Artisan Stories: Jute Basketweavers, Bangladesh

Basket Co-Operative, Kenya

Our baskets are made by a co-operative of over 400 women in East Kenya. The area is prone to low rainfall and, when harvests failed, the villagers would previously resort to poaching for food. Selling baskets gives the women a year-round income so they can provide for their families even if crops fail.

The Kasigau Corridor in East Kenya was once rich in wildlife but slash-and-burn farming and poaching meant the community had ravaged their forest in order to survive. The basket project was set up by an environmental charity in 1997 to give local people an alternative income and protect engandered species.

Sisal

Sisal is a species of the Agave plant. It has long sword-shaped leaves and grows readily in hot climates. Each leaf contains around 1,000 fibres that can be used to make twine, paper and carpets. It's an eco-friendly crop as it doesn't require pesticides or herbicides to grow.

How is it made?

Co-operative members benefit from every stage of the basket production. The sisal leaves are harvested from their own fields, beaten and combed to extract the fibre. The ladies then hand-spin the fibre into twine and colour it with dyes. The skill of weaving the baskets is embedded in the Taita tribal culture and passed down from mother to daughter. Each basket takes three days to weave.

How your purchase improves lives

Basket weaving brings the women together and gossiping, singing and dancing all form part of the weekly meetings. The co-operative structure is empowering because the women have an equal say in business decisions and vote on how profits are spent. All the women can afford medical care and schooling for their children. The co-operative's success has given endangered plants and animals the chance to recover.

“Being part of a weaving co-operative has given me more independence. In the group we assist one another, advise one another to overcome challenges and motivate each other. I love weaving a lot, I even get dreams about weaving!” Peninah Nduku

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Quilt Embroiderers, Bangladesh

This kantha quilt is made by a fair trade social enterprise that employs survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation. This empowering project provides vulnerable women with a safe haven, training and dignified work, often for the first time in their lives. The project is called 'Basha' which comes from the Bengali words for 'house' and 'hope'.

Bangladesh is a country of extremes, with densely-populated cities and remote rural villages. The UN identifies Bangladesh as one of the 'least developed' countries in the world based on social and economic measures. Our social enterprise partner has two locations in the capital, Dhaka, and a third office in the city of Mymensingh.

Vintage sari cotton

Kantha quilts are made from vintage cotton saris, making every blanket unique. Merchants travel door-to-door in wealthier neighbourhoods, trading old saris for cooking pots and utensils. The saris are sold on at large markets in Dhaka, where the most beautiful and colourful are hand-selected for a new life as a kantha quilt.

How is it made?

The word 'kantha' means 'patched cloth' and Bangladeshi women have made quilts like this for centuries. Six cotton saris are layered together and carefully hand-sewn with neat rows of contrasting thread. A kantha quilt takes about six days to create and is made by one woman from start to finish. The completed kantha is laundered and finished with a label hand-embroidered with the maker's name.

How your purchase improves lives

This social enterprise breaks the cycle of poverty for women in Bangladesh. In addition to a secure job the women receive additional benefits including subsidised medical care, life skills classes and a free on-site nursery school for their children while they are at work. Buying a kantha quilt gives brave women the chance to leave behind past traumas and social stigma and develop into leaders and entrepreneurs

“My life has changed so much. I've forgotten all my past and I am proud that I am doing a respectable job. My daughter will have a good education and she won’t have to go through what I have been through” Jahanara

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Fair Trade Potters, India

Our Dipped Terracotta ceramics are made by a fair trade pottery in India that has been running since 1985. It now employs 40 people. The project aims to break down social stigma by employing able-bodied and disabled artisans to work side-by-side. The methods used at the pottery have remained the same for hundreds of years.

Tamil Nadu, meaning 'Land of the Tamils', lies at the southernmost tip of the Indian penninsula. It is known for its rich tradition of literature, art, music and dance, and has one of the highest literacy rates in India. Tamil Nadu is mostly dependent on monsoon rains for water and is prone to droughts when the monsoons fail.

Clay

Clay is a very fine-grained rock that occurs naturally in the earth. Depending on the metal oxides, minerals and organic matter in the soil where it's dug, clay can be various colours from white and dull grey to brown and deep orange-red. All Decorator's Notebook pottery is oven, dishwasher and microwave safe.

