Offer: Support women weavers in rural Thailand and Laos: fair trade textiles
by tammachat | April 15, 2010 at 9:50 AM | Marketplace
fairly traded, handspun, handwoven Eri silk scarf from Thailand, coloured with natural dyesTAMMACHAT Natural Textile’s naturally dyed silks and cottons combine contemporary styling with traditional skills to bring you timeless fashion accessories and home décor. Each piece is exquisitely handwoven in limited editions. Each purchase helps a woman artisan in rural Thailand or Laos celebrate and sustain her culture, family and community.
During our 2009-2010 buying/networking trip to Thailand and Laos, we learned much from our trading partners. Times are tough. Sales are down with the global economic downturn. Competition from cheaper factory-produced silks from other countries in the region mean weaving co-ops have to limit membership. The younger generation is not carrying on these generations'-old traditions. A drop in tourism in Thailand means shrinking markets.
Helping build international markets for this work is one way TAMMACHAT, a Canadian social enterprise, is making a difference. We use fair trade principles in our work: paying fair prices in the local context and paying upfront; developing long-term, committed, respectful relationships; and supporting community development. We collaborate on new designs, offering insight into the North American market.
You can help too by shopping online for these eco-friendly, handcrafted textiles that are produced using sustainable practices. Learn more at www.tammachat.com.
fairly traded, handspun, handwoven, organic cotton scarf from Thailand, coloured with natural, authentic indigo
fairly traded, handwoven, organic silk scarf from Thailand, coloured with natural dyes
fairly traded, handwoven, organic silk scarf from Laos, coloured with natural dyes
