The month of August tends to be bittersweet at GGP. This year, along with the highlights – visiting artisan partners in Swaziland and South Africa, preparing for the NY NOW gift show, and readying our fall product line – we, sadly, said goodbye to intern extraordinaire, Mehrsa Kheibary.

Mehrasa will return to St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, this fall as a senior majoring in International Economics and Multi-languages (Arabic and French). Before school starts, though, she’ll be heading out on a long-awaited visit with her family in Tehran, Iran, where she was born and raised. After graduating high school back home, Mehrsa told us that she “was privileged to attend a unique international high school called United World College Maastricht (Netherlands), where I was inspired by my fellow and former classmates to take actions for community improvement and strive for a peaceful, sustainable future.”

That spark, which we benefited from all summer long, led Mehrsa to pursue an internship at GGP. When asked to reflect on her summer experience, Mehrsa said that “while looking into women empowerment organizations GGP stood out to me because of the transparency of their work with female artisans . . . GGP sees what works best for its partners and provides them with the opportunities that they desire; be it health, education, new fashion trends. Additionally, I admire how globally this organization thinks as they partner with female artisans from Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America.”

Mehrsa added that, “The most valuable lesson I take from my experience at Global Goods Partners is the kindness and care that my colleagues show at work. I felt very welcomed and part of a family throughout my internship. Professionally, every individual woman of the office and their collaboration as a team in GGP's business matters inspired me. I will bring these valuable lessons with me to my future endeavors.”

We too were inspired by Mehrsa’s intelligence, diligence, professionalism and warmth, and we know she will continue to inspire her colleagues and accomplish great things throughout her career.

Left to Right: Catherine Shimony, Mehrsa Kheibary, Linda Barnett, Joan Shifrin, Chrissy Kim

It's August, meaning that school is officially on on the horizon. We want you to walk the hallways feeling confident, and what better way to feel good than to look good and do good? We've listed some of our favorite fair trade back to school products to make sure you (or your child, or your sibling!) has the best year possible. Take a look below and tag or tweet us at @GlobalGoods with your favorite fair trade back to school sales!

 

Th(E) Bracelet

 

Our handmade Th(E) Bracelets are a must have back to school accessory. Every sixteen bracelets pays for one year of school for a girl in rural Guatemala. Wear your newfound appreciation for education on your sleeve with this stylish accessory!

 

Beaded Keychains

 

If you're looking to add some whismy to your year our bead and wire wrapped keychains are perfect for you. Handmade in South Africa, the intricate beadwork and tightly coiled wire make these beaded keychains truly unique. Make sure you and your family can stay organized with the keychain that matches their style, like our prancing unicorn or our goofy animals!

 

Eco-friendly Journals

The best way to finish a semester strong is to start it strong! Take notes and stay organized with our eco-friendly notebooks. Our Newspaper Journals are handmade from recycled materials and our Natural Dye Fabric Journals are created using organic cotton and coconut shell pieces. Pick a color or style for each class to stay coordinated!

 

Handmade Bags

 

 

Regardless of age, the perfect bag is a must have for starting the school year right. If you know a tot that's just starting schooling, our Felt Barnyard Puppet Bag will comfort them with a sweet and silly presence. If you're headed bag to high school or college, our Handloomed Ikat and Leather Handbag is the perfect size to hold your laptop, notebooks, and more! (If you're into more classic color combos, see it in black here).

 

Candles

One thing that's easy to forget once school rolls around is relaxation! Make sure you take a moment for yourself every day by lighting up one of our beautiful homemade candles. Our Handmade Pillar Candle features beautiful geometric designs from Swaziland, while our Hammered Copper Candle comes with a reusable decorative vessel.

July 30th marks International Friendship Day, a day designated by the UN to "encourage governments, international organizations and civil society groups to hold events, activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation." One of our favorite ways to show our thanks to our friends is the classic friendship bracelet, and we have several ideas on the perfect bracelet to get your friends this year! Learn more about International Friendship Day by clicking here, and read on for some fair trade favors for your favorite pals!

 

 Nutrition Bracelets

In rural Guatemala, malnutrition is present in more than 50 percent in indigenous areas, and food insecurity is a pressing challenge. We created the Nutrition Bracelet to help tackle this issue. The purchase of this bracelet helps fund one year of nutritional, social and medical support for children in Guatemala.

