Global Artisan Stories
Starfish Project
Starfish Project began in 2006 when a small group of friends in Asia stepped in to help women escaping exploitation. With no business or design experience, they started creating jewelry as a way to offer safe jobs, counseling, and hope. Today, their pieces are worn around the world—each one helping to change a life.
Quilling Cards
Quilling Card blends centuries-old Vietnamese paper art with modern design to create intricate, handmade greeting cards. Founded by Huong and Raphael in 2011, the company now partners with over 1,000 artisans across Vietnam. Each Fair Trade-certified card takes nearly an hour to craft—transforming every message into a piece of art.
Equal Exchange
Equal Exchange has been championing fair trade since 1986, starting with coffee sourced in solidarity with Nicaraguan farmers. Today, they partner with small farmer co-ops around the world to bring you ethically traded coffee, tea, and chocolate—ensuring fairness at every step.
Venture Imports
Venture Imports partners with Kenyan artisans who hand-carve soapstone into beautiful, meaningful pieces using traditional tools. Founded in 2001 after a life-changing trip to Africa, the company is rooted in fair trade and long-standing relationships with its makers. Each piece supports dignified work and economic empowerment.
Ellie Pooh Paper
Ellie Pooh Paper transforms elephant dung and recycled paper into eco-friendly, handmade goods—protecting elephants and supporting local livelihoods in Sri Lanka. By turning conflict into opportunity, farmers now see elephants as valuable partners instead of pests, thanks to this creative and sustainable Fair Trade solution.
Ten Thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages partners with artisans in under-resourced communities to bring their handcrafted goods and stories to global markets. Through fair wages, sustainable practices, and traditional craft, they help makers build better futures with dignity and purpose.
Women's Bean Project
Women’s Bean Project is a nonprofit social enterprise in Colorado that helps women break the cycle of poverty and incarceration through employment and job training. Since 1989, they’ve empowered thousands with the tools, support, and work experience needed to build stable, self-sufficient lives.