Thursday, March 5, 2009

Check out My Jolica -- New, improved website!

http://www.jolica.com/gc/imagenes/logo_jolica.gif

You can now order online at My Jolica website. It is easier than ever to use, including our beautiful online catalogue. Check out https://www.jolica.com/monica.craver/ today for a whole new shopping experience. (Note: My Jolica website address (above) has been changed for easier access)

Jolica shares the Art of Giving' by empowering women in North America and around the world. Discover our Collection of unique, handcrafted pieces from around the world - from stunning sterling silver to funky glass jewelry, from supple leather handbags to colorfully embroidered totes.

Every gift from the Jolica Collection supports artisans, their families and communities in developing countries around the globe! Join our team as we share these stunning creations of exotic locations in North American homes and discover the opportunity that is helping North American women achieve their dreams.

Explore Jolica and Discover the Art of Giving!


Monday, March 2, 2009

Fair Trade Artisans depend on your ongoing generosity

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-54766585370218_2044_281512
During these hard economic times, many people tend to overlook the fact that Western peoples are the saving grace of third world and developing countries.
Many fair trade artisans and producers thrive on our "generosity" in order to survive --
a hand up, rather than a hand out.


I have recently partnered with a wonderful fair trade website store, called
One Village Gifts
www.onevillagegifts.com.


Some fair trade enterprises One Village Gifts supports:
"Aid to Artisans has partnered with the BAT Shop in the Pan-African Artisan Enterprise Development (PAED) program to bring contemporary product development and sales know-how to South African artisans. The BAT Shop is a for-profit enterprise that focuses its activities on product development, marketing and sales of high quality craft made in the KwaZulu Natal Province. It is affiliated with the Bartel Arts Trust (BAT), an art development and community center in Durban. BAT Shop staff work with many different producer groups in rural and urban settings, who produce baskets made of natural materials, telephone wire and an assortment of beaded accessories. Through these efforts women who have lost their husbands to war or AIDS now have a means to support themselves and their children."
"Every purchase of a Freeset tote tells a story of one woman's journey to freedom. She used to stand with 6,000 other prostitutes in a small but well known area of North Calcutta. She didn't choose her profession; it chose her. Poverty does that. It robs people of their dignity and children of their innocence. She still lives in the same area, but instead of selling her body she makes Freeset Bags. Now she has choices, the choice to work decent hours for decent pay, to re-establish her dignity in her community and to learn to read and write."
Through our partners EDImports and One World Projects, we were introduced to the products of about 50 weavers in the Rwandan province of Gitarama. There they established the core base of women who formed the cooperative from which we buy.

We hope you'll support these African women, and artisans like them in other countries, by purchasing their fair trade goods.
Please join me in my new venture to give these artisans and producers a hand-up and let me know if you wish to be invited to an Online Party, soon? There is jewellery, handbags, chocolate, tea and coffee, etc. to choose from.. These items come from artisans around the world -- Kenya, Nepal, India, the Amazon, South Africa, and Rwanda. These handicrafts, etc. make great gifts!
I have worked with One Village Gifts to make shipping easy and inexpensive for Canadians. Please E-mail me, today, at mecraver@mocragifts.com with the message:

"I want to Party!"

Please invite your family and friends, too, and do a world of good, today.

Thank you.