by Louise Davies |
June 17, 2013
|
The festival season will soon be upon us! We're looking forward to the excellent Green Man Festival just down the road from Hay in Crickhowell. If you're off to spend a weekend listening to good music in a field somewhere, here are some great fair trade items that might come in handy!
Where's my phone?!
Whether you're texting your pals to rendez-vous in the healing fields, or snapping your favourite band in the signing tent, you'll need your phone at your side at all times! This handy phone case can hang around your neck for easy access.
Hand made in Cambodia from recycled sacks. £10.
Protect my head!
The folically challenged will know the importance of a sun hat and a bottle of factor 50 on a sunny day (here's hoping for sun!). These supercool hats protect your head and look great too.
Hand woven in Ecuador. £60.
Help! I've lost my can of Batiste!
Having a bad hair day? Just disguise it with these cool and colourful headbands. Available in a variety of prints, you'll be holding your head high!
Hand made in India. £15.
I need some luxury!
OK, it may be a bit 'Mariah Carey', but many jet-setters swear by scented candles to help them relax and feel comfortable whatever the setting. These small votive candles smell wonderful and will give you a few minutes relaxation before you head back to the dance tent.
Hand made in Thailand. £8.
Notice me!
These wolfpack tees will help you stand out in a crowd and are a great talking point. Perfect if you're going to see the Vaccines! Available in his n hers designs.
Made in eco factories in India. £25.
Tagged:
cambodia,
fair trade,
festival,
headband,
panama,
rapanui,
votive
by Andrew Williams |
June 12, 2013
|
It's always great to be able to chat to people who come into the shop about the stories behind the products we sell. Every now and then we meet someone with a special insight into something we sell, and this was the case when Julie visited us over the Hay Festival. She explained that she had visited the Sang Arun factory where some of our ceramics are made on a trip to Thailand. Julie was good enough to send us a couple of photos of their trip.
Julie wrote:
"Hello - you may remember I was in your shop on Bank Holiday Monday and talked to you about the Thai vases you had on display as we had visited the factory where they are made last summer. When I got home I had a look through the pictures from our holiday and thought you might be interested in seeing a couple from the Sang Arun factory - I've even got one of a lady making vases like the ones you had on display! As you will see the factory is light and airy and all workers were wearing masks to protect them from the clay dust."
We're so grateful to Julie for taking the time to send these snaps to us, and it's amazing to see for ourselves that the vision we're working towards seems to be having a practical effect. A lot of people ask us whether we've visited all of the places where we source our products. Sadly that's not practical at the moment, but we hope to notch a few more off the list as we continue to grow. For now we work with groups and co-operatives as close to the ground as possible to ensure that there are as few steps as possible between us and the people producing the items.
If you have any photos of fair trade products being produced around the world, any snaps of items you've bought from Eighteen Rabbit in their new homes or pictures of your visit to Hay on Wye, do send them in - there will be prizes for any we feature!
Tagged:
ceramics,
fair trade,
hay on wye,
Thailand
by Andrew Williams |
June 10, 2013
|
We had an amazing time over the Hay Festival. If you couldn't make it this year, or are curious to find out more, we've rounded up some of our personal highlights below. Let us know if you saw an amazing event which we missed! Here's Louise talking about her favourite moments...
"My festival experience started with a session on sustainable fashion with author and academic, Sandy Black. It didn't inspire me with confidence about the future of fair trade to be honest, and made me wonder if the concept of sustainability has helped or hindered the fair trade movement. Much of the questioning was around the recent Rana Plaza tragedy, but brands seemed to be excused for making changes to their environmental policies. Can you offset poor welfare behaviour with a good recycling policy?
Next was Cath Kidston and the audience were eagerly anticipating her tips for success. Alas we didn't come away armed with any finger clicking magic, but did get that the willingness to work hard and to love what you do is important.
The next morning started with an emotional tour through some key historical papers around the suffragettes movement, now housed in the LSE womens library. Some incredibly inspiring stuff, and startling to think that only 100 years ago women didn't have the vote.
I recently read the Great Gatsby with the Hay book group so was keen to hear what Sarah Churchwell, author of Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and the Invention of The Great Gatsby had to say about this much talked about novel. She was an energetic and interesting speaker who spoke of issues at the time that might have influenced Fitzgerald. She's a self confessed 'word geek' and explained that GG is the first time the phrase 'wicked' is used to mean something good, and 'party' is used as a verb, e.g. "I partied hard at the weekend and it was wicked!".
