Have you heard of colored cotton? No, we aren’t talking about white cotton that has been dyed, but organic naturally pigmented cotton! Naturally-colored cotton is making a revival.  You will find this specialty cotton popping up in designer boutiques across America and Europe. Not only does this naturally pigmented cotton come in gorgeous shades of red, green, and brown, but it’s also environmentally friendly since it is chemical- free! Colored cotton was cultivated 5,000 years ago by the indigenous tribes of Central and South America. However, with the advent of the cotton gin combined with the cheaper cost of producing white cotton, colored crops were wiped out and replaced with commercial varieties. Luckily, these rare seeds were saved in seed banks in South America, so today we can enjoy this ancient textile! Today, Peru is the main producer of this unique crop. Our Peruvian partner, Manuelo Ramos, has been creating adorable stuffed animals for Global Goods Partners using 100% cotton yarn.  Maybe, with the reemergence of colored cottons, someday Manuela Ramos with be weaving stuffed bunnies with this wonderful revived crop! Check out Manuela’s goods on our webiste by cicking the link below.

We all know the saying, “a little goes a long way”, but new microlending firms are putting a spin on this idea by allowing lenders to loan as little as $25 to give entrepreneurs in marginalized communities a hand up. Global Goods Partners has joined with both JoinFITE and The Hoop Fund to support this growing world of microlending.  Both companies believe in the idea that by connecting people through lending, poverty can be alleviated and a path to a better life can be forged. However, each of these companies goes about this task in different ways. The Hoop Fund is on a mission to build a more connected marketplace. Indiv iduals who lend with the Hoop Fund can give to a project directly or opt fo r one of the company’s  “bundle” packages, which allows lenders to finance a chosen project and get great deals on products. That’s where Global Goods Partners comes in! Maasai Women Development Organisation in Tanzania creates beadwork jewelry and décor for Global Goods Partners. By partnering with the Hoop Fund, lenders who give money to this project with be both financing the initiative to provide medical kits to these Maasai women and buying a beautiful beadwork bowl produced by the group. A true win win! JoinFITE takes a different approach and concentrates solely on women entrepreneurs.  The company mirrors Global Goods Partners’ idea that the empowerment of women has a ripple effect and that by providing small loans to women, whole communities will benefit. If you have just a little to spare, microlending is a fantastic way to make your money go a long way!

We love to share stories about our partners across the globe, but do you ever wonder what's the story behind our work here in the United States?  There's a lot that goes on at our New York headquarters to provide a market for our partners' fair trade products. Here's one our our stories, penned by Eleni Gage and published by MYOO.com: Jewelry designer Jennifer Gootman wears an olive green cape that is the envy of the hipsters in her Brooklyn neighborhood. Knit out of pure alpaca wool, the wrap was handcrafted by artisans in a remote region of Peru, which only adds to its cool factor... READ MORE>>

Superstar pop sensation Justin Beiber sports fingerless gloves just like our Fair Trade Bolivian Knit Fingerless Gloves!

 

Running errands, going to brunch, or sitting in class - Keep it sharp and chic like America’s favorite starlet, Blake Lively. Get her look with our fabulous fair-trade hand made products. Replicate Blake’s casual yet stylish outfit with a Natural Woven Scarf and an Ethnic Large Tote Handbag made by women from the Thai/Burmese Border.