News & Events
Posted: May 11 2013
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2013
PDX Peoples' Assembly on the Trans-Pacific Partnership
1:00-4:00pm
(Doors open at 12:30pm)
First Unitarian Church
SW 12th Ave and Main St., Portland, OR 97205
PDX Peoples' Assembly on the Trans-Pacific Partnership
1:00-4:00pm
(Doors open at 12:30pm)
First Unitarian Church
SW 12th Ave and Main St., Portland, OR 97205
Organized by Oregon Fair Trade Campaign and many other local organizations, this is an international day of action, held in solidarity with groups all over the world as the current round of TPP negotiations take place in Lima, Peru. It will include speakers from a variety of groups, as well as break-out sessions to do some action planning.
*AWAZ is tabling at the event and will be handing out FREE Fair World Project Publications and offering our products for sale.
Posted: May 10 2013
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SATURDAY May 11, 2013 is the day this year!WFTD is the largest Fair Trade event of the year in N. America, and events take place May 4-19 in 2013. Around 100,000 people attend hundreds of celebrations to promote Fair Trade and campaign for trade justice together with farmers & artisans. LEARN MORE > anyone who buys online this Saturday gets a FREE box of Equal Exchange Organic Fair Trade Tea and a gift from India! SHOP NOW >This year, AWAZ joins with our local advocacy partners here in Portland to oppose the next biggest Free Trade Agreement on the International Day of Action. It's because of FTAs that create the foundation and rules for Corporations to exploit workers and the environment around the world, that the Fair Trade Movement, what I call, the People's Movement, is so important. We need to change our foreign policy today. THIS Saturday, May 11th, join the Oregon Fair Trade Campaign and many other organizations for World Fair Trade Day and the People's Assembly on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The event is from 1-4pm, (doors open at 12:30pm) at First Unitarian Church (SW 12th Ave and Main St., Portland), and will include speakers from a variety of groups, as well as break-out sessions to do some action planning. This is an international day of action, held in solidarity with groups all over the world as the current round of TPP negotiations take place in Lima, Peru. AWAZ will have a table selling goodies and passing out FREE Fair World Project Publications for a chance for YOU to win a FREE trip to Peru!  On May 11, just prior to a new Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiating round in Peru, we call on the 99% who are harmed by corporate globalization to oppose the TPP. There are many reasons for people to come together on this date: - The TPP undermines access to fundamental medicines by extending monopoly protections for Big Pharma. - The TPP empowers corporations to sue governments for environmental and health measures they do not like - The TPP creates a race to the bottom on working conditions, environmental standards and all kinds of public regulations - The TPP prioritizes large-scale corporate agriculture (GMOs, antibiotics, etc) over sustainable local farming We will hear from guest speakers including Barbara Byrd - OR AFL-CIO and Ann Pickar - Portland Area Global AIDs Coalition, Benjamin Gerritz - Positive Force NW, and Peruvian environmental justice leader César Ipenza, from Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental speaking via Skype. The speakers panel will be followed by break out groups to further discuss issues and plan for next steps. We will join trade justice advocates in Lima, Sydney, Ontario and many more cities and towns around the world that are holding community assemblies to discuss the problems with the TPP and the free trade model. Multi-national community resistance put a freeze on the WTO. It stopped the Free Trade Area of the Americas. It can stop the TPP! RSVP on Facebook! For more information on the PDX People's Assembly, please call Oregon Fair Trade Campaign (503) 736-9777 or email elizabeth@oregonfairtrade.org, Sponsored by: Alliance for Democracy, Oregon Fair Trade Campaign, Oregon AFL-CIO, Jobs with Justice, Working Families Party, Economic Justice Action Group of the First Unitarian Church. To learn more about events in other communities visit: http://stopthetpp.webs.com/call-to-action |
Posted: May 07 2013
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| handcrafted solar energy by HESCO for rural mountain communities in the Himalayas, one of AWAZ community partners |
Thousands of social entrepreneurs around the world are making it happen, just like the Awaz founder, Sarah, did.
Enter for the chance to propel your idea of changing the world into a REALITY. The Start Something that Matters GOOD Maker Challenge will grant one social entrepreneur $50,000 to launch their plan for driving social impact. Could it be you?
* Apply here: http://startsomethingthatmatters.maker.good.is/
* Submissions are open April 22 - May 17 (12:00p PST)
Posted: February 20 2013
Please join us in putting your organization's name on this list and circulating this to your networks.
It's FTAs like this that create the rules for economic injustice and allow companies to continue to exploit workers and the environment.
Sarah
Sarah
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Hi Friends,
We have only two weeks to get hundreds of organizations to sign onto this letter opposing Fast Track, a tool the Chamber of Commerce in D.C. is pushing for to make it easier to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Please bring this to your unions, churches, organizations, and more to sign onto!
Thank You!
Elizabeth Swager
Oregon Fair Trade Campaign
www.OregonFairTrade.orgOrganizational Sign-On Letter on the TPP & Fast Track
We have only two weeks to get hundreds of organizations to sign onto this letter opposing Fast Track, a tool the Chamber of Commerce in D.C. is pushing for to make it easier to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Please bring this to your unions, churches, organizations, and more to sign onto!
Thank You!
Elizabeth Swager
Oregon Fair Trade Campaign
www.OregonFairTrade.orgOrganizational Sign-On Letter on the TPP & Fast Track
Please add your organization's name by Sunday, March 3 at: http://tinyurl.com/tradeletter
Email info@citizenstrade.org with any questions.
Dear Member of Congress:
As U.S. trade negotiators seek to conclude a standard-setting new trade and investment pact for the Asia-Pacific region by this October and consider launching another with the European Union, we write on behalf of our combined XX million members and supporters to share our expectations regarding commercial agreements in the 21st Century and the congressional oversight role needed to transform past U.S. trade policy into a tool that helps build a more just and sustainable global economy.
We find it troubling that, even as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement enters its 16th major round of negotiations this March in Singapore, U.S. negotiators still refuse to inform the American public what they have been proposing in our names. Shielding not only proposals, but agreed-upon texts from public view until after negotiations have concluded and the pact is finalized is not consistent with democratic principles. In this regard, the TPP appears to be even less transparent than some past trade negotiations. For example, in 2001, the United States joined with 33 other countries in releasing draft text of the Free Trade Area of the Americans, and draft texts within the World Trade Organization are frequently made available.
Issues that must be addressed so that a TPP, a European Union-U.S. Agreement or any other U.S. trade pact actually improves the quality of life for Americans and people throughout the world include:
- Prioritization of human and labor rights. Too many existing trade policies go to great lengths to protect the rights of investors, while ignoring or glossing over issues of forced labor, child labor, sweatshop working conditions, political violence, environmental degradation, violations of indigenous peoples’ sovereignty and government suppression of such basic freedoms as speech, assembly, movement and the rights to form independent trade unions and bargain collectively. Human and labor rights must be front-and-center in any trade agreement if it is to help reverse the global race to the bottom in working conditions and environmental practices.
- Respect for local development goals and the procurement policies that deliver on them. Trade agreements should not impede governments from spending taxpayer funds in ways that prioritize local development, environmental or social goals. The procurement provisions of trade pacts must maintain existing “Buy American” preferences, as well as prevailing wage requirements, green preferences, sweat-free preferences, human rights preferences and policies designed to address long-standing inequalities.
