Artisan Collection
Guatemala
La Casa Guatemala currently works with artisan communities throughout the country. Within Guatemala, La Casa Guatemala's commitments are to generate sustainable, optimum income-producing crafts production, including new opportunities for existing artisan groups, and training for incipient groups.
Peru
Ayacucho, Peru, was hit hard in the 1980's by the Shining Path terrorist group. After the group was suppressed by the government various NGOs went to Ayacucho to help the women who had been raped and abused. Small artisan groups were formed to create products using ancestral embroidery techniques. Ayacucho is now a peaceful place with artisans enjoying steady employment.
Products
Peru
These delightful ceramics hearts are made in the tradition of the renowned retablos, ceramic churches, and clay figurines one sees all over Peru. Despite the conflicts that this city has endured, Ayacucho is a beautiful colonial city with intact Spanish architecture. Artisans here have a long tradition working with clay, stone and fiber.
Products
Ghana
Nomoda Djaba is known to everyone as Cedi, owner of the Cedi Bead Industry in Odumasi, Krobo, Ghana. Cedi has a large workshop with several employees, that he became involved with as a child working with his grandfather in the family business. The Krobo are known for their beads and Cedi is one of the best known bead makers who sells beads both locally and internationally.
Products
India
With revenues generated by the sales of handcrafts, Tara Projects funds a number of community development projects, such as health programs, non-formal schools, training centers, and adult literacy programs which are impacting the lives of hundreds of children and adults, and helping children to stay in school.
Haiti
Haiti’s Ceremonial Banners, or Vodou Flags represent various spirits, or lwa, of Vodou, based on religious beliefs and practices slaves brought with them from West Africa. George Valris, one of the most prominent of Vodou flag artists, has individually crafted flags in the spirit of the mermaid, angel and heart.
Mozambique
Swahili Imports works with producers across Africa who value their natural environment and employ sustainable methods of production. A member of the Fair Trade Federation, Swahili Imports helps ensure fair wages, educational opportunities and social and environmental responsibility in their work with African artisans.
Mozambique
Plagued by a long and violent civil war, Mozambique has seen her country and her people broken to the point of near destruction. Now a free Republic, the people look to their vast forest resources to supply the materials for unique hand crafted goods with designs rooted in their Portuguese past and their modern cultures.
Products
Kenya
Swahili Imports collaborates with hundreds of skilled artisans in developing countries to cultivate profitable endeavors that enrich lives, communities, and the world at large. After more than nine years in business, Swahili Imports continues to foster social awareness about global interactions with Africa.
Products
Guatemala
Melange Collection is a gift and home accessories company working directly with artisans from around the world to offer the finest hand crafted products. Melange collaborates with community based organizations in developing countries to insure that all products are created in a safe work environment, the artisans earn a living wage, and their cultural traditions are honored, respected and encouraged.
Products
Pakistan
The AHAN projects work with almost 4,000 artisans throughout Pakistan on improving the quality, design, and marketing of their products. With a focus on alleviating poverty, many of the women AHAN serves live in rural regions where their access to appropriate markets is limited by conservatism and geography.
Products
Haiti
Stone carving became a part of the Haitian craft scene in the 1950s, and the grey stone of Leogane provides an excellent starting point for many Haitian sculptors. Because almost all of Leogane's villagers lost their homes in the 2010 earthquake, buying stone hearts is a caring gesture on many levels. Hearts are imported by Tesoros Trading Company, who is donating all proceeds to the Hand/Eye fund for artisans in Haiti.
