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The term conscious consumer has long been associated with people who pay attention to consumer reports on quality and who shop for the best prices. But these days a conscious consumer also examines the way an item was made, the raw materials used, the working conditions and whether the worker received a fair wage.
On Oct. 14-15, conscious consumers will have a chance to support a unique collaborative effort between Ten Thousand Villages and the Committee of Bay Area Mennonite Churches at the 17th annual International Gift Faire in Willow Glen.
The annual fair showcases the work of artisans from developing countries who are producing products in a fair trade environment. Consumers can support this effort when making a purchase.
"The International Gift Faire is a spectacular international craft celebration of folk art, pottery, jewelry, home decor and other handmade crafts from 30 countries," says Norma Voth, media publicist for the fair.
The handicrafts are imported by Ten Thousand Villages, a self-supporting nonprofit fair trade organization, whose mission is to assist craftspeople in developing countries earn a decent living. Founded in 1946, Ten Thousand Villages is the oldest and largest fair trade organization in the United States, with a trade volume in excess of $16 million.
Ten Thousand Villages carries products that are made without exploiting people or the environment and typically buys crafts from artisans struggling to find markets for their products. It gives special preference to fledgling organizations or groups that demonstrate concern for workers such as cooperatives and artisan associations. The nonprofit group encourages employers to strive for better conditions and select products from groups that maintain high safety standards and healthy working conditions for the artisans. In addition, Ten Thousand Villages maintains relationships with the artisans, providing continuous, consistent orders. It does not make the artisans wait for payment, but offers 50 percent when an order is placed and the balance when the order is complete.
All proceeds from the International Gift Faire are returned to Ten Thousand Villages, which uses the money to purchase more crafts, thus enabling people around the world to pay for improved nutrition, education, health care and housing.
"This is a nice outreach effort and a true example of people helping people," says fair coordinator and Campbell resident Frances Schroeder.
According Schroeder, the variety and abundance of merchandise makes this an outstanding opportunity to get a start on holiday shopping season.
"Shoppers will find unique gifts at reasonable prices. There are a variety of musical instruments, pottery pieces, woven baskets, wooden boxes, children's toys, stone carvings, jewelry, holiday decorations and handmade paper products," she says.
Ruth Yoder, a longtime volunteer at the fair and a Willow Glen resident, speaks enthusiastically about the spirit of the event.
"Volunteers put in hundreds and hundreds of hours organizing the event. The spirit of the people who are there is so beautiful because everyone is dedicated to promoting human dignity worldwide. This is a very worthwhile event," she says.
"A purchase at the International Gift Faire can make a difference in people's lives," Voth says. "It matters where you shop."
The 17th annual International Gift Faire at Lincoln Glen Church Fellowship Hall, 2700 Booksin Ave., (near Foxworthy Avenue) takes place on Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.internationalgiftfaire.com. To learn more about Ten Thousand Villages, visit www.tenthousandvillages.org.
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