- No elevation of corporations to equal terms with governments. Trade agreements should not grant individual corporations and investors special powers to privately enforce agreement terms by challenging laws, regulations and court decisions through tribunals that circumvent domestic judicial systems. The “investor-state” tribunal system that allows panels of three private sector lawyers to order unlimited taxpayer compensation for foreign firms who claim that a country’s laws undermine their expected future profits must be eliminated. International investment rules must also be revised to more narrowly define terms including “investment,” “expropriation” and “minimum standard of treatment” in order to safeguard the ability of governments to regulate in the public interest.
- Protect food sovereignty. Trade agreements should respect governments’ ability to implement programs that ensure farmers and other food workers receive fair compensation and that consumers have access to safe and affordable foods. Likewise, nations must be able to protect themselves from dumping and other unfair trade practices that force farmers off their land.
- Access to affordable medicine. Maintaining access to affordable, generic medications is critical to reducing health care costs in the United States and to saving lives throughout the world. Trade agreements are an inappropriate vehicle for extending the length of drug patents, and U.S. policies should explicitly uphold the standards set forth in the Doha Declaration on access to medicine.
- Safeguards against currency manipulation. Trade agreements should include measures that allow the United States and other governments to take measures to counteract trade-distorting currency manipulation. Agreements should also include strong rule of origin provisions to ensure that the benefits of the agreement go to those countries that agree to meet its rules.
- Space for robust financial regulations and public services. Trade pacts should set floors, not ceilings, when it comes to the regulation of banks, insurance companies, hedge funds and other financial service providers. Trade agreements’ services provisions should contain clear and specific language stating that nothing in the agreement should be interpreted as requiring deregulation or privatization of any private or public service.
- Improved consumer and environmental standards. Likewise, trade agreements should set floors, rather than ceilings, when it comes to environmental, food and product safety and consumer right-to-know measures.
We believe a much greater degree of public and congressional oversight is needed if the TPP and other pacts are to achieve these high standards. Before granting the Obama administration any special trade policymaking authority, please request that it make the draft TPP texts public.
Instead of delegating Congress’ exclusive constitutional authority to “regulate commerce with foreign nations” to the executive branch through the reinstatement of outdated and extreme procedures like Fast Track “Trade Promotion Authority,” we urge you to support a new American trade agreement negotiation and approval process that:
- Requires that Office of the U.S. Trade Representative consult with all interested stakeholders, participate in hearings with all committees of jurisdiction over matters affected by trade agreements and provide a thorough and public assessment of what specific job creation and export expansion opportunities each prospective trade partner would provide and how a proposed agreement would impact human and labor rights, the environment, food sovereignty, access to medicine, currency manipulation and balance of trade among the countries involved — beginning this expanded engagement process with the TPP as soon as possible;
- Sets up an objective process to verify that negotiating objectives set by Congress are actually achieved in the final agreement; and
- Includes a process by which a majority of the Congress must vote to certify that a proposed agreement is in the public interest and that Congress’ negotiating objectives have been met before the executive branch can sign the agreement and bind the United States to its terms.
Only through this type of robust oversight and public participation can we forge a new national and global consensus on trade policy that works for all.
Sincerely,
[YOUR ORGANIZATION & many others]
Posted: February 19 2013
(above: signage in MESH's fair trade shop showcasing India's new national Fair Trade brand - this weaver produces the Awaz Table Linen Collection in a Leprosy Colony outside of Delhi)
Every time I go to India I’m often moving around a lot visiting organizations, collecting stories and so busy spending time with people and that I don’t have much time to share those stories with you, our supporters.
There are so many beautiful community development programs we are connected to here, learning from, supporting, nurturing and building upon that this time, it is about the stories. It is about documenting and sharing the social change that’s happening on the ground here, the life and culture of the people and more about the work we do here in India so that you too can learn, live through our experiences and find more ways that you too can be more involved.
I commit to you to share one blog a week of the Awaz 3-month work in India.
It was a beautiful blessing that this time my arrival was routed through Mumbai in Southern India as the annual Kala Gouda Arts Festivalwas happening. I was most excited to know that I could see one of our artisan partners, Stree Shakti, at this exhibition.
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From the beginning, it was my work with Stree Shakti in 2008 in Purkal Village in the Himalayas that inspired me to start Awaz. I spent 6 months working with Mr. and Mrs. Swamy from the early beginnings of this income generation program for widowed and marginalized women helping to grow and expand their work. From a crowded home filled with women stitching and quilting, Stree Shakti (meaning Women’s Power) now boasts 100 women organized into 10 Self Help Groups who now have their own production center and on-site day care center to host their work.
I spear headed a Capital Campaign for their Production Center in 2008 and with great joy, we found a donor who made a kind donation to fund the building in honor of their son who past away.
They now are struggling to keep up with production and are seeking funding for a new training program for 50 new women.
While I’m here, I intend to help garner support for this program and use any donations to Awaz to provide a grant to the new training program. Please consider a small donation through our website to help lift more women out of poverty in India.
I met Maneet, Vicky and Akash representing Stree Shakti at their stall. Their beautiful handcrafted quilts, pillow covers and fashion accessories stand out amongst all other stalls. When there are so many groups doing weaving and blockprinting and every other traditional craft, they’re one of the only doing hand quilted products. They’ve now achieved the Craftmark, authentic Indian handcraft labeling for their quilting and their work is renown throughout India.
The Growth with Fair Trade for Stree Shakti
They’ve been sourcing better quality fabrics and working hard on quality control over the years that have improved the look of their products - instantly I can see the growth in their work.
This is truly one of the best feelings experiencing the growth and success of a group you’ve worked so closely with.
After I finally convinced Mr. and Mrs. Swamy to join the Fair Trade movement in India in 2010, the women and the organization are benefiting so much more.
They’re store on site has become part of the new national Fair Trade branded shops and is bringing more customers on a daily basis.
They’re staff have undergone more trainings, they’re part of annual fair trade celebrations, they’re invited to more product development workshops and are now part of this larger network filled with resources and experience to help them grow.
We sponsored a design training from Jaya, an experienced textile designer who works with artisan groups, to help the organization develop Production Plans, implement better management and controls and develop new products with better quality fabrics and prints.
At their stall, I got to catch up on their latest designs and work.
Their Baby Quilts are one of their key products we offer and I saw many new themes we’ll start offering to our customers, including this new fabulous Birthday theme.
Their pillow covers were decorated with intricate hand embroidery of elephants and kalamkari block print fabrics and other modern themes that looked fabulous. We have a custom order from a store in Portland to implement some designs on pillows with this group while we’re here.
The scarves or “stoles” that Jaya developed with Maneet, their new Designer, were displayed nicely with beautiful embroidery and prints. They’re a unique accessory that showcases the best of India’s craft that I think we’ll order a few of this time. For the last few years, Jaya has been in touch with our groups sharing her knowledge and experience to guide them in whatever way she can and we’re very thankful.
Nowadays Stree Shakti, like many of the groups we work with, are attending some 10-15 exhibitions a year to sell their work in some of the biggest cities all over India. These art and craft exhibitions or “melas” as they are called in India serve as platform for NGOs and craft organizations to get exposure and showcase their work. “Mela” is a Sanskrit word meaning “gathering,” and it’s used to describe all kinds of get-togethers in India. Many buyers interested in Indian craft come specifically for these melas to source their goods and make connections. Dastkar, whom we learned about during our first visit to India in 2005, has been one of the core organizations in India working to preserve and promote traditional craft for a long time - they now organize great craft melas all over India.
Most of all though, I love these melas because they serve as great opportunities for the women to travel outside of their communities and interact with the customers about their work. They get the feedback and feel the praise for what they do. This in itself is empowering for the women. The women can’t travel all the time, but many times they do. Sadhna, another group we work with, sponsors annual Exposure Trips for women to go outside and visit other women’s organizations to learn and experience their work.
