What is Fair Trade?

Because Jorge and I are selling Filigrana jewellery, Nanduti and other items from Paraguay, we are often asked if what we sell is classified as fair trade. Since that time, I have given a lot of thought to that question and decided that I needed to clarify exactly what is meant by the term "Fair Trade". What I have learned is that fair trade attempts to bring a level of consciousness to consumers making purchasing decisions and to put a face to the group producing the consumer goods. And more importantly, it attempts to fairly compensate the producer for his efforts while also taking care of any environmental concerns. It is true that workers the world over are often exploited and this situation would be likely to continue if we, as consumers, didn't ask "Where did this come from?", "What are the working conditions like?", "Is anyone profiting at the expense of others?" and "Are any human rights being violated?" Fair Trade certification programs attempt to answer and address these types of concerns and provide the answers to the end consumer (which is us). Certain industries are known for the abuse of workers such as the chocolate industry. (I don't sell chocolate at the present time.) An article on this website, http://cvso.ca/articles/chocolate.htm, states that "An International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) study in 2002 found that the average wage for cocoa growers in West Africa ranged from U.S.$30 to $110 - and that's for the entire year. These meager earnings, the report concludes, make it very tough for families to meet their basic needs, and for small businesses and communities to survive." Similar stories exist in the coffee and tea industry as well. There is a lot to learn in order to make informed choices. I know enough to know that I should be buying fair trade chocolate and coffee.

I looked at the Fair Trade Canada website, http://fairtrade.ca/en/about-fairtrade/fairtrade-certification, to find out exactly how a group can achieve fairtrade certification. This is what I found: "
Fairtrade certification begins with producers - usually democratic associations of small-scale farmers who grow the raw ingredients in Fairtrade certified products. Producers have to meet a variety of criteria that focus on a range of areas including labour standards, sustainable farming, governance, and democratic participation." Often these producers form co-operatives which are audited regularly by a certifying agency to ensure that no abuses are occurring. Companies that buy from these co-operatives also report to this agency. In Canada, this agency is Fairtrade Canada which is a sister organization to Fairtrade International (FLO). There is a link to the Fairtrade International on the Fairtrade Canada website (www.fairtrade.ca).

Just because a product isn't fairtrade certified, it doesn't mean that workers were exploited to obtain the product. It may mean that or it may not mean that. It means some research needs to be done. Jorge's mother lives in Paraguay and does our shopping for us. I had said that I wanted some of the handwoven bags, friendship bracelets and wooden beaded bracelets made by the Maka tribe in Paraguay. Now this tribe does not own any stores or is not organized in any formal fashion. They sell their wares on the streets of Asuncion (in this case). Many people do sell on the streets. I visited Paraguay with Jorge a couple of years ago and you couldn't walk anywhere without someone offering to sell you knock-off sunglasses or watches, pineapples or the bags in question. When I was there, I bought a bag from a woman who had laid a blanket down on the ground and spread the handwoven bags and other items around her on the blanket. Was this woman being exploited? Would they benefit from forming a co-operative? Do they want to? Would it be wrong for us to impose on them our idea of what is fair and equitable? It is not an easy question and it doesn't have an easy answer. It is something that I will continue to ponder.

I am interested in hearing what other people think about this issue. I only have limited knowledge but would like to consider other people's opinions. Other people might have insight that I don't have. I want my decisions to be more conscious and I don't want to hurt anyone in the process.

Windy Times at the Fringe

It was a couple of windy days at the Fringe on the 20th and 21st of July. Yesterday was especially windy. Our gazebo was being pushed sideways (not up at least) and we were holding on for dear life. We had a tarp over our gazebo in case it rained and the tarp was acting like a sail. Things were not good. I knew we had to remove the tarp but we were afraid to let go. I called my brother, Eric Dawson, to come and help. While waiting for reinforcements, Ben, Mr. Ken's assistant and artist extrodinaire, came and helped us remove the tarp. Eric showed up and helped us take down some peg board. We were doing everything in our power to reduce the wind's effect on us. Meagan, who is our favourite security guard and her partner also helped with their words of kindness and encouragement and also, practically speaking, anchoring a bucket of water to the gazebo to keep it in place. The wind did finally lessen somewhat by evening but at that point we were completely exhausted. There is a gentle breeze today and we were able to set up. All in all it is a more relaxing day. And we will have memories from this year's Fringe. It is all good!

