Meet the Maker Team

Al Centro is a Mexican company that produces and distributes handcrafted ceramic pieces in Jalisco and its surroundings. The taste for its versatility, its forms and processes, developed in them a fortuitous ability to trace and collect a great variety of pieces created by different artisans and workshops. The result is a great compilation of authentic, handcrafted objects.

Based in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Àurea Walldeco was founded in 2018. Each handmade piece is unique. Designed and crafted by Mexican artisans, with limited editions and collections.

Based in Marrakech, Alcantara-Frederic has the largest selection of products and the most vetted artisan network in all of Morocco. They source, develop, consult and export a wide range of products including – but not limited to – rugs and pillows, glassware and vases. As a commitment to the earth, this conscientious brand works tirelessly to ensure their products are chemical-free, upcycled, organic, and biodegradable.

Bit of Meraki is a women-run social enterprise that aims to empower artisans across the world by promoting their handmade products in global markets. It curates chic and bohemian home furnishing products, from wall hangings and Baskets to linens and poufs. What ties all of the products—and artisans together—is Meraki’s aim to empower entrepreneurs by employing individuals from disadvantaged communities. Its brand mission enables them to showcase their talents and support their families through fair wages, while using quality raw materials and natural dyes in their products. This reinforces Bit of Meraki’s commitment to environmental sustainability, while growing its burgeoning network of gifted makers.

Big Blue Moma has been importing and wholesaling Fair Trade Ghanian Baskets (Bolga Baskets) for six years. The owner, also a maker, works with Ghanian textiles and beads to create unique home decor items and jewelry.
 All baskets are bought directly from the makers in Bolgatanga and sold to retail stores across North America.

Find your favorite goodies and make them your own, including stickers, notecards, and prints of our original illustrations.

Candela is leading the way to a better future for people and the planet. Headquartered in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, our company has spent 30 years connecting the bounty of the rainforest to clean beauty rituals. And we continue to lead the industry as an ethical and socially responsible natural and organic supplier.
 
Our history is steeped in a deep commitment to biodiversity, regenerative practices, and fair trade principles. Every bit of the butters and oils we make come from local and indigenous producers. By supporting these small suppliers that wildcraft, cultivate, and sustainably harvest the best that the Andes and Amazon have to offer, we are able to enhance and empower the communities they come from. We do this by putting 100% of our surplus back into the environment and the lives of the people who protect it. Creating high-quality products that work to conserve and restore the rainforest and local communities.

Calypso Chile is a family owned business that operates from the family home. Marcela Cofre and her husband supported their family by making women’s shoes until 1994 when the market for shoes dropped dramatically as cheaper imports flooded the market.
After dabbling in various types of crafts, Marcela found a particular talent for glass making, building a sustainable business to support her family as well as the families of others who she has trained to help make glass products, specializing in fashion jewelry. As a member of the WFTO, Marcela operates the business under the auspices of fair trade, ensuring that all of the artisans and craftspeople are paid a fair price for their work.

Launched in 2016, Cotton Tree is a small business based in Johannesburg, South Africa, creating handmade, contemporary pillows. Their focus is on texture and original design, guided by environmental kindness and community upliftment. They use 100% cotton yarn sourced and hand dyed in South Africa.The pillows are handmade locally by upskilled women, who pride themselves on delivering a quality, authentic product. They believe strongly in the ability of creativity and working with your hands to fill your soul and bring purpose to your life, as well as provide a means to earn an income.

There’s no sign to find the small family-owned ceramic workshop in the state of Guanajuato. Behind the large wooden gate, women artisans are hand painting unfired ceramics while men work the kilns, as they have since the late 70’s. Each piece has personality from the dots and swirls to the hand painted logo on the bottom. And each is lead free, microwave and dishwasher safe.

Working with the fair trade organization Esperanza en Accion, women and men artisans in Nicaragua produce traditional pottery pieces that are world renowned. Artisans in San Juan de Oriente make the pottery using a manual kick wheel and finish the pieces using natural mineral oxides for the earthen colors. The fantastic flora and fauna of Nicaragua are the basis for stunning vase designs and novel wind instruments. The pottery is fired using a low-temperature technique so the vases are decorative as they do not hold wat

Field Kit is an artisanal fragrance company, focused on minimal design and sustainable production. They believe that beauty and utility can be found in everyday objects and that this combination is found when goods are crafted simply and with purpose.
 
