Ethical and eco gifts from Home and Away
By Here and Far
Mini Moroccan-style glass lanterns, handmade on a fairtrade basis in India. £7.99 each.
The idea of community is at the heart of Devon-based ethical retailer Here and Far. This was also the inspiration for their name.
The majority of their handmade gifts and homewares are fairly traded, carefully selected from fairtrade suppliers who work closely with communities around the world from India, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand to Africa, Madagascar and Mexico.
Many of the artisans work for small businesses, sometimes family based, sometimes as part of larger fairtrade associations. Benefits include healthcare, schools and the opportunity to earn a fair wage to support their families.
While Here and Far is primarily an online business, founder Kat Piper likes to take fair trade out into the local community and can often be found at markets and events around Devon and Cornwall.
In the future, Kat hopes to produce her own range of handmade gifts and also help promote the work of craftspeople in Devon and Cornwall, so supporting individuals and small businesses in her local community.
Here and Far stock a wide range of items for the home alongside a collection of bags, purses and jewellery. Styles vary from vintage to contemporary, with rich jewel colours complementing soft pastels and natural woods.
While providing everyday support for artisans, fair trade is also helping to preserve traditional crafts. Many of Here and Far’s range are made using traditional techniques from sustainable local materials, such as handcarved wood photo frames and wall hooks, and beautiful Indian embroidery and beadwork on purses and hanging decorations. The felt-making tradition of Nepal is employed to produce colourful bags and purses from sheep’s wool.
Many products are also made from recycled or upcycled materials, such as the innovative use of reject bike chains to make wall hooks, clocks and keyrings in India. Old tin cans are moulded into models of VW campervans and bikes in Madagascar, or made into butterfly earrings in Kenya.
Indian artisans use recycled iron to fashion intricate windchimes and bells, while recycled aluminium is used to create contemporary enamelled drinks coasters. Reusing the metal in this way saves 90% of carbon emissions compared to producing new aluminium, according to Here and Far’s supplier.
Prices range from £1.50 to £20, with many items under £10.
To see Here and Far’s full range of ethical gifts visit www.hereandfar.co.uk or email sales@hereandfar.co.uk for more information.