How is it made?

Our Dipped Terracotta mugs and cups are made from local clay that is blended by hand. The clay is kneaded to remove air bubbles then thrown on a potters wheel, a skill that takes many years to perfect. Murugan is the artisan in charge of glazing all the pottery before it is loaded into a traditional wood-fired kiln. Pieces are fired for eight hours then cooled for two days

How your purchase improves lives

As well as providing fair trade employment, the pottery also aims to reduce social barriers. Women are employed on an equal basis to men and the pottery also employs disabled artisans to work alongside able-bodied employees. The aim is that, by tackling discrimination in the workplace, employees will have confidence to challenge inequality in the wider community.

"My favourite thing is using the wheel, but I think every potter would say the same. I enjoy making mugs most, I find them easy to make" Jaya

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Traditional Potters, Vietnam

Our elegant hand-painted ceramics are made by a traditional pottery in northern Vietnam. The studio is surrounded by paddy fields and the rural landscape is echoed in the ceramics. The hand-painted patterns are based on raindrops and the shape of the serving bowl is inspired by conical rice farmer's hats.

Vietnam is officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Before the Vietnam War the country was politically divided into two rival states. The war ended with a North Vietnamese victory in 1975 and unified under a communist government. Since establishing diplomatic relations with other nations in 2000, Vietnam's economic growth has been amongst the highest in the world.

Clay

Clay is a very fine-grained rock that occurs naturally in the earth. Depending on the metal oxides, minerals and organic matter in the soil where it's dug, clay can be various colours from white and dull grey to brown and deep orange-red. All Decorator's Notebook pottery is oven, dishwasher and microwave safe.

How is it made?

Our Vietnamese ceramics are sculpted by hand from pale stoneware clay. The methods used have been practised for hundreds of years and combine indigenous and Chinese influences. The elegant design is painted freehand in indigo or grey, then a transparent glaze is applied over the whole piece, allowing the natural beauty of the clay to shine through.

How your purchase improves lives

People living in rural areas of Vietnam frequently suffer economic disadvantage due to their isolated location. The pottery offers important career opportunities in an area where work is scarce. Your purchase also helps to ensure that the pottery tradition in the region continues to thrive.

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Hemp Basketmakers, India

Our hemp braided baskets are handmade by artisans in India. It is a fair trade project that provides employees with job security, a living wage, equal opportunities and safe working conditions. The raw hemp is also farmed locally, keeping money within the rural economy.

Rajasthan is India's largest state, located in the north-west. It's one of most economically disadvantaged states in India and youth unemployment is particularly high. Despite these challenges, Rajasthan has a strong artistic heritage and handicraft tradition. It is famous for the beautiful 'Pink City' of Jaipur and 'Blue City' of Jodhpur.

Hemp

Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that is grown for industrial, rather than recreational, uses. It was one of the first plants to be spun into useful fibre around 10,000 years ago. Historically, hemp cloth was often used to make sails, and the word 'canvas' derives from 'cannabis'. Hemp fibre makes extremely strong twine that is ideal for creating durable baskets and rugs.

How is it made?

Cut hemp stalks are soaked in water to break down the non-fibrous parts of the stem, a process called 'retting'. Next, the stems are beaten to expose the fibre, which is called 'scrutching'. Once dried and combed the hemp fibres are plaited, coiled and sewn into shape by Shagihad, the master stitcher.

How your purchase improves lives

People living in rural areas of Bangladesh frequently suffer economic disadvantage due to their isolated location. Local fair trade employment opportunities mean people do not need to relocate to the cities to seek work, helping keep families together.

"I have worked here as Master Stitcher for four years. I enjoy working here because my colleagues have a good nature and it is a good working environment" Shagihad

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Jute Basketweavers, Bangladesh

Our jute baskets are made by a small family-run workshop in Bangladesh. The owner had previously been employed installing phone lines but, when mobile phones arrived in Bangladesh, he found himself looking for a new focus. He developed a new method for creating jute rope and grew his ethical business from there.

