The Fair Trade Store Blog » Product Information

Will you be wearing Fair Trade Jewellery this party season?

Paul — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 10:36:05 +0000

Who said Fair Trade jewellery is a bit dour and behind the times?

Well, at THE FAIR TRADE STORE, we have developed our range to be a bit chunky, a bit funky, definitely a bit ethnic and certainly offering something for the party season that is fast upon us.

Take a look at our extensive range of bangles and bracelets, earring and necklaces and let us know what you think – we`d love to hear from you.

Gun-metal Mirrored Fair Trade Bangle

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Fair Trade Shopping Bags – take your pick from our wide range

Paul — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:09:43 +0000

We have a great range of Fair Trade Shopping Bags on offer – everything from buffalo leather, jute or cotton, to recycled sweet wrappers.
The shopping bag featured in this blog is a gorgeous, chunky, natural-coloured water hyacinth shopping bag designed in an attractive half-circular shape, with two strong handles. Customers tell us that the image shown really doesn`t do the bag justice.

Water Hyacinth Fair Trade Shopping Bag

This Fair Trade shopping bag was handwoven in the village of Tan Hiep, My Tho province, Vietnam. The village has a long tradition of weaving different materials and has about 30 skilled workers, most of which are farmers, so making these bags provides a vital second income.

Very different from the usual stuff available on the High Street.
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Never lose your glasses again with our Fair Trade Wooden Spectacle Stand!

Paul — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:54:47 +0000

Never misplace your specs again – keep them on this attractive wooden spectacle stand, which has been handmade in India by craftsmen at Asha. In Sanskrit, Asha means “hope”.

Our wooden spectacle stand has been hand carved from Shesham wood, which is part of the rosewood family. It is a durable and fast-growing wood, reaching maturity in 15-20 years compared to 80-90 years for hardwoods like teak. Asha encourage their artisans to plant trees in place of those which are used to make their handcarved wooden products.

Wooden Spectacle Stand

India, which is one of the largest handcraft-producing countries in the world, offers an almost unlimited range of crafts and products. However, these beautiful items can be produced in conditions of abject poverty, with craft workers in bondage to moneylenders.
Asha gives marketing support and technical assistance to groups of small producers and craftsmen and women. By purchasing directly from the workers and giving generous advances, they increase income levels and help groups become self-sufficient.
A team of christian welfare workers are employed to help producers with business concerns and issues.
Asha welfare workers are stationed at different producer groups and co-operatives, sharing skills and extending medical help and education to the workers and their families. Technical training is also provided to increase efficiency and to encourage the growth and development of cottage industries.

We hope you like our wooden spectacle stand!

WHY NOT VISIT THE FAIR TRADE STORE`S ONLINE SHOP NOW?

Best seller revealed – our Wooden Earring Stand

Paul — Tue, 04 May 2010 08:46:59 +0000

To be honest, this has really suprised us, but our Fair Trade wooden earring stand is proving to be an indispensible product for our customers.
It can hold up to 20 pairs of earrings for safe keeping on two tiers, with a dished base for studs and other small items.
Supplied in 6 pieces for easy self-assembly – no screws, nails or glue required – and takes seconds to build. It stands approximately 24 cm tall.

Wooden Earring Stand

The wooden earring stand was handmade from halduwood in India by Asha Handicrafts, who are based in Mumbai.
Asha were established in 1975 as a Fair Trade christian organisation to provide a marketing outlet to individual craftsman.
In Sanskrit, Asha means “hope”. A team of Asha welfare workers are stationed at different producer groups and cooperatives sharing skills and extending medical help and education to the workers and their families. Technical training is also provided to increase efficiency to encourage the growth and development of cottage industries.
Asha encourage their artisans to plant trees in place of those which are used to make their handcarved wooden products.

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Jewellery: Primark vrs THE FAIR TRADE STORE

Paul — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:54:36 +0000

Just how can Primark do it? A set of 5 bangles for only £2.50. Incredible.
But hang on a minute…….why don`t you stop and think about the implications of these ridiculously low retail prices? How much is the worker in Asia being paid for their labour? And what conditions do they actually work in?

At THE FAIR TRADE STORE we only buy from businesses that uphold Fair Trade principles – meaning a fair, sustainable price is paid to the producer, no child labour and decent working conditions for all.
Our Fair Trade jewellery is all handmade, yet doesn`t cost the earth, either!

Handmade red seed bracelet from Lima, Peru

If you want to shop ethically for that special gift why not take a look at our extensive range of Fair Trade Jewellery? Prices may not be as low as Primark, but there`s a lot more love involved.

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Fairtrade chocolate tasting session – the results

Paul — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:59:41 +0000

Divine, Green & Black`s, Cadbury and Traidcraft Fairtrade chocolates were all sampled and the winner was……
Traidcraft`s Belgian Finest Chocolates Box.
An assortment of 16 luxury milk, dark and white chocolates, contained in a beautiful gift wrapped box, complete with bow.

Traidcraft`s Fairtrade Belgian Finest Chocolates

Sampling all these chocolates carrying The Fairtrade Mark was a tough job, but someone had to do it.
Delicious!

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Elephant Dung Coaster Set – a unique Fair Trade Gift!

Paul — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:01:00 +0000

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is one of THE FAIR TRADE STORE`s founding principles and nowhere is this more evident than in some of the great Fair Trade Gifts we sell.
Take our Elephant Dung Coaster Set, for example.

Comes in a recycled newspaper box with jute tie

6 practical coasters that really do their job. They are handmade in India from 75% Elephant Dung and 25% cotton rag and presented to you in a recycled newspaper box which is all tied together by hand using a natural jute tie.
Now that is unique and all for under a fiver!

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Putumayo World Music – try our free sample tracks

Paul — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:21:56 +0000

We have a selection of great music CDs from the Putumayo range of World Music.

Click on this image to hear sample tracks

The music is varied – from Cuban Son to African tribal sounds and everything in between!
And the CD covers feature fantastic artwork – collector`s items in their own right.

You can hear a free sample to every track by clicking on the links as indicated, when you visit our music section.

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Stunning Fair Trade Jewellery from The Amazon Rainforest

Paul — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:11:19 +0000

THE FAIR TRADE STORE`s online shop has an extensive selection of Fair Trade Jewellery on offer, including a range of stylish Fair Trade Rings, which are made deep inside The Amazon Rainforest.

These rings are designed in the UK, but made by indigenous artisans working in cooperatives in the Amazon Rainforest. Local craftspeople use The Rainforest’s seeds, berries, wood and natural fibres, combined with solid silver, to create these striking, contemporary Fair Trade Jewellery items.

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A beautiful Fair Trade Bag from Traidcraft

Paul — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:21:10 +0000

We are pleased to offer you this Fair Trade bag which includes a gorgeous little matching purse.

They were both handmade by Fair Trade producers in Indonesia from Lontar Palm and the bag`s attractive 3-colour design is enhanced by brown leather handles.
This Fair Trade bag was sourced by Traidcraft, one of our key suppliers.

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