Tag Archives: fair trade

How Jewelry Is Saving the World

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Well … that’s a rather bold title, isn’t it? Ok, so jewelry may not fly around, red cape-clad, and swoop in on a distressed Lois Lane today. But it has its own world-saving power. Want to see what I mean?

Ladies, we love jewelry. It’s pretty much a proven fact, just like we love potato chips and puppies (and maybe kittens, but I can’t vouch for full-grown cats). And we also like to help people. Women are helpers. We’re care-givers and love-givers. And if we can buy jewelry and in turn spread our love and help across the oceans, who’s going to complain about that?

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At Seven Hopes United, we truly believe that the purchases of gorgeous, unique jewelry and other ethically made products are helping to save lives and give hope to the nations. When you buy a piece like this beautiful Cascade necklace, you ensure fair wages are being paid to the woman in Ecuador who hand crafted it. You then open up her access to nonprofit services, such as scholarships and training programs. These programs will in turn keep her and her children clothed, fed and educated, which unleashes their God-given potential into the world. This tidal wave of events began with your purchase of a simple necklace.

And what about this stunning 31BITS Raffia Twist Bracelet? Yes, it’s perfect for Spring and as pretty as sunshine. But it also accomplishes this:

31 Bits Designs is a socially minded business designed to give internally displaced women in Northern Uganda an opportunity to counter poverty. By giving our beneficiaries access to the international market, they are able to earn an instant income, providing homes, food, and education for their families. Our program equips women by providing literacy education, financial and vocational training, holistic care, and strong support systems, empowering individuals to further their careers and attain social equity.

Whoa, pretty little bracelet! I’m impressed.

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This dainty pair of lime tagua chip earrings has a lot to offer too:

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The artisans handcraft the jewelry designs from natural materials that have been sustainably harvested from the rainforests and lowlands of South America. Some materials are gathered from the rainforest floor while others require a skilled farmer to climb high into the tropical canopy to harvest ripe pods. In both cases, trees are not harmed and the commercialization of these seeds helps to ensure the survival of the world’s rainforests by providing an alternative income for its inhabitants in place of logging or selling their land to destructive industries.

Pretty cool, right? If you want to help us change the world one piece of jewelry at a time, would you consider sharing this post on your Pinterest, Twitter, FB or Instagram page? Oh and obviously, you’d better buy yourself a piece of  jewelry while you’re at it. :)

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Seven Hopes United loves you!

XO,

Casey

What Inspires You?

Have you ever sat and thought about what really inspires you? What makes you tick; what you’re passionate about?  We at Seven Hopes United put that thought into what we do all the time.  The story of fair trade is an inspiring one by itself and we are grateful to be a part of making this world a little better for all of us.

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There are so many things that inspire us from what items we sell to the stories of the women and men who produce those items. Here is a list of things that inspires us!

Uniqueness

Quality

Beauty

A Joy for Life

Style

Our Producers!

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Have a great day – Dawn

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?

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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

 

 

Tasty Tuesday: Strawberry Shortcake

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Here’s a little taste of summer for you! Strawberry shortcake is a sweet and simple little treat that works for summer or any day that you can get strawberries from your grocery store or local farmers market.  This recipe is so easy you can whip it up before friends come over or you can have it for a tea party themed birthday party or even as a quick dessert after dinner one evening.

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Strawberry Vanilla Shortcakes
Makes: 6 to 8
What You Need
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ cup fair trade turbinado raw cane sugar
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup low-fat Greek yogurt (I happened to only have strawberry flavored and it worked out fine.)
  • 1 teaspoon fair trade vanilla extract
  • 2 cups strawberries
  • 1½ tablespoons fair trade sugar
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • Sweetened whipped cream or coconut whipped cream
  • Fresh mint
What To Do
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ½ cup turbinado raw cane sugar, and one pinch kosher salt.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the wet ingredients: 1 large egg, ¾ cup low-fat Greek yogurt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  4. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Spray with cooking spray or grease 6 cups of a muffin tin, then pour in the batter equally to the 6 cups (or 7 or 8, for slightly smaller cakes). Lightly spray the tops of the cakes, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the tops are lightly browned. Let stand in the muffin tin 1 minute, then remove to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
  5. While the cakes bake, wash 2 cups strawberries, and slice them into a medium bowl. Stir in 1½ tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, then let stand until serving, stirring occasionally.
  6. Make the whipped cream, using whipping cream or coconut milk.
  7. Chiffonade the mint (following this video).
  8. When ready to serve, cut the cakes in half. Spoon over strawberries, top with whipped cream and fresh mint, and top with the remaining half.
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For a fun way to involve your guests in your party, place whipped cream in one small sea stripe capiz bowl and strawberries in another and let friends pile on both with a little mint!

Happy Eating! Dawn

Baby Shower Gifts that Give Back!

Yesterday, I spent a few hours with lovely women at my friend’s baby shower.  Several of the women at the shower were also pregnant and they all looked radiant and beautiful with their little babies growing within.  Baby showers are one of my favorite events, even more than a wedding shower, baby showers are brimming with expectant joy and utter possibility.

Since I attended a baby shower yesterday I thought it would be fitting to share with you a fair trade gift guide for baby showers.  I always recommend buying off a person’s registry because those are the items that the person definitely wants.  However, the gift ideas below are fun and fabulous, give back and would perfectly compliment any gift!

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The Pink Woven Basket from Senegal is a great way to store baby’s toys and blankets.

The Tree of Life Metal Wall Art is a perfect fit for the bedroom of either a baby boy or girl.

LIttle Toms, I can think of nothing cuter to put on baby’s little feet! And for every pair of Toms that you buy you are also improving the life of a child.

Organic cotton and fair trade, Under the Nile pjs are darling and comfy.

Enjoy – Dawn