
All hand crafted products made by these gifted artisans are displayed in a showroom where visitors are able to purchase high quality products while providing economic support.
The Cultural Centre was added in 1994 and portrays the Kenyan way of life as it existed in the past and in many cases still exists in remote areas. From Moslem to Masai dwellings and even a real live witch doctor to cure all your ills and ward off evil spirits!
Their fair trade jewellery collection has received international acclaim for their exclusive African designs and excellent finishes and demonstrates fantastic fair trade crafts.
Founded in 1969, the Bombalulu Cultural centre is well worth a visit. It is a project of the Association for the Physically disabled of Kenya.
The Project trains and employs over 180 people in handicraft production and related business skills.
All hand crafted products made by these gifted artisans are displayed in a showroom where visitors are able to purchase high quality products while providing economic support.
The Cultural Centre was added in 1994 and portrays the Kenyan way of life as it existed in the past and in many cases still exists in remote areas. From Moslem to Masai dwellings and even a real live witch doctor to cure all your ills and ward off evil spirits!
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