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To learn about the our products click here.
 Our Story
In the early 1990’s, several families
left their homes in Canada and America and set out for an
adventurous voyage to exotic India. Struck both by the beauty
of the traditional culture and by the discrepancy of the rich
and the poor, we resolved during those first visits to do
something with our lives that would impact the neglected and
exploited peoples of India. After returning to the West for
several years, the founding couples of Village Artisan made
the decision to move their homes and families permanently
to South Asia in order to make a difference.The first years
were spent planting our lives in community, learning the language
and culture of the people, and researching business projects
that would both value traditional crafts and raise the standard
of meager village incomes. Lots of time was spent in the homes
of local artisans and businessmen, hearing their stories of
simple joys and hardship.
Finally, Village Artisan Network
was created out of the realization of what we as Westerners
could contribute to the already gifted, but struggling communities
of India. Through developing new innovative designs, raising the standard of quality, linking
local artisans with the global marketplace, and advocating
for sustainable development, we could bring a whole new paradigm
to multinational business: a company with a conscience. Artisans
from several villages now have the finances for education
and better health for their families. Women are also empowered
through dignified work and participation in decisions. Since
the conception of Village Artisan, the result has been the
transformation of not only individual lives, but whole communities.
Our Values
Unique Quality Line
 Village Artisan offers a distinct advantage
in that our designers and quality control are onsite
in India alongside our artisans. We are able to adjust to the
market trends and create customized products on demand. The
result is a distinct high-end treasure for each one of our discerning
clientele. Fair Trade
Fair trade is better than aid. It builds
a sustainable future on producers own abilities, with the main
objective being to improve the producers quality of life. We
accomplish this by training local artisans in creating a viable
product and then linking up with Alternative Trade retailers
or distributors. By bringing the market to the village, the
producer and the community benefit directly. We
are committed to the goals of Fair Trade (www.ifat.org ) as
listed below:
- To improve the livelihoods and
well being of producers by improving market access,
 strengthening
producer organizations, paying a better price and providing
continuity in the trading relationship.
- To promote development opportunities
for disadvantaged producers, especially women and indigenous
people, and to protect children from exploitation in the
production process.
- To raise awareness among consumers
of the negative effects on producers of international trade
so that they exercise their purchasing power positively.
- To set an example of partnership
in trade through dialogue, transparency and respect.
- To campaign for changes in the
rules and practice of conventional international trade.
- To protect human rights by promoting
social justice, sound environmental practices and economic
security.
Environmentally Friendly
Village Artisan products are
100% eco-friendly and made from a range of natural and recycled
materials.
- Our hand-made paper is 100%
wood-free, made from the cotton throw-offs of the textile
industry.
- All soaps are handcrafted using
natural spices and dyes with no artificial additives or
colorings.
- Village Artisan beeswax candles
are also nontoxic and burn cleaner than paraffin, which
is an unnatural petroleum by product.
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