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10:10;

Guest blogs by Frank and Faith and Tara Leaver, from Boutiko;

Happy Birthday Green & Blacks

Pop by, catch up with the news and don’t forget to say Hi and let me know what you think of the new look. 

Until then …………..

Don’t forget, we’ve moved to our brand-spanking-new-look blog!  There, you can find the most up to date posts, including:-

Fair Trade Beading Kits

I’m very excited to share with you these lovely beading kits that have hit our shelves.

Put together by Tara Projects,  they contain everything you need to make your own individual necklace.

The kit includes glass beads, clasps and thread thread, which can be made into a necklace as intended or even trimmed to make a bracelet (although you would have excess beads left over!).

They would make lovely stocking fillers, party bag fillers or a token gift for someone difficult to buy for (we all know someone that has ‘everything’!), not to mention fab gifts for those with a creative streak.

Available in 10 different colours.

You know where to find them!

Fair Trade Rucksacks and our Supplier, Mahaguthi

Our range of bright and fun rucksacks are back in stock!  Marketed towards children, does it really matter if you’re a wee bit older and still love them?  This lovely Turtle Rucksack has also joined the range.

The rucksacks are made by Mahaguthi, a fair trade organisation that produces, markets and exports Nepalese crafts.

Over 1,000 individual producers are supported by Mahaguthi, many of whom are from remote areas.

40% of the income generated provides women and children of the Tulsi Mehar Mahila Ashram Centre with food, clothing, healthcare and education. The centre was founded by the late Tulsi Mehar Mahila (who worked closely with Mahatma Ghandi), who implemented various programmes for the empowerment of women in Nepalese society, Nepalese society, the centre has living quarters, a small community hospital, production workshops, a kindergarten school and a children’s play area. The centre offers a free, 2 year training programme in weaving, sewing, knitting and literacy and has approximately 80 women each year in the programme.

You can find out more about Tulsi Mehar Mahila and the background behind Mahaguthi by visiting the website.

And finally, don’t forget, you can find the rucksacks on the website.

Vietnamese Accessories

These lovelies have recently joined the virtual shelves at Only Fair:

All of the items are made in Vietname by an organisation who’s mission is to produce and sell Vietnamese handicraft products that are made under fair trade conditions. Their aim is to expand their customer base so that they can, in turn, expand workshop capacity, which helps to provide more secure and decent employment opportunities to disadvantaged women and farmers They provide life changing training in tailoring skills and bring smiles to these two extremely marginalised groups in society.

Very reasonably priced at £12.00 for the scarves and only £15.95 for the clutch bags which are sure to add that extra something to any outfit. 

Fairtrade for Dummies!

‘Nough said!

World Fair Trade Day 2009

This year World Fair Trade Day falls on the 9th May 2009.

The website describes it as :-

“A salute to the people and organizations who have dedicated themselves to making Fair Trade what is is today, a solution not an issue.  Fair Trade is not just about poverty, it’s a solution to poverty, Fair Trade is not just about climate change, it’s a soluution to environmental degradation and bad practice…………..”

There are hundreds of events taking place across the World.  Why not see if there is something local to you and show your support?

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

Mother’s Day takes place on the 22nd March this year. If you’re stuck for gift ideas and want to give something other than flowers and chocolates, look no further. Here’s some suggestions for you:-

The Pink Button Necklace is made by Tara Projects and is £11.95. 

The Recycled Glass Hurricane lamp is made in Delhi and is a very reasonable £7.99. 

The Jewellery Wrap is ideal for keeping jewellery safe either at home or on trips away.  Its made by a Touch of India and is made up of different compartments and is priced at £9.99.

Finally, one of my favourites, is the gorgeous Vase with Black and White Swirl.  Made in Peru by Allpa, a lovely feature is that the artist has signed the base. Priced at £19.95.

And don’t forget we have some pretty, printed cards as well as gift bags. Visit the website for inspiration.

An Introduction to Craft Aid

Some of the cards we stock are made by a non-profit making organisation called Craft Aid:

Craft Aid are dedicated to the welfare of disabled people and their main objective is to provide them with paid employment and to help rehabilitate them in society. They are also involved with helping finance other non-Government organisations that work with people with disabilities. 

They also provide a number of facilities and benefits to their employees which include a medical allowance, transport facilities and free consultations with Doctors. 

As well as making cards and other screen printed products, Craft Aid also makes a variety of textile products such as clothing (they were the first company in Mauritius to start using organic cotton). They also have a department which packages sugar, vanilla and spices and a “Pressed Flower Department”, whereby natural pressed flowers are used in their cards and other products they make.

Craft Aid are both FLO certified (Fair Trade Labelling Organisation) and members of IFAT. To find our more about Craft Aid and the work they are involved in, please visit their website. 

To view our full range of cards click HERE.

Lovely New Stock

I’ve just added some lovely new things to the website, including these gorgeous items…………………

 

Head on over to the website for prices and more details.

Saturday 28th February – Fair Trade Shopping in King’s Lynn

On Saturday 28th February we are holding a stall at Nourish Cafe. Nourish is situated on London Road in King’s Lynn and is run by husband and wife, Jonathan and Sara, who are supported by a team of volunteers.  Nourish is a community cafe for local people and all food and drink is locally produced, organic or fairtrade. As well as being a cafe, they also have internet access and a children’s play area.  Pop in and see what we’re all about!