THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING

Sustainably sourced palm handwoven in Mexico

Sustainable shopping—also known as ethical shopping—takes more time and effort. And it takes more money. It would be misleading to suggest otherwise. But for decades, we’ve ignored the actual cost of cheap goods. Many items are inexpensive only because they are made with low-wage labour, using methods harmful to the environment that contribute to climate change. An ethical consumer asks important questions before their purchase. 

1) What factors made this product possible?
2) Who benefits from the sale of this product?
3) Who is left behind?

Encrudo vases handmade in Mexico

Sustainable Shopping Requires Answers

If a seller cannot give you these answers, it’s highly likely that the product in question is not a sustainable, ethical purchase. The answers you want are:

1) This product was made by a craftsman with centuries of ancestral wisdom behind their talent and skill. The process has been vetted and is sustainable and does not harm the environment or local community.

2) The creator of the product, and their communities, benefit directly.

3) No one. Your responsibility as a conscious consumer, and our responsibility as ethical buyers, is to understand who created the product, to know if it does harm to the environment and to know who benefits from the sale. It’s simple really. It’s sustainable and it’s ethical. But try to explain that to the CEO of a big box store. The global market can no longer be ruled by unsustainable manufacturing and unethical treatment of human beings (and other living things). 

Sylvester the blacksmith in his workshop
Potters of Uganda
Potters of Uganda Working
Square Signet Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5.5
Square Signet Ring Jewelry
Square Signet Ring Jewelry Brass 6
Square Signet Ring Jewelry
Square Signet Ring Jewelry Silver Plated 5.5
Square Signet Ring Accessories
Square Signet Ring Accessories
Square Signet Ring Accessories
Square Signet Ring Accessories
Square Signet Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5.5
Square Signet Ring Jewelry
Square Signet Ring Jewelry Brass 6
Square Signet Ring Jewelry
Square Signet Ring Jewelry Silver Plated 5.5
Square Signet Ring Accessories
Square Signet Ring Accessories
Square Signet Ring Accessories
Square Signet Ring Accessories

Square Signet Ring

$80.00
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry Brass 6
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5.5
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry Silver Plated 5.5
Chunky Hammered Ring Accessories
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry Brass 6
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5.5
Chunky Hammered Ring Jewelry Silver Plated 5.5
Chunky Hammered Ring Accessories

Chunky Hammered Ring

$80.00
Round Signet Ring Jewelry
Round Signet Ring Jewelry Silver Plated 5
Round Signet Ring Jewelry Brass 6
Round Signet Ring Jewelry
Round Signet Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5
Round Signet Ring Accessories
Round Signet Ring Accessories
Round Signet Ring Jewelry
Round Signet Ring Jewelry Silver Plated 5
Round Signet Ring Jewelry Brass 6
Round Signet Ring Jewelry
Round Signet Ring Jewelry 18K Gold Plated 5
Round Signet Ring Accessories
Round Signet Ring Accessories

Round Signet Ring

$80.00
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry Brass
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry 18K Gold Plated
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry Silver Plated
Slim ID Bracelet Accessories
Slim ID Bracelet Accessories
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry Brass
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry 18K Gold Plated
Slim ID Bracelet Jewelry Silver Plated
Slim ID Bracelet Accessories
Slim ID Bracelet Accessories

Slim ID Bracelet

$125.00

Ethical shopping isn’t just a moral decision – your choice will provide its own reward in durability and lasting aesthetic value along with a new value. Knowing the story behind how and why the pieces have been created creates a bond with your item. You get to know the blacksmith from Kenya who learned his craft on his father’s knee and is today passing his ancestral knowledge to his son and other neighbourhood youth. And the father/daughter woodworking team from Canada who create magnificent serving boards using reclaimed wood – because every plank has a story to tell and one to add. And the woman from Uganda who creates handmade weekend bags with joyful designs – to help heal some of the trauma that she and others have experienced. These are not just inanimate objects.

These are ethical products born of history, born of romance, born of healing. In addition, you know that the creators have been paid fairly for their craftsmanship and skill. And you know that their heart always goes into their work, because it represents their history and culture, and they are honoured that you are sharing in it. 

Steelwood serving boards
Maple Always Serving Board Serveware Maple
Maple Always Serving Board Serveware Maple
Maple Always Serving Board Serveware
Maple Always Serving Board Kitchen & Dining

Maple Always Serving Board

$205.00
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Serveware Blackened Oak OS
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Serveware Blackened Oak OS
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Serveware
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Serveware Darkened Oak OS
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Serveware
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Serveware Farmhouse Gray OS
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Serveware
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Serveware
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Serveware
Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular Kitchen & Dining

Charcuterie Serving Board | Circular

$325.00

Sustainable Shopping Brings Multiple Benefits

When you shop with ethical companies, you know the source and that the product is made using sustainable raw materials and a sustainable process. In addition, your purchase directly aids the creators and their communities. It helps them raise their quality of life. It helps them to send their children to school. And you will own an aesthetically pleasing, well-made object that has all the potential of becoming a treasured belonging. That’s the part of the story where you come in.

Buy sustainable, artisan-created products from ethical companies and you’ll become a conscious consumer. And tell all your friends. There’s power in numbers—the power to change things. 

SHOP SUSTAINABLE ARTISAN-MADE PRODUCTS

Obakki No.13 Candle – Seme Candles
Obakki No.13 Candle – Seme Candles
Obakki No.13 Candle – Seme Candles
Obakki No.13 Candle – Seme Candles
Obakki No.13 Candle – Seme Candles
Obakki No.13 Candle – Seme Candles & Incense
Obakki No.13 Candle – Seme Candles & Incense

Obakki No.13 Candle – Seme

$69.00
Universal Incense Burner Pottery
Universal Incense Burner Pottery
Universal Incense Burner Pottery
Universal Incense Burner Pottery
Universal Incense Burner Pottery Smoked
Universal Incense Burner Candles & Incense

Universal Incense Burner

$135.00
Oaxacan Clay Pitcher pitcher
Oaxacan Clay Pitcher pitcher
Oaxacan Clay Pitcher pitcher
Oaxacan Clay Pitcher pitcher
Oaxacan Clay Pitcher pitcher
Oaxacan Clay Pitcher pitcher
Oaxacan Clay Pitcher Kitchen & Dining

Oaxacan Clay Pitcher

$110.00
Onyx Espresso Cup + Saucer Serveware
Onyx Espresso Cup + Saucer Serveware
Onyx Espresso Cup + Saucer Serveware
Onyx Espresso Cup + Saucer Serveware
Onyx Espresso Cup + Saucer Serveware
Onyx Espresso Cup + Saucer Serveware
Onyx Espresso Cup + Saucer Serveware Onyx
Onyx Espresso Cup + Saucer Kitchen & Dining

Onyx Espresso Cup + Saucer

$65.00

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