This mela was very exciting and fresh. It’s been two years since my last trip to India and the country has grown so much, not to mention the inflation.
There were many NGOs and also individual artisans and small businesses, like Farmer’s Markets in the U.S., displaying their new, cutting edge, handcrafted work.
In addition to many works of art like this addressing different social issues, as more and more young people are getting involved in activism.
From organizations promoting environmental conservation and recycling to eco-friendly kids toys and games, it was great to see all the good work and people thinking in new ways.
Posted: January 22 2013
http://www.voiceforempowerment.com/shop/accessories/bags.html?p=1
a crisp new look on a sunny day with the Awaz new Hemp Collection.
natural living for 2013.
Enjoy our hemp clothing and accessories for your natural lifestyle. Each piece is made from sustainably harvested wild hemp from rural mountain communities in Nepal. These high quality natural fibers make long-lasting quality products and provide ethical paying jobs for local communities.
Hemp has been used for centuries in Nepal because of its strength and durability. It’s the perfect crop for the Himalayas. It requires no cultivation or pesticides, is native, and has long been an economic asset for the rural mountain villages.
We offer wallets, bags, clothing and knitted items from natural hemp and cruelty-free leather in a variety of vegetable dyed colors.
a crisp new look on a sunny day with the Awaz new Hemp Collection.
natural living for 2013.
Enjoy our hemp clothing and accessories for your natural lifestyle. Each piece is made from sustainably harvested wild hemp from rural mountain communities in Nepal. These high quality natural fibers make long-lasting quality products and provide ethical paying jobs for local communities.
Hemp has been used for centuries in Nepal because of its strength and durability. It’s the perfect crop for the Himalayas. It requires no cultivation or pesticides, is native, and has long been an economic asset for the rural mountain villages.
We offer wallets, bags, clothing and knitted items from natural hemp and cruelty-free leather in a variety of vegetable dyed colors.
A conscious collection, for the conscious lifestyle.
Natural Hemp Convertible Backpack with cruelty-free Leather
Posted: January 19 2013
To our dear Friends and Supporters,
It has been two years since we last were able to get to India to see our partners on the ground. While we communicate regularly over the phone and email, it's challenging to handle new developments, do things efficiently and really support them in what's needed when we're thousands of miles apart. Our online shop is getting busier, we've picked up many new Wholesale Accounts at stores and we have learned a lot about fair trade business that we are keen to share and work with our partners on.
With your support, we can finally make this much needed trip possible.
We invite your support in helping to sponsor our upcoming trip to India to foster existing relationships and support new programs that continue to develop viable strong transparent and just supply chains in trade. A big part of the work we do is information exchange and sharing. From social movements to designs of new products, we support our artisan partners in their needs and help them grow their enterprises through marketing, information sharing and sponsoring trainings. We also are then able to learn more about the needs, hopes and progress of our partners, which we then are able to bring back and share those strides and successes with you here.
This year we will compile our past histories and new stories into videos that show the impact of fair trade in the communities we work through a story telling project titled
Why Fair Trade Matters:
Story Collecting and the Impacts of Fair Trade in Rural Communities.
We will join Stree Shakti as they begin to grow beyond 100 women and start a new training stitching program for 50 new women in the mountain villages. We work mostly with small artisan groups and we started working with Stree Shakti from the beginning. After helping to raise money for their new production center, there are now 100 strong women being empowered by this program. Check out their parent non profit, Purkal Youth Development Society, and their programs which have brought quality nutrition and education to over 400 youth in the community.Story Collecting and the Impacts of Fair Trade in Rural Communities.
The end project will be a collection of translated and transcribed videos and stories produced in partnership with local individuals in India. These stories will be a great use in helping more people make the connection between the artisans that create fair trade products and the improved economic justice that comes with the fair trade movement.
The project will focus on four organizations that Awaz has had long standing relationships with for four years and center around these themes:
- Individual stories of artisans and how participation in a fair trade enterprise has changed their lives
- Growth of the organizations
- The growth of the fair trade movement in India
- Fair trade as a tool for women’s empowerment
- Environmental sustainability in fair trade
DONATE ONLINE TODAY. Join us by contributing to our 2013 Story Gathering Trip to India.
Our work is fundamentally rooted on relationships. In 2005 Sarah Mitts first went to India where she was impacted during her service learning experience in what she saw and felt. She founded Awaz in 2008 to share her experience and be a voice for the artisans and communities she met to bridge the gap and connect stories, cultures and humans. She quickly realized an opportunity for service (seva) to be able to further help these communities and create justice.The support for our work is growing and so is the interest to be part of a more just business model and fairer way to view everyday interactions that take into account the real cost of every day goods.
2% Giving Back Program
We are launching a 2% Giving Back Program and we aim to strengthen our work by supporting organizations on the ground in India and locally we want to give back to.
2% of our sales is our contribution to local community organizations and global partners to use your support to give back. We were inspired to help share with you great stories, organizations and products that change lives. We want to do more by helping you harness your choices and energy to create more positive change. We believe in the interconnectedness of our planet. What we do here affects our friends and family elsewhere, if not today, our future generations.GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
MEASURING THE IMPACT
- Measure the impact of fair trade on women and their social upliftment in the communities we work and share stories about cooperatives and Self Help Group Structures
- Strengthen our relationships and ways to serve
CAPACITY & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Share tools, ideas, market and product design info, green market trends
- Explore product and business development of environmentally friendly products that support local craft and expand our product line
- Discuss and share success stories of environmental and social movements in the U.S.
RECORD & SHARE STORIES
- Visit programs of non profit organizations around Dehradun working on environmentalsustainability, livelihood program and girl child education assess needs, learn and share stories, provide support
- Conduct interviews and video record artisan experiences and stories about their work
- Develop 6 short Youtube videos about the impact of fair trade in these communities with locals
- Research Social Entrepreneurship amongst young Indians
- Tell the Apparel Story and the new fair trade Organic Cotton Supply Chain
- Visit Labor Unions in New Delhi and research current issues around child Labor
DEVELOP SERVICE & CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM
- Develop on the ground logistics and travel program in partnership with locals for exchange program to Dehradun – work with locals to develop their eco-tourism project and create jobs
- Support the development of a Spiritual Voluntourism program around Dehradun with locals
Help support our efforts by shopping today or making a small contribution online.
$10 ~ $20 ~ $45 ~ $75 ~ $100
Financial contributions can be sent to:
Awaz
PO Box 15123
Portland, OR 97293
Your choices are karmic energy.
thank you for the role you play in building stronger communities across the globe.
many blessings,
Sarah & Rafael
Posted: January 18 2013
We like to test out new products at our Holiday Shows to gauge the community interest. This year we could barely keep these new Djembes and Maracas in stock! Lovers of African Decor, Musicians, Kids and drum circle enthusiasts alike loved these new fair trade instruments from Ojoba Collective.
We now offer you a unique collection of all natural, handcrafted traditional African instruments online that include these beautiful Djembes and Maracas.
These one of a kind handcrafted djembes feature all natural materials and are made by a small group of drum makers in Southern Ghana. The base of the drum is hand carved from Twen-a-bo-a, a sustainably harvested, fast growing hardwood that villagers plant around their villages - so no clear cutting the rainforest. The skin is "cruelty-free" goat leather, meaning that the goats were not commercially raised.
Includes printed case for easy storage
Available in small and large sizes HERE.
