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Since 1981, Paradiso has worked directly with a small group of silversmith families in the villages of Celuk and Singapadu, in the Sukawati area of Gianyar, on the island of Bali, Indonesia. Providing materials, education, design and product development, Paradiso aims to help producers maintain the rich quality of their village life in the face of rapid change and economic development. In the United States, Paradiso has focused for twenty years on consumer education, collaborating with a select group of non-profit organizations, retail businesses, museum shops, galleries and boutiques, and has a particular interest in supporting new socially responsible companies. Paradiso is a long time member of the Fair Trade Federation, a worldwide association of fair trade producers, wholesalers, and retailers who are committed to providing fair wages and safe, dignified and healthy working conditions for artisans and farmers in developing areas. By forming and maintaining long-term trade relationships, FTF's members hope to keep alive traditional art forms and to share the richness of diverse cultures through unique, high-quality handcrafted products.
In the traditional silversmithing village of Celuk, jewelry is exquisitely handcrafted, using unique and painstakingly detailed techniques, which are passed down through generations. Families generally have tiny home workshops with dirt floors, crude wooden workbenches, simple tools, and a hand-held gas torch to work with. It is often said that every Balinese is an artist. In the village of Celuk, the process of metalsmithing is a vital part of everyday life, delicately interwoven with spiritual practice, involving a highly complex system of honoring and placating the many gods of Bali-Hindu-animism.
Traditionally, Balinese silversmiths created ceremonial objects for the old Klungkung courts - elaborate betel nut bowls, kris handles, offering platters and vessels for holy water. Each piece of jewelry begins with tiny silver pellets, which are melted and carefully formed into silver sheets. This process requires hours of steady hammering against the top of a tree stump. Wire forms by pulling the warm metal through progressively smaller and smaller holes in a simple drawplate. Small balls are soldered onto the surface of the piece with perfect control of the torch - a technique held in awe by metal smiths worldwide. As each piece is entirely hand-fabricated, no two are alike. Paradiso's unique jewelry designs combine traditional techniques with contemporary elements, unusual materials, and a large collection of gemstones gathered worldwide. Products include a full line of sterling silver jewelry with semi-precious stones, granulated sterling beads and components, sterling silver brooches, one-of-a-kind pieces, and a line of high karat gold.
Check out our Paradiso- Jewels of Bali product selection.
Zen-Zen began in Maui in 1990 and now practices its special form of eco-commerce on a global scale. Ian Reed and Andrea Phillips, school friends, have scoured the Pacific for products of quality and social benefit. Andrea lives in Bali, designing and working with artisan suppliers and Ian lives in Los Angeles running the US operations and retail store. Zen-Zen also sponsors a community initiative in Bali to encourage environmental awareness, conservation, and sustainable community development, called the Forest Conservation Club. The goal of the club is to give farmers alternatives to environmentally degrading products. Zen-Zen helps farmers find other sources of income while encouraging sustainable farming. In addition, education is a key component, giving the community an opportunity to take action.
Check out our Zen-Zen product selection.
The mission of WorldFinds is to create beautiful, unique, inspired products that sell on their own merit, while simultaneously helping to improve the lives of the artisans involved. WorldFinds imports an eclectic array of women's accessories and gift items from India, Nepal, and Indonesia. We take pleasure in finding and designing a collection of exceptional items for the style-conscious and socially conscious consumer. We work directly with all of our artisan groups, and take the time to educate them about current trends in the US marketplace, partner with them to develop new designs, share knowledge and discuss ongoing issues to continually improve our products.
WorldFinds partners with fair trade organizations, self-help groups, and small families of artisans that strive to make a difference in their communities. These organizations have made a commitment to social welfare and provide many services to their producers including: ongoing education and training, health care services, subsidized meals, day care, schooling, and AIDS awareness.
Check out our WorldFind product selection.
to Global Exchange Fair Trade Program
