Artesan Profile: Mayamiko, Malawi & UK

Having worked in the two thirds world in developing economies, Paola Masperi founded Mayamiko in 2008 as a charitable project with the aim of turning it into a sustainable business. Patterning with artisans in Malawi, Masperi was keen to take a holistic approach in providing individuals with opportunities through education, skills training and access to […]

Reflections on product development: developing a recycled sari skirt line

Product development takes place in different way, including suggestions from consumers. Meg Gerbrandt-Weibe,Member of the Board of the Fraser Valley Mennonite Central Committee – Canada, recently shared with us her experience of developing a line of recycled sari skits with Sacred Mark Enterprise. I grew up in a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) family in Manitoba. […]

Artesan Profile: Madia & Matilda

Madia & Matilda is a developing business and has been established for 3 and a bit years, employing one to ten people. Working as a team, each one specializing in a different area bringing out the best of each of their skills individually to achieve their goal of growing the brand. Madia & Matilda which […]

Importance of packaging

As we know, packaging is an important part of the consumer experience. We delight in opening aesthetically pleasing and unique packages, even when we know what’s inside! It is a good way for brands to not only distinguish themselves, but keep them at the forefront of the consumer’s mind. It is an important part of […]

Coming soon to N. America – Lai Designs!

Artesan Profile: Lai Designs. A conversation with founder and designer, Puja Bhargava Kamath. Lai is a India and California based indie jewelry label under which we design and manufacture unique, culturally inspired collections of handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. Cultural and historical references reinterpreted with a contemporary touch is the DNA for Lai which means ‘the […]

Importance of packaging

As we know, packaging is an important part of the consumer experience. We delight in opening aesthetically pleasing and unique packages, even when we know what’s inside! It is a good way for brands to not only distinguish themselves, but keep them at the forefront of the consumer’s mind. It is an important part of […]

Sustainably Chic – A Conversation with Natalie Kay Smith

We recently caught up with blogger Natalie Kay Smith and asked her to share with us her story. We were curious to know more about her passion and interest in sustainability and how she came to create a community and platform for those with a similar passion. For our friends in the artisan and producer […]

2016 DECOR TRENDS

As we continue to launch into 2016, it is good to be reminded of some of the trends in home decor for the season and the year ahead. A recent article in Hearts & Mermaids, points to “6 Must Try Decor Trends” for consumers. This is a great way for our designers in the craft […]

Eco Fashion Prediction

  With ethical fashion and “conscious consumerism” on the rise, there is a desire to learn more about global business practices and an hunger for transparency in these transactions. Ecouterre recently published a great article on the Eco Fashion Predictions for 2016. Learn more about what some of the leaders in this burgeoning field are […]

Pantone Colour for 2016

For those who haven’t already heard, Pantone has chosen two colours to represent their colour of the year for 2016: Serenity and Rose Quartz. Design Milk provides us with a bit of background behind what these blend of colours evoke and provide some great examples of these colour combinations  in action.   With Spring already […]