Bangladesh is a country of extremes, with densely-populated cities and remote rural villages. The UN identifies Bangladesh as one of the 'least developed' countries in the world based on social and economic measures. The jute workshop is located just north of Dhaka, the capital city.

Jute

In Bangladesh, jute is affectionately known as 'the golden fibre' due to its colour and high economic value. Jute leaves even feature in the country's national emblem. Jute is exceptionally eco-friendly as it's a rain-fed crop and requires no fertiliser or pesticides. Growing plants take in three times more CO2 than the average tree, helping to purify the air.

How is it made?

First, the jute stems are cut, bundled and immersed in slow-running river water, which breaks down the non-fibrous parts of the plant. The soft fibres are then stripped and hung in the sun to dry, before being dyed. Finally, the jute fibre is spun into rope, coiled and sewn into shape.

How your purchase improves lives

This workshop in Bangladesh is committed to providing regular employment in a working environment that is safe and hygienic. It employs both men and women and pays a living wage to all. Most of the jute would previously have been made into basic sacks but, by training artisans in a skilled craft to make baskets instead, they can now generate a much higher income.

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Leatherworkers, Morocco

Our leather slippers are hand-made by Hamid and his team in a family-run workshop in Morocco. Hamid has been making slippers for 10 years following patterns and methods that have remained virtually unchanged for centuries.

Morocco is a diverse country in North Africa with a landscape of rugged mountains, expansive deserts and a long coastline. Morocco's rich cultural heritage combines Berber, Jewish and Arabic roots with external influences from France and Spain. In 2004 new laws were passed to improve the status of women and children, but gender inequality and child labour remain problematic.

Leather

The traditional process for turning animal hides into supple leather has been the same for thousands of years. Firstly, the skins are soaked in natural ammonia and scraped smooth. The hides are then dyed with vegetable pigments such as indigo (blue), henna (orange), cedar wood (brown) and saffron (yellow). Finally, they are laid in the sun to dry.

How is it made?

In Morocco, our ladies slippers are known as 'babouche' which comes from the Persian words 'pa' (foot) and 'poosh' (covering). The leather pieces are cut out using templates and sole, inner and upper are hand-stitched around wooden moulds called lasts. The men's slippers are based on shoes traditionally worn by members of the Berber tribes.

How your purchase improves lives

Leather products have been traditionally-made in Morocco for hundreds of years. Supporting small-scale entrepreneurs, like Hamid, helps to secure the future of this craft for generations to come. Hand-made products are labour-intensive compared to mechanised production, creating more employment opportunities for local people as the business grows.

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Jewellery Makers, Peru

Hope Jewellery is a fair trade jewellery project that has been running in partnership with Just Trade since 2006. The project has flourished and now runs workshops in four areas of Peru: two in shanty towns in Lima and two in provincial cities. Today, Hope Jewellery provides regular work for more than thirty women... and one man!

Lima's sprawling shanty areas are nicknamed 'pueblos jóvenes', meaning 'young towns'. Despite their name, they sprung up in the 1940s when indigenous groups migrated in huge waves from the countryside in search of employment. The 1980s saw another influx of people fleeing terrorism. Most people live in makeshift shacks without running water.

Brass

This warm metal is an alloy of copper and zinc. It has been prized by craftspeople for centuries for its golden colour and workability. Brass is ideal for jewellery because it's lightweight and free from irritants including nickel, lead and cadmium. The shine can be quickly restored with a dab of Brasso and a soft polishing cloth.

How is it made?

Our Peruvian jewellery has been created to combine contemporary design with traditional jewellery-making techniques. The jewellery starts life as brass sheets which are cut, filed, shaped and polished by hand. Design collaboration is a central part of the project's philosophy, giving artisans the opportunity to develop their creative talents as well as their technical skills.

How your purchase improves lives

Employment opportunities are limited for women living in the sprawling shanty towns of Lima. Their options are either working as a housekeeper in the wealthy part of town or in a textile factory, both of which involve lengthy travel, long hours and childcare difficulties. Hope Jewellery provides part-time, fairly-paid work the women can do from home, or close to home, improving their household income and family life.