Each bracelet gives something back to our partners' communities: 

If your friends are especially passionate about health and nutrition, or if these bracelets happen to match their personal style, these will make the perfect gift!

 

Peacemaker Bracelet

If you have friends interested in helping areas of conflict, this Peacemaker Bracelet is perfect for them. Available in a variety of colors, the sale of the Peacemaker Bracelet supports Global Goods Partners and net proceeds are donated to Seeds of Peace, an organization that shares our dedication to coexistence and stability in conflict-torn regions. 

 

Bracelets for Change

Imagine a bracelet that changes the life of a Guatemalan rural family forever. With the purchase of each bracelet you provide a job and income for rural women in Guatemala, eager to feed and educate their children and partner. These bracelets help relieve the cost of providing clean water, healthy food, and a safe home for a woman and her family.

Each bracelet buys a different product: 

Th(E) Bracelet

Our Th(E) Bracelet is perfect for the people in your life that are passionate about education. Every 16 purchases of these handmade bracelets support one year of education for girls in rural Guatemala. Make sure to check out our Men's Th(E) Bracelet here!

 

Earth Bracelets

Our eco friendly Earth Bracelets are the perfect gift for the tree-hugger in your life. This set of four bracelets is handmade by women in Guatemala using wax threads and glass and metal beads.

How are you planning on celebrating International Friendship Day? Tag or tweet us at @globalgoods and let us know!

By "blues" we definitely don't mean our mood. One of our favorite parts of summer is visiting the ocean, but unfortunately it's not always possible to get all the beach time we need. Some of our favorite products this season evoke the sea, so we're sharing some style and decorating tips to feel like you're always on vacation!

 

1) Chevron Dyed Silk Scarf

Oozing with rich, radiant color, this Chevron Dyed Silk Scarf is made from the softest Cambodian silk. The chic chevron pattern looks just like ocean waves, and the color scheme is perfect for summer style!

 

2) Under the Sea Stuffies

Surround yourself with sweet and silly sea creatures with our handmade Alpaca stuffies! Some of our favorites are our octopus, narwhal, and hammerhead, but you can check out all our little friends here! These smiling sweethearts are perfect for kids of all ages.

 

3) Sisal and Brass Circle Earrings

These fun color-blocked Sisal and Brass Circle Earrings are created by master weavers in Swaziland. Each delicate disk is woven using traditional sisal coiling techniques and paired with a hammered metal accent, creating a fun lightweight earring.

 

4) Alpaca Mermaid Ornament

Ariel, is that you? We're in love with our new Alpaca Mermaid Ornament. Hang her up in your car or in your kitchen for some ocean-inspired whimsy!

 

5) Peruvian Embroidered Cotton Pillow

If you're looking for a more classic addition to your home, our beautiful Peruvian Embroidered Cotton Pillow is just what you need. This stylish statement piece features traditional designs embroidered with soft cotton thread and is finished with a concealed zipper for easy care.

 

What are your favorite summer accessories? Tag or tweet us at @globalgoods and let us know!

Summer is new apartment season, especially in NYC. While all the viewing and signing and lifting (not to mention paying) is stressful, nothing beats having a new, clean space to decorate! Take a look at our favorite fair trade products for some apartment inspiration, and check out many more on our site here.

 

Do you like bright colors and bold patterns, or are you into sophisticated neutrals? Our Peruvian Embroidered Cotton Pillows pop in any room you place them, giving you a burst of color right at the start of your day; while our Natural Colored Cotton Pillows will give your room a soft and subtle look!

 

Tiny New York apartments can be hard to keep clean, but we have some ideas that will keep you organized and your place looking great! Our Handwoven Rwandan Baskets are beautiful and useful - hang them on your wall as decor, or keep your keys, change, and chapstick in one handy spot! You can also make sure you're taking advantage of all the space you have with our Grey Bone Inlay Triple Hook. This versatile hook is great for hanging coats, hand towels or jewelry in an entryway, bathroom, or behind a door!

 

They say the devil is in the details, but you can delight in them too! Add some color to your new place with our Fair Trade Felt Tea Roses or go for a more modern metallic look with our Gold Mango Wood Tray. You can also place pops of patterns around with handmade baskets and bowls!

 

 Finally, make sure you take a little space for yourself! Taking some time to journal or light a candle after a long day can make your apartment go from a room to a home.

 

What are your favorite apartment accessories? Tag or tweet us at @GlobalGoods and let us know!