Artisans | The Little Market

A BETTER WAY OF

DOING BUSINESS

The Little Market is a nonprofit, fair trade shop

Our mission is anchored in the fundamental belief that every person has the right to safe jobs and fair, livable wages.

Ethically sourced and artisan-made, our collection supports dignified work for underserved women and vulnerable communities around the world.

A BETTER WAY OF

DOING BUSINESS

The Little Market is a nonprofit fair trade shop

Our mission is anchored in the fundamental belief that every person has the right to safe jobs and fair, livable wages.

Ethically sourced and artisan-made, our collection supports dignified work for underserved women and vulnerable communities around the world.

[fer trad] noun

A form of ethical, environmentally conscious, and sustainable production that focuses on creating economic opportunities for disadvantaged producers. It promotes inclusive practices, safe working conditions, fair pay, and the preservation of traditional techniques.

EVERY PURCHASE

YOU MAKE HAS POWER.

when you shop with brands that value fair trade principles

you support the people behind the products

Home Illustration | The Little Market

Raise the standard of living

Human Rights Illustration | The Little Market

advocate for human rights

Planet  Illustration | The Little Market

protect the planet

We are committed to the following principles, as set forth by the Fair Trade Federation.

CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY MARGINALIZED PRODUCERS

We support artisans living in rural and underserved communities by providing them with a wider reach of customers beyond tourists and their local communities. The individual artisans we work with have experienced extreme poverty and hardships. For instance, they have survived homelessness, escaped domestic violence, or have physical disabilities in communities that discriminate. We focus on working with groups that are women-led and that primarily work with women. When connecting with groups, we ensure that they provide a safe and supportive environment.

DEVELOP TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE RELATIONSHIPS

Through our artisan application and a thorough evaluation process, we ensure that we work with groups that are like-minded and that share our mission for and dedication to fair trade. They have similar goals and values, which creates a productive and empowering partnership.

BUILD CAPACITY

With fair trade principles, producers become independent and are able to learn and enhance their skills. Many of the artisan groups and social enterprises we work with provide training programs, such as job and skills training programs, which help individual artisans work toward a brighter future and rise above the poverty line.

PROMOTE FAIR TRADE

We aim to share our passion for fair trade with others, and we use multiple platforms, such as our website, blog, and social media accounts, to do so. We are committed to educating others about the meaning and power behind fair trade and its benefits, such as an improvement in education, health, and the environment. We encourage conscious shopping by thinking thoughtfully about each purchase.

PAY PROMPTLY AND FAIRLY

Fair trade principles allow producers to set their prices based on the true costs of labor, time, materials, sustainable growth, and other relevant factors. We make sure to comply with and/or exceed the local, national, international, and fair trade minimum standards to make sure the artisans we work with are paid on a prompt and fair basis. Many retailers work on a consignment basis in which artisans are only paid if their product sells. Every item available at The Little Market has been paid for in full.

SUPPORT SAFE AND EMPOWERING WORKING CONDITIONS

We choose to work with artisan groups and social enterprises that provide supportive and safe working conditions for the individual artisans. Many of the artisan women are able to work from their homes, meaning they can earn a sustainable income while taking care of their families. The social enterprises and co-ops we work with often provide training programs, resources, and safe tools for the individual artisans.

ENSURE THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN

Empowering women and children is a core part of The Little Market’s mission. In fact, when our co-founders, Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla, started to develop the idea behind The Little Market, they met with nonprofits in Africa that focus on women and children. We support the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, and we do not condone child trafficking and exploitative child labor.

CULTIVATE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

We strive to offer eco-conscious products that are made from materials such as repurposed or recycled materials. For instance, our huipil products are repurposed from the traditional blouse of Mayan women, and our glassware is made using our recycled glassware. Our Senegalese baskets are made using recycled plastic. Our Iringa baskets are made using locally grown reed grass. .

RESPECT CULTURAL IDENTITY

We take pride in the fact that the handmade products we carry preserve cultural and traditional techniques. We feel that this is part of what makes these products so special. Each product we carry has a story behind it, and a particular technique is followed to make each piece. We love sharing the stories behind our products with our audience.

Female Artisan | The Little Market

Now, more than ever, it is critical to support fair trade networks.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the artisans and producers we work with in vulnerable communities around the world. We are doing everything we can to continue generating orders and much-needed income for them. The support of our global community is vital in that effort.

Now, more than ever, it is critical to support fair trade networks.

Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on the artisans and producers we work with in vulnerable communities around the world. We are doing everything we can to continue generating orders and much-needed income for them. The support of our global community is vital in that effort.

DO GOOD with YOUR DOLLAR

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We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation

As a verified member, we ethically purchase products from groups that prioritize the well-being of artisans, makers, and the planet. The artisans are paid fairly and promptly, their traditional techniques are valued and celebrated, and environmental sustainability is practiced.