artisans Archives - The Curated House

Beautiful Process, Beautiful Product | Gorgeous Leather Bags from Amazig Leather

You know me – I love a beautiful product with a beautiful process behind it, and today’s find epitomizes that mantra. Not only is the process beautiful, but the purpose of this whole company is truly inspiring, and the handmade leather bags they produce are nothing short of gorgeous.

Amazig Leathers {pronounced “ah – mah – zig”} began with the dream of one young woman who wanted to change the world. Founder Brandi Jordan grew up believing it was possible, but it took some time for her to figure out how to make it happen.

“We are told from a young age that we can change the world, but so often we aren’t told how. I’ve always had this intense desire to make a positive impact somewhere and the radar system in my head is constantly on the lookout for opportunities,” she says.

It wasn’t until a few years ago that Brandi’s passion and purpose collided with an idea that would become the fulfillment of her dream. As Brandi started paying closer attention to the process behind the products she was purchasing on a regular basis, she was shocked to discover seemingly common practices of sub-standard working conditions, un-fair wages, and unethical treatment of the craftspeople.

“I had the epiphany that with every purchase I make, I can either empower or enslave people, real people.”

Inspired to create an ethical company with far-reaching impact, Brandi’s dream solidified around the idea of creating a leather goods social enterprise based in Morocco that would offer beautiful products and provide sustainable, positive change for a community of people.

{I am seriously in LOVE with this duffle bag – perfect for a lovely long weekend getaway!}

In creating profound relationships with Imazighen artisans on her first business trip to Morocco, Brandi established partnerships that would become the foundation of her vision for the company. Through the sale of high-quality, handmade artisanal leather-goods, Brandi is empowering these artisans to provide not only for their families, but also for their community with a portion of Amazig’s profits supporting educational initiatives among the Imazighen people.

Amazig Leathers only uses vegetable tanned leather, which ages better and is also better for the environment than harsher chemically tanned leathers commonly used. Amazig only uses leather from animals where the whole animal is utilized – for food as well as for leather – creating less impact on the environment. Artisans receive fair living wages and are provided with honourable employment at all levels of the supply chain and a portion of the profits go back into the communities where the artisans are from to support educational initiatives in those communities. Doesn’t get much better than that!

Amazig’s Debut Collection will arrive in North America the first week in November {shipping the following week}, and you can help them get a running start at their launch by contributing to their Kickstarter Campaign. Each contribution level of course comes with the amazing reward of a gorgeous, handmade leather piece from Amazig, so it’s really a win-win-win situation!

I hope Brandi’s courageous, compassionate heart for social justice – and the beautiful process behind her beautiful products – has inspired you as much as it has inspired me today.

Happy Wednesday!

xo
s.

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|October 2nd, 2013|0 Comments

Design Find | Far & Wide Collective

As you know by now, I am deeply passionate about process. When the way a product is made honours the people making it and – even better – contributes significantly to improving their way of life and the lives of those in their community, I get very, very excited. That is the kind of leverage I would love to see happening all the more in our growing global design economy. Gratefully, today’s Design Find is a company with just such a vision.

Finding beauty in places afflicted by war, oppression and poverty, Far and Wide Collective (FWC) launched yesterday, bringing exquisite traditions and culturally-inspired design to Western buyers. Through its carefully curated website, FWC partners with talented artisans from post-conflict and emerging economies to unearth hidden gems – sharing home décor, fashion and jewelry with an international audience.

“FWC is proud to help build bridges to create a more cohesive global community and a viable economic future for our artisan partners,” says founder Hedvig Alexander. “Over fifteen years working in development in conflict zones, including seven in Afghanistan, I have seen firsthand the most effective growth opportunity for women and marginalized groups is through sustainable businesses with access to international markets.”

According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), handmade crafts are the second largest sector of rural employment in much of the developing world. With such rich cultural traditions and craft skills in almost every household, developing countries account for 60 percent of the world’s total exported creative goods, according to USAID. By providing access to international markets, marketing support, business guidance and training, FWC aims to support the growth of this sector as a key driver of economic development, especially for women.

“With an influx of big box retail chains and growing questions about the true nature (and safety) of production in the developing world, we are seeing a backlash against mass produced goods,” Alexander observes. “Consumers want unique items made responsibly by individual artisans: our mission is to bring them these products.”

About Far and Wide Collective

Far and Wide Collective (FWC) is a sustainable digital marketplace created to connect low-income craftspeople with consumers through art, design and humanitarianism. FWC partners with some of the most talented artisans in emerging economies, building bridges to open the way to a better future for its artisan partners.

I hope you get as excited about this as I do! I am grateful for visionaries like Hedvig Alexander who are developing beautiful products through a beautiful, meaningful process that truly makes a difference. In a world desperately in need of positive change, this kind of compassionate, dignifying and elevating business is the kind I want to have on my radar!

By Sarah Walker The Curated House|May 15th, 2013|0 Comments

The Art of Collaboration: West Elm

I am a big believer in collaboration. I also love seeing large companies leveraging their platform to create opportunities for individual artisans. All of this added together meant that I was truly delighted to learn about West Elm‘s new South Africa collection.

Harnessing the creativity and cultural diversity of 16 different South African artisans, West Elm has launched a collection that reflects just a taste of the spectacular beauty and inspiration that is waiting to be found in this incredible country. Having spent time in South Africa back in 2009, I can tell you that it is a country filled with story, courage, beauty, redemption, remarkable people, incredible diversity, spectacular landscape and deeply inspiring and innovative creativity.

From woven-seat furniture clearly influenced by mid-century Danish design to bright, hand painted pottery reflective of the indigenous beadwork that South Africa has come to be known for, this collection is truly diverse.

If you love to travel but have not yet had the inspiring privilege of traveling to South Africa, I highly recommend adding it to your bucket list. In the meantime, here is a lovely video giving you just a taste of the landscape and natural inspiration South Africa has to offer (along with a further look at some of the artisans featured in West Elm’s collection).

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;img border=”0″&amp;amp;gt;allowfullscreen&amp;amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;