The Telegraph Question Time was an all women affair (Jenny Abramsky, Joan Bakewell, Allison Pearson & Katy Brand), and boy, didn't we know it! Because of the unusual gender balance on the panel, feminism was the topic of the day. All very interesting, but it does frustrate me that women have to always be the topic of a debate involving women. Couldn't we have discussed the news of the day like a 'normal' panel would have?!
I'll let Andrew talk more about the Safraz Manzoor session, but his fanatacism for Bruce Springsteen knows no bounds!
Early the next morning, ex UN Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, John Holmes, spoke about the difficulties surrounding humanitarian aid. He'd faced some tough challenges during his few years in this post, and often questioned whether supplying aid was ultimately allowing despots to continue the status quo. All particularly relevant given the situation in Syria, which Holmes said would be the Rwanda of these times.
Ian Goldin's session followed which talked about the necessity of a global approach to counter international challenges. We have a great global structure for things like the postal service and air travel, so why can't we have a similarly linked up approach to tackling things like pandemics, cyber attacks and climate change. All made perfect sense, but I'm not sure how or if he'll make it happen!
That evening Peter Hook spoke about his time with Joy Division. He's a great raconteur, and said that contrary to appearances it was actually a really happy time.
I helped to organised a debate around the link between the twin towns of Hay and Timbuktu, for local charity Hay2Timbuktu. We had representatives from the council and local charities in Hay along with the Malian Consul and Lindsey Hilsum from Channel 4 News. It was great to hear Mark Saade, the Consul, talk about the importance of the work Hay2Timbuktu are doing, and what it means to the people in Timbuktu. The Telegraph did a good write up of the session here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/10087581/Hay-Festival-2013-Saving-Timbuktu-Library.html
There was so much more I would have loved to go to, but there was also loads happening in town and, of course, a very busy shop to run! It was a fantastic 10 days and we met some wonderful people in the shop. Thanks to all of our new customers and for the Groucho and Tomatitos for keeping the cocktails and wine flowing!"
And here are some of my own thoughts on an incredible week and a half...
My festival journey began on the first day and appropriately enough revolved around all things local. Rob Hopkins is the co-founder of the Transition Network and he was speaking to festival sustainability guru Andy Fryers about how communities can adapt to the challenges of a changing climate and economy. There were a lot of lessons for Hay and who knows, perhaps by the next festival you will be able to buy your medium latte with a Hay Pound note!
Oscar Guardiola Rivera wrote one of my favourite books of last year, "What if Latin America Ruled the World?" We saw him speak at the Hay Festival in Xalapa, Mexico, so it was great to see him chairing a session at the Welsh event. Sarfraz Manzoor also gave a hugely entertaining personal account of his lifelong obsession with Bruce Springsteen accompanied by some amazing slides of his musical journey with The Boss. I saw him on the shuttle bus the next night and we compared notes on our respective fan antics. I've seen Oasis 29 times - he said he lost count of his Springsteen gigs after 110. That's devotion for you.
Stephanie Flanders, the BBC economics editor, was an unusual star turn at Hay as she had nothing to sell - no book, no queue in the signing tent, nothing. What she did have was an incredible insight into the current financial playing field in the UK, which she delivered in an even handed yet entertaining way. She held the huge Barclay's Pavilion in the palm of her hand, as did Marcus du Sautoy, Kate Humble and Mark Watson who took part in an amazing hour long experiment chaired by Mark Lynas to try to work out how to keep the lights on in the UK in a sustainable way. The short answer is there is no short answer, and the long answer seemed to be that you'd need a bit of everything to make it work.
My personal highlight of the festival, and perhaps one of the most moving experiences I've had in recent years, was seeing Jim Swire, whose daughter died in the Lockerbie disaster, talk about his 25 year search for justice. A modest, unassuming man, Swire had faced (and continues to face) seemingly insurmountable opposition from the establishment in his quest for the truth, yet continues to pursue his cause with quiet dignity and calm analysis. A standing ovation, and not a dry eye in the house, were his reward from a passionately vocal Hay crowd. No-one who saw him speak would dismiss his Lockerbie Truth campaign.
Philip Glass is probably the biggest name I've ever seen at Hay and he didn't disappoint. His wry, deadpan tone was inflected with an unexpected humour, and his 45 minute solo recital was unforgettable.
I spent the last weekend at the Globe taking in some of the "How the Light Gets In" festival of philosophy and culture. This was a very different scene, and had a more grass roots feel, a pleasant change made all the better for being based in the town rather than out on the perimeter. Highlights here were Joe Volk, a brooding, atmospheric presence who reminded me of Elliott Smith being portrayed by the baddie from Terminator 2, and Stealing Sheep, a Liverpool threesome with a folky, psychedelic take on songs about sharks. Great stuff all round, and we saw Esther Rantzen so that was cool.