Field Kit is a balance between art and science. They blend the tangible and intangible, the humble and the luxurious, the permanent and the fleeting. They utilize natural materials and their experiences from the field to build a kit of everyday products that serve a purpose, while helping their customers slow down and enjoy the moment.

I started making jewelry because it was hard to find stylish pieces that fit the plus size woman. My pieces may be fun, sassy or classic but they’re created with the full-figured woman in mind.

Global Mamas creates hand-crafted accessories, apparel, decor, and skin care items using traditional techniques, maintaining local artisanal skills. Each product is full of life and love, and is crafted with the utmost quality. The producers in the Global Mamas network have worked together for over a decade in Ghana, West Africa developing products that resonate with consumers all over the world, and in-turn have created prosperity for themselves and their families.

The Gitzelli artisans work in Kenya and Ghana to weave beautiful, traditional baskets in many designs and colors.  Artisans live in low-income areas and make their living off selling their crafts or taking daily temporary labor for minimum wage.  In Kenya, the artisans come from wide parts of the country. Most weavers come from the Eastern region where the climate is dry and conducive to the production of the sisal — this is their main source of income.  In Central Kenya, most artisans have small pieces of land where they practice subsistence farming.  They subsidize their income through weaving products with banana leaves.  Gitzelli Imports has helped connect these artisans to bigger markets and enhance their low income.

Sourced from the Cap Bon peninsula in Tunisia, Gharyan Stoneware starts its life as pure, mineral-rich clay fed by the azure depths of the Mediterranean sea. As an area steeped in the deeply ancient tradition of pottery, expert craftsmen have lived for generations among the citrus, roses, vines and jasmines in the gardens of Cap Bon, passing down thousands of years of pure artistry, hand-to-hand, to the artisans that continue to create our stoneware pieces today.
At Gharyan, they believe in sustainable and fair trade. They only work with pairs that share our values. All of their products are made in Tunisia where it’s guaranteed that workers benefit from all their rights: Social insurances, 8 hours work/day, 5 days/week, enrolment with the Tunisian National Labour Union, safe work conditions, no child labour, and no labour exploitation.

Keek’s Kreations is a Sunshine State Based Company. We take great pride in our Quality and all products are made with love. We specialize in custom orders and have a handful of staples products we carry year round. Outside the staple items we are constantly introducing new season products that are available until available quantity runs out.

Lucia’s Imports LLC partners with Guatemalan families, artisan groups, and cooperatives to maintain a wholesale market for their quality accessories and handicrafts. Lucia’s Imports is a members of the Fair Trade Federation and hopes to share the beauty of the Guatemala’s art and culture, while making a difference in the lives of Mayan artisans, one purchase at a time.

Working side by side with artisans, we design products rich in tradition and sustainable fashion. Our purses, coin bags and accessories are made from recycled Mayan textiles and our hand-beaded jewelry is made by artisan groups on Lake Atitlan—utilizing traditional weaving skills in modern design.

Peru’s native Shipibo tribes are known for their strong cultural heritage, unique cosmology and their unmistakable ceramic arts. Unfortunately, Shipibo villagers also suffer from extreme poverty, and most live without access to basic education and medical care in poor villages along the Río Ucayali, a tributary of the Amazon River. Manos Amigas (Friendly Hands) works with the Shipibo villagers to develop their traditional craft and helps export their vases, sculpture and ornaments to the United States and Europe. Manos Amigas also offers free courses in design, accounting and business marketing and helps artisans identify new markets for their crafts.

Manos Amigas donates 20% of its profits to education and other social programs and helps youth living in Peru’s remote highlands continue their education through scholarships and financial assistance. The remaining 80% of the Manos Amigas’ profit goes directly to the artisan, most often as a 50-70% advance with the balance paid upon delivery and quality control. This wage is far above the national standard and helps Shipibo villagers improve their standard of living and provide for the future

Mira Fair Trade strives to promote social justice by working directly with underprivileged artisans by paying them fair wages to help them develop the knowledge to support themselves and their families. They are committed to empowering women and underprivileged communities, and moving towards a global Fair Trade lifestyle through the promotion of the Fair Trade Principles.

