Join our Fair Trade Alliance!

- Posted by to General

In the United States and other developed nations, we have the means and the freedoms to start our own businesses, put our skills to work and to expect that our ventures will reasonably succeed. In many other parts of the world, this opportunity is not available. Either locals don’t have access to the materials and finances to produce a product, or they are treated poorly while doing so. The fair trade movement has gained momentum by helping those in impoverished, suffering areas to produce, market and sell their goods and services. Seven Hopes United – Fair Trade Market of the World is an online retailer that has adopted this ethical business model, attempting to make a change while making a profit.

Earlier last year, my partner and I teamed up and fused our experiences in social work and successful business development into the vision that now guides Seven Hopes United. I was completely captivated by the notion that I didn’t have to move to Africa or Latin America to make an impact in the communities there. I took my knowledge of international community development, and worked to develop partnerships between fair trade cooperatives around the world. The majority of producers come from three underprivileged groups: women rescued from sex trafficking or abuse, those suffering from HIV/AIDS and people living on less than $1 a day.

Now we are partnering with other Fair Trade organizations like Scarlet Threads and Eyaas.com to shine a light on other globally conscious organizations. We want to encourage those who are passionate about fair trade to not only purchase our products but start discussions about the need for such companies.

Through Seven Hopes United and organizations like Scarlet Threads, we hope to provide a chance for the hardworking poor to create a new lifestyle for themselves. It’s not charity. We have ongoing business relationships with these organizations. Each producer must have fair trade certification and produce high quality products. Roughly half of each dollar goes back to supporting their partners around the world, a typical retail margin.

We would like to start an alliance for socially responsible businesses. We would love for other fair trade organizations to unite with us and promote change for these communities – it’s not about us – it’s about making a difference in the lives of underprivileged men, women, and children living on less than $1 a day. Everything we’ve done is by word of mouth. I really want people to engage with us on the social media side and get the word out there.

If you’re a fan of fair trade and being a socially conscious consumer, join our alliance – promote your favorite fair trade organization, join our Blog Carnival on May 20th, and post a blog or link to your Facebook page telling your friends about our Fair Trade Alliance. It will be a long journey, but what encourages me more than anything is the power that consumers have to effect change – it starts with you.

Click here to visit the host page of this month’s Blog Carnival! Much like an e-zine, you will find articles from our alliance members about our fair trade excursions. So, take this opportunity to blog hop! We would love you to participate by adding comments (here, or on the posts) and we’ve included a Mr Linky on the host page if you would like to write your own post.

Visit our Fair Trade Alliance partner websites:

Scarlet ThreadsScarlet Threads – Scarlet Threads is a compassionate boutique, specializing in unique products designed and produced by talented seamstresses in rural Asia. The perfect gift for bridal showers, holidays, or any special occasion, all Scarlet Threads products are fairly traded and created in compliance with our core vision and values. When you purchase one of our beautiful hand-crafted products, you become part of our story by providing women with safe and rewarding work.

Eyaas KashmirEyaas.com – Eyaas.com is all things hand-made, hand-crafted and green. Eyaas brings you crafts from all over the world, aiming to bring you a more enriching shopping experience by providing information on what you are buying, how it is made, and also who made it.

For information on how to join the Fair Trade Alliance, please send an email to info@sevenhopesunited.com. We look forward to hearing from you! :)

BRIDES Magazine and IKEA Newlywed Nest Event, NYC – April 24th and 25th

- Posted by to General

newlywed nestI am so excited to announce that Seven Hopes United has partnered with Emily Anderson, from Eco-Chic Weddings, to be a part of the Newlywed Nest, happening at 311 E 11: Village Green, a LEED certified apartment building in the East Village that has been designed with eco-friendly style by the well-known designer Inson Dubois Wood. BRIDES Newlywed Nest is presented by IKEA, and is sure to be a super great time! Emily will be there to give away some copies of her new book, Eco-Chic Home, along with some amazing items to raffle, including gifts from Seven Hopes United, and some the designs featured in Emily’s new book, Eco-Chic Home. So if you’re in the area–RSVP and come for a visit at this amazing newlywed dream nest–believe me, I wish I could be there to soak up the loveliness–did I mention there’s a roof deck? ;)

See What’s New

- Posted by to General

Javier & Efren Recycled Hand Blown Glass | Mexico

EfrenSince the 1990s, Javier Gutierrez and Efren Canteras have worked together to preserve Mexico’s blown glass artistry. “This type of work is a beautiful craft. I love blown glass because of the pure imagination poured into every piece created,” confides Efren.

Glass Pitcher - Cobalt Charm“Even though the art of blowing glass originally came to Mexico from Spain, and it is practiced all over the world, Mexico’s blown glass artistry is unique,” says Javier enthusiastically.

“I was 15 years old when I began blowing glass. Now I have the opportunity to teach the art of blowing hot glass to other young artisans. I start by employing people as my assistants, but I aim to train them to be experts, glass blowers equipped with a beautiful and useful skill.”

