Judy Decker

Greetings ArtConversation Visitors,

I am a "walking billboard" for Fair Trade in my community. From my jewelry, to my clothing and my coats and jackets. Purchasing Fair Trade changes lives - provides food, clothing and shelter to the struggling artisans around the world. My first Fair Trade place to look has always been Ten Thousand Villages (as there is a store near me). I volunteer there every week. It is my favorite "job" (well.... next to teaching, I guess). All of these Fair Trade places feature crafts items from artisans around the world:

Ten Thousand Villages:
http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/
from the web site:
"At Ten Thousand Villages, we work with over 130
artisan groups in more than 38 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East to bring
you fair trade jewelry, home decor, gifts and more.
As one of the world's oldest and largest fair trade
organizations, we build long-term relationships with
artisans that are based on mutual understanding
and respect. Fair trade enables artisans to earn a
fair wage and provides the opportunity for a better quality of life."

SERRV:
http://www.serrv.org/
"SERRV is a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide."

Global Crafts:
http://www.giftswithhumanity.com/
"Gifts With Humanity is the retail division of Global Fair Trade Crafts Inc DBA Global Crafts. "

GreaterGood Network (Hunger Site is where I shop)
http://www.thehungersite.com/
Click on the Fair Trade label in side menu (URL is too long to post)
Many Novica items are also available through these sites.

Africa Direct (out of Denver Colorado)
http://www.africadirect.com/
I have been purchasing unique African art/craft objects from this site since 2005. Since August or September of 2009, I have also purchased many wonderful jewelry items from Tibetan artisans and Afghanistan.

African Fabrics UK
http://www.africanfabric.co.uk/
Magie Relph, business owner - purchases directly from the artisans.
Great store for handmade beads and contemporary African textiles.

For clothing:
MarketPlace India:
http://www.marketplaceindia.org/MPI/
I was introduced to this Fair Trade line of clothing at a Fair Trade ("One World") store in North Manchester, Indiana. After my cousin passed away, I no longer had a need to go to North Manchester, so I looked them up online. My closets are full of beautiful handmade clothing from these women. My colorful coats even have special names! My husband named one ("Coat of many colors") and my pastor named the other ("Cloak of Compassion") - MarketPlace India calls them Himalayan Coats -they are reversible.

If any of you know of great places - on line or otherwise - to purchase Fair Trade, please add them to this thread. Even the big retail of imports "Pier 1" is starting to use Fair Trade for some items on their web site.

Enjoy your shopping excursions.

Regards,

Judy Decker