The May Chapter of our 2023 Lookbook is here

Oval Drop Earrings

These lightweight mixed-metal drop earrings are stunning and have a powerful mission. Each earring features a silver rectangular stud with a gold oval-shaped hoop that is meticulously hand-cut and shaped. These Oval Drop Earrings are handcrafted by women in Kenya who are overcoming discrimination and disabilities. Every purchase helps provide food, shelter, dignified income, and a wheelchair for a differently abled woman in Kenya.

• Approx. Measurements: 2 1/4″
• Materials: Plated brass 
• Color: Silver, Gold 
• Price: $27.95
• SKU:  JEBO1782

 

The Impact of Your Purchase   

In Kenya, where many people struggle with starvation and poverty, the women we partner with are defying the odds! Your purchase empowers these women to earn an income, overcome physical disabilities, and become important parts of their communities!   

 

Alice’s Story of Hope 

“I assemble jewelry in Kenya. It is not good for people who are disabled here. They are treated poorly. It is so hard. But I’m happy doing this work because I feel free. I finally feel like a person! I can even send my adopted daughter and orphaned niece to school! Your purchase supports us and allows more people who are disabled to stop begging on the street like I did.”

 

 

Dorado Bracelet

This ethically made gold tone bracelet from Peru features an on-trend chain link design. The easy toggle closure allows you to easily style and stack the Dorado Bracelet with other favorites. This bracelet is handcrafted in a workshop committed to empowering the next generation with traditional Artisanal skills training. Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty in Peru.  

• Approx. Measurements: 7″
• Materials: Plated bronze  
• Color: Gold 
• Retail Price: $45.95
• SKU: JBVL1747

 

 

The Impact of Your Purchase       

This Artisan community is committed to their mission of keeping the techniques and art of their Peruvian ancestors alive by supporting an Artisan training center where they pass down their skills and traditions to vulnerable young people who live in areas of extreme poverty. 

Sandy’s Story of Hope

“One of my dreams is to study in college. My work is my way to solve the challenges of pursuing my studies. It wouldn’t be possible without it. Without my work, life would be difficult, because I couldn’t pay my expenses. I couldn’t study. I’m doing my best to keep both activities, even though it is difficult.   

Now I’ve become an Artisan with good skills, and I’m able to make some decisions in the production and packaging process. My favorite part of the day in the workshop is mornings at 8, when we all arrive and prepare for our workday. It’s funny when our energies join! We are so pleased to work with Trades of Hope! We hope that you continue relying on handmade crafts!”  

 

Agate Key Bracelet 

The varying shades of genuine blue lace agate stone make every Agate Key Bracelet from the Dominican Republic entirely unique. Each stretch-to-fit bracelet features a gold-tone accent bead and a delicate gold key charm. Every purchase of this bracelet supports a safe house in the Dominican Republic that provides housing, education, legal services, and trauma counseling for survivors of human trafficking.   

• Approximate Measurements:  Stretch, 6 3/4″   
• Materials: Blue lace agate, Plated brass   
• Colors: Light blue, Gold 
• Price: $37.95
• SKU: JBBG1771

 

 

The Impact of Your Purchase   

The Dominican Republic is home to the third-fastest growing sex-trafficking industry in the world. Your purchase empowers women escaping domestic abuse and human trafficking with freedom and dignity.   

Rosaura’s Story of Hope   

“I learned how to make jewelry as a hobby when I was twelve years old. When American outreach teams came to build homes, I would participate in workshops with jewelry designers. I found my passion! I love designing jewelry!   

Before I became an Artisan, my life was very different. A few years ago, I had a problem with depression and felt that I had no friends. I was always isolated and did not talk to anyone about it. But today, I’ve overcome my fears. Now, I can be confident and make plans for my life and learn new things. Becoming an Artisan has also helped me to fulfill my dreams of studying, since my family is very poor and I’m one of five children. In my future, I hope to finish my studies, become a professional, and have my own business.”  

