Artesan Profile: Sacred Mark Enterprise, Bangladesh
Guest blogger Ishrat Jahan Deepa, Unit Manager – Sacred Mark Enterprise Established in March 2009, by the Mennonite Central Committee in Bangladesh (MCCB) Sacred Mark Enterprise provides alternative employment for former sex workers. The stories of these women involve abuse, victimization, trauma, and pain. A widow, an orphan, a rape victim, a mother with no […]
Songa Designs launches the Basket Collection
An Artesan Gateway Alert! We recently caught up with our friends at Songa Designs to learn more about their launch of their new Basket Collection. Founder Sarah Sternberg, brought us up to speed on how the collection came about. AG: How did the Basket Collection come about? What prompted you to diversify your products? Handmade […]
Artesan Profile: Bunosilo, India
Tell us about Bunosilo. Bunosilo, started in November 2015, So it’s just 4 months old now! We provide good quality, well fitting, handcrafted clothes made out of hand loomed fabric to the customers worldwide. We aim at promoting the dying craft techniques of our country and to generate sustainable employment opportunities to them. We also […]
Artesan Profile : Lumago Designs, Philippines
Lumago, means “to blossom” in the national Filipino language, and was founded by an American Social worker, Whitney Fleming, in 2011 when a huge typhoon devastated parts of the impoverished community on our city’s dumpsite, located next to the Banica River. Subsequently, to find another source of income, a group of women from the community […]
Social Impact Series: Eva Hernández Tolentino, Amarella – Mexico
In celebration of International Women’s Day, we are showcasing the individuals who make up the artisan industry. Today, we are honoured to presentEva Hernández Tolentino who works with Amarella. My name is Eva Hernández Tolentino. I was the first artisan to join Amarella´s team. I currently live with one of my sons, my daughter and my husband. […]
Social Impact Series: Minke Dancha, Connected in Hope – Ethiopia
In honour of International Women’s Day, we are showcasing the individuals who make up the artisan industry. Today, we are honoured to present Minke Dancha who works with Connected In Hope. My name is Minke Dancha and I think I am about 60 years old. I live with my three sons and one daughter. I […]
Letting serendipity lead to a weaving village in Laos
Guest blogger Mary Louise Marino is a startup social entrepreneur and founder of Indigo Lion Artisan Boutique. Her three-month journey across Southeast Asia and Northeast India is in part to connect with artisan groups, learn about their work, and begin selecting her initial collection for her shop. Serendipity connected her with village weavers in Thabou […]
Artesan Profile: GLO Creations, Rwanda
GLO Creations, a textile design company, founded by Gloria Kamanzi Uwizera in 2008, produces both fashion and home decor items. Derived from the founder’s name, the brand aspires to design and create products that “glow”. With a small team of five, GLO Creations line of products include the following: t-shirts for kids and adults; men […]
Notes from the field: reflections on working with big retail
by guest blogger Sarah Sternberg For many producer groups and artisans, getting an order from one of the big retailers is the dream. We wanted to learn more about what it takes to achieve that goal and reached out to our friends at Songa Designs to learn more from founder Sarah Sternberg. Three years ago […]
Social Impact Stories: Durga Maharjan, Higher Ground Nepal
Showcasing the individuals who make up the artisan industry. Higher Ground Nepal My name is Durga Maharjan. I’m 35 years old single mother. My daughter is 16 years old and goes to college. Since my husband left me when my daughter was a child, we are just two in the family, mother and daughter. My […]