I wasn't sure what to expect from our first festival as residents/business owners, but I already can't wait for next year. Until then, don't forget about our next Sixteen Tambourines night on 20th July, thanks to Kate and Hannah for hosting us at the Old Electric shop which looked amazing, and cheers to Derek for all the sausage rolls!
Tagged:
2013,
hay festival,
hay on wye
by Andrew Williams |
May 14, 2013
|
It's that time of year when the good people of Hay brace themselves for the imminent arrival of several thousand culture vultures eager to swoop down on the literary delights of the Hay Festival. This is our first year as full time residents and business owners in Hay and while we're sympathetic to those who moan about parking, queues in the cafes and empty cashpoints, we have to say we're hugely excited about the 10 days ahead. As a business we hope to meet lots of visitors who are interested in the cool fair trade items we sell, but as residents we feel totally spoiled to have such amazing delights on our doorstep.
Everyone will have different highlights, but here are just a few of mine. Top of my list is a recital and talk from renowned composer and pianist Philip Glass. Let's hope it's not too windy in the big tent for his solo performance. Continuing the music theme I have several other sessions featuring rock heroes -
Sarfraz Manzoor talking about Bruce Springsteen, and then later interviewing New Order legend Peter Hook. There's also a special screening of
"Good Vibrations," the new film charting the rise of the Undertones and others in Northern Ireland, followed by a Q&A with the directors.
I'm going to several sessions looking at sustainability and associated issues around trade and the environment, a subject which is naturally close to our hearts. I'm particularly excited to see
Andrew Simms talk about his new book "Cancel the Apocalypse" which is essential reading for anyone who thinks there must be a better way to run our little planet. BBC economics editor Stephanie Flanders will be giving us an inside view on the current financial climate, and Rob Hopkins, founder of the
Transition Towns network will be giving another perspective on local alternatives.
Then there are the events which focus on our relationship with Hay on Wye's twin town, Timbuktu in Mali. As well as musical performances from Amadou & Mariam, Rokia Traore and Terakaft, there's also a special session led by
Hay 2 Timbuktu analysing the current situation in the troubled north African town.
And these are just the sessions that we're going to! And I haven't even mentioned the excellent
How the Light Gets In festival at the Globe, where such delights as Stealing Sheep, Tom Rosenthal and Andrew Weatherall await us.
It's almost too much to take in, but we feel truly honoured to have such a line up on our doorstep. Come 3rd of June we hope to be tired, exhilarated and uplifted, hopefully with a lot less stock, but just as importantly with a lot of new friends and some amazing memories of 10 days of cultural overload.
Tagged:
2013,
hay festival,
hay on wye
by Andrew Williams |
April 16, 2013
|
Piet Hein Eek is, quite simply, a design superstar. While he may not be a household name here in the UK, in Holland his work is the subject of museum exhibitions and huge critical acclaim. He's perhaps best known for his work with waste wood and other materials, turning what other people might see as junk into sleek, stylish designs.
He has recently completed a collaboration with Dutch interior design company Fair Forward. It is these pieces that form the centrepiece of the range we're stocking at Eighteen Rabbit. Working in partnership with Vietnamese potters, he has combined a contemporary form with traditional colours and patterns to produce a unique hybrid design which feels effortlessly modern while also keeping alive historic motifs and techniques.
Alongside these unique designs from Piet Hein Eek we have hand picked a selection of other cool designs from Fair Forward, including quirky ceramic origami birds, hip lemonade crockery and a statement pestle and mortar. We'll be expanding our range over the next few months so keep checking back to see more of these incredible pieces.
Designs currently in stock by Piet Hein Eek are:
Coffee cups
Jug
Bamboo Vase
Crane Vase
Large Crane Vase
Blue Vase
Large Bamboo Vase
Tagged:
ceramics,
hay on wye,
Piet Hein Eek,
Vietnam
Whether you're texting your pals to rendez-vous in the healing fields, or snapping your favourite band in the signing tent, you'll need your phone at your side at all times! This handy phone case can hang around your neck for easy access.
The folically challenged will know the importance of a sun hat and a bottle of factor 50 on a sunny day (here's hoping for sun!). These supercool hats protect your head and look great too.
Having a bad hair day? Just disguise it with these cool and colourful headbands. Available in a variety of prints, you'll be holding your head high!
OK, it may be a bit 'Mariah Carey', but many jet-setters swear by scented candles to help them relax and feel comfortable whatever the setting. These small votive candles smell wonderful and will give you a few minutes relaxation before you head back to the dance tent.
These wolfpack tees will help you stand out in a crowd and are a great talking point. Perfect if you're going to see the Vaccines! Available in his n hers designs.