 

 

Orchid Stripe Bracelet 

This delicate, adjustable, slide-knot bracelet features three rows of varying shades of blues, purples, silver, and white beads hand beaded into a color-blocked pattern. Each bracelet is hand braided with waxed cotton string and finished with knotted ends featuring silver-tone accent beads. Every purchase of the Orchid Stripe Bracelet provides vital opportunities for women in Thailand’s rural villages to earn income and help their families thrive.  

Product Details  

• Approx. Measurements: Adjustable, 6 1/2” – 9″ 
• Materials: Waxed cotton, Glass beads, Plated brass 
• Colors: Blue-Gray, Light Purple, Turquoise, White, Light Blue, Blue Dark Purple, Silver 
• Retail: $29.95
• SKU: JBLT1776

 

The Impact of Your Purchase  

This workshop was founded by a local woman who had witnessed too many women in Thailand’s rural villages desperate to feed their families and being forced to leave their children behind to find jobs in the city, so they could send money home.  

So, she created this workshop that offers skills training, business mentoring, scholarships for Artisans’ children, emergency health care coverage, micro-loan programs, and job flexibility that allow women, like Sa, to work from home. Every purchase of this bracelet supports this rural village workshop in Thailand and helps these women help their families prosper!  

Sa’s Story of Hope

Sa grew up in a small traditional town in Thailand where many people did not value girls, nor encourage them to pursue their dreams. But Sa was blessed with parents who encouraged her to dream big and become independent. So, Sa followed her dreams and moved to the city to become the main materials purchaser for this Artisan community.  She often visits different communities and marketplaces to find new trends and fabrics.

“I love doing something that gives me freedom and independence. I grew up in a small town where many had limited ideas of how a girl should act. Now, I’m the main purchaser of materials and make a difference! I love making a difference and being creative.”

 

 

Lotus Necklace

Inspired by the beautiful Lotus Flower that begins in the mud and rises above to the sunlight, the Lotus Necklace is a symbol for the women who create it and wear it. Serving as a reminder to continue to rise above and look to the sunlight in our daily lives, this classic silver-tone necklace from India is an everyday wardrobe essential. Wear it alone or layer it with other necklaces! Customize your length with the adjustable extension chain on the back featuring an easy-clasp closure. Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops.

• Approximate Measurements: Adjustable, 16-18″     
• Materials: Plated brass
• Colors: Silver
• Price: $31.95
• SKU:  JNCD1789

 

 

The Impact of Your Purchase

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to health care, education for their children, and care for elderly family members.

Babli’s Story of Hope   

Babli lives in an area of extreme poverty in India where vulnerable women are often exploited in sweatshops with unfair wages, unreasonable hours, and unsafe workspaces. As an Artisan in this workshop, she is able to earn fair wages working reasonable hours in a safe workspace. The income she earns as an Artisan is empowering her to lead her family out of poverty.

 

 

Periwinkle Studs 

These delicate Periwinkle Studs from India feature faceted, pale indigo-colored crystals set in silver-tone prongs. Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages for women in areas of extreme poverty where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops.  

• Approximate Measurements: 1/4″ 
• Materials: Crystal, Plated brass
• Color: Periwinkle, Silver  
• Price: $23.95
• SKU: JECD1743

 

 

The Impact of Your Purchase

In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to health care, education for their children, and care for elderly family members.

Babli’s Story of Hope   

Babli lives in an area of extreme poverty in India where vulnerable women are often exploited in sweatshops with unfair wages, unreasonable hours, and unsafe workspaces. As an Artisan in this workshop, she is able to earn fair wages working reasonable hours in a safe workspace. The income she earns as an Artisan is empowering her to lead her family out of poverty.

 

 

 

Mandala Tray

Display your favorite jewelry or create a stunning missional tablescape with this decorative Mandala Tray from India! This eco-friendly dish is made from fast-growing mango wood, a sustainable byproduct of India’s mango fruit industry. Each dish features unique natural wood grains and hand-painted gorgeous mandala designs. Every purchase supports families in areas of extreme poverty in India.  

