Tag Archives: fair trade gifts

Fair Trade Wedding Presents Guide

- Posted by to General

I love weddings! I know that weddings can be a bit stressful at times for those planning the event but in general weddings are a wonderfully joyous occasion, which brings people together.  As it turns out wedding season is upon us and perhaps you’ve been invited to a wedding or two (or three) in the coming weeks and months.  If you’ve been invited to a wedding this year, may I  suggest a unique gift that will most certainly please the bride and groom.  Why will they be pleased with their gift? Because Seven Hopes United offers beautiful fair trade presents that will enliven anyone’s home. Below you can find our fair trade wedding guide.

fair-trade-wedding-gift-guide

Pictured:
1. Rustic Personalized Wooden Serving Tray
2. Talavera Ceramic Square Bowl – Happy Tradition
3. Sari Patchwork Runner – Violet

Other Top Picks:
Indivisible Love – Wood Statuette
Blown Glass Pitcher – Confetti

Enjoy and have a very happy wedding season! – Dawn

 

Vacation & Fair Trade

- Posted by to General

For my birthday in November my husband surprised me with a trip to Vancouver.  We had both wanted to go there for some time and we both really like all of Canada that we have visited, I am particularly fond of Montreal but I really enjoyed Vancouver as well.  Much to my husband’s dismay my idea of a vacation is waking up early and walking around different neighborhoods all day only stopping to have dinner. We have learned to compromise, usually I do some sightseeing alone in the mornings and he meets me later since he likes to sleep in on vacation.

While on vacation another thing I really like is checking out local shops. Vancouver is a splendid place to find local shopping in particular on Granville Island. There is a large public market with grocers, restaurants and tons of little shops. In my search of Granville Island I found Ten Thousand Villages, a shop that sells only fair trade items and can be found in various cities in the US too. I am familiar with Ten Thousand Villages, which obviously isn’t just local to Vancouver, still it was wonderful to step out of the cold and search through hundreds of lovely fair trade items.

I didn’t research fair trade in advance of my trip but I will do so in the future.  I could google fair trade and the name of the city I am visiting to find where it is being sold. I know that farmers markets in San Diego are a good place to find fair trade (Seven Hopes United is at The Little Italy Mercato and the Rancho Santa Fe farmers market) so I would check out farmers markets too. I also find it fun to check out local grocery stores to see what foods are more common in the city I am visiting and I always keep any eye out for fair trade there as well.  I find it so much fun to get to know a new city and I think it’s even more fun to find something I’m passionate about like fair trade in the new city as well.

vancouver_fairtrade

St. Patrick’s Day – The Fair Trade Way

- Posted by to General

St. Patrick’s Day is a major holiday in Cleveland, Ohio where I grew up. When the Irish were immigrating to America around 100 years ago or so many of them settled in Northeast Ohio.  And even today there is a lot of Irish heritage pride in the city. So to celebrate this fun day there’s a big parade filled with Irish dancers, local politicians and high school marching bands (a little nerd disclosure here, I was in marching band for one year in high school and marched, quite proudly, in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade). Aside from parades, corned beef and Guinness, for those of age, celebrating St, Patrick’s Day is all about the color green!

Seven Hopes United carries several wonderful green products for you to choose from for this upcoming St. Patrick’s Day.  I have chosen a few of my favorites from the website for you to check out. And here is an Irish blessing for you and yours on this St. Patrick’s Day.

May you always have…
Walls for the winds 
A roof for the rain 
Tea beside the fire 
Laughter to cheer you 
Those you love near you 
And all your heart might desire.

StPatricksDay_7hu_1StPatricksDay_7hu_2

 

Ethically Sourced Products Should be the Heart of Business

- Posted by to Fair Trade News

Ethically sourced products should be be the center of any business philosophy says Seven Hopes United’s president, Ashley Shilts.

For a growing number of consumers, the desire to purchase jewelry, home decor, and gifts, is balanced by the need to act responsibly toward society and the environment–which means limiting unnecessary consumption and choosing items that are produced in a socially conscious way. For them, fair trade products are the ideal solution.

Dan Welch, co-editor of Ethical Consumer Magazine, recently noted that eco products continue to rise in popularity, bucking the consumer trend in light of the recent recession. Fair Trade gifts are among the list of eco products that topped sales charts within the last year.

Now more than ever, consumers of all backgrounds are seeking out the value behind the products they purchase. Today, how products are sourced, manufactured, packaged, and shipped all affect consumer spending. This new consciousness is not confined to younger generations; over half of Baby Boomers consider themselves socially conscious shoppers.

The trend in ethical shopping is expected to increase as more and more socially conscious businesses join the market, and consumers continue to look for products that are at once, “pesticide free” “fair trade” and “sustainably harvested.”

Seven Hopes United Anniversary Sale

- Posted by to General

Seven Hopes United Anniversary Sale Starts August 21st!!

If you’re anything like us, you LOVE a good sale – and maybe, just maybe, you have your phone’s alarm set to remind you when the clock strikes midnight! Well, get your shopping shoes ready because the Seven Hopes United Anniversary Sale starts Saturday, August 21st!! Shop Online and find up to 40% off unique Fair Trade gifts. While the sale runs through August 31st, it’s never too early to grab a great deal or two. So get ready to celebrate & get a head start on your gift shopping for the upcoming season! Here are a few highlights worth checking out:

Everyone is loving these Kantha Weekender Bags from Rising Tide Fair Trade ($165, was $220), a bag that is just as beautiful on the inside as it is outside with colors to match every mood. Built to last, this bag is extremely functional, from its sturdy suede handles, straps and base. Seen in InStyle’s Holiday Gift Guide, this bag is sure to be a winner! Available in three beautiful vintage Kantha prints in orange, red, or yellow, making each bag truly unique.

Win hearts with this absolutely beautiful Thousand Hills Basket handmade in Rwanda ($57.60, was $72). Rwanda is well known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” The weavers living near Volcanoes Parc designed this intricate pattern as a tribute to the many villages perched high upon the lush hills. Available in cranberry/natural.

With a deal this good, we suspect it wouldn’t take much for you to begin planning your holiday wardrobe even in the middle of summer. This Pita Pat Necklace w/ 14k Gold ($57.75, was $77) is alluring in this striking red and gold bar design. Pair with the Pita Pat Red & Gold Earrings and Bracelet for a fabulous look.

These Organic Cotton Baby Long Johns ($19.20, was $24) are such a great gift for babies. Perfect as a layering piece in the winter, and work just as well now & in the fall for a soft & cozy set of pjs. Available in Vintage Stripe or Vintage Garden print; sizes 12m, 18m, 24m.

You can’t beat the classic look of this Olive Capiz Serving Bowl with it’s iridescent style ($39.60, was $44). The pretty green hue exudes a slight sheen – just enough to be different – and makes an equally smart and elegant addition to your table setting.

Don’t miss out on these other great deals: 25% off all Fair Trade Coffee, 20% off our Fair Trade Kids Collection, 25% off all handbags, and 30% off all Fair Trade Beauty Basics!

Have you shopped the sale yet? Share your finds below, and don’t forget to fan us on Facebook!