openerrwanda092508.jpgWe've always loved Macy's famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. Now, marching to the beat of a different drum is "Shop For a Better World." The fair trade product line features hand-woven baskets from Rwanda, sumptuous silks from Cambodia, and terracotta crafts from Indonesia...
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We love the swirl motif of this Indonesian bowl, it reminds of us spin art:
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Philanthropist and businesswoman Willa Shalit's partnered with the retailer for the first program, "Rwanda Path to Peace," which employed impoverished women to weave traditional baskets.

Now, it's expanded to Indonesia and Camboida and uses locally harvested resources, preserves artistic traditions, and best of all, has made a long term commitment to provide a sustainable business to local communities. We love that it's not just a "limited time only" program, but is something that craftspeople can depend on for the future.

This one's from Rwanda. The True Unity bowl features a motif of three lines, each one representing a different ethnic group there: the Hutus, Tutsi, and Twa.twilight092508.jpg

Check out more about the program here.