October 30th, 2006 by: Ashley Cecil Email this to a friend

Artisan visits Just Creations

Jump to Comments


8″ x 10″ oil on canvas, $150 ($50 donated to Just Creations).

See all paintings available for sale.

The mechanics of a nonprofit retailer, Just Creations, were spelled out for me by an artisan who visited the store this past weekend to share with her arts and crafts loving audience how her products get from developing countries to your living room. Retailers such as Just Creations “purchase exclusively from Fair Trade Organizations such as Ten Thousand Villages, A Greater Gift and Equal Exchange. These groups work directly with artisans and farmers to ensure that Fair Trade principles are practiced.“

With the enthusiasm of a child beaming at show-and-tell, the artisan walked us through various explanations such as batiking. Like a premature Santa, she had beautiful desirables in tow that made distant places such as Ghana seem a little more “real.”

It’s wonderful to know that pots (like the ones above) will end up stuffed with flowers on someones table or in a gift bag awaiting “oh my gosh, I love it!” Not just any pots, but ones that were possibly sculpted by someone like Kartick Pall, of Paul Para, Bangladesh who, thanks to his fair trade vendor tells us, “there is no end to my hopes.”

Technorati tags: , , .

3 Comments

Filed under Fair Trade, Nonprofit

3 Comments

  • Portrait Artist
    December 3rd, 2006 at 9:19 pm

    Do they have a lot of workers? I agree with you; they have lovely jars. With or without flowers each jar is already a complete art work which needs to be displayed. If I own one, I will surely show it off.

    Do they also accept design suggestions or proposals from their customers? I am planning to purchase one but I want something that carries my personal signature on it. You think they can work on something like that?

    John

  • Ashley Cecil
    December 4th, 2006 at 6:33 am

    I highly doubt that they can take custom orders since their items are purchased through organizations such as Ten Thousand Villages (www.tenthousandvillages.com). But if you’re local, I suggest you visit the store on Frankfort Ave and ask them directly. Maybe it is possible. If not, there are always local potters that would be happy to take your commission.

    Good Luck!

  • the Painting Activist » Blog Archive » Just Creations making an appearance at the farmers market
    July 24th, 2007 at 5:25 pm

    […] As the board member from the marketing committee designated to be the graphic designer for Just Creations, I created this sign to encourage socially conscious farmers market patrons to shop at Just Creations (we are a fair trade, nonprofit retailer selling home furnishings, decor, clothing and coffee produced by artisans from around the world in developing countries. I’ve also blogged about the store here and here). Another board member is donating a several of our artisan baskets to kick start some enticement. […]

Leave a Reply