ARTISANAL SUSTAINABILITY: In addition to being eco-friendly with fast-growing mango wood, our Artisans use up ALL parts of the wood! Nothing is wasted. This leads to many variations in the bowl, showing off its natural beauty.  

• Approximate Measurements: 7 1/2″W x 14″ L    
• Materials: Mango wood, Non-toxic Paint 
• Colors: Natural, White
• Care Instructions: Decorative use only. Not approved for food. To clean, gently wipe with a dry cloth. 
• Price: $39.95
• SKU: JBTP1732

 

The Impact of Your Purchase

The Artisans we partner with in India do so much more than just create beautiful products. With every purchase, another family is empowered to rise out of poverty! In areas where vulnerable Artisans are often exploited in sweatshops, they now have opportunities to earn a dignified income, attend financial management classes, establish safe workshops in their homes and communities, drink clean water, and receive education and health care. These Artisans are now able to give their families a promising future because of your purchase!  

Pinky’s Story of Hope   

Pinky is passionate about painting and adds the final touches to the handcrafted wooden designs in this workshop in India. She lives with her parents in a small village nearby. As their only child, Pinky’s work as an Artisan empowers her to care for and provide for her parents. Family is important to Pinky, and she enjoys spending time with her family, playing games like Charades.

Her Artisan community helped ensure safe working conditions for Pinky and the other Artisans in this workshop by establishing an air ducting system, installing a fire extinguisher system, and installing clean drinking water for the Artisans. Every purchase of their handcrafted wooden designs supports local Artisans in areas of extreme poverty with safe workspaces, reasonable hours, and fair wages.  

 

 

Block Print Tote 

This artisanal Block Print Tote from India is a true work of art! Using a traditional Artisanal process where blocks are carved into intricate designs, they stamped the block with pigment before applying to the fabric like a stamp. This heavyweight tote features a block-printed flower, a Chrysanthemum, and is oversized, making it perfect for trips to the grocery store or local markets. Every purchase helps a mom in India send her children to school. 

• Approximate Measurements: 17.5″H x 14.5″ W x 6″ D 
• Materials: Thick cotton canvas 
• Colors: Off-white, Black 
• Care Instructions: Spot clean as needed with mild soap and water. Air dry.
• Price: $41.95
• SKU:BGYL1812

 

 

The Impact of Your Purchase

Your purchase provides dignified work for differently abled, abused, and marginalized women in India. Without opportunities for safe jobs and fair wages, vulnerable women often are forced to beg on the streets. As Artisans, these women are overcoming discrimination, abuse, and extreme poverty, as they lead their families to experience new lives filled with healing and hope.  

Pooja’s Story of Hope 

“My father passed away quite a while ago. So, it’s my mother, my brother, and me. My work gives us a regular and steady income. It gives us a sense of job security… and that’s what Trades of Hope has provided… a sense of job security. Without worrying, I’m able to support my family and most importantly, pay for my brother’s education. 

One of the most important things I’ve learned as a person is to stand for myself and work with dignity. Definitely, getting a good wage is one of the perks of being a part of this Artisan community, but the most important thing is the friendly and clean working environment. All the Artisans are treated equally and with utmost respect. I dream of becoming a master Artisan.”

 

Download + Share the video,  graphics, product, and Artisan images below to share the impact your customers can make when they shop the 8 new fair trade designs in our May Chapter!

STYLING VIDEO from February’s Chapter – Keep sharing as we continue to add more Necklace Strands to our building lookbook:

• Create Your Own Necklace
• Chapter 5 Designs

Click to download the full May chapter PDF:  Lookbook 2023: May Chapter 5

Trend Report: May Lookbook Chapter

Why a trend report?

Share the graphics below as you talk about this month’s trends.