During a recent trip to Vancouver I visited Granville Island with its many arts and crafts studios. It also has a daily Farmer’s Market that offers local produce and culinary products. One of my highlights though was the Ten Thousand Villages store with fair-trade items from all over the world. Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit Fair Trade Organization (FTO) that aims to benefit artisans instead of maximizing profits. Their handmade designs come from low-income areas in developing countries and have been fairly purchased from sustainable resources.
Browsing the store is a fun way to experience different cultures and their crafts from over 35 countries. The staff is incredibly passionate about their cause to promote fair trade and shared many interesting stories behind their products with me. Always on the lookout for contemporary and sustainable designs for my eco-chic readers they recommended the following 4 designs:
This cute necklace is made from shell casings of bombs littered throughout Cambodia as remnants of war. The Rajana Association is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides training and sustainable income opportunities for disadvantaged Cambodians. It also encourages these artisans to value their cultural heritage. The tree of life pendant is hand-cut and I love how a symbol of war is turned into a symbol of peace. It was by far my favorite find at the Thousand Villages Store since I love jewelry with a meaning.
The modern looking serving tray is made from recycled scrap aluminum handcrafted by artisans of Noah’s Ark in India. I love the hammered texture created by brass workers in Moradabab. The hand-made texture is a nice contrast to the modern triangular shape of the tray. Noah’s Ark has the goal to enable artisans to purchase their own machinery and materials through low or zero-interest loans and become self-sufficient along the process.
3. Linked Ring Fruit Bowl – created by Noah’s Ark International in India.
This bowl is another modern design made from recycled materials by the artisans of Noah’s Ark International. The cool circular design pattern is made from discarded and rusted washers that are cleaned and powder coated. How cool is that!
These stylish and sustainable drinking glasses are made of recycled glass with hand-woven sleeves from palm fibre. The 4-piece set comes with a matching pitcher making it perfect for small summer gatherings. Jahanara Cottage Industries is one of the oldest handicraft organizations in Bangladesh and teaches crafts like weaving, knitting, or woodcarving using local materials.
