The Way to Go Fair Trade

Creatively Belle designs are made from Czech glass and crystal so quality and fair trade is assured. We import the beads and make the jewelry in our studio.

Like most people we believe in having a fair go and Fair Trade is all about fairness: eradicating disadvantage workplace environments and bringing about fair wages, decent employment opportunities and good work environments - very simple really.

The Importance of Fair Trade

Fair trade is about getting a fair deal for your efforts. For most of us with access to the internet getting a fair go is protected by our democratically elected governments, it is written into legislation and we are protected (even if we disagree with our policy makers about things sometimes).

For many getting paid a fair wage and having good employment opportunities isn't happening and it needs to change and you and I have the power to be the change with how we spend our money.

We can choose to spend our consumer and wholesale money on fair trade goods where the people who produce them are paid well and work in safe and good work environments.

We can do this simply by being aware, by asking "is this made in a fair trade environment?" when we are shopping. Retailers and wholesalers want our business and if they find their customers wanting these goods they'll stock them, thus creating a greater demand for fair trade produced goods.

Find out more at the Fair Trade Federation; an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide.

World Fair Trade Day

Each year the second Saturday of May is celebrated as World Fair Trade Day. This year it is the 12th May 2007.

The theme for 2007 World Fair Trade Day is the unique role Fair Trade Organisations so use your economic power and buy Fair Trade goods through Fair Trade stores and encourage companies to carry more Fair Trade goods.

World Fair Trade Month

October is World Fair Trade Month so get involved.

Fair Trade Blogs and Sites to Explore

Want to find out more about Fair Trade issues? Check out these blogs and sites:

Tribes & Nations - a fair trade initiative connecting the artisans of the developing world with the West. We have beautifully handcrafted goods which bring a ‘living wage’ to the producer, beyond subsistence or exploitation.

Positive Impact - Positive Impact brings you a range of high quality household products including coffee, tea, chocolates and cosmetics that are produced and distributed ethically. This means that workers and growers get decent wages and conditions and revenues support local businesses and communities.

Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ) Inc - provides you with information on the different fair trade initiatives operating in both countries, as well as links and insight to the larger global fair trade movement.

Fair Trade Federation (US) - an association of fair trade wholesalers, retailers, and producers whose members are committed to providing fair wages and good employment opportunities to economically disadvantaged artisans and farmers worldwide.

Fair Trade Sport - a blog about all about new fair trade sports stuff hitting the market — so far, soccer balls, volleyballs, rugby balls, footballs, and futsal.

Fair Trade Coffee News - a Blog about fair trade coffee and related topics (I'm a tea drinker and this site has me asking myself 'who can I buy some fair trade coffee for as a present?' So go check it out.)

Fair Trade Online Store - focuses on the principles of socially and economically responsible business by operating according to Fair Trade Criteria. So you can shop here knowing that the products you choose are all sweatshop-free.

Treehugger - a diverse site with regular Fair Trade articles - worth exploring.

Fair Trade and Jewelry

It can be very easy to be captivated by the beauty of a piece but the Blood diamond issue has caused us all to pause and think.

Fair Trade and jewelry is an important issue and one we each have the opportunity to be the change we want.

Here at Creatively Belle we work in Czech glass and crystal as well as organic pearls (pearls are inherently organic as they are living gem stones that grow in flowing water like rivers and oceans).

Creatively Belle designs are made from Czech glass and crystal so quality and fair trade is assured.

We import our beads then design and make the jewelry here in our own studio assuring Fair Trade principles are respected.

We work in the Czech glass and crystals for a whole host of reasons, including the work environment they are created in, the qualify of the work, the design and beauty of the components.

Click here to learn more about the beads we use.

Countries such as the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Australia, France and US have legislation to protect their workers. Whereas countries such as India and China don't have protection for their workers. Indian and Chinese beads might be cheaper, making their jewelry cheaper, but this is achieved by women and men working in sweatshops and often unsafe conditions.

Indian and Chinese glass is also of a poorer quality because of the work conditions and especially because the glass is cooled too quickly, not allowing it to anneal (harden) properly, so it will break.

There are individual Asian workshops and factories that pay particular care to issues of fair pay and good work environments and these are to be valued and the good news is there numbers are growing (but sadly aren't in the majority yet).

Catherine Popesco of La Vie Parisienne Designs are created in a artisan studio in Paris and are covered by the French legislation that results in Fair Trade practices.

Catherine's work is another example of how a small boutique designer keeps alive the tradition skills and community values.

To find out more about Catherine Popesco of La Vie Parisienne designs click here.

Creatively Belle Free Newsletter

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Power of Trade

Trade and commerce has an amazing power and ability to affect change. People have crossed great expanses of uncharted oceans to find trade opportunities that resulted in colonies and the changing of nations paths for centuries.

Just as there was demand for new trade opportunities 500 years ago there is today with the growing demand for Fair Trade goods and services.

As developing countries face falling prices, subsidies and dumping, increased poverty and income disparities, and globalization rules written by the rich countries, there is a need for poverty alleviation through trade, and through campaigning to level the playing field. Fair Trade Organisations pioneer this international movement.

So sites like the FTAANZ and FTF lists of certified Fair Trade businesses gives you the opportunity to use your power of trade to be the change.

Remember also that there are many businesses online and within your local community that have a strong focus on fairness, community values and sustainability that are making a difference every day, just like we here at Creatively Belle hope to achieve.

Be the change you want in the world.