One of the things we like about Fair Trade artisans is their concern for the environment.  We are constantly amazed and delighted by their inventive uses of recycled materials.  For example, flipflops wash up on the eastern coast of Africa by the thousands, brought there by the ocean currents from Indonesia.  Clever Fair Trade artists have begun collecting them to use in jewelry, sculptures and myriad other items.  We have a number of recycled glass items – beautiful wall vases and candle holders, for example.  And what can you do with old magazines?  Some of our artists create beads for jewelry, others make fabulous decorative bowls and trays from them. 

Recycled sari silk, from silk factory throwaways, is spun and then woven, knitted or crocheted into pieces we find in jackets and bags, as well as table linens.  The colors are glorious!  Oil drums?  Our artists make fabulous  sculptures and light switch covers from them.  Tin cans?  The most enchanting animal sculptures you have ever seen (think geckos with banjos!).  Jackets and purses made from vintage, hand embroidered Guatemalan huipiles, the traditional women’s blouses, are so colorful. 

And then there’s elephant dung and rice paddies.  Our Mr. Ellie Pooh paper products are made from these components into some of the cutest cards, notebooks and desk accessories you have ever seen. 

Finally, we are delighted to be a source for To-Go-Ware utensil sets.  These bamboo eating utensil sets include a knife, fork, spoon and chopsticks, and are rolled up into a Fair Trade embroidered cover.  No more plastic utensils!  

We care about the environment, and Fair Trade artisan groups do too.  Visit us to see how Fair Trade artists are working to make this world a greener one.