Ojoba Collective is a small Portland fair trade organization that has been trading with artisans in Africa for over 10 years. Working as teachers in a rural village in Ghana gave founders Johan and Tracey an up-close look at the challenges faced by local people in West Africa. Most live at a very subsistence level, and often go hungry, or cannot afford basic needs like health care and school fees. They realized that one of the biggest obstacles to development in the region was a basic lack of financial resources. They met so many wonderful, talented, and hardworking people, but there were simply not enough economic opportunities for them to improve their situations. Ojoba Collective was started in 2003 as a means to help poor villagers in West Africa gain a fair wage for their crafts.
If you got to pick up one of their 100% Pure Shea Butter Tins at our community shows, you'll love these too!
Posted: January 07 2013
Jubilee Oregon, one of our local community partner organizations working on economic justice issues is offering a great training that will highlight the local and global debt struggles and provide solutions.
Two topics will be discussed that seem unrelated but have, at their root, similar issues of economic fairness and justice. The first topic is the case study of Argentina's debt and of how hedge funds are trying to squeeze Argentina to repay loans that they purchased during Argentina's economically distressed time in 2001. These hedge funds are known as Vulture Funds. The second area is about economic injustice in our own community and country - students who have amassed huge student debt under false pretense and who will be saddled with unsustainable debt for the rest of their lives. We will discuss alternatives to the current systems that could prevent this large debt issue and some stop-gap ways that the system could be changed today to lessen the impacts of unsustainable student debt. This will be an interactive and action oriented event.
Date: January 23rd from 7 pm - 9 pm
Place: the Whitman Room at First Presbyterian Church, 1200 Southwest Alder Street in Portland
Free parking in the church parking area.
To RSVP or for more information, contact Jubilee Oregon
Jubilee Oregon is a chapter of the Jubilee USA Network, a non-profit advocacy organization that is dedicated to reducing poverty in the world.
We focus on the cancellation of odious and illegitimate debt that many developing nations face, thereby freeing up financial resources to serve their their own people. We work for the establishment of responsible lending and borrowing practices in the global economic system today.
We focus on the cancellation of odious and illegitimate debt that many developing nations face, thereby freeing up financial resources to serve their their own people. We work for the establishment of responsible lending and borrowing practices in the global economic system today.
Posted: December 22 2012
Posted: December 14 2012
Posted: December 13 2012
Preserving craft and traditions. Handcrafted block printed fabrics.
Stitched by women with joy. Empowering women through fair wages, economic empowerment, dignity and respect.
Use your purchasing power to create positive change.
Posted: December 13 2012
Check out what these weavers make at our online shop. And come on by and pick one up!
Discover a showroom of all natural, handcrafted hardwood furniture made by artisans in Indonesia from salvaged wood - and bring the presence of beauty to your home.
Posted: December 10 2012
Everyone who has read books on social change in India or even globally, has heard about SEWA. They are an amazing trade union for the unorganized sector and have helped thousands of people throughout India self-organize, secure livelihoods and have rights. I had the opportunity to visit them in 2010 and appreciate the work from their craft program and experience the great history of their work.
This short video is a depiction of the success of their work empowering women through income generation and cooperative assocations doing:
This short video is a depiction of the success of their work empowering women through income generation and cooperative assocations doing:
- selling plant seedlings
- food processing and package of spices and pulses
- crafts
- salt collection
- cleaning and sanitation cooperative for maintaining waste in villages
- production of vermi-compost
- business technology centers
| Self Employed Women’s Association | ||||||||||
| SEWA is a trade union registered in 1972. It is an organisation of poor, self-employed women workers. These are women who earn a living through their own labour or small businesses. They do not obtain regular salaried employment with welfare benefits like workers in the organised sector. They are the unprotected labour force of our country. Constituting 93% of the labour force, these are workers of the unorganised sector. Of the female labour force in India, more than 94% are in the unorganised sector. However their work is not counted and hence remains invisible. | SEWA’s main goals are to organise women workers for full employment. Full employment means employment whereby workers obtain work security, income security, food security and social security (at least health care, child care and shelter). SEWA organises women to ensure that every family obtains full employment. By self-reliance we mean that women should be autonomous and self-reliant, individually and collectively, both economically and in terms of their decision-making ability. | SEWA is both an organisation and a movement. The SEWA movement is enhanced by its being a sangam or confluence of three movements : the labour movement, the cooperative movement and the women’s movement. But it is also a movement of self-employed workers : their own, home-grown movement with women as the leaders. Through their own movement women become strong and visible. |  |
Posted: December 08 2012
At Awaz we continue to offer new products to encourage sustainable living by fostering our existing long term relationships with artisans and developing new ones. Utilizing these good relations and sustainable supply chains allow us to source the highest quality fibers that are mindful of the environment in which they are produced as well as where they end up.We are excited to announce an expanded offering of natural fiber clothing for both Men and Women featuring Organic Cotton from India, Cotton, Hemp and Wool blends from Nepal, Block Printed Plant Dyes from India and 100% Alpaca Wool from Bolivia.
All our fabrics and garments are woven, printed, embroidered and/or stitched by hand.
Our wide range of casual to dressy styles gives you a great selection, from button up shirts to everyday cotton leggings. We use traditional designs such as wood block printing and hand-woven fabrics adapting them to western tastes and styles for producing the highest quality natural fiber clothing.
Made for your active lifestyle, these pieces take you from running around town to an evening out. Certified organic and fair trade fashions from a women's co-op in Mumbai, India providing employment and economic independence for over 200 women.
The cotton in our line of organic clothing comes from an organization of 6,000 cotton farmers in Maharashtra, a state that has been plagued by high debts and farmer suicide.
Cotton farmers in India often do not receive a fair enough price to cover production costs. Many farmers have been forced to borrow money at extortionate rates from predatory lenders. Unable to repay debts or support their families, suicide is common. In the Amravati district of Maharashtra, 5,000 farmers commit suicide every year. Your purchase of organic and fair trade clothing grows the organic movement and helps farmers regain their self-dignity.
The cotton in our line of organic clothing comes from an organization of 6,000 cotton farmers in Maharashtra, a state that has been plagued by high debts and farmer suicide.
Cotton farmers in India often do not receive a fair enough price to cover production costs. Many farmers have been forced to borrow money at extortionate rates from predatory lenders. Unable to repay debts or support their families, suicide is common. In the Amravati district of Maharashtra, 5,000 farmers commit suicide every year. Your purchase of organic and fair trade clothing grows the organic movement and helps farmers regain their self-dignity.
Light weight handwoven cotton long-sleeve kurta style shirt, perfect for the cultured soul. This traditional Indian and Nepali shirt is our favorite top and features beautiful cotton threads.
Hemp comes in various weights for making our bags, hats, belts, wallets and vests. The heavier Hempyarns are hand spun and hand woven in the villages providing a steady source of employment and income. Our hemp yarns originate from natural wild hemp that grows sustainably in western Nepal. Hemp is the perfect crop for the Himalayas. It requires no cultivation or pesticides, is native, and has long been an economic asset for the rural mountain villages.
Our wool is a soft, high quality blend with long fibers for strength, warmth and durability. In some cases we blend two fibers for our knitwear creating a 50/50 hemp/wool blend.
Like these great warm winter hats and socks.
This blend creates soft heathery tones that compliment the brighter tones of all our wool knitwear.
Our products are carefully considered to create unique collections for mindful living. Now you can enjoy a clothing wardrobe that feels good and you can feel good about. we stand behind our goods quality, commitment and consistency is truly is a way of life.
Our commitment to natural fibers and sustainability is in all our products so you can fuel and wear change, everyday.