"At 59 years old I have learned to make jewellery. I never thought I would do this! Now I work I contribute to my household. I feel important" Naty

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Papier-Mâché Artists, Kashmir

Our hand-painted baubles are made by a co-operative of papier-mâché artists in Kashmir. The decorations are moulded from paper pulp and adorned with intricate patterns. Many designs depict local plants and flowers that have ancient symbolic meanings.

Kashmir is the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, originally centred around the Kashmir valley between the Himalayas and Pir Panjal mountain range. The area has a turbulent political history and is currently split into three territories administered by India, China and Pakistan, who remain in dispute with one another.

Papier-mâché

In French, 'papier-mâché' means 'chewed paper'. In Kashmir, the art of papier-mâché was introduced by Muslims from Persia in the 15th-century. It is considered of such cultural importance that papier-mâché is part of the Kashmiri school curriculum.

How is it made?

These baubles begin life as waste newspaper pulp. The pulp is pressed into moulds and left to dry for three days. The two halves are glued together and covered in tissue paper to create a perfectly smooth finish. A base colour is applied first before the design is painted freehand using tiny brushes. Finally, the bauble is lacquered to bring out the colours.

How your purchase improves lives

Kashmir economically disadvantaged due ongoing political conflict and is still struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake in 2005. Employment opportunities for people living in remote villages are scarce and selling papier-mâché enables them to continue their traditional way of life. Working as a co-operative empowers the artists, helps their businesses grow and ensures the future of their craft.

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Community Potters, India

Our short coffee cups are made by a fair trade pottery that employs around 60 men and women in southeastern India. The pottery is at the heart of the community and recently funded the building of a primary school for 350 local children.

Tamil Nadu, meaning 'Land of the Tamils', lies at the southernmost tip of the Indian penninsula. It is known for its rich tradition of literature, art, music and dance, and has one of the highest literacy rates in India. Tamil Nadu is mostly dependent on monsoon rains for water and is prone to droughts when the monsoons fail.

Clay

Clay is a very fine-grained rock that occurs naturally in the earth. Depending on the metal oxides, minerals and organic matter in the soil where it's dug, clay can be various colours from white and dull grey to brown and deep orange-red. All Decorator's Notebook pottery is oven, dishwasher and microwave safe.

How is it made?

Our coffee cups are made from local clay that is blended by hand. The clay is kneaded to remove air bubbles then thrown on a potters wheel, a skill that takes many years to perfect. Each mug is glazed by hand before the pottery is loaded into a traditional kiln. Wood firing gives each piece an individual patina.

How your purchase improves lives

This thriving fair trade project provides training and employment opportunities for members of an economically weak rural community. Thanks to the success of the pottery, profits have been invested in building school in the village for 350 pupils, a mix of the children of pottery employees and other children who live in the surrounding area.

“Before, I did odd jobs in the village and did not know my income from one day to the next. The pottery gave me training and now I have worked here for seven years. My children go to school and college, which makes me happy” Jyothi

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Metal Embossers, India

Our metal vessels are made by a fair trade project in Jodhpur. The workshop employs mostly men who are highly skilled at hammering the metal into elegant shapes. All the decoration is done by hand using shaped tools and a hammer to emboss patterns into the surface.

Rajasthan is India's largest state, located in the north-west. It's one of most economically disadvantaged states in India and youth unemployment is particularly high. Despite these challenges, Rajasthan has a strong artistic heritage and handicraft tradition. It is famous for the beautiful 'Pink City' of Jaipur and 'Blue City' of Jodhpur.

Brass

This warm metal is an alloy of copper and zinc. It has been prized by craftsmen for centuries for its golden colour and workability, which means it can be shaped and decorated using hand tools only. Brass wine vessels have been found dating back to Roman times.

How is it made?

Each vase is hammered into shape from metal sheets. Look closely and you'll see the hammer marks around the base. The pattern is embossed onto the surface using small tools, with each tool stamping an individual element of the design. The artisan must be an expert at positioning the tools to create the overall pattern.

How your purchase improves lives

Rajasthan has one of the highest rates of youth unemployment in India. This fair trade project offers young men a good wage, job stability and career progression in an area where opportunities are limited. Using recycled metal also has an economic ripple effect further down the supply chain, where some of India's poorest people make their living collecting and selling waste materials.

