by Louise Davies |
August 16, 2013
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When you’re closely involved with something every day it can be hard to step back and see it from a new perspective. We have lots of customers who know all about fair trade and are passionate ethical consumers (and encouragingly, lots of children are well versed on the importance of fair trade). However, we do get one or two who are unfamiliar with the term. It can be very rewarding to explain why it’s important to pay people a fair wage for their work; ensure they are working in a safe environment; avoid child labour; and enable producers to invest in the future of their business – and see that you have potentially changed the way someone will think about their shopping habits.
We have a flyer on our counter from Fairtrade Wales. ‘Wales, the world’s first Fair Trade Nation!’ it claims, and the small print explains how businesses, local authorities, schools, faith groups and individuals all use, buy and support fair trade. A seemingly well-informed customer noticed the flyer and explained what it meant to his partner: “isn’t it great, Wales is committed to fair trade? That means all workers in Wales are paid a fair wage and work in safe conditions.” This is actually a common mistake, often people who seem to understand fair trade, ask if any of our products are made locally in Wales. Of course, Wales is part of the EU and has a whole set of regulations that ensure minimum wages, health and safety at work etc so fair trade is a given. Our working lives are so different from those in developing countries who are often exploited by the demands of the West.
Fair trade is also often wrapped up in conversations about sustainability, incorporating social justice and environmental issues. Of course it’s an important part of the mix, but it does need to be understood as a stand along concept that can’t be diluted or diffused with environmental considerations.
Perhaps fair trade needs to get back to basics with its messaging. It’s a simple idea – pay a fair wage, keep people safe, invest in the future.
Tagged:
fair trade,
fairtrade
by Andrew Williams |
July 22, 2013
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"I believe that children are our future," as the late, great Whitney sang. Kids today already learn a lot more about fair trade than they would have twenty years ago - and thanks to classroom projects up and down the land we are gradually turning Britain into a fair trade nation. We've pulled together a cool selection of kid-friendly bits and pieces to help your little ones stay occupied during the summer holidays...
First there's our new range of exclusive toys from Argentina. These are sure to be a hit with little (and big) kids of all ages, and are available in a wide number of animals. They're going fast, and while we hope to have more before Christmas, you may want to pick one up now to be on the safe side.
Then there's our firm favourites from Pebble, made by women's cooperatives in Bangladesh which offer flexible working and a self sufficient lifestyle for the people making them.
New from our designers in Holland is our Little Fair Bag, a cool plain bag complete with crayons your budding Leonardo can use to colour in and create their very own work of art.
We hope to have more clothes and products for teenagers in the next few months, so keep checking back to see what cool new items have been added. We also have a range of leaflets and cards explaining more about fair trade - if you'd like us to include some of these with your next order just let us know and we'll pop some in for you!
Tagged:
2013,
eighteen rabbit,
hay on wye,
kids
by Andrew Williams |
July 20, 2013
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We often describe the products we sell at Eighteen Rabbit as "fair trade with style," or "stylish fair trade designs" - but what do we mean and why is it important?
It's about combating a stereotype. While many households are used to buying fair trade tea, coffee or sugar, they may have preconception about what fair trade clothes, jewellery and home wares will look like. To be blunt, customers may think that they will be paying more for an inferior product, or that they'll be guilt-tripped into a purchase as some kind of charitable gesture.
That's where we are trying to do something different. We hope that our customers buy our products first and foremost because they love them, and see their fair trade credentials as an extra bonus. This isn't about a donation, or a sympathy purchase. The artists and creators we represent don't see themselves as victims. Rather, they are entrepreneurs, who have taken a conscious decision to try to better their own position and provide security for their families by investing in their business. We support them by ensuring they are paid a fair price.
How we do this is equally important. For some lines we source the products directly from the artists themselves - even bringing them back in our luggage on some occasions! Where we use wholesalers we cherry-pick products which fit not just our ethics, but also our sense of style and design. We're looking for items which reflect a design-led approach to contemporary ethical living.
And why is that important? Why not just take a more traditional route with more items which might fit the stereotypes of a "fair trade shop?" The answer is that our aim is to make that definition redundant. Our goal is to create an economic environment where "fair trade" isn't a nice additional extra, but is the norm for how we do business around the world. It may sound a like a grand ambition, but the way we want to start is by showing that fair trade shouldn't be second best, or a compromise - it should represent the very best products that are available. We hope you'll agree!
Tagged:
design,
eighteen rabbit,
fair trade,
style
by Andrew Williams |
July 16, 2013
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We're really excited to be stocking an amazing new range of toys available exclusively in the UK at Eighteen Rabbit! They are made in Argentina by a small family business called Sopa de Principe and we think each one of them may be able to steal a small piece of your heart. Made by hand, the toys include cows, sheep, bears, rabbits (of course!) and even ant eaters. There are also mini monsters to collect, plus a "Build Your Own Monster" kit allowing you to assemble your very own soft and fluffy Frankenstein's Monster!
Before their debut at Eighteen Rabbit, the range of toys has already seen some pretty cool places, including an exhibition at MoMa in New York. In an age of computer games and downloads it's nice to have a connection with something truly authentic, hand made, and unique.
We're sure these guys wont last long so get them while you can. We hope to have another order before Christmas but supplies are very limited so don't delay! All the toys are hand made in cotton and stuffed with polyester, with soft felt eyes. They can be hand washed in cool water.
Tagged:
Argentina,
eighteen rabbit,
fair trade,
hay castle,
hay on wye,
toys
by Louise Davies |
July 05, 2013
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We're excited to be stocking some of our favourite pieces of art from Mexico - 'Alebrije' animal figures.
We bought an Alebrije rabbit on a trip to Mexico (at an eye-watering price due to my confusion over the exchange rate!), and displayed it behind the shop counter. We had so may requests to purchase it we decided to import a range to sell.
‘Alebrijes’ are a form of folk art from Oaxaca, Mexico. They are carved and painted by hand, and incorporate fantastical imagery.
Some creatures have removable pieces – the more removable pieces, the more special the creature. Traditionally this would be how you can tell that you have a piece carved by one of the original great carvers.
All of the pieces include exquisite detailed hand-painting and bright colours. We hope you like them!
Tagged:
alebrije,
animals,
Mexico
