More product development tips – what to avoid!
A few months back, guest blogger Nishant Das shared with us 6 Simple Product Development Tips, in which he outlined a useful steps on product development. We recently came across an equally helpful guide on Outerspace by Jarrod Baker: 5 Common Product Development Mistakes You Should Avoid. Baker highlights some of the common mistakes […]
Unique dishes : Papier Mache bowls that look like crockery!
Social entrepreneur and papier mache aficionado Paul Dass has come out with series of new papier mache products that we couldn’t wait to share! These papier mache bowls and dishes look just like crockery and could have fooled us. Paul is the founder and director of proVision India, a nonprofit that develops practical, sustainable ways […]
3 models of social entrepreneurship
Through our work in this sector, we routinely come across highly talented and passionate social entrepreneurs dedicated to developing the skills of the marginalized and disenfranchised through craft production and/or preserving traditional crafts. Their work is often immense as they are not only developing a workforce but running a business too. Many struggle with […]
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 […]
Sustainability in Gift, Home Decor and Fashion
This past weekend, we got to visit the Handmade Global Design section at the NY NOW trade show and it was terrific to catch up with some old friends (including Aid to Artisans , Darzah, Child’s Cup Full and Stitchwallah) and make new friends too! With the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals fresh on everyone’s mind, […]
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 […]
The start of many beautiful conversations
by guest blogger Mary Louise Marino Artesan Gateway friend and supporter Mary Louise Marino has recently embarked on a three month journey in Asia, in part to enable the launch of Indigo Lion Artisan Boutique. We are delighted to share her reflections at the start of this journey. In these past two weeks, still at […]
Social Entrepreneurs are the way forward!
As many of the artisan groups with whom we’ve networked with have been founded by social entrepreneurs, we wanted to share this great article and interview with the CEO and founder of Ashoka, Bill Drayton. Featured on the NextBillion’s blog, The Imperative of Change – An Interview with Bill Drayton, provides some great insight on […]