Working as a team, Javier specializes in the design of the pieces, and Efren transforms the designs into a reality. “Efren and I make a great team. Over the years we have worked hard to design truly original styles with a distinctly Mexican accent.”

Drinking Glasses - Lime ContouredJavier and Efren work with lead-free, un-tempered and recycled glass, which is melted at very high temperatures. They use a long steel blowpipe to pick a glob of molten glass and, holding the pipe with one hand, they masterfully start shaping the desired piece by blowing through the other end of the pipe using tools with their free hand. They must work fast, while the molten glass is still hot, adding color and other desired effects.

Blown Glass Vase - Amethyst PatchWhen the piece is ready, they cut it off the pipe leaving a pontil on the bottom indicating the piece is mouth blown. It is placed in a tempering kiln for several hours and then left to cool.

Given the handcrafted nature of the process, there will never be two completely identical pieces. Air bubbles are often present as a result of this technique, adding to the admirable uniqueness of this legendary art form.

Javier and Efren’s Recycled Hand-Blown Glass collection is now available for pre-order at Seven Hopes United. Handcrafted in Mexico, Javier and Efren’s glassware is absolutely beautiful and would make a great addition to any home! Please order now so we can notify the artisans’ the quantities & styles of glassware you want, and we’ll get it out to you as soon as it arrives from Mexico!

March Artist Spotlight

- Posted by to General

Allpa Cooperative of Peru | In the Spotlight

Allpa ArtisanAllpa is named for a Quechua Indian word that means “EARTH.” Allpa is a Peruvian craft trading company providing marketing assistance to artisan groups and family workshops throughout Peru. Allpa provides technical help, product development advice, skills training, tools and appropriate equipment to Peruvian artisans. Artisans can also access short-term and mid-term loans to improve infrastructure and their workshops.

Community Impact
The idea of Allpa was created in 1982 by a group of economists, anthropologists, and sociologists from the Universidad Catolica of Lima as a way to improve living standards of handicraft producers. Allpa began active work as an alternative trading organization in 1986. Today, Allpa’s marketing assistance reaches approximately 2,000 families from 100 artisan groups and family workshops throughout Cusco, Ayacucho, Chulucanas, Cajamarca and Huancavelica as well as Shipibo people living in the Amazon rainforest area of Pucalepa, Peru.Allpa Weavers

Allpa has provided a great source of hope to these families, for most, craft production is their sole source of income. By working with Allpa, artisans have access to the tools needed for product development, and with better equipment can produce larger orders for export. Cream Alpaca ThrowThe cooperative organizes orders for over 100 artisan groups, facilitates fulfillment and artisan payment, and designates a portion of the profits to help provide artisans with short-term loans and invest community development projects that benefit all member villages.

Seven Hopes United purchases beautiful Alpaca Throws from Allpa, that have become a customer favorite, and a popular Fair Trade Gift Registry item for couples getting married.

February Artist Spotlight

- Posted by to General

Wolof Weavers of Senegal | In the Spotlight

Wolof WeaverWolof Basket Weaving
This coil style of basket weaving has been practiced in Senegal for generations, and Wolof girls learn weaving techniques from their mothers and aunts. Traditionally, Wolof women crafted baskets by binding njodax, a thick local grass, with thin strips of palm frond. Palm fronds were difficult to work with and very hard on the hands of the weavers, so about 20 years ago an anonymous creative party introduced large needles and strips of plastic purchased from a prayer mat factory in Dakar. This simple change in material dramatically reduced discomfort during the weaving process. Today’s Wolof baskets reflect this merger of traditional crafting techniques with contemporary materials.

Among the Wolof, basket weaving is specifically a woman’s craft. In many rural villages across Senegal, the men of the family must work in major cities or abroad, and send back money to the family. In some cases, this income alone is not enough to fully meet the family’s needs, so the women of the family supplement that income by weaving baskets.

White Wolof Prayer Mat BasketWolof women work basket weaving into their day between other household duties. International Fair Trade orders are welcome, as baskets otherwise have to be sold locally, where inconsistent profits are further reduced by the time and cost of transporting even just a few baskets to the local market.

The International Fair Trade Market
The Fair Trade market expands each rural woman’s reach into the world market far further than her feet could ever carry her. We seek thriving, long-term relationships with African artisans, as consistent orders increase stability in families and communities.

Wolof African Bread BasketThe Jan/Feb 2010 issue of ELLE Decor featured Wolof Baskets in a highly coveted What’s Hot layout. There’s a beautiful image of two Wolof baskets nestled in the pages of every magazine distributed, a gracious gift to the growing community of Wolof weavers.

Community Impact
Across Africa, artisan cooperatives provide a safety net for individual crafters. By working together, artisans can produce larger orders for export, better negotiate and stabilize pricing and apply proceeds generated to projects that benefit members.

Our partner works in cooperation with the Cooperative “And Suxali Sunu Gokh.” In Wolof, the name means work together to make our villages flourish. The cooperative organizes orders for craftspeople in 26 rural Senegalese villages, facilitates fulfillment and artisan payment and helps apply a portion of profits to education, reforestation and community betterment projects that benefit all member villages.