Heartful Handmade Blog

fair trade jewelry picks

Two of the most popular categories of handmade products are (1) jewelry and (2) items created by artisans working in fair trade cooperatives.  Both are understandable top-of-the-list choices.  Jewelry probably came right after tools in the history of homosapien creations.  We've worn adornment for about as long as we've been on the planet.  It's as natural to us as dressing our hair.  And fair trade artisans often create traditional forms that resonate with modern buyers, possibly because they provide a tangible connection to our past.  So I put these two popular categories together and curated a collection of fair trade jewelry items.  Check out my eclectic collection of fair trade jewelry.

urthbags on sale

These two UrthBags are currently on sale.  Monica (on the left) a recycled juice box bag, is marked down to $49 (regular $56).  Tina, a recycled seashell bag, is marked down to $54 (from $77).

Click either image for more info, or here for the specials page.

waterfalls necklace

I like this very pretty pearl necklace from Novica.  It's name, Waterfalls, is perfect, as the pearls seem to cascade like falling water.

Click here for more info.

urthbags purses from recycled materials

Urthbags are stylish and unusual purses and bags made from recycled materials (newspapers, magazines, juice boxes, sea shells, coconuts, and probably more).  The company is based in Huntington Beach, California, but their bags are crafted by Fair Trade Women's Organizations.

Click here for more info. 

gifts with humanity

Gifts With Humanity is a fair trade organization that sells unique handmade jewelry, home decor, and gifts from artisans working in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. 

Click here to visit Gifts with Humanity at Handmade Lookup.

novica top 10 gifts by region

Click an image to browse the Top 10 gifts for that region.  And note that the free shipping offer is scheduled to end on Saturday.

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warm your helping hands

The Manuela Ramos Movement is a Peruvian feminist organization.  It was founded in 1978 "to create favorable changes for women so they could fully enjoy their citizenship, including gender equality."  In 1993, the group built "The House of the Woman Artisan" to provide training, consultancy, and credit to women artisans from around the country to help them market their handcrafted goods.  The Manuela Ramos Movement has joined with Novica to broaden the reach of the wonderful work of these women.

affordable luxury

Alfredo Falcon was born into a family in Peru that has produced woven textiles for several generations.  He lives in the Huaycan district and has collaborated with Novica for several years.  This collaboration has helped him grow his business and he now employs others to help him.  Alfredo loves knitting and crocheting and he combines handwork with work done on classic machinery that allows him to stay true to Inca and Colonial motifs. 

home decor and more

Novica uses the internet to provide a global showcase for artists and artisans working in cities and villages in the Andes, Bali & Java, Brazil, India, Mexico, Thailand, and West Africa.  The artists set the prices for their offerings and Novica takes a percentage when they sell.  This model gives the artists a good deal of control and also keeps prices very reasonable.  Shipping charges are also low if you're patient and don't mind waiting a couple of weeks or more for your delivery.