We are now using linseed oil or pure tung oil for all our wood jewelry. Pure tung oil is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use on wood bowls and other items which can be used for food. The oil leaves a matte yet rich finish. The tung tree originated in China but can now be found in the US and Argentina. Linseed oil comes from a plant that was first found in India and the Mediterranean region. The artisans extract the oil from the plants and use them on their crafts. Linseed oil also known as flax seed oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids (very, very healthy, indeed). You might just want to eat your jewelry! Not recommended though, as you will inevitably break your teeth chewing into a Burbuja Ring, shown below!
Tomorrow the New York City Fair Trade Coalition will meet. Volunteers, business members and anyone else interested in supporting Fair Trade please come out to 248 Mercer St, in the Basement of Think! Coffee.
We’ll have speakers and a discussion, from the NYC Fair Trade Coalition’s history to member and business members’ experiences in Fair Trade. I will be one of the business member speakers.
A workshop discussion will be led by Sharon Joseph, a dynamic motivational speaker, trainer and consultant. The goal will be to develop elevator-style pitch which we will use to promote NYC Fair Trade Coalition & concisely describe key elements of Fair Trade.
Last week Via Nativa Imports was accepted for membership of the Fair Trade Federation! I am so proud to be a part of such a well established and important organization. ‘The Federation is part of the global fair trade movement, building equitable and sustainable trading partnerships and creating opportunities to alleviate poverty.’ -FTF
Also just in… Via Nativa wood jewelry at Trails to Bridges, a wonderful Fair Trade shop in Hartland,Wisconsin!
The admirable man who created Turtle Tree, Ton Vriens, left for Haiti last Monday. My heart is with him and with the many people now displaced and the many who have lost their lives. He works with women from Verrettes, a co-operative located in central west Haiti. He left for Haiti this past Monday. I very much hope he is OK and can continue to work along with these wonderful artisans when this disaster and devastation has seen some relief. The crafts these wonderful and talented women make are shown below, the iPhone and MacBook McSock and Kirk-Krak Creole Dolls:
See Via Nativa’s jewelry up close and personal… At Subdivision until the 17th! Located at 48-18 Vernon Blvd. Take the 7 train to Vernon Jackson — the first stop in Queens… See you there!
Crossroads Trade, a store all about Fairly Traded items just added a new addition to their lovely shop in Brookline, MA, just outside of Boston. The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center located in Missoula, Montana is named after the first woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress, and a native of Missoula, Montana. She was a woman dedicated to peace, justice and equality. To read more about her click here. They have also purchased wood earrings and wood bangles for their shop which will be on display for your holiday shopping!
NYC Fair Trade Coalition new website launched last week & the annual holiday fair hosted by the NYC Fair Trade Coalition and Judson Church is in less than a week! See below for a list of vendors — Via Nativa will of course be present! New wood jewelry and all other items on sale: hammocks, baby booties, handwoven bags and plant fiber placemats all heavily discounted up to 70% off!
There will be live music, giveaways, free Fair Trade hot chocolate from Equal Exchange and coffee from Think Coffee!!
Be sure to make this holiday season meaningful by purchasing Fairly Traded items…