Awaz 2012 Holiday Event List - Join us for some Community Focused Alternative Holiday Shopping!
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Posted: November 06 2012
We are pleased to announce our jam packed holiday event list for your holiday shopping pleasure!
We hope that you will join us in supporting a just and ethical holiday season. We are a channel for social change and you are the driver. Please do think of supporting us this holiday!
We have many new products including clothing, hemp products, alpaca scarves and African Drums and Shea Butter. Always something new and fresh!
We have been working hard to organize and sponsor the 2012 Fair Trade Holiday Market series in Portland this year. We have some great local organizations represented with beautiful projects overseas needing your support.
Happy Holidays!
Saturday, November 10th
Alternative Gift Faire
10am-2pm
2948 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, Oregon
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 13-14th
Kansas State University Fair Trade Marketplace
Student Union
Our summer intern Melissa from the KSU Textile and Marketing Dept. will host a table for us. Sarah started this annual holiday event as an undergraduate student at KSU in early 2000.
Sunday, November 18th
Portland Fair Trade Holiday Market
sponsored by Northwest Fair TradeCoalition
10am – 3pm
First Unitarian Church
Buchan Building1011 SW 12th AvePortland, OR 97205Co-sponsored by Economic Justice Action GroupThis is the 1st of the series that Awaz is sponsoring this year! We'll have a big display for you and your shopping pleasure at all three!
Beginning the 20th of November until the end of December
Holiday Trunk Show at Tropical Salvage
Showroom / Warehouse
2233 NW York Street
2233 NW York Street
Featuring Awaz handloom cotton napkins, tablecloths and placemats
TropicalSalvage makes high quality, artisan crafted, furniture from reclaimed wood in Indonesia. In doing so, they create fair trade, conservation supportive jobs in Indonesia and support among consumers for conservation of bio-diverse and carbon-rich tropical forest ecosystems.
Take a walk in their showroom in NW and be amazed!
http://tropicalsalvage.com/
Friday-Sunday, November 23-25th
3rd Annual International National Gift Market
sponsored by Women's Opportunities Worldwide
We're glad to join this great annual event of local global justice organizations located in the heart of downtown Eugene. What a great place to promote fair trade to so many people!
Friday, November 30th
Aurora Artists Association
Holiday Open House
6:30 – 9:00 pm
21368 Hwy 99e
Aurora, OR 97002
We return to join local artists for their annual holiday show in the rural, antique town of Aurora, just south of Wilsonville. Discover one of Oregon’s oldest towns and their history for a day visit and evening gathering at the local coffee house and bakery. My favorite place!
Recommended stops:
- St. Josef Winery
- Aurora Movement and Healing Arts
- Colony Museum
- The Farm School
Saturday, December 1st
We will magically appear in two events this day in honor of World Aids Day!
Fair Trade Holiday Market
10am – 2pm
Meridian United Church of Christ
Frog Pond Church
6750 Boeckman Rd.
Wilsonville, OR.
1st Annual Ethical Holiday Shopping Bazaar
Hosted by Sister's Coffee Company and Eye See Media
4:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Sister's Coffee
1235 NW Marshall
Pearl District
Featuring ethical, fair trade and empowering businesses and products from around Oregon and Washington
Check out this awesome Ethical Holiday Shopping Guide they put out every year!
Sunday, December 2nd
4th Annual Holiday Market
12-5pm
McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse
22115 NW Imbrie Drive, Suite 310
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124
Saturday, December 8
Portland Fair Trade Holiday Market
sponsored by Northwest Fair Trade Coalition
10am – 3pm
Portland Mennonite Church
1312 Southeast 35th Avenue Portland, OR 97214 This is the 2nd big one Awaz is sponsoring this year! Sunday, December 9 Portland Fair Trade Holiday Market
sponsored by Northwest Fair Trade Coalition
11:30am – 2pmFirst Presbyterian ChurchGeneva Hall (basement)1200 SW Alder StreetPortland, Oregon 97205Co-sponsored by the Fair Trade Leadership Team of the Advocacy & Social Justice Committee
Multnomah Presbyterian ChurchMultnomah Village 7555 SW 45th Avenue and you can always shop online!
Posted: September 18 2012
For four years, we’ve been bringing the fair trade message to Portlanders and I’m excited to announce yet another way we want to help you bring fair trade into your life.
We are proud to announce the Awaz Fair Trade Buying Club for the Portland-metro that delivers high quality, ethically sourced food and everyday-use products at affordable rates, right to your door. With over ten years of experience working in the fair trade industry, we bring to you a variety of socially conscious, high quality goods that are available for your consumption direct from small producers around the world.
Awaz Fair Trade Buying Club
Natural, socially responsible and environmentally conscious goods brought to your door!
affordable ~ convenient ~ fair
Support small producers. Keep business small.
The buying club aims to help more people access the wide variety of fairly traded products available today by providing the added convenience of ordering direct from us and custom ordering. We specialize in affordable coffee, tea, food, kids toys, eco-clothing , stationery and gifts for your events, home-use , office building, daycare center, faith organization and community group.
In the 80 years of fair trade history, there has been an evolution of certified raw materials and products which are fairly traded that companies can source and offer, such as oils for cosmetics and clothing made from hemp and cotton.
We’ve handpicked some of the best natural skin care, clothing, kids toys and more we think you should know about and are now pleased to offer them to you!
 |
| Equal Exchange Chocolate Bars - order individually or per case! |
featuring:
Equal Exchange Organic Coffee, Chocolate, Tea and Snacks
including Olive Oil, Breakfast Bars and Baking Cocoa
 |
| peace making Olive Oil from Palestine only $14 |
 | |
| assorted herbals, greens and blacks - $3.50 for 20 tea bags in a box or $20 for 6 boxes |
Ojoba Collective 100% Pure Unrefined Shea Butter from Ghana
all around skin moisturizer rich in Vitamin A and E
great for healing dry skin, wrinkles and eczema
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| Just $12 for 4 oz tin - your purchase supports the 400 women of Ojoba Shea Cooperative |
Mr. Ellie Pooh Greeting Cards and Stationery from Elephant Dung from Sri Lanka
cards and notebooks from 100% recycled paper and elephant dung.assorted themes and designs available
Save elephants, save the environment.
 |
| Holiday Collection of cards and notebooks |
Awaz Natural Kids Collection
kids soft toys, mobiles, baby quilts and room decor from natural fibers
kids soft toys, mobiles, baby quilts and room decor from natural fibers
Eco Clothing and Fashion for Men and Womenmen's pants, traditional tops, women's skirts and tops, bags, belts, wallets from cotton and hemp
HOW TO ORDER:
Does your break room currently buy Folgers coffee from a big box store? Do you have an event coming up and need 60 fair trade chocolate bars? Do you sometimes buy fair trade products, but need someone to help you keep it stocked? Let us bring fair trade to you!
Send us an email and we'll send you the order form today!
sarah@voiceforempowerment.com
503-970-5847
Submit your orders by Wednesday each week for Friday delivery.
Minimum order $30.
Delivery location negotiable.
Free delivery on Portland-metro orders over $50.
Payment: cost on delivery. Cash, check or credit card.
Your consumption choices do make a difference. By supporting the Awaz Fair Trade Buying Club, you choose to create a new economic model that:
Does your break room currently buy Folgers coffee from a big box store? Do you have an event coming up and need 60 fair trade chocolate bars? Do you sometimes buy fair trade products, but need someone to help you keep it stocked? Let us bring fair trade to you!
Send us an email and we'll send you the order form today!
sarah@voiceforempowerment.com
503-970-5847
Submit your orders by Wednesday each week for Friday delivery.
