Our India Artisan Partners
Creative Women, Firozabad, India
Since 1975, Gunjan and her team of 350 artisans are part of Firozabad's glass bowing heritage and have grown up watching previous generations master their skills. Despite the push to modernize and industrialize the work, they remain committed to using traditional and time-honored techniques. In a major break with the past, however, women are now taking the helm as leaders in this traditionally male-dominated industry. Together, we have proudly sold 28,000 pieces of glassware, recycled 14 tons of glass, created 1000s of hours of fair wage artisan labor. Find out more about Creative Women and their ethical enterprises all over the world, here.Â
Sustainable Threads, Northwest India
This artisan group, based in Northwest India, focuses on women from communities that were displaced from their ancestral villages to create a national park. Villagers lost all their farm lands and other means of livelihood. The effort offers skill-building and employment opportunities. The artisan group was formed by the help of a foundation, to set up an income-generating project, using the talents of the displaced villagers, especially with a focus on empowering women. The displaced community prevailed with their hard work, perseverance and some donations; gradually becoming an independent enterprise, registered under the Indian society act. Find out more here.
Mela Artisans, Various Provinces
Founded by Navroze S. Mehta, Mela Artisans discovers India’s finest artisans, blending their craftsmanship with contemporary style and our design vision to create vibrant, unique home décor. Partnering with over 3500 artisans all over India, their mission is to empower these makers through lasting, meaningful partnerships, celebrate the richness of heritage crafts, and drive social impact that resonates far beyond the workshop.
Pacific & Rose, Jaipur, India
From the company's California studio, designs are created that combine classic Indian Mughal motifs with a Fauvist-inspired color palette. Each design is brought to life in their fair-trade workshop in Jaipur, India where master artisans meticulously hand-carve printing blocks and block-print each piece by hand. Over 12 weeks, these textiles take shape, infused with the unique touch of the artisans, resulting in small batches of one-of-a-kind pieces.
Our Nepal Artisan Partners
Himalayan Freedom Co., Kathmandu, Nepal
50,000 people per year are trafficked in South Asia, 44% are women. Every product made at HFC supports a woman in the Himalayas affected by human trafficking - offering her an alternative to non-dignified work. In turn, she earns money that supports her family and community - reducing the risk of human trafficking for whole villages.
New SADLE, Kapal, Nepal
New SADLE takes its name from "New Skill and Development Learning Experience." New SADLE is a not-for-profit training and employment program for artisans who have had leprosy or polio, who have other disabilities, or who are socially disadvantaged. The organization offers free medical treatment to artisans and provides handicraft skills that can lead to financially sustainable jobs, important in a society where people with leprosy are often shunned and forced to beg. New SADLE encourages artisans to return to their homes, and provides rent and child allowances to enable integration into society. Artisans receive free day-care and schooling up to grade 12 for their children. New SADLE runs a medical center, two mobile health clinics, a hospital and two homes for people who cannot work and who have no family.