Social enterprises empowering small artisan makers around the world to champion their unique craftsmanship will form a central part of Source Home & Gift next month.
They will be showcased in a new Makers section, introduced to offer a dedicated space for artisan producers. One of the unique propositions of Source Home & Gift is its support for smaller-scale artisans from across the globe but with a focus on developing countries.
Sumaq Qara’s mission is to support female victims of terrorism and domestic violence in Peru. It offers a wide portfolio of knit, embroidery, crochet and macramé products, working with natural wools and fibres. Sumaq Qara, words in Quechua that mean “Beautiful Leather”, was founded in 2006 with the purpose of helping more than 500 women who were victims of physical and psychological abuse during the time of terrorism. With more than 15 years of exporting, it offers a wide portfolio of products made with ancestral techniques such as embroidery, knitting, crochet and macramé using natural fibres such as alpaca, merino wool, sheep wool, and cotton.
Claybotik has a vision to revive the dying art of stoneware pottery, providing employment to local artisans to create handmade ceramics with contemporary designs influenced from traditional Indian patterns. Claybotik, based in Jaipur, celebrates the oldest and most widespread art of pottery and believes deeply in uplifting the artisan community. The business model also showcases reducing, reusing, and recycling with zero-waste production
‘Zero waste also helps to examine the life cycle of a product or material. At our studio, we reclaim all the clay. The pieces which do not pass the quality check are not discarded, instead kept for sampling purposes or we put up monthly walk-in thrift stalls under a minimal budget, this way it’s a win-win for the producer and the consumer with zero-waste policy,’ it says.
Working with 100 artists in Haiti, Beyond Borders Fair Trade, also known as Extol Accessories, has been working with and nurturing Haitian artists in Croix-des-Bouquets for 15 years supporting real economic improvement and lives bettered through the creation and sharing of art. It will be presenting a showcase of new designs at Source Home & Gift to showcase the artists’ skill and handmade pieces.
‘We love the constant exchange and blossoming of new product and design ideas. Most importantly, we see real economic improvement and lives bettered through the creation and sharing of their beautiful art. This success is about a true partnership between the Haitian artists, Beyond Borders, you as our retail customers, and your customers – who get to love this art and share in the story,’ it says.
‘Featuring hand-picked exhibitors chosen for the quality of their items and their authentic community stories is incredibly inspiring. Our aim is to create a show with beautiful, well-made products that don’t cost the earth, quite literally, and allow their makers – be it those who are in villages, or those in factories – to live well from their work. I’m thrilled that the work we do in building a responsible sourcing platform in the UK and Europe is being so well received by our UK buying community,’ says Suzanne Ellingham, Source Home & Gift event director.
Exhibitors at Source Home & Gift are required to have a recent audit from Sedex or a recognisable audit institution giving buyers the confidence that they will meet suppliers that have responsible business practices, and the teamwork with governments and agencies from across the world to bring best in class manufacturers and artisan producers to the UK to share their capabilities.
Source Home & Gift takes place alongside Autumn Fair form 1-4 September at the NEC.
Image: Claybotik
