WFTD 2011 Success...and Drawing and Award Winners!!!!

Fair Trade Resource Network

Today officially ends the World Fair Trade Day Celebration for 2011. It has been another successful year, with over 50,000 participants registered so far and the numbers are still rolling in, I'm certain this year will reach larger numbers than last. I will also be reporting my blog hits for the past 14 days.

soooo..THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU....for stopping by and reading my featured articles the past 14 days and extra special thanks to those who left comments during the Feature telling me about your experience or letting me know you were learning and sharing.  Thank you for all the lovely comments and for gettting me excited.  If you'll remember...14 days ago, I said, "great things could happen if Dee gets excited"..well I did and I'm about to tell you what those great things are after I share some exciting news!  

Exciting Fair Trade News: Chicago became the largest Fair Trade Town in the US and the second largest in the world this month. Way to go Chicago!! Your diligence the past two years brought you great success!! If you don't know...the US is lagging behind other countries in regards to Fair Trade awareness and sales, but we have been gaining strength over the past few years and with cities like Chicago leading the way, we will soon give the UK a run for their money, as they have lead the way in record sales and awareness of Fair Trade for years.

Yeah...I had to plug that last bit of knowledge before closing things down for the year. 

Drawing and Winners

Okay...what you've been waiting for, but not expecting until I told you right?  Well, here's where I may get a little sappy, so I apologize and intend to offend no one.  I truly truly appreciate all of the hits I 've received for this feature, and wish more had left comments to say hello and let me know who you were. If you've been following me for a while, you know that I'm passionate about a few things and Fair Trade just happens to be one of them.  I didn't announce a drawing mainly because (1) I was writing and sharing about something that I love, to support a movement that I believe in and (2)  I really wanted people to take something away from the posts and not just stop by to leave comments to win something.  I guess what I'm trying to say is the feature was more personal for me, and not about the hits or gaining followers this time. 

Sooo, for everyone who left comments since May 1 on one of my Fair Trade posts, your names were entered into a drawing tonight. Yeaaahhh you!!   Just like the Grammy's there are a couple of special categories (smile) and a general drawing.  The items I purchased from Ten Thousand Villages for this give-a-way are small in nature, but were selected with a purpose in mind...CONVERSATION.  I hope those who win tonight will display their gift from me where others will see and ask about them, giving you the opportunity to share the story of Fair Trade...so now, here we go........... 

Most Engaged

Lisa of Fishyface Designs

Lisa followed and commented through the entire series.  Her engagement and enthusiasm over learning about Fair Trade touched me in a very special way.   If you follow Lisa over at her blog, you'll soon learn for yourself that she is full of life and loves meeting new people.  I'm honored to have connected with Lisa along this journey!   Thank you Lisa!

She will be receiving a set of  Terra Cotta handcrafted elephants from Bangladesh.  These elephants were crafted by primarly female artisans who work under the name CORR.  CORR stands for Christian Organization for Relief and Rehabilitation.  Their work strives to empower rural women through handcraft production, and small job creation projects and provide job training, leaderhip skills and generates awareness of women's plight.  

Fair Trade Designer

Two names were entered into this drawing for their use of Fair Trade Beads in their jewelry and the winner is....

Linda of Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings 

Linda currently uses Kazuri Beads in her jewelry designs, which are a Fair Trade item from Kenya. Linda makes beautiful jewelry.  Please visit her blog where you learn of her creative abilities..she's always busy making something. 

The runner up for this category was Jean from Pretty Kitty Dog Moon Jewelry.  Jean is a jewelry designer, columnist and author.  She makes gorgeous jewelry and collects strange looking dolls (smile).  She also recently one the 7000 bracelets for hope bracelet. Follow Jean on her blog to find out more about this designer who also dabbles in using Fair Trade components.  Thank You ladies for your continued support!

Linda will be recieving a Dancing Girl pin.  This handcrafted pin, using discarded materals, is a long standing Fair Trade handicraft product from Kenya by a group named KICK. Residents of  Kisumu learned to make items such as the Dancing Girl through a workshop.  They were also taught to make jewelry, paper and home decor, leading to a workforce of craftspeople and artisans.  The Dancing Girl is a novel to the traditioanl kenya crafts made from wood and soapstone.  She can be worn on your lapel, backpack, purse or hat, and she'll definitely  promote conversation.  Congratulations Linda!

