Discover More Options in Fair Trade Gifts

Few people today are fully aware of the extent of the shopping and gift buying opportunities that Fair trade now certifies. What started out really not too many years back has exploded today into what it is. An internationally based social and ecologically sound way of shopping and doing business.

As a direct result of the expanding demand for Fair Trade products, more producers and marketers are scrambling to get on board. They bring new products that may in fact surprise many shoppers like you. Not only in terms of variety a but also in quality.

Semilla Jewelry and Wearable Art

Semilla is a company that's based out of Washington State. They specialize in bringing amazing works of jewelry and wearable art up out of South America. They encompass a style genre that blends contemporary concepts with indigenous designs and they simply have to be seen to be truly appreciated.

Also every piece is crafted entirely from renewable resources. Exotic non rain forest woods, shells, carved and polished stone and amazing colored seeds are used to create spectacular pieces. The level of craftsmanship that is readily apparent in each piece is of the highest caliber and they are all so affordable as well.

Andy Warhol Would Have Approved

Big totes and back packs made entirely from used rice bags are another shocker. No they aren't dyed, nor are any type of design work added to this amazingly durable heavy fabric. The reason is simple and that's because the rice producers who originally made the bags emblazoned them with fantastic colors and designs that are reminiscent of much of Andy Warhol's work.

Bright luminescent greens and pinks splashed with images that can only be described as 'contemporary art neuveau'. These big and roomy totes and bags simply would not have the same look and feel if they were made from off the shelf materials. And to think that for untold decades the rice bags were simply sent to landfills.

Fair Trade Holiday Cards Made From Recycled Paper

Fair trade certified greeting cards are yet one more surprise to be found. A huge selection of cards and stationary for just about any occasion. Of course because they are Fair Trade certified, they're made from 100% recycled paper and the environment isn't damaged during the recycling and manufacturing process. These cards are also great way to introduce Fair Trade to the people you send them to.

Mama Ursula's Cooking is Fantastic & So are Her Belts

If you haven't yet heard of Mama Ursula belts, there is a good reason for that. You see Mama Ursula is a real person, not just a clothing label. Mama Ursula began her career running a small traditional food stall in a community market in Peru. It was long hours and the money that was generated was very limited by modern western standards.

On the plus side each day the local South American far that wasn't sold could be taken home to feed her extended family in the village that she lived in. Even so, she yearned for more. For instance she wished that she could one day afford to send her kids, nieces and nephews to school to finally break the cycle of poverty that she was born into. So she started designing and making unique brightly colored hand woven hemp belts and the rest is history.