Do you remember what childhood felt like? Manushi sure does. This nonprofit organization sews charming backpacks, purses, pencil bags, toys and pillows that will fill any child’s day with convenience, play and imagination.
Smiling bees, grinning crocodiles and a smirking rhino? Fun is sewn into each of these companions, which are needle-felted with 100% wool. Fostering a supportive community, Manushi also teaches business skills and new crafting methods to the men and women of Nepal—so those creative juices keep flowing.
A child’s mind will run wild with any of these ready-to-ship, made-to-order and custom-made furry friends. And the kids will definitely be tuckered out come bedtime (you’re welcome, mom and dad!).

In 2006 Elaine left the company under the ownership and supervision of five of her employees/ master craftsmen in Mali lead by Fatim Bouare. Fatim’s innate business sense and entrepreneurial skill has helped Mali Chic to grow into a successful business today. Currently, the organization has 14 employees and about 200 member artisans. The organization sells its products through a boutique store in Bamako city. Mali Chic has partnered with various international agencies such as United States Agency for International Development (USAID), West African Trade Hub and Aid to Artisans. Aligning with such agencies has helped Mali Chic to expand the reach of its handmade and fair trade products internationally. With increased demand for handmade and fairly traded products, Mali Chic has been able to contribute to social and economical development for its artisan members.
The organization strives to work closely with the artisans to produce high quality and unique products. The artisans have also learned to meet the increasing demands of the international as well as domestic market. Mali Chic adheres to the fair trade principles, the artisans work from home or in their own workshops, and this gives them the freedom to choose their work environment. Mali Chic is a fair wage organization and provides its artisans with an advance against orders.

I’m proud of how far we have come and the fact that we have finally been recognised globally.
Over the last 20 years, Jane has built an expansive artisan network that touches all corners of Zimbabwe.  She leads a team of up to 5,000 women working in everything from weaving to furniture and their pieces have featured prominently in the world’s most exclusive hotels.  Jane’s commitment to her partners and community extends beyond just employment.  To ensure that artisans are truly independent and empowered, she provides skills training and even gives guidance on growing sisal and ilala, some of the many natural fibers used in their beautiful work.

Nativa is a growing lifestyle brand dedicated to sharing the voice and talent of amazing fair trade artisans located throughout remote villages in Mexico. As a modern shop located in the heart of San Antonio, they aspire to promote the passion of the wonderful artisans they have the great honor of working with by featuring their beautiful, handmade Mexican blouses, dresses, and accessories. As per their name, Nativa, you can be assured all of their textiles and accessories are directly obtained from Mexican natives. Proud members of the Fair Trade Federation.

Founded during the midst of the pandemic, Osmos has thrived under pressure. Its simple ceramic pieces set a lovely mood, symbolizing not just beauty but also the ability to flourish.
This creative company looks to Japanese and Scandinavian design to find an intriguing balance in its ready-to-ship and made-to-order ceramics. A balance between two cultures, between nature and home, between black and white, between delicacy and boldness. The Japanese-inspired Kanji kitchenware sends waves of calm in Osmos’s off-white glossy ripple bowls, while its milk pourer brightens one’s morning tea or coffee ritual (which you might need if you want to thrive under pressure).
Nordic powder-coated vases draw attention in any room, perhaps filled with pampas grass, dried flowers, or fresh blossoms. Whatever pieces you choose from Osmos, it’s your time to bloom.

Marisol Medina used her creativity and love for animals to craft handmade wildlife creatures. She began her work with wire and cotton in Tabio, a small village 60kms from Bogotá in Colombia. Starting with readily available raw materials, and struggling through various challenges typical of a small business/enterprise, Marisol soon enhanced her techniques and the business as the demand for the product grew in the market. She began with participating at the annual national fair which takes place in Bogotá once every year. This is where Marisol was introduced to her first set of wholesale and retail clients.