Lucky Ducks

All other names including Jean were entered into the Lucky Duck drawing and the winners are.....

Ma'Michele of Cooking with Ma'Michele

Kayla of The Eclectic Elements

Regina of Regina's Writings

a chef, a great blogger and a jewelry designer!!  Please visit their blogs to see what Ma'Michele is cooking up, what Kayla is up to and what beautiful new things Regina is creating.  Thank you ladies and congratulations!

The lucky ducks will be recieving Stone Paperweights handcrafted in India.  These stone paper weights bring peace, wisdom and strength. 

They were created through the TARA Project, which stands for "Trade Alternative Reform Action".  It is a program for community development and business.  It enables hundreds of artisans from North India to sell their products internationally.  It is one of the pioneering Indian organizations in the field of fair wages, non formal education programs for children and women, and health and environmental awareness.   

If all winners would please email me with your contact information, I will put your winnings in the mail this week.

Congratulations to all, thanks for stopping by and continue spreading the word about Fair Trade!!  If you're just following you can read all the articles from this series by clicking on the Fair Trade Coffee Break link on the right side of my home page. 

Unveiling until Fair Trade Coffee Break 2012,

Dee

Let's Talk Shirts - Fair Trade Series Day 13!!

Yeaahhh to Blogger for getting us up and running again!! I'm sure it's been a tiring 24+ hours for this group.  In case you didn't know, Blogger was down most of yesterday and this morning; but, their tech folks were working hard to get us back up and going...so, excuse the interruption, but thank goodness we're up again!

Today is day 13 of a 14 day blogging series about Fair Trade.  Tomorrow is World Fair Trade Day and with over 10,000 people signed up for events, there will be a world of celebrating going on. I myself will be heading to Ten Thousand Villages for some ice cream sundae's, a treasure hunt and to put my markings on the Fair Trade Wall!  Tomorrow will not just be about celebrating, but mostly educating... so I challenge you, (if you haven't registered for an event) to share with at least two people tomorrow, the Fair Trade message of hope and empowerment. 

Tonight, I will pull it all together with some imaginary producers.  I got the idea from Just Shirts, a Fair Trade retailer out of Canada.  With information from their site, I was sparked with an idea that gets the message across clearly of what the Fair Trade movement does to help those in developing countries move forward. So without further ado....

Let's Talk T-Shirts 

"Well hello there!"

"My name is Runako and I am a shirt maker in my country. The shirt your wearing was made with lots of care and possibly by one of my neighbors.  The co-op group that I work for allows me health benefits, proper safety equipment and a safe working environment. I receive safety training and equitable wages and I’m allowed the opportunity to participate in the decision making process. I also receive .40 for every shirt that I produce. My co-op group works with a Fair Trade North American Importer who cares about us and our community. All of my children are able to go to school and eat healthy meals. We have a total partnership with complete transparency. 

With the help of my co-op and educational opportunities, myself and several others in my village will be starting our own co-op next year, closer to our home.  I'm very excited and appreciative of all that I've learned.  Becoming a partner in my own business, will allow me to do even more for my family, better our living arrangements and continue education for our children. 

I hope you enjoy your product and we thank you for your business and continued support. "

Hi,

I would tell you my name, but it probably wouldn’t matter. I am a shirt maker in my country, but I really have no idea if the shirt you’re wearing is one that was made in my production sweat shop,or another or even in my country to be honest. I really don’t enjoy my job, but I have no other opportunities. Here we don’t get benefits and the work space is cramped with poor ventilation. Sometimes I am the victim of Harassment from the supervisors. I’ve been working here for 7 years, but I have no voice or input into anything. Wages are poor; and, I only make .10 per shirt that I produce, so I’m guessing the American Importer and the production facility makes most of the profit. I barely make enough to support my family and my children have no education.

I have to go now my boss is coming.

Fair Trade Makes a Difference!

Visit tomorrow when I'll share with you photos from Ten Thousand Villages, until then.....

Unveiling,