Minimum order $30.
Delivery location negotiable.
Free delivery on Portland-metro orders over $50.
Payment: cost on delivery. Cash, check or credit card.
Your consumption choices do make a difference. By supporting the Awaz Fair Trade Buying Club, you choose to create a new economic model that:
- honors producers, consumers and the environment
- promotes transparency and respect in trade
- values the human connection
- sustains cultural traditions around the globe
- fuels just livelihoods and ethical business in your community
Awaz is a local Portland sustainable business dedicated to providing high quality, ethical products that consumers can feel good about. We trade direct with small producers and represent a network of farmer and artisan groups who make every day products for every day living.
Posted: August 16 2012
Eco-friendly. Ethical fashion. Conscious living.
These words are part of a sustainable lifestyle that has become part of our everyday lives. As we realize the importance of protecting our earth and its people, our everyday purchases can make a big impact. What we buy, where we buy, and who we buy from are key elements of creating positive karmic energy for that lifestyle. We are excited to begin offering a new line of ethical clothing for your everyday life.
We are proud to announce a new partnership with Raasta, an ethical clothing brand designed by Indian Textile Designer Sonica Kapur crafted by fair trade artisan groups in India. We are now a Wholesale Representative for Raasta on the West Coast with distribution from Portland, Oregon. The line features high quality, boho chic clothes and accessories including dresses, tunics, skirts, pants and jackets for the modern woman. Sonica has years of experience working in the fashion industry in the U.S. and India and has created a beautiful clothing line merging fair trade with mainstream fashion.
The clothing is made from all natural fibers, 100% cotton and silk and features hand-embroidery, appliqué, hand woven textiles, natural dyes and various other traditional craft work. We’re excited to offer more upscale fair trade fashion in align with our commitment to conscious living and natural fibers. We wouldn’t offer anything less!
The clothing is made from all natural fibers, 100% cotton and silk and features hand-embroidery, appliqué, hand woven textiles, natural dyes and various other traditional craft work. We’re excited to offer more upscale fair trade fashion in align with our commitment to conscious living and natural fibers. We wouldn’t offer anything less!
To see Raasta products and learn more visit www.raastaonline.com.
ORDER NOW
The Spring and Fall Collections represent contemporary silhouette designs and trendy colors fit for everyday living and work.
If you are a boutique that is interested in carrying the line, email us at sarah@voiceforempowerment for more information and a wholesale order form. We'd love to work with you! Do keep in mind there is a 3-month lead time for production.
For those who like what you see today, we’ve got some great classic pieces for your Summer wardrobe in stock now that will only last a few more weeks. They're going fast! Email sarah@voiceforempowerment.com to place your order.
Check out some of the fashions that could be in your closet this year!
Embroidered Cotton Summer Tunic
Colors: Lilac and Peach
Sizes: S-XL
Details: 100% Cotton, lightweight
Price: $44.00 plus $2.95 shipping or delivery
Email sarah@voiceforempowerment.com to place your order.
Classic Embroidered White Sundress
Sizes: S-XL
Details: 100% cotton, ruffles at bottom, lined, zipper
Price: $64.00 plus $2.95 shipping or delivery
Email sarah@voiceforempowerment.com to place your order.
Posted: August 16 2012
Hello! My name is Melissa Wilke. I am currently the Marketing Intern at Awaz. I am originally from Columbus, Nebraska and presently a student at Kansas State University. Over the past three years, I have been studying Apparel and Textile Marketing where I’ve learned about the slow fashion movement and seen how more businesses are offering for ethical and sustainable goods. Through this short but fast pace journey, I have found my passion for sustainability and fair trade. I think that it is important to understand where your products are coming from, as well as what had to happen to get them there. This includes the producer and the environment as well as the consumer. I have had the privilege of learning these aspects of the fashion industry through my professors and through K-State grad, Sarah Mitts. Sarah went to KSU where she founded the Fair Trade Advocates student organization. All of this inspired me to take part in the fair trade movement. When the opportunity to come out to Portland and work with Sarah came up, I didn’t hesitate to take advantage of it.The Slow Fashion movement is a growing part of our modern world that focuses on making fashionable products from eco-friendly and recycled materials. It goes hand-in-hand with the fair trade movement. Both emphasize the importance of fair wages, safe environmental practices, and healthy working conditions, all while producing a high quality product that the consumer will love. Awaz was featured in an article by the Portland Slow Fashioned team. Read it here!
More companies are moving towards sustainability and fair trade. Businesses such as Maggie’s Organics, focus on the importance of fair wages as well as what materials are used to make products. They offer natural fibers all around in their socks and apparel. They also hold high the value of connection between the producer and the consumer. Like Awaz, our products are sourced direct from the producer and delivered to you, cutting out the middlemen's cut and ensuring more money goes back to the producer. There are small businesses in almost every community where fair trade and sustainability come first. Enjoy ethically sourced goods, natural products and support a small business economic model that builds local economies through green business and social change. Awaz is proud to take part in this revolution.
Awaz currently launched their wholesale program and a new partnership with Raasta, a high-end ethical women's clothing line. I have been taking part in outreach to stores to get our products seen by more people, help expand sales, and share each products story so that we can be a voice for the women in India. Every purchase helps further their empowerment and the growth of a fair trade business model.
Here are a couple inspiring and useful links I like to use to stay up to date with sustainable fashion and economic change:
Posted: June 25 2012
Portland’s activist community is joining for a rally this Tuesday, the 26th to oppose Nestle from taking over Oregon’s water resources and building a water bottling plant in Cascade Locks, located on Oregon’s most prized river, the Columbia River Gorge.
Keep Nestlé Out of the Gorge Coalition including Food & Water Watch, Bark, Sierra Club, Oregon AFSCME, Occupy Portland, Sisters of the Holy Names, Resources for Health, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Environment Oregon, Oregon Wild and thousands of Oregonians have been leading a two-year campaign raising awareness and putting pressure on Oregon Governor Kitzhaber to deny Nestle permits to build the facility.
Water is a public resource shared by all Oregonians and should not be made into a commodity, privatized and made out of reach by the majority. Furthermore, building a large bottle water facility in the scenic Columbia River would destroy the local ecosystem and further allow corporations to profit off of depleting natural resources, exacerbating climate change.
It’s kind of amazing that this is even happening and it’s pretty important that individuals take a stand to protect our environment from corporate take over. They’re not going to stop unless we take action. Oregon is slowly at risk of losing its natural resource base with proposals like this and other current developments like transporting coal exports from Montana through the Gorge too. Read up on this too and get behind Portland’s community organizations fighting against coal.As a native Oregonian, I am proud of the Pacific Northwest’s leadership in environmental stewardship and conservation. However, I am more and more appalled at the contradiction of the ongoing development I see inside the city limits, struggling public education system over 50% dropout rate, excessive corporate interests in public entities and support for a facility that will flood our communities with plastic water bottles!
We’ve got a long way to go for Oregon to be a leader in social, economic and environmental equality - our policies and institutions need to be challenged and held accountable.
