Handmade: Fair Trade Buyer's Guide

Handmade

FAIR TRADE BUYER’S GUIDE Apparel, artwork, decor, and gifts crafted by expert artisans in the developing world and available in Canada from ethically-driven wholesalers and retailers

FAIR TRADE Trading of ethically produced handmade goods is based on an idea that sits at the heart of fair trade: Relationships matter.

The relationship-based structure of fair trade developed in the 1940s from the work of a few innovators who sought to alleviate poverty through the sale of handmade products. In Puerto Rico, visiting a sewing class, Edna Ruth Byler discovered that local women were living in tremendous poverty despite extraordinary talent, artistic ability, and work ethic. In war-ravaged Europe, recovery workers helped refugees provide for their families by finding international customers for their handmade products. Ten Thousand Villages and SERRV were born from these efforts, with others following.

At the core of this movement was — and still is — the idea that trade should involve a true partnership between buyer and seller: one that empowers producers, builds their capacity to do business, and improves the quality of life for their communities.

You can purchase handmade fair trade goods throughout Canada.

These high-quality items are unique and expertly crafted. Wholesalers and retailers offer everything from artwork and home decor to apparel, accessories, and gift items. These products support the work of talented artisans in the developing world, and also remind us that all products come from somewhere, and that everyone deserves a life of dignity and respect.

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Cover: Zulugrass by Leakey Collection, Available at Multiple Retailers

Photo by Laundromat

WHAT’S INSIDE?

The World Fair Trade Organization is a global association of 300+ fair trade organizations in more than 70 countries. The WFTO aims to improve the livelihoods of marginalised producers and workers, especially in the Global South. Several organizations in this guide work with WFTO-verfied producers. The Fair Trade Federation is also a proud member of WFTO.

The Canadian Fair Trade Network partnered with the Fair Trade Federation to create this guide.

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CONTENTS

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Photo by Pure Art

ARK IMPORTS [ wholesale ] www.arkimports.com noah@arkimports.com

DIDI BAHINI www.didibahini.ca shopdidibahini @gmail.com

Newmarket, ON 877-275-1275

[ wholesale | online retail ]

Chelsea, QC 819- 790-8273

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DISTRIBUTION SOLIDAIRE [ wholesale | online retail ]

www.distributionsolidaire.org info@distributionsolidaire.org Sherbrooke, QC 819-823-6599

FIBRES OF LIFE [ wholesale | online retail ] Halifax, NS 902-402-9996

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www.fibresoflife.com jennifer.fibresoflife@gmail.com

GAIA’S FAIR TRADE GIFTS [ retail store ] Gibsons, BC 604-886-7117 gaiasfairtradegifts@yahoo.ca www.gaiasfairtrade.ca/

HAMRO VILLAGE

[ wholesale ]

Toronto, ON 416-457-9796 www.hamrovillage.com info@hamrovillage.com

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KINDRED

[ wholesale | online retail ]

www.kindredapparel.com ali@kindredapparel.com

Victoria, BC 250-532-2992

LAUNDROMAT FAIR TRADE [ wholesale | online retail ] Granby, QC 866-777-0959

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www.laundromatstuff.com info@laundromatstuff.com

MORE THAN HALF CLOTHING [ retail | online retail ]

www.morethanhalfclothing.com mel@morethanhalfclothing.com

More Than Half Clothing carries a small Pop-ups, house parties, by Pop-ups, house parties, by but vibrant selection of fair trade appointment, and online appointment, and online clothing that reflects our desire to showcase clothing that is beautiful, Kitchener, ON well-made and affordable. Fair trade 226-600-8241 shopping has something for everyone!

PUEBLITO

[ wholesale | online retail ]

Richmond Hill, ON 888-326-5395 www.pueblito.ca info@pueblito.ca

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PURE ART

[ retail store | online retail ]

Vaudreuil, QC 866-567-4325

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www.pureart.ca rmckinnon@pureart.ca

SOCIAL GEM .social-gem.com

[ wholesale | online retail ] Toronto, ON 888-974-2583

TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES [ retail stores | online retail ]

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TWIGZ CREATIONS [ wholesale | online retail ] www.twigzcreations.com suzanne@twigzcreations.com

WAKAMI [ wholesale | online retail ]

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Abbotsford, BC 604-832-7110

Photo by Fibres of Life

Deeply committed.

Membership in the Fair Trade Federation tells customers that your business keeps fair trade principles — like good wages, lasting relationships, safe work conditions, and environmental responsibility — at the center of its work.

For more information, please visit us online at www.fairtradefederation.org.