Give Fair Trade a Fair Try
Beautiful papier mache ornaments from India. The bells actually ring! Novica ($24.99 for a set of 4)
Fair Trade helps support international tradespeople by allowing them to achieve livable wages and learn sustainable business practices that aim to break the cycle of poverty. In some cases, when Fair Trade overlaps with Eco-Friendly as a result of the work methods and materials, you get double the benefit. In many small developing countries, beautiful furnishings are made the old-fashioned way: by hand, using sustainable materials in an energy efficient manner. There are several innovative organizations that are introducing these vendors to an international audience which allows you to furnish your home like a globe-trotting super shopper. I hope to entice you with some exotic and affordable items that you can enjoy in your home or share as a holiday gift.
World of Good.com by Ebay launched recently and already has a great group of vendors. This pillow by Tilonia Home comes from a small village in India. ($29.95)
This Inscribed Vase from an artist in Bangladesh owes it design to the beautiful lines of the Bengali language where he has artfully written about the life of his family and his work as a potter. Ten Thousand Villages ($38.00)
The lovely silk and cotton table runner was made by a young woman in Thailand who has learned the art of weaving from her mother. Novica ($89.95)
There are many wonderfully inspirational stories of talents passed on from one generation to the next. When we purchase something with a history behind it, it reinforces our connection with others and the value of items made my hand. So browse around yourself and see what you think. And be sure to share any other great Fair Trade websites that you have found!
~Lorrie
Novica in association with National Geographic
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November 12th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I’m a huge supporter of Fair Trade. So many of us take for granted the basics in life, like clean water, food and a place to live. Fair Trade products help support artisans across the world who otherwise wouldn’t have access to a fair living wage. And I love reading the inspiring stories behind these products
November 13th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Thanks for chiming in, Jennae. Knowing the human stories behind some of the things we own, makes us realize how much we don’t know about much of what we own. That’s why Green Your Decor is so important!
~Lorrie
November 14th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Lorrie,
Thank you for featuring the Tilonia Home Tree of Life Applique pillow cover featured on World of Good. We have these pillows — and a wide range of home textiles, handwoven silk shawls and throws, and gift items on our website — http://www.Tilonia.com — as well.
Tilonia is home of the Barefoot College. For more than 36 years, the College has been helping the rural poor improve the quality of their lives through education, housing, health, water and power systems, and income opportunities.
You will enjoy the recent newstory about the Barefoot College on PBS:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/asia/july-dec08/indiaschool_10-06.html
Best,
Ellen Fish
Friends of Tilonia, Inc.
http://www.tilonia.com
November 14th, 2008 at 10:02 am
[...] Give Fair Trade a Fair Try {My Design Secrets} [...]
December 30th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
[...] produced, by buying from stores with fair-trade policies like Ten Thousand Villages and Artifacts. (My Design Secrets had a terrific post about Fair Trade gifts this year.) As for second-hand, you’d be amazed by [...]