Meaningful Gifts CHOOSE WISELY & MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Whether you are shopping for a loved one or looking for a gift with substance for those in your community, buying ethically this Christmas is also a great way to give back. The Dharma Door was created to empower as many people as possible out of the cycle of poverty through Fair Trade. We achieve this by partnering with talented artisans to create quality products - making sure they are paid fairly for their skills and time. By choosing wisely this Christmas, you can be a part of this important cycle.
Uttam Tote - Natural
T he spirit of working together YOUR SUPPORT HAS HELPED US TO SUPPORT ARTISANS
It’s a pleasure to share our Christmas Gift Guide 2020 with you. We have all experienced a strange and challenging year in many ways. We hope that you and your loved ones will have an opportunity to enjoy simple pleasures this Christmas and more importantly, we hope you can do this together. As a Fair Trade business, we have been deeply moved by the difficult circumstances experienced by our artisans and their communities this year. Their resilience and strength in the face of adversity are incredible. While our business is built on the model of fair trade - as opposed to aid - this year was certainly an exception and we thought you might appreciate knowing how your ongoing support has enabled us to give back to artisans and their communities during this time. When Covid-19 swept through Bangladesh in March, the whole country went into lockdown for over two months. Some artisans were fortunate enough to be able to handcraft our products from home for a short period until their raw materials ran out; however, due to social distancing, they were not able to deliver or have their work collected. Usually, artisans are paid when their work is delivered and its quality confirmed. However due to the unusual circumstances, all of our Fair Trade, not-for-profit partners paid the artisans for completed work despite not being able to deliver it to us. Additional challenges continued to occur for many months, as 40% of Bangladesh was flooded mid-year, placing
further setbacks on the production of our orders and delaying opportunities for the women to work and earn a living wage. In a population of 165 million, Bangladeshi people do not have access to government support during difficult times. Our partner and aid organisations have been working tirelessly to ensure the country’s most marginalised people are provided with basic food and hygiene. We speak with our four partner organisations regularly and after learning how great the need was, we offered to support them in whatever way they required. They each requested financial support to assist with distributing food and hygiene packages to artisans and their local communities. Over a few months, we donated $10,000. Our goal is - and always will be - to empower as many women artisans as possible out of poverty through trade. We will continue to design and develop collections that you will love so we can provide regular orders to these talented women. We and our artisan partners are very grateful for your continued support and we thank you for helping us to bring their beautiful work into the world. This Christmas, your support continues to make a meaningful difference. Warmest wishes,
Jumbo Tassel Wall Hanging - Natural
T he Wish List N AT U R A L • H A N D M A D E • FA I R T R A D E
BAG S O F LOV E
PA G E 8
Quality bags, totes and shoppers for all occasions
C A N VA S C O L L E C T I O N
PA G E 2 2
Unisex bags and pouches crafted from jute canvas
WA L L H A N G I N G S
PA G E 2 8
Natural wall art that tells a story
BEAUTIFUL BASKETS
PA G E 3 4
Versatile gifts that stand the test of time
T A B L E WA R E
PA G E 4 4
Natural table items for entertaining or everyday
N AT U R A L D E C O R AT I O N
PA G E 5 0
Sustainable garlands, twine, tassels and clay beads
GIFT CARDS
PA G E 5 8
Give the gift of choice
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Bags of Love FROM MARKET SHOPS TO TO DAY TRIPS
Quality bags make a great gift - something that friends and loved ones will enjoy time and again. The Dharma Door collection of natural, handmade bags has got every occasion covered: from shoppers for weekend market trips to totes suitable for work or leisure to more intricate bags that add some natural character to a wardrobe. Each bag is crafted using natural fibres and processes that are gentle on the environment. Sturdy and stylish, they feature a neutral palette that works well with most outfits.
Suta Tote
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Jamina Shopper
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Jamina Tote
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Laina Shopper (also available as a Tote)
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Suta Shopper
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Clockwise from Jumbo Hemp
m top left: Jute Shopper - Black Diamond; Uttam Tote - Earth (also available in Charcoal & Natural); String Bag - Natural; T he Joni Bag
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Tantu Jute Shopper - Charcoal
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Jumbo Hemp String Bag - Charcoal
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Uttam Tote - Natural (also available in Charcoal & Earth)
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Jute Shopper - Clay
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Clockwise from Natural with
m top left: Seafarer Basket - Small, Jumbo Hemp String Bag, Tantu Jute Shopper - Natural; Jute String Bag Tan Handles; T he Carly Bag; Tantu Jute Shopper - Earth, Large Round Jute Basket - Natural
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Canvas Collection UNISEX BAGS & POUCHES
Hand sewn laptop bags, pouches and toiletry bags that are crafted from jute canvas make great gifts for men and women alike. These durable items will add a touch of functional luxury to someone’s workday or travel and feature a quality zipper and stylish leather touches. Combine these items for a more significant gift; add a special piece of jewellery for something precious or pair with some natural toiletries for a present that truly pampers!
