Novica – Ethical Gift Shopping

If you’re looking to do some ethical Christmas shopping, here’s a great place to start.

Have you heard of Novica before?

Novica is a fair trade artisan online store. It’s sort of like an Etsy just for artists and craftspeople in developing countries.

 ‘We work with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market. We have thousands of top fair trade corporate gifts, accessories, jewelry and home decor items on our website.’

 

The artisans offer their products for sale via Novica.com.  They are supported in their businesses by regional representatives of Novica.

Novica also helps them with micro credit, that is 0% small loans. Read more about Novica microfinance here.

There are more than 30,000 handmade items on the store, from earrings to paintings, ponchos to pillows.

With so many products, you need a bit of help with navigation; the store is easy to browse. I’ve just been looking though the Gifts for Women section.

But actually for my mum and sisters, I am thinking of buying gift certificate.

Meet The Artists and Crafters

Something I love about Novica is that you meet the artisans who have made the items you are buying.

For example, I have totally fallen in love with these earrings.

And on the sales page here, I have meet the maker Wayan Asmana from Bali, and I can follow him, finding out about his products as they are posted. Fab.

I love it… not that we all wouldn’t prefer a trip to Bali to say g’day to Wayan and buy the earrings in person.

But that’s not going to happen for a LONG time… so this is the next best thing.

 Here’s to ethical Christmas shopping, we know it makes sense.

Novica prvided a giveaway to two blog readers, that competition is now finished. Thank you to Novica. Happy shopping.