NESTLE GORGE TAKEOVER 101
The people at Reddit.com/ Portland explained the situation quite well, need I not rephrase the debate:
“Nestle has proposed to build a water bottling plant in the city of Cascade Locks, tapping over 150 million gallons of water each year out of Oxbow Spring. The spring currently feeds a fish hatchery and is also a critical habitat for threatened steelhead. They would then replace the spring with municipal well water which would involve another new infrastructure to treat and cool the replacement water. Nestle would be paying less than 1/5 of a cent per gallon for the water, making a 1500% profit to sell it back to local communities. In addition, the corporation has already stated they will not be responsible for the local infrastructure and will require a 10 year tax break. Local taxpayers will be footing the bill for pipes, not to mention the roads that will be destroyed by 200+ trucks in and out of the Gorge each day. Nestle is the largest food and beverage corporation in the world, with a long list of corporate crimes and they want to take advantage of a community that is down on it's luck. They promise to bring 48 jobs to the area, but the average water bottling plant employs only 24 people in low wage, dangerous jobs.”
My comments:
Just like with Free Trade Agreements, tax breaks for corporations deplete the state’s tax base for social and public services. This is why governments are cutting funding for education, art and everything else they’re suppose to provide to the people. The 1% who profit so much off of the 99% are continuously reaping benefits and not paying for it and the common good suffer.I believe incentives to corporations like this are unjust and should not exist.
Just like the Army and our defense programs, corporations prey on rural communities and struggling cities to set up shop and use their power and prestige to lure, exploit and take over. I lived in a small town in Southeast Kansas in which Wal-Mart built and moved three times, each time building a larger Supercenter and cutting out local business. This small Midwestern town is pretty much a manufacturing hub and distribution center with workers for Amazon.com and Boeing. Now most people just work for the Chemical Plant and Refinery that bought out half the town and built up alongside the African-American communities across the railroad tracks on the east side of town.
It’s sad how communities and ethnic groups are marginalized, divided and preyed upon by those with power. I believe that it is these attitudes and values reflected in actions by corporations and our government bodies which perpetuate classism, racism and division amongst people today. This division continues to lead to violence, war fare and crimes against women, people and the environment. These themes are relevant to many global issues we are facing today.
You can see similar linkages in Portland Central America Solidarity Committee Awaz supported campaign to get Wells Fargo to divest from funding the corporate prison system, which perpetuates racism and creates profits off of immigrants and people of color. READ MORE.
PERMITS AND APPEALS
According to the Keep Nestlé Out of the Gorge Coalition website, in 2010, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) filed an application with Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) to exchange its spring water with the City of Cascade Locks so that the city could sell their water to Nestlé.
On February 29th, 2012 the OWRD approved two of the three necessary OWRD permits for the Nestlé Water Bottling Plant and initiated a 30-day protest period for public appeal of the permits. Bark and the Keep Nestlé Out of the Gorge Coalitiontook action and appealed the approval of permit applications. While any member of the public can protest the permit, many individuals have identified that the fees for filing such appeals are prohibitive, with each of the two permits requiring a $600 filing fee and additional hidden costs associated with seeing the protest through.
Governor Kitzhaber has the power to advise the OWRD to deny the water exchange application
that would give away Oregon’s water so that Nestlé can bottle it.
It is the State’s job to safeguard Oregon’s public resources, especially our precious water resources for the benefit of all Oregonians, not multinational corporations. Allowing the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to move forward with this water rights exchange would permit a state-owned resource to be used for a private business model that is unsustainable,” said, Jackie Dingfelder, Oregon State Senator for District 23.
Food and Water Watch Oregon organizers have been actively involved in spearheading this campaign in Oregon. As an advocate for safe and healthy food and water policy, the national organization works to ensure the food, water and fish we consume is safe, accessible and sustainably produced. They currently are working on reforming the Farm Bill, which is in charge of agricultural subsidies to farmers.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
My favorite is this pdf they developed titled:
Water Privatization is not a new issues – it’s happening and has been happening worldwide.
Blue Gold - an excellent film about the world water wars in the U.S. and around the globe.
Keep Nestle Out of the Gorge Rally!
Tuesday, June 26th at 4pm
Terry Schrunk Plaza
Southwest Madison Street and 3rd Ave
Portland, OR
We need to tell Governor Kitzhaber: Either you stand with Oregonians or you stand with Nestlé!
Posted: June 04 2012
Awaz is proud to offer some beautiful new products this spring! Make sure to visit our Shop or come down to the Market every weekend to see it for yourself! The booth at the Market is open every weekend, 10-5:30 on Saturdays and 11-5 on Sundays. We look forward to seeing you there!
Some of these items are only available at the market, so be sure to stop by! At the very least, come by to sample the
All through the month of June, we are having a SALE! To showcase the great new jewelry we have in stock, we're offering a 10% discount on ALL jewelry, both online and at the market! Come by and see great pieces like these earrings, the perfect addition to any wardrobe. for work or a night on the town:
Headbands are all the rage these days, so why not buy Fair Trade when you can? We have lots of great colors and patterns to choose from, and the're only $6!
We have some lovely new bags in from MESH. These are 100% cotton, hand-woven bags that showcase the extraordinary traditional craftsmanship of working a loom! These gorgeous bags are only $26. The sunburst style bags come in a lovely orange or green, and the blue bag features great large buttons on the side; the perfect accent to such a gorgeous bag! The bag is wonderful for a night on the town! It is sophisticated, and showcases wonderful, beautiful hand-embroidery work!
Some of these items are only available at the market, so be sure to stop by! At the very least, come by to sample the
Jewelry
All through the month of June, we are having a SALE! To showcase the great new jewelry we have in stock, we're offering a 10% discount on ALL jewelry, both online and at the market! Come by and see great pieces like these earrings, the perfect addition to any wardrobe. for work or a night on the town:
These wonderful earrings are only $8! We have several colors to choose from.
These rings are only $6! These are funky and sure to add a unique sense of style to any outfit!
Headbands
Headbands are all the rage these days, so why not buy Fair Trade when you can? We have lots of great colors and patterns to choose from, and the're only $6!
Show off your style and your commitment to fair trade! These are perfect for the warmer weather.
Bags
We have some lovely new bags in from MESH. These are 100% cotton, hand-woven bags that showcase the extraordinary traditional craftsmanship of working a loom! These gorgeous bags are only $26. The sunburst style bags come in a lovely orange or green, and the blue bag features great large buttons on the side; the perfect accent to such a gorgeous bag! The bag is wonderful for a night on the town! It is sophisticated, and showcases wonderful, beautiful hand-embroidery work!
$26 MARKET ONLY
$26 MARKET ONLY
$26 MARKET ONLY
A detail of the embroidery work. Amazing, and remember, it's ALL done by HAND!
See more of the lovely things we sell at the market on our facebook page!
Posted: May 26 2012
I recently came across an article on The Huffington post about proposed changes to WTO regulations about how a product is labeled. If the changes are made, country of origin will no longer be printed on tags, but will instead say "Made in the World". It is really disturbing how much unregulated power the WTO has to change trade/labeling rules. According to the WTO, "This new database allows trade analysts to have a better view of the global value chains created by world trade. These added-value chains have become an essential feature of our economic reality as trade is becoming increasingly globalized and today’s traded products are not produced in a single location but are the end-result of a series of steps carried out in many countries around the world."
If the new labeling changes took place, there would be even fewer barriers to companies putting exploitative factories in place. There would also be less accountability for companies, who could easily skirt certain regulations and rules. By not placing a country of origin, and no other explanatory labeling or oversight, we open ourselves up to harmful products. "This Initiative could have dire consequences for America's manufacturers and consumers. For manufacturers, it could eliminate one of the options allowed by the WTO -- filing a charge for product "dumping" against another country to have countervailing duties applied against that country. For consumers, "Made in the World" labels wouldn't allow you to protect your family from the tainted, harmful, and even life threatening products coming from China. You wouldn't be able to support saving and creating jobs for other Americans by buying 'Made in the USA'. "
I would be most concerned about the lack of oversight about products made harmfully, either for the producers, the consumer, or the planet. If a product has a "Made in the World" label, we can have no way of knowing if a product was hammered together outside of a nuclear waste factory then painted with lead paints in China. I am exaggerating, but I fear the reality might not be far off. If certain modes of production are cheaper from one country to the next, companies will gladly and quickly move them accordingly. And these are concerns for consumers in the US and other countries.
