Documenting the Journey
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Colores del Pueblo
The stars aligned in my search for fair trade textiles because the first shop I discovered was the amazing Colores Del Pueblo. By purchasing this fabric we are supporting the weavers through fair wages and the continuation of cultural traditions. -
Scouring the Globe for Fair Trade Textiles
I knew that fair trade fabric was out there, but it was not easily available locally. My next step was to figure out how to find these communities of global artisans. I decided to utilize the websites for the World Fair Trade Organization and Common Objective to source vendors. -
Start Where You Are
Sourcing global textiles for me is about more than collecting beautiful fabric, it is also a way to support under resourced communities in a dignified and long lasting way. However, the beauty of handwoven textile is jaw dropping, so in my opinion this work is a win-win! -
Experimenting with Tote Bags
When I first started making tote bags I lived just a few blocks away from a local discount fabric store. I would often lose hours browsing and examining all of the fabric and materials. Through trial and error, I learned which fabric was most suitable for my tote bags. -
Black and Brown Founders
I was ready to get started working on my business but I needed help. One day I overheard someone talking about on organization called Black and Brown Founders. Their motto is to start with the resources that you naturally have and bootstrap your way to your vision. -
Pursuing Entrepreneurship
For the past few years I have been selling my hand-made tote bags on Etsy. Working a full-time job, combined with my other responsibilities, meant that I was not able to prioritize my Etsy shop. This year I decided to use what I learned from my Etsy shop and channel my efforts into progressing my business.