Retailers continue to put pressure on prices in order to gain market share. Some costs have actually decreased in the past decade partly due to globalisation and strategic sourcing, but some manufacturers also reduce costs at enormous cost to workers.

 

The  artists and craft workers are encouraged to use ethically and locally sourced materials and by ensuring that they are fairly paid for their work, they are able to support themselves and their family. This is sometimes the only opportunity that these people have to earn a reasonable living without exploitation.

Every time you make the choice to buy a piece of Fair Trade Jewellery you are helping others as well as acquiring a unique piece of hand crafted jewellery .The  jewellery varies from simple paper bead necklaces, pieces made from recycled paper and recycled  bottle tops earrings to stylish  silver bracelets and earrings. It is all  quite beautiful,  just look at the lovely selection of Fair-Trade Jewellery that we have sourced for you in the jewellery section of Ethical Gifts

If you’re looking for some inspiration for ecofriendly gifts  or handmade gifts  , here are our suggestions. We have compiled a list of our top 5 earth and people friendly Christmas  gifts for women Everything is eco-friendly, reusable, ethically-made and sustainable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our ecofriendly jute tote bags are a great gift for a busy mum. They are hand-woven are a stylish bag that is durable and will last . These environmentally friendly bags feature strong handles made of the same gorgeous hand-woven jute.

 

 

 

 

Not daggy slippers! Definitely not, these award winning Chilote House Shoes make a great ethical gift, they combine elements of craft, technology, and sustainability all in one appealing, natural, handmade and cosy product to keep mum snug all winter.

 

 

Jewellery is always a favourite eco gift for women. Hand crafted Trade Bead necklaces from Kenya display the beauty of African culture .They look absolutely stunning against any simple solid colour and there are matching earrings and a bracelet.

 

 

 

 An embroidered journal is also a lovely gift idea . The embroidery panel is signed in stitches by the woman who sewed the panel. It comes with a jounal (A5) which can easily be replaced when needed and is another lovely gift idea for Mothers Day, each journal is individually handmade, always useful, just about guaranteed to become an all time favourite. Each hand embroidered notebook cover is unique reflecting the creativity and individuality of the maker.

 

 

 

 

 

Fair-trade Gifts

Most of us have heard about fair trade tea, coffee and chocolate. The fair trade range goes beyond food. There is a brilliant selection of fair-trade gifts available including accessories such as bags, scarves and jewellery,  high quality handmade eco-friendly toys, skilfully hand crafted jewellery  and decorator items such as bowls, cushion covers and candles .There is something to suit everyone and everything is hand made using traditional skills . The pieces are all made individually not churned out of a factory so each piece has its own individuality and is unique Some of the fairly made gifts that are available include gifts made from recycled materials If you are after something unique and delightful there are brilliant recycled crafts that include cars and planes ,chickens and earrings Old tin cans recrafted into lovely items are a very creative gift idea Every one of these recycled items has its own unique charm There are also really beautifully made crocheted and wooden hand made toys from little boats to hand knitted zebras and puppets which would bring joy to any child. Fairtrade and recycled bags are a popular item as so many are now avoiding disposable bags From recycled fish food bags to bags made from jute they are well worth investigating The styles vary from the simple and more elegant to amazing creations made from all sorts of recycled materials

Made in South Africa these superb hand crafted baskets woven from copper telephone wire are a contemporary art form involving incredible levels of skill and colour. Telephone Wire Baskets are made in myriad of colours and a variety of intricate designs ,  woven using plastic coated copper telephone wire the baskets are woven from the outside edge toward the centre.

The telephone wire basket is a relatively recent craft development.The origins of telephone wire weaving have been  traced to Zulu night watchmen in urban areas of South Africa who would find discarded pieces of the wire and to banish boredom on night shifts took to weaving coloured wire around their traditional sticks. This skill was soon extended to include the making of the baskets. These brilliant baskets now are exported worldwide and provide a sustainable and dignified income for the weavers .