The Huffington Post article focuses on the harms this new system would have on Americans, but what about the artisans and producers we rely on for our commodities? They are the most vulnerable population, and should be considered. Americans have more freedom and opportunity than most to educate themselves about their products, where they come from, and to make decisions on which product to buy -- for example, purchasing a fair trade scarf rather than one from Walmart.
Globalization is changing business models and increasing fragmentation of production. Companies divide their operations around the world, from product design, manufacturing, to assembly and marketing, creating global production chains. More and more products are "made in the world" rather than in any particular country. Today's traded products are not produced in a single location but are the end-result of a series of steps carried out in many countries around the world. For example, cars and trucks produced by General Motors or Ford may have parts and assemblies coming from several other countries, including China.
The above quote is absolutely true. Most products that you buy in stores are made in several different countries, so the company can maximize profit by moving the production line across country borders for the cheapest mode of production. The new label would encourage this even more, since companies would not be hindered by customs labels or rules.
However there are organizations that aim to preserve the production chain and keep things transparent, which is a solid tenant of Fair Trade organizations and agencies. One in particular is called The Fair Tracing Project, which aims to "support Ethical Trade by implementing IT Tracking and Tracing Technologies in supply chains to provide consumers and producers with enhanced information. Digital tracing technology enables each individual product to be both given a unique identity and tracked throughout the value chain from producer to consumer. The information that may be attached to such a “tagged” product is virtually limitless, beginning with details of the product’s date and cost of creation, as well as its individual creator and his/her working environment and pay, through the various steps of its transport to the eventual point-of-sale to the consumer."
Fair Trade Proof Index is another organization committed to a transparent production line, and have set a up a system for every consumer to trace their coffee!
Keeping oneself educated is one of the most important things we can do, especially if that education informs our shopping decisions. The power of the almighty dollar is strong! Continue to support those companies whose values align with yours, and who keep producers in mind when creating new products.
This is an interesting topic, and we welcome your opinion! Drop us a comment here, or on our facebook page!
Also, make sure to support the Northwest Fair Trade Coalition's Fair Trade Directory, to make sure that supporting fair trade in Portland is as easy as can be! Our goal is for fair trade to be as accessible as possible for all members of our community!
Posted: May 16 2012
Tomorrow is the Big Night with Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps! We are very excited to be able to give away free samples of some of their products. This stuff really does it all! In honor of that, we wanted to share with you some other uses besides just washing your hands.
The most well-known of the Dr. Bronner's products is the Castile Soap. This stuff is baby-gentle and can be used even with the most sensitive skin. Castile soap is also the base for many homemade body washes and cleaners that are safe for the home, the environment, and your family! Body washes you buy in the store have so many hidden ingredients like fragrances, sulfates, and other things that you might not want to put on your body every day. This recipe is pretty simple, and requires just a few extra ingredients that you can save to use in other things, like when you make these simple homemade cleaning solutions!
So here is one idea of what to do with your very own Dr. Bronner's Fair Trade Castile Soap! I found the recipe online the other day and am really excited to make it! If you do make it, let us know what you think!
The original recipe can be found here. Not only is this easy, but its CHEAP and lasts forever!
Swap out oils and infusion ingredients to make a recipe that’s perfect for your skin. This would be a fun project to try with kids too.
2. In a bowl whisk your oil, honey, infusion, and citric acid together.
3. Sprinkle in the guar gum, whisking to combine, and then immediately afterward whisk in the castile soap (if you wait too long the guar gum will thicken and you’ll have clumps) until blended and smooth.
4. Drop in your essential oils and fold in with a spoon or spatula. Store the mixture in a bottle that you have sterilized (opaque is best) out of direct sunlight and shake before each use.
~~ If you don't have any coconut oil, you can swap out with olive, grapeseed, almond, jojoba, apricot kernel or any other oil. ~~~
PLEASE NOTE: As this recipe only contains mild natural preservatives (citric acid) and has not been created by a chemist, you may want to store the finished body wash in your refrigerator or make a batch small enough to use within 3-4 days. It is very important that you sterilize (boiling water or the dishwasher will do) all implements that will be used to avoid introducing any bacteria into your bodywash. We personally have not had any issues with bacterial contamination and are still using a bottle from a large batch that was made over 6 months ago that has never been refrigerated.
So here is one idea of what to do with your very own Dr. Bronner's Fair Trade Castile Soap! I found the recipe online the other day and am really excited to make it! If you do make it, let us know what you think!
The original recipe can be found here. Not only is this easy, but its CHEAP and lasts forever!
Swap out oils and infusion ingredients to make a recipe that’s perfect for your skin. This would be a fun project to try with kids too.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 Tbs steel cut oats (optional - to infuse)
- 1 sprig of rosemary (optional - to infuse)
- 1 c. distilled water
- 1 Tsp citric acid (to prevent bacterial growth in your bodywash)
- 2 Tbs coconut oil (Dr. Bronner's makes this too!)
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1-1/2 c. liquid castile soap (Dr Bronner’s)
- 1 tsp guar gum (you can find it in most markets that carry natural foods with the Bob’s Red Mill grains)
- 30 drops essential oils (your preference - I used a blend of lavender, chamomile, and lemongrass)
DIRECTIONS
1. Boil water in a kettle and once boiling pour over the oats and rosemary (or whatever you decide to infuse). Cover and let sit for an hour, then strain to remove oats and rosemary bits from your infusion.2. In a bowl whisk your oil, honey, infusion, and citric acid together.
3. Sprinkle in the guar gum, whisking to combine, and then immediately afterward whisk in the castile soap (if you wait too long the guar gum will thicken and you’ll have clumps) until blended and smooth.
4. Drop in your essential oils and fold in with a spoon or spatula. Store the mixture in a bottle that you have sterilized (opaque is best) out of direct sunlight and shake before each use.
~~ If you don't have any coconut oil, you can swap out with olive, grapeseed, almond, jojoba, apricot kernel or any other oil. ~~~
PLEASE NOTE: As this recipe only contains mild natural preservatives (citric acid) and has not been created by a chemist, you may want to store the finished body wash in your refrigerator or make a batch small enough to use within 3-4 days. It is very important that you sterilize (boiling water or the dishwasher will do) all implements that will be used to avoid introducing any bacteria into your bodywash. We personally have not had any issues with bacterial contamination and are still using a bottle from a large batch that was made over 6 months ago that has never been refrigerated.
ENJOY! Let us know what you think, and we'll see you TOMORROW!
May 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
1033 SE Main St.
Special Guests: Dr. Bronner's Soaps and Fair World Project
Posted: May 15 2012
Join Dr. Bronner's for May's Fair Trade Third Thursday: May 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
1033 SE Main St.
At the next Third Thursday event, Dr. Bronner's Soaps will show a short video about their work and discuss why fair trade is an important part of their business model.
We will also be joined by Dana from The Fair World Project! This is an excellent publication that we always have at our table for you to take home. The FWP's mission is to "promote organic and fair trade practices and transparent third-party certification of producers, manufacturers and products, both here and abroad. Through consumer education and advocacy, FWP supports dedicated fair trade producers and brands, and insists on integrity in use of the term “fair trade” in certification, labeling and marketing."
