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Fair Trade and Eco-friendly Beads
By Natasha Vanpelt
The Sage's Cupboard is committed to offering informative, easy-to-understand information to beaders and jewelry designers of all skill levels. We encourage crafters to use eco-friendly products and practices in their work whenever possible. As our knowledge of world economies, ethics and environmental responsibility increases, we are becoming more aware of what we can and should do to improve our habits for the good of everyone. So what does this mean for beaders and jewelry designers? In order to match current trends, it is important to be aware of what our beads and materials are made from, and what impact they may have on the world and the people in it. Here are some facts to keep in mind: Fair trade beads are made by artisans who are working to improve the status and economy of their village, town or region. They are usually found through organizations in third-world countries. Companies must apply to groups such as the Fair Trade Federation to be declared officially “fair trade”. Anything that is made by a paid worker using sustainable materials and methods can also be considered 'fair trade' to an extent. That means a lot of lampwork beads or other handmade components are safe to use, but mass produced items made in poor conditions do not. When buying beads, be aware of what country they were manufactured in. Some areas have a reputation for using dangerous materials, low wages and other ethical and environmental violations. The closer to home you buy, the better. This not only improves your local economy, but also cuts down on the emissions and packaging involved in shipping goods across the country and beyond. pPrecious stones or metals are not really eco-friendly. The amount of water used in mining, and the amount of waste produced by the process far out weighs the product gained. A single mine can produce as much as 160,000 tons of waste every year, including rock and toxic chemicals. If you're planning on using materials such as gold and silver, it is better for the environment to use vintage components, or buy from companies that sell reprocessed or recycled metals. Wherever possible, you can substitute gemstones with crystal or glass beads to create a more eco-friendly piece of jewelry. If you're prepared to choose eco-friendlier beads, what you should look for are beads made from sustainable materials. Glass is a good example, since glass can be reprocessed indefinitely and is highly recyclable. Other options include vegetable matter and wood. Many fair trade companies make beads from dead wood, which eliminates the need to cut down living trees. Bone beads can also be a good choice, especially if they are made in North America. Bone beads are a great example of recycled art, and most states and provinces have very strict regulations about the harvesting and sale of animal products. Be aware of what you're buying, and you can be truly proud of your own handmade products. Below is a list of great sources for eco-friendly and fair trade beading supplies.
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Contributor's Note
The Sage's Cupboard is committed to offering informative, easy-to-understand information to beaders and jewelry designers of all skill levels. We encourage crafters to use eco-friendly products and practices in their work whenever possible.
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Zuma Beads
| Fair Trade Gems
| eShopAfrica
| Bead for Life
| Pueblito
| Rishashay
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Earth and Sea Beads
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
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This intel was contributed by Mortira
Mortira
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May, 2012
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