Because of insufficient orders and a slow business, her workshop initially supported the artisans only for about 3 months. A few years ago, Piel Acida, a Bogotá-based organization that works with artisans from all over Colombia, showed keen interest in supporting Marisol’s cotton and wire animal enterprise. They provided support in all aspects to Marisol and her team. These products have been displayed and sold at various international trade shows such as the ones in New York and Frankfurt.
Marisol’s enterprise has meant much more than enhancement of her own skill and business – it has been a steady source of income for tens of artisans from the Tabio countryside. Thanks to organizations like Piel Acida, these artisans now have a consistent source of income and they also feel a distinct sense of empowerment.
Marisol is happy to see the growth of her small artistic talent into an enterprise. The Tabio Mountains have transformed her from an ordinary employee at a plastic factory to an independent entrepreneur. Today, her little workshop and the women involved have a brighter future.

Sabahar is an Ethiopian company that produces uniquely designed, handmade cotton and silk textiles. In addition to scarves and shawls, we make table linens, cushions, throws and towels. Our products are entirely handmade in Ethiopia from natural fibres.

Our heritage is reflected in Ayacucho embroidery passed from generation to generation.
At the foothills of the Peruvian Andes, a group of resilient women continue a tradition of Ayacucho embroidery and weaving passed down through generations. They are spread across 12 communities in the region but are bound by a shared culture, artistic heritage and a history of violent civil upheaval. 
 
For decades, Peru suffered through armed internal conflict that saw communities terrorized and families torn apart.  Many women endured years of physical, pschological and sexual violence.  Yet, through it all, over 400 women across the Ayacucho region emerged as artisan entrepreneurs using their artistic skill and heritage to rebuild their lives.  They are led by a team of three sisters that lost their respected family tannery in the wake of domestic terrorism.  
Through their work, these women have overcome civil unrest and domestic violence to emerge independent and empowered. Each hand-stitched thread tells a story of culture, resilience and sisterhood.

[Si’-TEE], which means my grandma in Arabic, is a social enterprise that aims to empower and restore hope to refugee women through the making of olive oil soap and other timeless products. Sitti was inspired by how our grandmothers used to make soap. Nothing but premium, local olive oil, and lots and lots of love.

Silk Road Bazaar is a wholesale representative of marginalized artist groups located in Kyrgyzstan and throughout Central Asia. They connect with artists who are far from the capitals, who have limited market access, or who do not possess modern marketable skills but have carried on traditional craft culture.
Following the proverb, ‘the best way to know a man is to walk a thousand miles in his shoes,’ Silk Road believes that to know who we are working with and to understand their lives, we ourselves need to live like and with them. They live amongst their artist groups for an extended period of time, and during that time they help them become self-sustainable by developing their designs, management techniques, quality control and computer skills.
All designs and collaborations are original works of Central Asian artists and Silk Road Bazaar.

Our Soapstone is carved by the artists of SMOLArt a group of artists who live in the rural village of Tabaka, Kenya, the heart of soapstone crafts. The name, a shortened version of Small, Medium, and Large Artists refers to the size of the soapstone products the artisans make, not their stature. Established in 1990, SMOLArt is a member of the WFTO, and as such assures that the artisans are paid a fair price for their work. In addition, the organization support community development by contributing to projects that improve the living conditions, education, and health of their members and the village at large.

The word nascent means something new, and that’s what interior designer Aishwarya Jain set out to achieve when she launched her homewares line. While earning a master’s degree in Florence, Italy, she gained an appreciation for the flair and elegance that the renaissance city has to offer. Today, her small design studio hews to a muted palette, but there is nothing basic or minimal about the Nascent’s handmade goods. Pillows are fringed and beaded, throws are shaggy, coasters are terrazzo (hello, Italy), and glass candle holders are tinted an alluring pastel. They are the kind of pieces that make a statement, while settling effortlessly into any modern home.

UPAVIM Crafts is a cooperative of women who live in marginalized communities on the outskirts of Guatemala City. The women in the organization are mothers, homemakers, widows, and some have been abandoned by their families. Many of them are the sole breadwinners for their families. Unidas Para Vivir Mejor(United for A Better Life, or UPAVIM) was established in 1989 to create jobs for these women and to establish facilities of health-care, education and other social issues to benefit the community they lived in. Over the years, UPAVIM has grown from a small community health project to about a 80 member business cooperative. The organization employs teachers, seamstresses, nurses, administrators, cooks, cleaners and secretaries each of whom is paid a fair wage and is linked to UPAVIM ‘s fair trade business

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