Fair Trade for All

Many artisans struggle in this country to practice craftsmanship and make beautiful things the old-fashioned way, one at a time by hand. You can find these items and those who make them at crafts fairs and arts festivals, even occasionally at Farmer's Markets all over this country especially during the summer and into the fall. In the fall, as the holidays approach, you will find many, many churches and other non-profit organizations holding festivals and crafts fairs. Sometimes artists and crafts people hold open-studios to invite people to view their work in their own environment.

You can find everything from one of a kind clothing items to furniture through doll clothes, toys, accessories for yourself and your home and cards for every occasion.

Don't gasp at the prices. Be prepared to pay what the items are worth in the time, skills and experience of the maker. Remember the person you are buying from is in business, covering the costs of running a business as well as all the living-expenses we all must pay.

Help your community to grow strong and prosperous by buying locally made thingts from the people who make them. You may buy fewer items, but just think: you will also have less clutter, more space and more satisfaction in using the items that you buy.

In addition, a terrific on-line venue, Etsy, exists especially for artists and craftspeople to sell their work directly to you, the net-surfing consumer whenever you are cruising the internet. I have seen hand-painted yarn, hand-spun yarn, beautiful jewelry and lovely pottery, as well as hand-sewn, hand-knitted and hand-crocheted items on Etsy. Handsome leather baby shoes caught my eye last year and there are many other baby items. Whatever your need, taste or price-range, you will likely find something that will delight you at Etsy.

I sell my small Peace prayer flag and cards at my Etsy shop. Please look at the links below and come visit me there.

Remember if we buy things we love to truly use and cherish we will not only leave less trash behind on our planet, but we will greatly enhance our own quality of life while we are in the journey of life we are making on this earth.

Hungry people may lack the energy to go to war, but they can hardly be happy. If people are well-fed and other basic needs are met they are more likely to live in harmony and peace with one another.

Despair and even depression are often the result of poverty. Anger turned outward can lead to violence in cultures and between cultures.

Pay a fair price that all may prosper is about making sure that everyone has enough, that everyone's place on the planet is assured and everyone's gifts and talents recognized.

Pay a price that honors the hours of another's life; the time expended to make the goods we buy.