This is Meagan and her partner holding down the fort, literally.

This is Ben who assists Mr. Ken of Mr. Ken's Music. If you have young children, you'll have to check out Mr. Ken's website: http://www.mrkenmusic.com/. There are downloadable pictures for children to colour and things to listen to. Also, Ben is an artist in his own right and he told us he has a surprise in store which will be revealed at the Paraguayan Pavillion August 7th - 13th. The Paraguayan Pavillion is located in the Maples Multiplex Arena at 454 Adsum.

Speaking about Folklorama, the adult ambassadors, Vanessa and Corbin Boughen, for the Spirit of Ukraine pavillion stopped to say hello us. They were at the Fringe in full Ukrainian regalia to promote the upcoming Folklorama Festival. We met Vanessa at the Red River Exhibition where she was working at the Passion Party booth which was right beside our booth.

All in all, it is a good festival where we get to meet a lot of great people.

Update from the Fringe - Day 9

We've had quite the week at the Fringe. We have experienced incredible heat. Including the humidex the temperature reached 45 degrees plus. We drank terere (yerba mate with ice cold water) to keep energized and hydrated. Then yesterday it was slightly cooler but the winds were gusting up to 70 km/hr. At one point my earring display blew over and sent some earrings flying. My necklaces and bracelets also went flying and it was a scramble not to lose anything. Our tarp was flapping in the wind and we did everything we could think of to secure our gazebo. I was concerned for the stilt walker being so high up with the wind gusting the way it was but he successfully completed his show. This outdoor festival stuff is sure exciting and eventful. Despite the worries I am very happy to be at the Fringe meeting all the wonderful people.

Another Great Day at the Fringe

We had a fantastic day today. It was hot but we have the shadiest spot on the block. A lot of people dropped by. We were entertained. We got to know our neighbours. Talking to people I think is the best part of what we are doing.

These two ladies are our neighbours. They have the cutest setup with their camper and artificial turf and lawn chairs. They are selling vintage clothing and other vintage items.

My favourite busker at the Fringe is Chris Without a Hat. I managed to get some action chain saw shots and some action juggling shots that turned out pretty cool. I overheard him say that he would be performing at the Edmonton Fringe so all you people in Alberta should try and check out his show.

All in all it was a fun day as you can see by the smiles on our faces.

First Day at the Fringe

We survived the first day of the Fringe. It was a long day. We had to set up this morning (we couldn't do it earlier as the street wasn't closed off to traffic until today) and then hopefully be ready for business for 12:00 noon. It was already noon when we finished putting up our gazebo never mind putting out our inventory. Setting up is always an overly intense experience for me. Once the proverbial doors are open I immediately relax.

We are located next to the kid's fringe and we are able to watch the buskers entertain the crowds. I was able to catch the entertainer on stilts in the air as he was jumping rope. My favourite entertainer is the guy who juggles with a chain saw. He is soooo funny and he always lets someone throw a pie in his face at the end of his show. What a grand finale!

Jorge and I also talked to a man from the Shaw Cable television station. He was scouting out interesting things at the Fringe and said he would be interested in having someone from Shaw do a little interview with us on the weekend. That would be exciting! Shaw gives new journalists, camera people, etc the opportunity to gain experience in their chosen field. It would be cool to watch Jorge and I on television.

I was pleased with how our booth turned out. It was a lot of work but gratifying at the same time. We had some sales today (thank you all) and we handed out our business cards and told people about our blog. People do like to look at the Nanduti and Filigrana and it is pleasure to share about these things. I should be made an honorary Paraguayan!

