Newsletter - March 2011

WorldFinds Fair Trade Newsletter - March 2011
  MARCH 2011    
 

Message from the Founder

Welcome to our newly-designed newsletter!!! We thought spring seemed like the perfect time to blossom and bloom in some new directions!

We have had so much going on – the winter trade shows were great to connect with many of our customers and it was exciting to see first-hand such positive reactions to our new collection, and then we journeyed across the globe to work with our artisan groups in India. Now that our spring shipment has arrived, we're gearing up for Earth Day, Mother's Day and of course the Fair Trade Federation Conference and World Fair Trade Day.

Amidst all of the spring craziness (we're also nearly finished designing our Fall collection!) we want to take a moment to thank our loyal customers for allowing us to keep doing what we love, and most importantly for creating positive changes in the lives of our artisans.

This year marks WorldFinds 10th Anniversary, and we'll be celebrating in a variety of ways throughout the year. Watch this space in the coming months for more details...

Wishing you a wonderful & celebratory spring!

Kelly

Artisan Visit — India

I just got back from an amazing trip meeting with our artisan groups in northern India.  I visit regularly, but each time shows so much change and (mostly) progress that I never know what will be new upon my return.  In the village of Sultan Puri, where our women's cooperative is based, the road leading up to the main office had finally been paved.

I spent some time with Neelam, one of the artisans we've worked with for several years. She is featured on our website and also on our artisan story cards. She is doing really well, and her little baby has grown and will be ready to start preschool next year. That would never have been possible (her child is a girl) without regular jewelry orders and the education and training provided through fair trade. I also got to see a new school for girls and a tailoring training facility that had been founded in the communities of beading groups in Tajpur Pahari. We also had the opportunity to see a community center and learn how one of the self-help group's founder, Sunita, who has herself grown from being a shy, quiet woman to becoming the community's leader and head social worker, and subsequently the catalyst for changes that she herself couldn't have imagined just a few years ago.

I am always left with the request that the artisans still need more work, no matter how much our orders have grown in the last year. There are a seemingly infinite number of women who could be trained and brought into these self-help groups and cooperatives, if there was enough work for them. So that is my challenge – our challenge in the fair trade community, to continue to grow responsibly and organically, but perhaps just a tad quicker now that the economy is starting to recover! So that we can deliver on their request.

Please visit YouTube to see a short video we took.

WorldFinds Spring Product Guide

Spring is here! Well it is almost here. And since most blossoms are still hibernating underground, why not coax them out by wearing them instead? These beautiful flowers will bloom all year around. Here are just a few highlights from our Spring 2011 Collection.

JEWELRY COLLECTION

Chrysanthemum Statement Rings (item # AC-463)

You'll use hand gestures much more frequently just to garner compliments on this fabulous statement ring. Faceted glass beads with brass wire.

  • Available in seven fabulous colors: Teal, Burgundy, Plum, Olive, or Black. New for Spring (see above) Teal Tones & Multicolor
  • Handmade by low-income women artisans near New Delhi, India, who are part of a women's cooperative.

This jewelry collection also includes: great-selling Basketweave & Studded Cuff Bracelets, Ciara Chandelier Earrings, and the vibrant, multicolor Analise Necklace. All are designed by WorldFinds and handmade by our talented women artisans in India.

Shop our Jewelry Collection.

STERLING SILVER COLLECTION

Brushed Blossom Earrings
(item # SLV-242)

Each brushed petal slightly arcs to form a dome around the post backs.

 

 

Brushed Blossom Ring
(item #SLV-243)

The petals have a subtly-brushed texture and arc ever-so-slightly.

This collection also includes our Clinging Spheres Shell Necklace , Waterfall, and Oval Shell Droplet Earrings. All are designed by WorldFinds, and handmade by artisans who are part of a fair trade organization in Bali, Indonesia.

Shop our Sterling Silver Collection.

ACCESSORIES COLLECTION

Beaded Lilies Headband
(item # AC-491-multi)

These lilies have been gilded with vibrant glass beads, and are backed on soft black felt.

  • Available in Teal/Plum
  • Handmade by low-income women artisans in New Delhi, India, who are part of a fair trade organization.

This collection also includes: recycled kantha textile accessories, including headbands, business card holders and kisslock coin purses. We also have added bright new colors in some of our best-selling recycled sari accessories.

Shop our Accessories Collection.

More New Arrivals

This spring, discover hand-stitched recycled kantha textile accessories, rock-n-roll stud cuff bracelets, and exquisite necklaces with bright, faceted beads. We have nearly 50 new fair trade products handmade by talented artisans in India and Indonesia. Please see our New Arrivals section for all the details!

 

 
In This Issue...

Calendar of Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

APRIL

April 22 - Earth Day

MAY

May 1-2
Museum Store Association Show, Rosemont, IL, Booth # 543

May 6-8
Fair Trade Federation Conference, Milwaukee, WI

May 8
Mother's Day

May 14
World Fair Trade Day

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Fair Trade Federation Green America Chicago Free Trade

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121 West 61st Street
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info@worldfinds.com

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