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30 Artisan-Supporting Businesses

From Kenyan Art Clinics to Opportunity-Generating Accessories

— February 10, 2012 — Social Good
Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, the overtake of factory-made goods of all kinds has meant that artisan-supporting businesses are somewhat of a rarity. Especially now that cheap labor almost always moves to China and India, other small-scale handicraft entrepreneurs are left in the dust.

But there's been a resurgence, coupled with a nostalgia for simpler times, perhaps, of handmade goods from all over the globe. This SocialBusiness.org top list of artisan-supporting businesses showcases some of the companies who are making people a priority, rather than profit.

The result is a selection of products that, in the end, don't sacrifice quality or livelihood for cheap labor. From Kenyan art clinics to opportunity-generating accessories and online ethical retailers, artisan-supporting businesses are where it's at.
2.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
30
Socially Responsible Textiles
Socially Responsible Textiles
Proud Mary Provides Artisan Materials in Developing Nations
<
29
Sustaining Rural Development
Sustaining Rural Development
Barefoot College Supports Professionals in the Majority World
<
28
Community-Focused Palestinian Produce
Community-Focused Palestinian Produce
Zaytoun Imports Organic and Fair Trade Products
<
27
Capacity-Building Artisan Groups
Capacity-Building Artisan Groups
The Nest Maiyet Partnership Creates Positive Impact (UPDATE)
<
26
Cultural Clothing Tours
Cultural Clothing Tours
Verdes y Colores is the Vision of Sustainable Retail and Fashion
<
25
Empowering Recycled Bowls
Empowering Recycled Bowls
This Crockery from Bundu Designs is African-Inspired
<
24
Ethical African-Inspired Gifts
Ethical African-Inspired Gifts
Bundu Works with a Support Group for HIV-Positive Women in Malawi
<
23
Corporate Gifting for Good
Corporate Gifting for Good
Handcrafted Gifts from Zoe Alliance Offer Ethical Employment
<
22
Soulful Business Solutions
Soulful Business Solutions
Yoga Company 'I AM.' Sees Itself as an Idea and Not a Brand
<
21
Opportunity-Generating Accessories
Opportunity-Generating Accessories
'Hands Up Not Handouts' Uses Business for Positive Change
<
20
Ethical Silk Scarves
Ethical Silk Scarves
‘Cambodian Threads’ Gives School Supplies to Impoverished Kids
<
19
Vibrant Fair Trade Products
Vibrant Fair Trade Products
Global Mamas Helps Ghana-Based Artisan Reach New Markets
<
18
Charitable Animal Sculptures
Charitable Animal Sculptures
The Bundu Designs Rhinos are Made from Wire
<
17
Psychedelic Handmade Belts
Psychedelic Handmade Belts
The Andean Collection is a Vivid and Ethical Line of Fashion
<
16
Kenyan Art Clinics
Kenyan Art Clinics
The Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Centre Empowers Artisans of All Abilities
<
15
Traceable Empowerment Fashion
Traceable Empowerment Fashion
The IOU Project Employs Artisans in India and Shares their Stories
<
14
Edgy Fashion Co-Ops
Edgy Fashion Co-Ops
Fair Trade 'Of Rags' Combines NYC Style with Ghanaian Fashion
<
13
Apparel Against Slavery
Apparel Against Slavery
'Stop Traffick Fashion' Supports Artisans Through Income and Resources
<
12
Cow-Print Cushions
Cow-Print Cushions
Deep Dark Africa Creates Simple Fair Trade Home Design
<
11
Culturally Relevant Luggage
Culturally Relevant Luggage
Ethnotek Creates Bags Using Direct Fabric Trade
<
10
Human-Oriented Handicrafts
Human-Oriented Handicrafts
Tekoha Promotes Sustainable Development for Brazilian Artisans
<
9
Abuse-Free Indian Carpets
Abuse-Free Indian Carpets
Jaipur Rugs Creates Tantalizing Products for You to Happily Walk On
<
8
Fair Trade Peruvian Handcrafts
Fair Trade Peruvian Handcrafts
Sanyork Promotes Artisans in a Poor Community of Lima
<
7
Fashionable Fair Trade Apparel (UPDATE)
Fashionable Fair Trade Apparel (UPDATE)
Indego Africa Gives Artisans a Protected Place to Create
<
6
Online Ethical Retailers
Online Ethical Retailers
SERRV Alleviates Poverty by Supporting Artisans from Around the World
<
5
Peace Pillows
Peace Pillows
Oimei Co. is a Fair Trade Business Re-Investing Profits in Peacebuilding Initiatives
<
4
Socially Conscious Packaging
Socially Conscious Packaging
Level Ground Trading Re-Sealable Bags Take You Back to the Fields
<
3
Zulugrass Jewelry
Zulugrass Jewelry
The Leakey Collection Employs Women in the The Rift Valley, Kenya
<
2
Fair Trade Ugandan Goods
Fair Trade Ugandan Goods
One Mango Tree's Clothing and Accessories Have a Beautiful Story
<
1
Hand-Dyed Ikat Handbags
Hand-Dyed Ikat Handbags
Push Pull Cambodia is a Social Enterprise with a Sense of Style
<