You've heard of fair trade coffee right? Perhaps even bought and drunk some at your local fair trade coffee shop. But have you heard of Ten Thousand Villages.com?
It is one of the oldest and largest nonprofit free trade organisations out there. They exist to help better the lives of more than 100 artisan groups in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. They are also part of the International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), a global network of more than 200 fair trade organizations in 50 countries.They operate by providing fair prices for the artisans and a place to market their hand crafted goods online, in retail stores and at festivals.
The jewelry featured here are from the Bombulu Workshop in Mombasa, Kenya. The fun and funky earrings and pin above were made from recycled soda pop cans and wire. The choker consists of soda can tops. Their creativity and skill at making such great jewelry out of discards is amazing - just look at the angel pin. The disabled artisans who make and sell them are able to earn a living for themselves and their families and receive adequate housing and education. The Bombulu motto is "Disability is not Inability".
Please do check out Ten Thousand Village's online shop - they don't sell just jewelry but a wonderful array of unique gifts, home decor, toys and games for children, stationery and accessories and many more.
via Green Daily
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The Beading Gem's Journal
Fair Trade Jewelry Artisans : The Bombulu Workshop
Saturday, May 17, 2008
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2 comments:
My late father-in-law introduced me to the Ten Thousand Villages catalogue over ten years ago. I have a lovely pair of earrings purchased from them, a gift from him one Christmas. I also received some cinnamon and nutmeg from him that year, from their catologue - simply the best of either spice that I've ever had! Thank you so much for evoking his memory!!
How lovely to remember him! Did you know the Bayers Rd Baptist Church in Halifax is doing a Ten Thousand Villages festival in September?
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