If you tend to buy through the internet, there is a website called Novica in partnership with National Geographic that provides artisans all over the world with the opportunity to sell their work on the Novica website. All the middlemen are removed so the artists and artisans make more money and you pay less. This is an extension of the fair trade economics practice, to my mind.

A few years ago I bought a pair of earrings from one of their artists for a friend's birthday. The artist was a woman in Thailand who's business employed fifteen members of her family and her community. The purchase price of the earrings went straight to her company, the shipping costs went to Novica who handles all of that, and it was shipped directly to my friend. Takes 2 to 3 weeks for delivery as it's overseas shipping, but if you plan ahead, it's worth it.

Just another idea along the fair economics practices that improves life across the globe.

Anhata
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