"My job is to do the decorative punching of the metal sheets. I enjoy working with metal because it responds well to design and is easy to carve" Jagdish

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Jewellery Makers, India

Flowering Desert is a fair trade project in a remote area of Tamil Nadu. Around half of the 28 employees live on-site in the Mahalir Aran Trust refuge for vulnerable women and children. The other ladies come from the surrounding rural villages.

Tamil Nadu, meaning 'Land of the Tamils', lies at the southernmost tip of the Indian penninsula. It is known for its rich tradition of literature, art, music and dance, and has one of the highest literacy rates in India. Tamil Nadu is mostly dependent on monsoon rains for water and is prone to droughts when the monsoons fail.

Brass

This warm metal is an alloy of copper and zinc. It has been prized by craftspeople for centuries for its golden colour and workability. Brass is ideal for jewellery because it's lightweight and free from irritants including nickel, lead and cadmium. The shine can be quickly restored with a dab of Brasso and a soft polishing cloth.

How is it made?

The jewellery workshop evolved from an existing fair trade project working with textiles. However, frequent power cuts hindered productivity so they moved into jewellery which could be made with hand-tools when the electric sewing machines were out. The necklace pendants and earrings are cut from brass sheets using tiny saws, filed smooth, hammered for texture and finally polished, all by hand.

How your purchase improves lives

The jewellery project is connected to the Mahalir Aran Trust safe house, which provides protection for abused and abandoned women who have nowhere else to turn. The on-site jewellery workshop helps recovering women achieve financial independence in a supportive and sensitive environment. They also receive counselling, healthcare, advice on money management and schooling for their children.

"I feel proud to be in charge of quality control and earn my own money working in a safe place. In my spare time I am learning to read and write. I never had that chance before" Madhammal

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Jute Weavers, Bangladesh

Our jute bags are made by women and young mothers in rural areas of Bangladesh. The women are employed by one of three fair trade certified groups that identify and support the most marginalised groups in their area. The project was established in 2004 and now works with more than two thousand women.

Bangladesh is a country of extremes, with densely-populated cities and remote rural villages. The UN identifies Bangladesh as one of the 'least developed' countries in the world based on social and economic measures.

Jute

In Bangladesh, jute is affectionately known as 'the golden fibre' due to its colour and high economic value. Jute leaves even feature in the country's national emblem. Jute is exceptionally eco-friendly as it's a rain-fed crop and requires no fertiliser or pesticides. Growing plants take in three times more CO2 than the average tree, helping to purify the air.

How is it made?

Our bags are made from jute grown and harvested nearby, keeping money within the local economy. The long, soft fibres are extracted from the plant and spun into thread. The women mostly work from home on hand-operated looms, turning the thread into very fine jute cloth. Finally, the jute fabric is sewn into bags and handles and a cotton lining are added.

How your purchase improves lives

Employment opportunities for mothers in rural Bangladesh are very limited. This fair trade project enables the women work from home so they can earn an independent income and care for their children at the same time. The mothers can now send all their children to school and are particularly keen to make sure their daughters are educated to give them more life choices.

"My mother used the money she earned weaving to pay for extra tuition for me. Because of this I am studying political science at Dhaka University and hope to become a teacher one day" Rita

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Leather Co-operative, India

Our leather pieces are crafted by a co-operative of skilled leather workers in Rajasthan. The group is entirely owned and run by the community, with each member owning one share.

Rajasthan is India's largest state, located in the North-West. It's one of most economically disadvantaged states in India and youth unemployment is particularly high. Despite these challenges, Rajasthan has a strong artistic heritage and handicraft tradition. It is famous for the beautiful 'Pink City' of Jaipur and 'Blue City' of Jodhpur.

Leather

The traditional process for turning animal hides into durable leather has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years. First, the skins are soaked in natural ammonia and scraped smooth. The hides are then dyed with tree bark and plant extracts. Finally, they are laid in the sun to dry.

How is it made?

Each leather bucket takes one skilled artisan a day to make from start to finish. The leather pieces are cut out using templates and stitched by hand. The artisans sew with very finely-cut strips of leather and the stitches are visible in the finished bucket, so you can see the skill that goes into the craft. Finally, handles are attached with sold brass rings.

