Giving Back Tuesdays

This week I've scoped out Aid to Artisans to share with you. "Aid to Artisans, a nonprofit organization, offers practical assistance to artisan groups worldwide, working in partnerships to foster artistic traditions, cultural vitality, improved livelihoods and community well-being. Through collaboration in product development, business skills training and development of new markets, Aid to Artisans provides sustainable economic and social benefits for craftspeople in an environmentally sensitive and culturally respectful manner."

Aid to Artisans works in several different countries, providing technical assistance and training to artisans so they can market their goods on an international level, providing them the opportunity to improve their livelihood. Among the many ways they work, one is the issuing of small grants to established artisan groups to help supply items such as sewing machines, yarn, wool, and any other supplies needed to improve their operations. They have an online shop with some very beautiful items...take a look at some of my favorites:

Handmade and dyed in Senegal by a cooperative of handicapped artisans, the Batik Scarf (shown in purple on the right and teal on far left); in the center is the Edric Ong Silk Scarf, crafted in Malaysia.

Clockwise from top left: Recycled Metal Lantern from Morocco - created from sheets of metal with slight irregularities (which would normally be thrown out) used to make soda cans; one-of-a-kind Felt Rug from the Kyrgyz Republic; the Tagua Bracelet crafted in Columbia with sustainably harvested tagua nuts found in the rain forest.

For more information about Aid to Artisans and how you can help, click here.