In a recent flight across the country, I read an interview in Delta Sky Magazine with the remarkable Paul Rice, President and CEO of TransFair USA, the leading fair trade certification organization in the U.S.  I was taken by Rice’s perseverance toward a mission that to many might seem overly idealistic.

TransFair enables sustainable development and community empowerment by cultivating a more equitable global trade model that benefits farmers, workers, consumers, industry and the earth. Source: 1

Rice has been on the forefront of sustainability and farmer empowerment long before the concept took off.  These days consumers are used to seeing fair trade certified products and it looks like they are interested in buying them.

Last year fair trade retail sales were $4 billion dollars globally and about $1.1 billion dollars was in the U.S.  When TransFair USA started in the United States in 1998, fair trade retail sales were only a couple million dollars.

Yes idealism can meet its end.

But by no means is the fair trade objective fulfilled.  We’d like to think it has only just begun and that aware American consumers will lead the way in its success.

As Rice expresses it:

What I discovered is that the American consumer is probably the most powerful force for positive change in the world, because they are showing that with something as simple as a cup of coffee, they can lift millions of people out of poverty.

And what about the competition to the cause of organizations like TransFair?

Our competitors are the companies that are slow to awaken to the importance of sustainability.  Fair trade is showing that you can be responsible as a company and profitable.  In the past, conventional thinking was that sustainability and profitability were somehow at odds with each other, but you can make money and save the planet at the same time.

We’ll toast to that! And continue to celebrate ideals like the Fair Trade movement and those who embrace it.

Source: SkyMag.com

These gorgeous silk draperies are made without any harm to the silk worm babies, (read my previous post on eco-silk fabrics) and are currently on sale. They are hand made, beautifully lined and boast the highest quality I’ve ever seen. Get them while they last.

For purchase info, contact Deepali at filling_spaces@verizon.net.

A new woman came into my life the other day. No, I don’t swing that way, but I do love a woman who imports hand crafted and fairly traded, eco-loving silk from India and then creates the most decadent draperies you’d just love to get in bed with…Did I mention, she offers bedding as well?

I recently visited Deepali Kalia of Filling Spaces Design Studio (to the trade only, but yeah that includes me!) to look for some samples to bring to my clients. As I meandered around, my eyes feasted upon the many shiny and shimmering fabrics and I got so happy. When I asked Deepali how the silk worms were treated in the manufacturing process (her sister runs the production facility), she explained that in the process of extracting the silk from the cocoon, they wait until the baby naturally leaves the cocoon, therefore allowing it to live. That’s a big deal in my book since the Chinese often boil the cocoons (can’t they just wait?) and therefore kill the babies.

A recent pillow creation of Deepali’s. She pointed it out after I asked her what her current favorite was.

Fabulous and amazing. Feel the movement swimming in that pillow (on the right).

Got design questions? Or just want to know more about eco-silk draperies and fabrics?

Ask me here.

Several weeks ago, I attended a function to benefit the Itafari Foundation, an organization supporting innovative community projects in Rwanda.

An undulating wave of beautifully colored, handmade baskets greeted me as I walked through the door. I’ve never completely understood the essence of basket weaving yet at a fundamental level these objects are a symbol of giving and sustainability within a community.

Looking over the pieces, I felt a sudden loss as I remembered a friend saying, “When you find your basket, you’ll just know it’s the right one.” I chuckled to myself when she said this to me, because I couldn’t conceive of the day when MY basket would appear.

So I took the challenge. I decided to pick up each basket and hold it.  What was I looking for? The right texture, weight, color, or size?

Suddenly it all started making sense. Once I put a basket in my hands, a modern day Goldilocks took shape. “No, this one is to wide. No, this one is the wrong color. No, this one is too light.” Finally I kept coming back to the same basket, and I just knew she was the one for me.

A powerful sensation resides in depths of a handmade object. These baskets were lovely to look at, but when I held one in my hands and connected through touch, I began to understand its story and the passion woven into its structure by a group of resilient people. These baskets are created by women in Rwanda and are part of a sustainable income project partnered through Macy’s. When I lifted the basket to my nose, I could smell the fresh cut grass, and instantly imagined the hands of the woman who brought it to life.

This Rwandan basket now rests on my desk, softening the sharp edges of my computerized space, while holding and transforming bits of my life. I think it’s fitting to have baskets be one symbol of building peace in Rwanda.

During this season of giving and gratitude, I look forward to celebrating and contributing to projects such as the Itafari Foundation, who seek to support the reimagining of a sustainable and creative ecological culture in Rwanda.

Ah the joys of creativity combined with earth-loving-fair-trade that equals a hip line of recycled pewter jewelry made in Honduras, and offered by Bambootique.

For daily wear, this fabulous chocker is handcrafted, adjustable, fairly traded and affordable.

Want more details about the product?

Local artisans from Honduras create each part of the necklace by hand, using traditional methods. The best part? The piece is made from recycled soda cans.  That’s what I call a unique conversation piece or gift idea.

Purchase here for $26.00

Get the matching earrings (shown at right) for $16 here.

Give yourself a moment to check out more products offered by fair trade beauty Bambootique, by following this link.

Not only can you treat yourself or someone you love to something special, you also support the earth and other communities in the process. Now that’s value.