I really should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be another long day. But a fun one!

More on Nanduti

Today is a busy day. Everything has to be packed up and we have to make sure we have priced everything. I have spent the day so far taking pictures of the Nanduti because eventually I will post them on eBay. Since I was taking pictures, I thought I would post one picture on my blog. It will be for sale at the Fringe. We decided to frame some of the Nanduti so people don't automatically think that the doilies have to go under a lamp. We did a mock up to see what it would look like. This led to the photo shoot. But enough of that. I have to get busy getting ready. We can't set up until tomorrow morning before the festival and then we have to be ready to start selling at noon. Tomorrow will be a long day but it feels differently when you are doing it for your own business rather than working for someone else. It will be fun. I am looking forward to it. I hope all goes well.

I have to stay away from the computer for awhile now.

Nanduti Lace

When we were at the Red River Exhibition, a lot of people were curious about the Nanduti and how it was made. This short video gives an idea of what is involved in the creation of the Nanduti.

Silver Paths The art of Filigree

For anyone curious about how Filigrana is made, I hope this video is helpful in providing a glimpse into the process.

Not Just Filigrana

I am busy getting ready for the Fringe Festival which starts on Wednesday, July 13th. I was going through my inventory to see what I would be bringing and I have more than just Filigrana and Nanduti, though those two are focus items. I have some fashion jewellery: some earrings that I am selling one pair for $8 or 2 for $15. I also have some necklaces that I am selling for $12 or 2 For $20. Some of the offerings are pictured here and I have some other jewellery for various prices too. I think we have a good variety of merchandise. I am really feeling the excitement now for the upcoming festival. I feel prepared for anything that might come our way.

Learning from our Experience

When we set up our booth at the Red River Ex, we had a lot to learn about self-promotion. We didn't have business cards and we didn't have a banner. We quickly printed up some business cards and handwrote extra information on the cards. It was a scramble. We reorganized our merchandise on the fly in order to attract people walking by the booth. We learned that the great thing about the Ex was the chance to promote our new business and get our name out there. We were hardly prepared. Since then we ordered a banner and some business cards. Our goal will be promotion first and sales second. Though sales are always appreciated. And while we are at the Fringe Festival we will enjoy the atmosphere and talk to a lot of people and generally have a good time. And we will learn from that experience as well.

This is our Ebay Store

How we started

My partner in life and now business, Jorge Galeano, and I decided to embark on a new adventure this year.  Jorge has strong entrepreneurial roots in his mother who lives in Asuncion, Paraguay and we thought perhaps we would follow her lead.  Jorge's mom and another friend, Ana Christina, are key components in our own endeavor.  Jorge's mom and Ana Christina do our buying in Paraguay and ship the results of their buying efforts to us.  So far they have sent us three shipments of Filigrana silver jewellery to us that we are looking to sell to appreciative customers.

They are also sending us handcrafted items know as Nanduti which means spiderweb in the Indian language of the area.  We have table cloths and other table coverings.  When we set up at the Red River Exhibition, these items caught a lot of attention from people walking past our booth.

We have also posted many items that we have for sale on our Ebay store.  We invite you to visit by following the link which we have at the side of our blog.  Our next sales adventure will be the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.  We will be located outside of 90 Albert St. close the Kid's Fringe area.  Jorge and I always enjoyed going to the Fringe and we will be enjoying ourselves in a different capacity this year.  The Ex was fun.  This will even be more fun.  My brother, Eric Dawson, is also working on a permanent website for us.  It is still in the preparation stage but I encourage you to take a look and see how it is progressing.

The slogan I put on our banner and our business cards is "Bringing the world to you!"  Right now we are bringing you a taste of Paraguay but as we grow in our business, we hope to bring you other offerings from around the world.  This blog will tell the story of our journey.