Monday, October 31, 2011

Re-purposed to Masterpieces

Two weeks ago we talked about all the things that Fair Trade corporations do to stay green and eco-friendly.  And with last weeks blog about Haiti still fresh in our minds, The Welcome Mat has an opportunity to tell you about one of our favorite products: Haitian oil-drum art. In Haiti, fair trade artisans are re-purposing oil drums by cutting and molding them into beautiful and distinctive pieces to hang on our walls.  The process of creation and detail on these crafts is amazing!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Fair Trade Goes Green

One of the great things about Fair Trade is not only what it does for people but what it can do for our planet.  While ethical trade and Eco-friendliness are two different issues, they often fit together quite nicely, because the desire to help humanity and the environment often go hand in hand.  Especially since the Fair Trade Principles include “cultivating environmental stewardship.” There are many ways that Fair Trade companies incorporate Eco-friendly methods into their businesses.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Indian Block Printing

The art of block printing is a tradition that has been passed down through generations throughout the world. It is a craft that requires great skill and is mostly still done by hand.  While the techniques have been known in many parts of the world, India in particular has had a longstanding relationship with the art and creates patterns that are not only beautiful but unique to their culture.