How your purchase improves lives

This project is run as a co-operative so every artisan is equal, regardless of age, gender or job role. All members have a say in how profits are invested in developing their enterprise and improving community services. This sustainable approach means the project is flourishing and now supports more than 40 families.

"I am sixty years old and, after thirty eight years, I can say I am a master of my trade! I enjoy working here because I can make very good quality goods and I like earning money making something I find enjoyable" Harlal

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Recycled Metalworkers, India

Our picture frames, terrariums and lanterns are hand-crafted by a fair trade workshop in Northern India. The project employs mostly men who are trained in traditional metalworking skills such as cutting, welding, soldering and latch-making.

Uttar Pradesh means 'Northern Province' in Hindi. It's the most populous state in India and is home to some of the countries most famous historial sights, including the Taj Mahal. Agriculture remains the main source of employment, but recently the area has attracted foreign investment in software and electronics.

Recycled Metal and Glass

India is a place where very little goes to waste and using recycled metal and glass to make our picture frames and terrariums helps preserve precious resources. The metals we use are zinc, copper and brass.

How is it made?

First, the recycled metal is cut into strips and shaped around the contours of the glass panels, before the joins are skillfully welded by hand. Faiz is the workshop's latch-making specialist and he's in charge of making the hanging loops and catches from wire. Finally, the picture frames are completed with a recycled cotton ribbon.

How your purchase improves lives

This product is made in a workshop that adheres to fair trade principals, meaning employees are guaranteed fair wages, job security and safe working conditions. There is also the option of flexible working hours, which allows employees to fit their work around their studies and family commitments if they wish.

"I start at 2pm and work a few hours a day to support myself while I study to be a lawyer. My brother is always having fake court cases with me!" Abdul

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Recycled Wool Weavers, India

Our recycled wool throws and cushion covers are a collaboration between a textile recycling project and a wool weaving mill near Delhi. It has achieved independent certification for its social accountability, safe working conditions, worker's rights and fair management practices.

Delhi is a city in the north of India with a population of around 25 million people. Historically, Delhi was a hub for trade and it remains famous for its shopping. Gleaming malls sit alongside bustling street markets and bazaars in a vibrant clash of old and new.

Recycled Wool

Donated clothing made from quality materials, but that is torn or damaged, is sent to India's textile recycling district. There are dedicated projects for each material and this one deals only in wool. The yarn is not dyed, the colour is the result of the meticulous sorting of the original fabric.

How is it made?

The woollen clothing washed, carefully sorted by colour, shredded into fibre and re-spun into fine yarn. The yarn is sold to a nearby woollen mill that turns the yarn into fabric. Our collection includes both woven and knitted textiles made into cushion covers and throws.

How your purchase improves lives

This project is independently audited annually by Social Accountability International to ensure worker's rights, safe workplace conditions and fair management practices are upheld. Recycled wool has a significant environmental benefit as it gives threadbare clothing a second lease of life and uses less energy than producing textiles from scratch.

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Wire Crafters, India

Our wire pieces are hand-crafted by a group of skilled metalworkers in India. It is a fair trade project employing mostly men. They are trained in the art of bending, welding and soldering humble metal wire into sculptural animal heads and functional wire baskets.

Rajasthan is India's largest state, located in the north-west. It's one of most economically disadvantaged states in India and youth unemployment is particularly high. Despite these challenges, Rajasthan has a strong artistic heritage and handicraft tradition. It is famous for the beautiful 'Pink City' of Jaipur and 'Blue City' of Jodhpur.

Recycled Metal

Our wire products are made from recycled soft metals, including steel, aluminium and iron. Recycling uses less energy and produces fewer emissions than primary production. In India, gathering, sorting and selling waste materials that can be recycled provides a source of income for many of the poorest and most marginalised people.

How is it made?

Flexible recycled metal wire is bent into shape using specially-made templates and all the joins are welded by hand. The finishing depends on the item. The wire animal heads are allowed to oxidise naturally to give them a rich colour, while the kitchen items are given a touch of white paint to enhance their distressed vintage look.

