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Why Handmade’s Hot Socially conscious shoppers are outfitting their homes with handmade products that aren’t just stylish, they come with a story. From co-op to kitchen, here’s why handmade’s hot It’s a match made in heaven when modern-day consumers and fair-trade followers tie the knot. Created to build equal trading relationships between today’s shoppers and economically disadvantaged artisans throughout the world, the fair-trade movement speaks to both the style-savvy and the socially conscious. “Fair trade is about empowering the people behind the product,” says Amy Schilling, public relations director for World of Good, Berkeley, Calif., which markets gifts and housewares from fair-trade artisan cooperatives. But the team at World of Good understands the business behind their mission. They work with artisans that are fashion forward, keeping up with trends and only selling handmade products of the highest quality, in both function and form. “We understand the needs and wants of the consumer. Our mission to support the artisans is almost an added bonus,” says Schilling. And while fair trade originally gained momentum in the ’80s with the coffee industry, Schilling observes that today the home décor and furniture sector is the fastest growing fair-trade product category. In 2006, World of Good sold more than 100,000 handmade items, crafted by more than 130 artisan groups in 31 countries. Internationally In-sync The timing couldn’t be better to develop a social awareness. “You see global on every level in every magazine. People want international, not traditional, today,” says Carol Heidbrink, a Dallas-based interior designer. And as editors at Domino Magazine observe, this trend goes beyond this season’s next “must have.” So much so, the fashion magazine for the home dedicates an entire issue to the subject. “Shoppers are becoming even more invested in where their goods originate. It’s about connecting with pieces you buy on a more intimate level – knowing where materials are from, who handled them,” says Ruth Altchek, a Domino senior associate editor who headed the upcoming “green” issue. Activists share similar sentiments. For Carmen K. Iezzi, executive director for the Fair Trade Federation, Washington, D.C., it’s about making choices. “Once a consumer realizes a piece won’t cost more, it’s beautifully handcrafted and has a direct positive impact on the community from which it was created, the choice is simple,” she says. Take some of World of Good’s bamboo housewares. The bowls and serving trays are cleaned and split by Vietnamese artisans before being hand-coiled into their unique, yet functional designs. The end product is a dish that serves a story at every meal. What It Means to Be Fair Trade But it’s more about ethical business practices than a nonprofit mission. Buying a product with the Fair Trade Federation’s stamp of approval means knowing that all parties involved in the process support the seven principals of fair trade: fair wages, cooperative workplaces, consumer education, environmental sustainability, financial and technical support, respect for cultural identity, and public accountability. At World of Good, supporting fair trade means supporting future generations. “Eighty percent of the artists we work with are women,” says Schilling. “And this means their earnings are passed on to their children through nutrition, education and housing. And with that, the benefits of fair trade are immeasurable.” Talk about bang for your buck.  Handmade housewares bring style and a story to the table. Here, a woven water hyacinth basket with coconut-shell salad servers. Where to Shop From influential designers and big-name retailers, to online catalogs and in-store kiosks, promoting fair trade is about consumer accessibility. “The trend reflects a desire to be more citizens of the world, not just in design but to remain informed and continue to learn about other cultures,” says famed Chicago designer Nate Berkus. “It creates a less egocentric interior and reminds us that we are a part of the larger world.” Evident in his recent collection for Linens-N-Things, Berkus reflects an African inspiration, from his Kenya dinnerware line to all-natural, hand-loomed rugs and throws. With handmade products like Vietnamese bamboo baskets or Thai coconut-shell bowls, it’s easy to find items that are as culturally distinct as their style. But it’s not always easy to find the nearest purveyor in your area. Fair-trade supporters can net a large reach with Web sites. Many sites feature ZIP-code searches that will bring up a host of stores that sell fair-trade products in your area. Also, contacting your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau will help you find retailers specializing in handmade specialties. The Fair Trade Federation’s Web site – fairtradefederation.org – provides links to its members, highlighting retail stores, Web sites and other organizations. From designer showrooms to specialty shops, glossy magazine spreads to online catalogs, a once quiet fair-trade movement speaks up. Material wants meet global needs when consumers tune in to their purchase power. Being able to bring baskets from Africa and textiles from Asia under one roof without traveling to the ends of the earth is one trend worth listening to. |
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