Pouch - Bone - Large (also available in Camel and Ash and Small and Medium sizes)
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Laptop/iPad Bag - Bone - Large (available in Camel and Ash)
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Toiletr y Bag - Camel (also available in Bone and Ash) & Hemp Body Scrubber - 2 Pk
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Small Pouch - Bone and Laptop/iPad Bag - Bone - Small (available in Camel and Ash)
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Toiletr y Bag - Bone (also available in Camel and Ash)
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Wall Hangings THAT TELL A STORY WITH EVERY WEAVE
Decorating with natural wall art helps to bring warmth, texture and a sense of calm to rooms, so they are ideal gifts for interior lovers. Because they hold the story of their maker, they often hold a similar place in people’s homes to a much-loved artwork. Our collection is crafted by hand using natural fibres and a combination of traditional and contemporary techniques. Designed to make a statement, these pieces are ideal for bringing life and character to a room and are often used above a console in an entryway, on a large living room wall or above a bed.
Amua Wall Hanging
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Jumbo Tassel Wall Hanging (also available in Small)
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Puspa Wall Hanging - Large (also available in Small)
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Mandala - Small
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Mandala - Large
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Beautiful Baskets THAT STAND THE TEST OF TIME
Wanting to give a gift that can be used and appreciated for many years to come? Our collection of baskets have become a popular gift because they do just that. Designed to be both useful and decorative, the collection can be used as a catch-all for many purposes throughout a home, including children’s toys, magazines, books, pillows, blankets, shoes and a favourite potted plant. They are also proving popular as a way to display treasured keepsakes, perfect for those you know who like to style their home with decorative vignettes.
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Large Round Jute Basket - Natural
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Seafarer Basket - Large
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Laina Laundr y Basket
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Jamina Laundr y Basket
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Sona Square Basket
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Clockwise from Sona Rectangl
m top left: Pathi Grass Trio - Low & Hemp Wash Cloth - 2 Pk; Small Sona Square Basket Duo; le Basket - Large; Boda Basket - Natural (also available in Charcoal and Earth)
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Trio of Round Grass Baskets - Tall
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Short Round Jute Basket - Natural
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Tableware ADD A NATURAL TOUCH TO YOUR ENTERTAINING
Create a relaxed vibe at your gatherings this season using woven placemats, coasters and table runners. Your selection of linen, glassware, pottery and flowers or greenery will help to add your own charm. Just add candles and some fairy lights for parties that head well into the night! These items can be enjoyed throughout the remainder of the year at your table each day. A lovely storage basket for coaster and placemat sets keep things tidy and tasteful when not in use.
Jute Placemat Set of 8; Jute Coaster set of 8 (in lidded basket); Jute Macrame Table Runner
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Small Jute Basket - Natural - Tray & Short
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Trio of Round Baskets - Natural
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Jute Placemats in Basket - set of 8
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Jute Placemats in Basket - set of 8 & Jute Coasters in Basket - set of 8
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Natural Decoration SUSTAINABLE OPTIONS TO ENJOY YEAR-ROUND
Use natural fibres and handmade elements to dress up your Christmas. Sustainable jute garlands, twine, tassels and clay beads will add a relaxed, natural vibe to your celebrations and can be enjoyed throughout your home long after the season ends! Use garlands to adorn table settings, trees and window or door frames. They also work well in tandem with simple glassware and other ceramic objects on your Christmas table. Twine works well for Christmas craft and natural gift wrapping - a great alternative to plastics that will break down naturally when added to your compost following festivities.
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Tala Wall Hanging
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Woven Flower Garland x 2
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Woven Flower Garland with Tassels x 2
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Clay Beads - Large
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Woven Coat Hanger Set x 5
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Amtali Grass Tassels
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Natural T hin Hemp Twine - 2 x 50m balls
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Gift Cards GIVE THE GIFT OF CHOICE
The Dharma Door gift cards allow recipients to choose their own gift from our collection. Ideal for those who appreciate Fair Trade and natural, handmade items, gift cards are also perfect for someone who has been coveting something from our store for some time. Our gifts cards are available in a variety of price points and are delivered via email to your inbox upon purchase.
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Always natural. Always handmade. Always Fair Trade.
The Dharma Door was created in 2004 to contribute to empowering vulnerable people out of the cycle of poverty. Through good design and ethical practices, the label has offered special pieces crafted from natural fibres ever since. Handmade – from start to finish – by skilled fair trade artisans, each item tells their story with every stitch. We believe the greatest impact can be made through ongoing business. So we partner exclusively with non-profit, Fair Trade organisations, who provide a host of life-changing support and training for the people who craft our quality products.
United by a shared purpose, long term partnerships and mutual respect, The Dharma Door takes time to build authentic connections and understand artisan culture, craft skills and the raw materials they use to bring each new design to life. Every single item in our collection has the power to change lives. By choosing wisely we can all make a meaningful difference.
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