How your purchase improves lives

Rajasthan has one of the highest rates of youth unemployment in India. This fair trade project offers young men a good wage, job stability and career progression in an area where opportunities are limited. Using recycled metal also has an economic ripple effect further down the supply chain, where some of India's poorest people make their living collecting and selling waste materials.

"Four of my friends work here too so I enjoy my job. I operate the electric welder and like making large items most because they involve multi-point welding" Maan

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Jute Basketmakers, Bangladesh

Our jute baskets are made by a small workshop in Bangladesh that is committed to providing ethical employment conditions and adhering to high environmental standards. Working conditions are safe and hygenic and the artisans receive a living wage and reliable working hours.

Bangladesh is a country of extremes, with densely-populated cities and remote rural villages. The UN identifies Bangladesh as one of the 'least developed' countries in the world based on social and economic measures.

Jute

In Bangladesh, jute is affectionately known as 'the golden fibre' due to its colour and high economic value. Jute leaves even feature in the country's national emblem. Jute is exceptionally eco-friendly as it's a rain-fed crop and requires no fertiliser or pesticides. Growing plants take in three times more CO2 than the average tree, helping to purify the air.

How is it made?

Our baskets are made from jute grown and harvested nearby, keeping money within the local economy. The stems are cut, bundled and immersed in slow-running river water, which breaks down the non-fibrous parts of the plant. The soft fibres are then stripped and hung in the sun to dry, before being dyed. Finally, lengths of jute are plaited, coiled and sewn into shape.

How your purchase improves lives

People living in rural areas of Bangladesh frequently suffer economic disadvantage due to their isolated location. Local employment opportunities, like jute farming and basket weaving, mean people do not need to relocate to the cities to seek work, helping keep families together.

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Woodturners, India

Our wooden bowls are made by a fair trade workshop in India. The employees are mostly men from the local area who are masters in their craft. By being part of a workplace that adheres to fair trade principals, employees are guaranteed a fair wage, safe working conditions and job security.

Rajasthan is India's largest state, located in the north-west. It's one of most economically disadvantaged states in India and youth unemployment is particularly high. Despite these challenges, Rajasthan has a strong artistic heritage and handicraft tradition. It is famous for the beautiful 'Pink City' of Jaipur and 'Blue City' of Jodhpur.

Mango Wood

Mango trees are initially grown for their fruit but, once they are no longer productive, they are cut down and can be used to make beautiful wood products. This not only gives new life to a waste material, it also allows mango farmers to plant new trees and provides them with a much-needed supplementary income.

How is it made?

Slices of mango wood are laminated together to form a large block. A lathe is used to shape the block into a bowl with smooth, curved edges. Finally, the wood is sanded and polished to bring out the natural grain pattern and warm colour.

How your purchase improves lives

Rajasthan has one of the highest rates of youth unemployment in India. This fair trade woodworking project provides men with training in a skilled craft, leading to secure employment. Employment is key to empowering disadvantaged people in developing countries, helping to build financial independence and self-belief.

"I have worked with wood for nearly three years now. My role is to polish the wooden items at the final stage. I like to see the finished product" Sunil

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Wood and Stone Craftsmen, India

Our marble and mango wood kitchenware and serving boards are made by a small artisan workshop in India. The employees are mostly men from the local area, who are masters in their craft.

India is the second-most populous country on earth. Despite recent investment in the telecommunications industries creating economic growth overall, financial inequality in India has actually got worse. 25% of the population live beneath the World Bank's poverty line of $1.25 US a day and India has the largest number of child labourers under the age of 14 in the world.

Mango Wood

Mango trees are initially grown for their fruit but, once they are no longer productive, they are cut down and can be used to make beautiful wood products. This not only gives new life to a waste material, it also allows mango farmers to plant new trees and provides them with a much-needed supplementary income.

How is it made?

Each piece is individually-crafted from natural materials using time-honoured techniques, bringing together traditional skills and contemporary design. The marble and mango wood elements are cut out and shaped separately by different master artisans who specialise in handling stone or wood. Finally, each item is sanded to a smooth finish.

How your purchase improves lives

Buying products made using traditional methods helps to secure the future of age-old craft skills. Hand-made products are labour-intensive compared to mechanised production, creating more employment opportunities for local people as the business grows.

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