Tell Me About Where This Came From....

Our customers often ask where the item they are purchasing was made or "what the story is" about a certain product.  Today I asked my Mom what she might be interested in reading about on the Blog, and she said "about where your products come from and the women who make them".   Maybe other readers are interested in more information about this topic as well.

Buy The Change currently has products  made by women in 12 developing nations.  Every piece has been handmade and fairly traded.  The list includes:  Afganistan, Cambodia, China, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, Uganda and Vietnam. 

We are always searching for new and interesting products from unrepresented countries.  This past May at the International Women's Expo in Novi, we were blessed to meet Leslie,  a wonderful women from western Michigan.  She spends half the year in Africa doing mission work and has become our eyes on the ground in Kenya and Uganda.  She handpicks african jewelry and baskets for Buy The Change, directly from the women artisans who make them.  In summer 2012 we added recycled paper bead jewelry and fabric baskets.  This fall you will see a large selection of bright colored rafia baskets in our inventory as well.   Helping us find new products helps Leslie continue the important work she is doing in Africa with her non-profit, Surprised by Hope. 

Here is a sample list of the types of products we source from each country:

Afganistan:    Organic Soaps, balms and Lotions
Cambodia:     Silk  bags and Scarves
China:            Jewelry
Guatemala:    Scarves and Bags
India:             Jewelry, Recycled Sari Fabric Blankets, bags and scarves
Indonesia:      Sterling Silver Jewelry
Kenya:           Recycled Fabric Bowls, Recycled Paper Bead Jewelry
Mexico:         Bags, Sterling Silver Jewelry
Nepal:            Woven Glass Bead Roll-on Bracelets
Thailand:        Silk Bags and Scarves
Uganda:         Baskets, Recycled Paper Bead Jewelry, Glass Bead Jewelry 
Vietnam:        Silk Bags and Scarves 

You can find more detailed information about the artisan groups at the Buy The Change website.   www.buythechangeusa.org.

Check out our Facebook page too:  www.facebook.com/buythechange   If you aren't already a friend, please hit "like" while you are there.