Fair Trade Goods: Supporting Families Around the World

Woven Promises is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation. The mission of WOVEN PROMISES is to create economic partnerships through support of entrepreneurial efforts of talented, economically struggling people in the developing world. We form these partnerships through the fair purchase and resale of their products.

The further goal of the partnership is to provide assistance to improve the quality of their lives and is based on a foundation of deep appreciation of their cultural heritage and traditional artisanry.

The Product

We work directly with many producers in several African countries, bringing high-quality, fair trade goods to the market in an effort to support artisans in the developing world and create sustainable income for themselves and their families. We offer our fair trade handmade treasures both for retail and wholesale customers. We are striving to support additional artisans and will be adding new items from these craftspeople in the future. In Ethiopia we are partnered with Sabahar, located in Addis Ababa. The wonderful artisans create for us handmade, fair trade, 100% silk scarves and shawls that are organic and plant-dyed, linens handmade from the finest Ethiopian cotton, and a lovely line of scarves, shawls and bed linens that are handspun and handwoven in silk and cotton by master artisans. In Namibia we are working with approximately 100 women weavers in rural villages along the Kavango River. These artisans create unique, handmade art baskets of fine quality that are fair trade, plant-dyed and handwoven from palm, river grasses and root fibers. The "Basket Project" was established with the support of a Peace Corp Volunteer and the Ministry of Education in Rundu, Namibia. Purchase of these fair trade, handmade African baskets supports these very talented women weavers directly and provides funds to educate at-risk girls of Kavango through our partnership with the non-profit organization, FAWENA (Forum of African Women Educationalists in Namibia). Also from Namibia we offer fair trade bracelets and keychains handmade from PVC plumbing pipe by an artisan we met there that lives in a small village along the Kavango River in Northern Nambia. Proceeds from the purchase of these whimsical handmade pieces help support our artisan, Ben, and his 5 children. The San People of Namibia provide beautiful fair trade necklaces and bracelets that are handmade from ostrich eggshells. These elegant pieces are called the "Pearls of the Kalahari." Beads are carved from the ostrich eggshell then painstakingly hand-rolled into uniform shapes and sizes then strung in elaborate ways creating these lovely, handmade necklaces and bracelets. We carry a line of 100%, fair trade, organic body products from a collaborative of Berber women in Morocco. This includes 100% organic, Argan oil that is unscented or blended with high quality essential oils, and a luscious Argan cream. Argan oil is a rich and rare oil that nourishes the skin, hair and nails. These products will soon be available on this website.

The People

Scarves & Shawls

Sabahar, our Fair Trade, Ethiopian partner, introduced eri silk to Ethiopia in 2004. They promote fair trade silk production in Ethiopia while increasing reliable, sustainable income for households and skilled artisans. Ethiopia is the 6th poorest country in the world. Finding employment is extremely difficult in the capital city of Addis Ababa where Sabahar is located. The artisans feel they are working amidst an oasis of stability in an otherwise harsh existence. They tell us that their work is meaningful to them and brings hope to their futures, allowing for growth, security and advancement in their lives. Sabahar employs over 70 spinners, dyers, weavers and finishers ranging in age from 20 to 63 years old. They are able to support their families through creating these handmade and fair trade woven goods and are given access to health care, transportation and a savings account. They feel secure, happy and acknowledged by the generous attitude of their employer and lovely surroundings where they work. Their children are all being educated. Equitable employment and environmentally friendly production and processing practices are values central to Sabahar and Woven Promises. The further goal of our partnership is to provide a continuous improvement in the quality of the artisans’ lives.

Nambian Baskets

Traditionally weaving in Namibia is done by women artisans. They live in very simple rural villages or homesteads with their families in the Kavango River Region. They are very proud of their handwoven, fair trade baskets. They can work in the natural surroundings of their homes or gather together with members of their community. Purchase of these fair trade, handmade African baskets supports these very talented weavers directly and provides funds to educate at-risk girls through our partnership with a non-profit organization called FAWENA (which stands for Forum for African Women Educationalists in Namibia). Through FAWENA, which works closely with the Ministry of Education in Rundu, about 100 girls are being supported to continue their education in nearby schools. The weavers are paid a generous wage for their work and the girls in school have a wonderful opportunity to increase their choices in their futures. "Educate the girls and lift up the culture." (The Girl Effect)

PVC Bracelets

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The Process

Scarves & Shawls

The women employed at Sabahar hand spin the silk yarn from cocoons using drop spindles and traditional spinning wheels. The men weave, using traditional methods to loom the silk and cotton yarn into one-of-a-kind handwoven, fair trade scarves, shawls and linens. The silk scarves and shawls are hand dyed using all natural plant dyes, such as marigolds, acacia, indigo, mescal and madder. The towels, handtowels, tablecloths, napkins and throws are handwoven from hand dyed soft and fine Ethiopian cotton. Their ancient skills and traditions are employed in production of these beautiful handwoven, fair trade textiles. From beginning to end the design and creation of our fabrics provides both beauty and a practical foundation for an improved lifestyle for the artisans, which includes a deep appreciation of the Ethiopian cultural heritage and traditions. These fair trade, handmade scarves, shawls and linens are available for retail and wholesale purchase.

Nambian Baskets

These traditional handmade, fair trade African baskets from Namibia are one of a kind art pieces made from palm shoots and local grasses which are sustainably harvested in the Kavango River Region outside of Rundu, located in the northeastern corner of Namibia. Approximately 100 women weavers from 4 villages harvest the plants, dye and weave these beautiful handmade, African baskets in exquisite traditional designs. The dyes are created from local plants and are 100% natural. Girls begin learning how to weave at a young age from their elders, usually their mothers or grandmothers. The weaving these handmade, fair trade African baskets is often central to the village or homestead. Occasionally women from the different villages will gather together under a large tree for shade and weave these handmade African baskets enjoying social time while they work. Their children often accompany them. Each handmade, fair trade African basket is unique, as each weaver has their own personal style and technique. Each individual Namibian basket takes between three to six weeks to complete. The designs native to Namibia depict patterns which represent their culture in addition to keeping the longstanding tradition of weaving alive, which is such a precious part of their heritage. These handmade, fair trade African baskets are available for our retail and wholesale customers.