Providing a platform for local networks
On 15th October, we had the privilege of hosting the inaugural Fair Play Forum in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Convening social businesses, NGOs, artisan producers and fashion students involved in the craft and artisan sector, the Forum provided a platform for each of the stakeholders to engage with each other in meaningful conversation. Leaders from Arayana, DEW, […]
Social Impact Stories: Jeanne Nyirangiinshuti, Songa Designs Rwanda
Showcasing the individuals who make up the artisan industry. Songa Designs My name is Jeanne Nyirangiinshuti. They used to call me Mama Kibaki. I am working at a cooperative called Buranga mean ‘Beauty’, since 2008 and I am in charge of quality control. I am 34 years old, married with 3 kids. I have finished […]
Social Impact Stories: Moyna, Basha Bangladesh
Showcasing the individuals who make up the artisan industry. Basha Moyna* has husband and son who is 3 years old. Her husband works and earns 300 Taka per day by which they purchase food. She pays the house rent, cable bill and puts some money in savings. Her husband says he is contributes a lot […]
Fair Trade: Thoughts From the Field
Fair Trade is a movement that has gained momentum over the last several years, and its principles it has excited for decades. The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) has defined 10 Principles of Fair Trade which include: Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers;Transparency and Accountability; Fair Trading Practices; Payment of a Fair Price; Ensuring no […]
Trade & Cross-cultural influences in the crafts industry
On a recent visit to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, I was reminded of how over the centuries, trade and commerce has played a role in cross-cultural influences on craft production and development. An exhibition titled, Made in the Americas: The New World Discovers Asia, focused on the influence Asia had on the […]
Recycled and Repurposed
Recycled and repurposed items are not only for those on a budget, looking to decorate one’s space with creative and inventive products, it is big business too. These stools made from discarded fans and scrap wire by Hong Kong based KaCaMa Design Lab are a perfect example of post consumer waste materials to create functional […]
Upcoming Holiday Market, Silver Spring MD, USA: Shop for Unique Gifts and Celebrate Entrepreneurship!
Featured earlier this month in a post about the different Christmas and Holiday markets for artisan groups, Empowered Women International’s (EWI) Third Annual Artisan Gifts & Food Marketplace takes place on Sunday, November 15th, 2015. Where: Silver Spring Civic Building, Silver Spring, Maryland When: Sunday, November 15th, 2015 10:30am-5:00pm Admission: $5 Much more than just […]
Artesan Profile: Songa Designs, Rwanda
Based in Kigali, Rwanda, and San Diego, California, USA, Songa Designs works with artisan cooperatives throughout the country and creates jobs for skilled women to enable them to earn economic independence. The Artesan Gateway spoke with country Director Gilbert Kubwimana to learn more. AG: Tell us about Songa Designs. GK: We currently employ close to […]
Higher Ground Nepal receives inaugural IIX-N-Peace Innovation Challenge
The Artesan Gateway was thrilled to learn news that Higher Ground Nepal, was one of six organizations to receive the inaugural IIX-N-Peace Innovation Challenge. Focused on organizations based in Asia, the challenge identifies and supports organizations that are deemed “Impact Enterprises” who “work to empower women, engage youth and catalyze innovation and technology” and support […]
Amazon launches new Handmade Crafts site!
On Thursday, 8 October 2015, Amazon launched a new department – Handmade at Amazon. I was pleasantly surprised to see this when I logged onto Amazon earlier this week and poked around the department to see if I could learn more. Handmade crafts have been making a comeback over the last few years, with sites […]