Jungle Berry News
We love Fairtrade Fortnight and are celebrating in style by offering you all a 10% discount on any Jungle Berry purchase you make ...
more
A few words about Jungle Berry's producers
Where Jungle Berry differs even from many other importers of fair trade crafts and fair trade gifts is in our quest to find unknown talented producer groups most in need of a broader market for their work. We do not necessarily work with large, established co-operatives already recognised by fair trade organisations, but with groups and individuals to whom our business represents a first real step towards a more efficient and securely financed future.
The more fair trade business we give these producers, the more they are able to expand and develop, based on the financial security we give them. And in turn, as their own business grows stronger and more secure, their prospects, as well as those of their families and communities, improve.
The artisans, cooperatives and producer groups who make Jungle Berry products, from fair trade jewellery to home accessories, are an integral part of our business.
We go to enormous lengths to discover new producers, from family-run businesses to organised co-operatives of craftswomen. Often this will be in remote areas where access to local markets can be difficult, and penetrating foreign markets virtually impossible.
The women's co-operative
We are proud of our partnership with the Amisme cooperative of Satere Mawe women based in Manaus, Brazil (pictured here). Originally from the Rio Marau area of the Amazon rainforest, many members of the Satere Mawe indigenous tribe make the journey to the regional capital to find work.
Adapting to life in the city can be difficult, with women especially facing marginalisation and limited horizons. We work with the cooperative, using natural materials sourced in their ancestral lands to make our Hearts Collection of fair trade jewellery.
Jewellery-making helps to boost Satere Mawe women's incomes in a highly challenging environment. It also helps new generations of the Satere Mawe to continue to value the standing forest and its sustainable riches, not felled trees or cleared land.
The Mexican weaving co-operative
Isabel and Asuncion, pictured here, manage a rug weaving co-operative near Oaxaca (Mexico), which employs local women who share both workload and profits. After watching some of her female relatives struggle with domestic violence and lack of employment opportunities for women, Isabel decided to form a cooperative of women from her family and village to pool their resources.
She says "we wanted to establish a source of income for ourselves independent to that of the men in our families". In a community where poverty is widespread and opportunities for indigenous women remain few and far between, her small co-operative of women is empowered by their independence. They produce our exquisitely hand woven rugs, made from naturally dyed wool.
The family business
Rutilio has been weaving since he was a child. Surrounded by his wife, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren he tells us, "weaving is in our blood". In the open courtyard of their family home in a Zapotec-speaking village near Oaxaca (Mexico), Rutilio and his family dye, spin and weave cotton into our beautiful scarves and shawls.
Several of the looms they work are over 40 years old, and themselves are handcrafted. In fact, making the loom is a highly skilled job.
Alongside are other hand made tools and machines, like part of an upturned bicycle Rutilio's son has ingeniously converted into a spinning machine (pictured here). Necessity is the mother of all invention...
The independent artisan
Down dusty tracks lined with cacti you stumble into Humberto's small workshop in Guanajuato (Mexico). He loves the solitude and silence of his work space, which incorporates a furnace for baking the stunning ceramic tiles that you'll find in the Tierra Florida range of homewares and kitchen accessories.
What we love about Humberto's work is the way in which he blends traditional ceramic producing techniques with modern contemporary design.
We've now expanded the range of colour options available for both the pan rests and coasters, and added some great recycled cardboard packaging to make Humberto's ranges the perfect ethical gift!
