Ahhhh, we just love Etsy!  Where else can you consistently find such creative and unique hand-made items at such reasonable prices?  If you haven’t checked out Etsy yet, you’re seriously missing out on some great stuff, like this Alien Crib Mobile, for only $25.  Break out of the commercialized (read: BORING) nursery decor at Etsy!

$25 at Etsy

It’s Fair Trade Friday and in keeping with our alphabet theme that seems to have developed this week, check this out!  This stunning wooden alphabet set is hand painted and the perfect addition to any child’s room.  Made in Sri Lanka by Sarvodaya, the largest non-governmental organization in the country, the sales proceeds fund sorely needed community development projects. 

We must have it!

$34.00 at A Greater Gift

It’s Fair Trade Friday!…

These adorable hand puppets from Kenana Knitter Critters have got to be some of the cutest I’ve seen. They’re all hand knit by a group of women in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya using locally grown hand-spun sheep wool, then dyed with all natural plants from their garden, and naturally moth-proofed with a local daisy-like flower. Since each “critter” is individually handmade, no two are exactly alike and they have their own unique character. The Kenyan women are proud of their work and sign the cards that accompany their products. It’s also great to know that while you and your children enjoy the wonderful fair trade animals and dolls, the women have gained income, status, and economic growth in their community, and ultimately a better life for themselves and their families.

The Critters come as hand puppets, finger puppets, or stuffed knit animals.

Available from $18 at Wild Dill.

Fair Trade Friday…

Pastel Toys are “special toys made by special people” in Kishorit, a kibbutz-like, non-denominational, non-profit community location in Western Galilee. 120 developmentally disabled adults live and work in a friendly and supportive village here, growing organic vegetables and creating these high quality collectible toys.

They’re created from all natural materials that meet the quality and safety standards of the Israeli Standard Institute. The pastel colors are made with lead-free, water-based paints “create a calm and relaxed mood where a child’s imagination can flourish”. Converted from blocks of wood by hand, all of them have moving wheels. All kids love that, no matter where in the world they play with them.

The Gap recently started selling these toys too, which I thought was very interesting. However, the resale prices at Wild Dill are lower for us as consumers- they start at $24.00.

Yes, this is a fair trade gift basket, so the contents (and even the basket itself) were all fairly grown or made of sustainable, renewable resources whose sale directly benefits the farmers and artisans behind them.

And yes, even if your dad (or husband or other recipient) isn’t into the “green scene”, he will no doubt love this thing.

It includes:

• A bag of Equal Exchange Organic Gourmet Coffee, 12oz bag (your choice of roast)
• Firehouse Hot Chili Gift Pack
• Khatsa Hot Sauce
• Chocolate Gift Pack, filled with 10 dark chocolate pieces
• Stylish Trifold Wallet made of organic hemp
• Honduran Organic Cashews, 1/2 pound bag

Yum, right? And it’s all stuffed into a natural, hand-woven Kaisa grass basket from Bangladesh that he can reuse for anything he’d like. Perhaps to put keys, change, and his new wallet into?

Gift Baskets for Dad - $54.00 at GlobalExchange