What is Fair Trade?

[Jaszy McAllister]

Let me preface this post by saying that I am not an environmentalist, although I've been known to hug a few trees...What I am is a naturalist with a general focus on humanitarianism...(long word). In short, I love nature and on most days I love people. I also love designing jewelry. What does all that have to do with "Fair Trade"? For me, striving to combine my love for nature, people and jewelry led me to question how I could ensure that my endeavors would make a difference.

Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in international trading system by paying fair wages in local context, supporting participatory workplaces, ensuring environmental sustainability, supplying financial and technical support, offering public accountability, respecting cultural identity, building direct and long-term relationships, and educating consumers.

By approaching development as a whole process (rather than just a fair price), fair trade organizations cultivate partnerships with their suppliers and contribute to the development of communities. Fair trade is not about charity; it uses a fairer system of exchange to empower producers and to create sustainable, positive change, http://www.fairtradefederation.com.

I believe that by seeking out vendors who adhere to Fair Trade standards, purchasing Fair Trade and ethically sourced materials, and contributing to organizations who spearhead and support these efforts I am able to create and share my passion with a clear conscience.
be well, be positive, be present...

Jaszy McAllister

Jaszy’s Jewelry, LLC
http://www.Jaszy.com
Eco-conscious jewelry for you, for the planet.

[Jaszy McAllister]

Thank you and thanks for the referral! I will check it out!

The garden animals sound just too cute!

[Backyard Getaway (Lisa)]

That is beautiful! I don't wear jewelry but I did check out your site. You are very talented. The items we sold were for gardens. We had hand beaded decorative animals that were so cute & these really neat little butterflies & dragonflies that were on suction cups made out of a material that looked like colored seran wrap. I do think that the fair trade concept should go hand in hand with the green movement & the idea of buying locally. Using sustainable products or componants that are obtained from a local resource will definetely help the economy too! You should check out this site too for listing your business, It was started by a friend of mine about a year ago & they love to promote local companies. When yo list your business make sure to let Ester know that I referred you. Lisa www.localshops1.com

[Jaszy McAllister]

Yes it definitely would be! There are misconceptions that Fair Trade products are somehow below standard or are too expensive. I'd like to help people see that the Fair Trade concept and products are BEAUTIFUL!!

[Backyard Getaway (Lisa)]

Wow, very interesting blog. We used to have a retail store & purchased from a couple of vendors that promoted fair trade. I never realized there was so much to it! I think it's a great idea & it would be wonderful if more companies did the same.