Fair Trade Art: Spread Happiness

National Geographic’s Novica has a startling mantra: spread happiness.

With a business model of connecting artisans to a global marketplace of socially conscious customers, Novica’s banner states: Over $90.2 million sent to artisans so far! 

They focus on both ...

• happy artisans: Fair prices, no binding contracts, and the freedom to make a success of their craft by building a sustainable business. 
• happy customers: Unique handmade products, great value, and the joy of helping to nurture and elevate the craft of global artisans.

From: Museo Textil de Oaxaca

After traveling for a few days with Linda Hanna, Oaxaca coordinator for Feria Maestros del Arte, we started talking about the idea of paying a fair price for the pieces of folk art we found along the way … and, of course, the whole idea of “haggling.” 

It seemed to be a good subject to write about and I was delighted to find that Novica already has ten principles in place. On their webpage linked below, they go into the details of how they implement each principle. 

What is Fair Trade? 

In simple terms, it's the belief that everyone should be fairly compensated for the work they do.

The fair trade movement has 10 guiding principles...

• PRINCIPLE 1: Create opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers.
• PRINCIPLE 2: Be transparent and accountable.
• PRINCIPLE 3: Conduct fair trade practices.
• PRINCIPLE 4: Pay a fair price.
• PRINCIPLE 5: Guard against child labor and forced labor.
• PRINCIPLE 6: Promote gender equality and non discrimination.
• PRINCIPLE 7: Ensure good working conditions.  
• PRINCIPLE 8: Provide capacity building. 
• PRINCIPLE 9: Promote fair trade. 
• PRINCIPLE 10: Respect for the environment.

Article by Joyce Wycoff, volunteer with Feria Maestros del Arte