Tag Archives: fair trade products

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day – May 10, 2014

World Fair Trade Day 2014

Mother’s Day

This weekend marks two special dates, World Fair Trade Day (May 10, 2014) & Mother’s Day! I love that these dates fall on the same weekend, because so many of the artists we support are Moms. What better way to honor your Mom by purchasing a gift that helps support a mom in need, like Layet Monica pictured above?

Layet Monica is a single mom of three, and this 31 Bits beneficiary is a beautiful example of a mother’s love! She works hard to provide for her children, send them to school, and care for their needs. And she does it all with a smile! Isn’t she stunning? Support Monica, and other moms by giving a fair trade gift this Mother’s Day! Click here to shop some of our favorite gifts for Mom!

World Fair Trade Day

World Fair Trade Day is a time to celebrate and be inspired by the work that’s being done to support a fair economy. Fair trade is about people and the planet, and about purchasing products we love that are fair to both! When you buy fair trade products, you can be sure that your purchases are directly benefiting those that made it. For farmers and the artists that we at Seven Hopes United partner with, that means getting paid a living wage for the work they do, in addition a portion of those fair trade premiums are helping to better their communities. Purchasing fair trade products is a step toward an ethical and sustainable marketplace.

This weekend, join 100,000 people around the United States and Canada in learning about and promoting fair trade! Help us support economic justice for farmers, workers, and artisans around the world. To get started, click the educational video below from our friends at Fair World Project. Then, help us spread the word & share this blog post on Facebook or Twitter #WFTD2014!


In honor of these special celebrations, SevenHopesUnited.com is offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders through 5/11/2014 with the coupon code “ILOVEMOM”. Woot woot!

We’ll also have our booth set up with all kinds of fair trade products at the Little Italy Mercato on Saturday 8am-2pm, and the Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market on Sunday 9am-1:30pm. Be sure to stop by and say hi if you’re in San Diego!

Socially Conscious Spring Break Packing List

Top 5 Picks
Spring Break Packing List

Happy Spring! It’s finally here & we know many of you are getting ready for your Spring Break getaways, so we thought we’d help by sharing our Top 5 Picks for your Spring Break Packing List!

At Seven Hopes United, our mission is to sell unique fair trade products that help empower and enrich the lives of underprivileged artisans around the world. In honor of the 1st Day of Spring, March 20th, we are highlighting 5 of our favorite fair trade products for a fashionable and socially conscious spring break!

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1. Large Recycled Plastic Beach Tote
Of course you’ll need a tote bag for the pool, beach, and don’t forget shopping… Our beach tote is made in India from recycled plastic bags with a cotton-lined interior and an inner pocket. The tote is approximately 20 x 16 inches.

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2. Pom Fest Scarf in Citrus
This scarf just screams spring…the bright citrus hues and pom accents are the perfect accessory for a fun getaway. Each scarf is produced with traditional block-printing techniques to support women in India.

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3. 31BITS Guava Twist Bracelet
Made from recycled paper by women in Uganda, these bracelets are a quick and easy way to add a pop of color to your spring wardrobe. Available in electric green or hot pink.

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4. Sseko Sandals
A favorite that will take you from spring to summer – Sseko sandals can be customized by choosing different colored straps and accessories, and are able to be tied 100s of different ways! How cute do these girls look in their Ssekos?!

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5. Sofia Tagua Earrings – Berry
Our Sofia Earrings are ringed in sterling silver with a berry colored tagua center. Handcrafted using sustainable materials from the rainforests of South America. Our fair trade artisans transform tagua nuts into modern accessories any girl would love.

I hope you found our socially conscious picks for your spring break packing list helpful & fun! Bon Voyage!

Product Feature – Dawn’s Favorite Things!

One of the exciting things about working for Seven Hopes United is the chance to constantly see new beautiful and unique fair trade items.  Over the past year I have become quite familiar with many of these pieces and while I really like all of them I of course have my favorites; we humans always have our favorites don’t we!

