The Importance of Fair Trade In Artisanal Work

Carol Schoch and Taller Maya share their experience of working with indigenous communities and promoting fair trade

The beauty of an artisan’s hands threading a wooden shuttle through thousands of hand-spun cotton strings is beyond definition, as is the cadence of a foot pushing a pedal loom while two strong arms run the weft shuttle up and down. You might look at nimble, swift fingers knotting nine-meter-long strings of cotton into a macramé shawl, or at a potter’s biceps contracting while mixing some Oaxacan dark clay, just like a baker would knead the dough, and be left speechless at the mastery these simple movements communicate.

This year we’ve had the privilege of partnering with master artisans from the four corners of Mexico and Morocco; weavers, ceramicists, coppersmiths, hatmakers, and designers who passionately create original crafts that bring so much color and soul into our homes and our lives. There’s no better time than Christmas Day, as we unwrap the beautiful and exciting gifts we received from loved ones, to think about the source of these items, the process of their creation, and the lives touched by purchasing them.