Today I’d like to share with you some of my most favorite fair trade products from Seven Hopes United.

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As it turns out I like all of the Eva Hand Painted items; I find the colors very appealing. My favorite of these items is the Eva Hand Painted Tiffin. Can’t you just imagine a picnic on a perfect summer day with these?

pear_birdhouse

I first learned about felting a few years back when I started knitting. I’ve never done it myself but I really like the look of it. And this Handmade Felt Pear Birdhouse is just darling and makes for a great gift for your mom or a friend.

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I’m a sucker for scarves. I think that they are the perfect accessory because they can dress up any outfit. This Shibori Cotton Scarf in blue would be a nice pop of color with a little black dress!

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Okay purses are another one of my weaknesses. They too can make an outfit. And since I tend to wear a lot of black I like colorful accessories. The Colorful Leather Clutch from India looks beautiful against any outfit!

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31Bits really makes lovely jewelry. I have come to really like the Ugandan paper jewelry over the years and again I am drawn to the many different colors that are used in these items. Here is the 31Bits Raffia Twist Bracelet, braided and a rainbow of colors!

I hope that you enjoy these too. There are so many more wonderful items to choose from but these are just a few of my favorites.

Have a great day – Dawn

 

 

Real Couple’s Favorite Fair Trade Products – Jesse & Michael

I am REALLY excited for today’s post! For those of you that follow us on Facebook, you may remember me asking for any and all previous registrants to share their favorite fair trade products with us. Today is the first in a series of posts featuring real couple’s favorite fair trade products. Obviously I have my favorites, but I know you all do too. Not to mention, we want to help future registrants with the overwhelming task of registering for gifts.

Jesse & Michael, a newlywed couple living in Maine so graciously volunteered to help us out. Not only did this beautiful couple look amazing on their wedding day, they have some great picks for us! A HUGE thanks to Jesse & Michael for participating. If you are a previous registrant, and are interested in having your favorite products featured, email me and I will give you more details (it’s easy & painless, I promise)!

On May 6, 2012, almost four years to the day from when we first met, Mike and I married in Castine, Maine, on a rocky point with Grindle’s Eddy swirling ahead of us in the harbor. Our wedding guests, along with friends and family, included four seals (drawn to the bagpiper perhaps), a Bald Eagle, a loon and three dogs.

Initially, we didn’t want to register anywhere, but our families pointed out it was more for our guests than us. We were thrilled to find 7 Hopes United as an alternative to the usual big chain stores. The organization’s mission reflects our commitment to the environment, to “giving back” and to supporting small businesses and artisans. It is now our top choice for purchasing wedding and other gifts, as well as items for our home.

We currently live in Maine, with no plans to leave. Mike is a marine systems engineer, I am a freelance journalist and communications consultant and our black lab/golden retriever mix, Alice, is a lovable, energetic menace to society. Our style is a blend of coastal living and country. As wooden boat sailors, we gravitate towards wooden pieces –even our wedding rings are made of wood– and soft, earth-tone colors.

- Jesse

jesse-michael-registry-favs
1) Large Capiz Bowl Sunset
We received these first two gifts as a set and love them – especially for salads! The deep red of the bowl is a gorgeous backdrop for greens and other veggies.

2) Twisted Olive Wood Server Set
The olive wood serving set is so unique and versatile. We get compliments every time we use them.

3) Dragonfly Vase
With the dragonflies as the centerpiece, this vase looks beautiful with or without flowers. I particularly love the light jade color as it happens to be my favorite shade of green.

4) Brooklyn Slate Cheese Board
This is one of our favorite items. We use it regularly when we have company to set out whatever new cheeses we are trying from the local co-op. With the soapstone chalk, you can label each cheese directly on the slate – or draw silly faces, depending on your mood.

Ethically Sourced Products Should be the Heart of Business

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.”