Happy Kwanzaa - www.World-Shoppe.com in the news!

A happy belated start of Kwanzaa (although it's not exactly over!). And a big thank you to the Denver Post for including our fair trade and soapstone Kwanzaa Kinara, handmade by our artisan group in Kenya, in the December 26 issue! If you're not in the Denver area, or pick up the Denver Post, you can still see the piece by clicking on the Denver Post Web site link: http://blogs.denverpost.com/homegirls/2008/12/26/home-decorations-and-crafts-for-kwanzaa/. The piece even included a photo of our pretty Kinara.

Thank you, Sheba Wheeler, for writing about Kwanzaa! In the hustle and bustle of Christmas and Hanukkah, many forget another cultural celebration many Americans enjoy at the end of the year!

Until next time,

-Megy Karydes, Founder

http://www.world-shoppe.com/

Look for the Label - fair trade's many labels

Most fair trade organizations are members of a fair trade organization or two. In the U.S., it's common for organizations to be a member of the Fair Trade Federation (www.FairTradeFederation.org). www.World-Shoppe.com has been a member since we practically launched our fair trade Web site in August 2004.

www.World-Shoppe.com is also a member (and I'm a board member) of Chicago Fair Trade (www.ChicagoFairTrade.org). This latter organization is working toward making Chicago a fair trade city and educating Chicagoland residents and businesses about fair trade.

On an international scale, there is the World Fair Trade Organization, formerly known as IFAT (it just changed its name in October of this year). Members of this organization, like the FTF, are committed to 100% fair trade. Its new name is part of a process to clearly state its mission and gives it a platform to truly impact the livelihoods of the most vulnerable through Fair Trade.

TransFair is the label most of us see on coffee and other food commodities.

To make things even more complicated in terms of labeling, the World Fair Trade Organization is embarking on a fair trade label of crafts (which is what we normally sell on www.World-Shoppe.com).

What does this all mean to regular every day consumers? Well, it means there are a lot of labels but when you're purchasing something, look for a label of some sort that indicates your product has been fairly traded. If in doubt, ask the merchant from whom you're purchasing your product. More often than not, they probably know the story behind the product and can give you some insight on where the product was made, the process used to make it and how it directly impacts the artisan(s).

The concept of fair trade isn't meant to be complicated but in the process of making it easier for people to understand, it's become a little harder to figure out what the labels mean.

If you ever have a question about a fair trade label, just ask! As we work toward making this world a better place to live, we can get there faster when we're all striving toward the same goal.

Thank you for reading and hope to see you soon!

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

www.World-Shoppe.com Sports a New Look!

Finally, on Black Friday, www.World-Shoppe.com officially went live. Actually, it went live the evening before Thanksgiving but for some quirky reason our credit card processing system didn't make the seamless transition so we really went live on Friday morning.

A HUGE thanks to Adria Willenson, our Web designer extraordinare, who stuck through me over the last few months as we researched new Web hosting companies that would allow us to do what we wanted it to do - offer a wonderful shopping opportunity to those who wanted beautiful, handmade and fairly traded gifts and home accents from around the world.

The new site must be working because it truly has been a "Cyber Monday" day today - orders have been coming through steadily throughout the day and people are definitely purchasing for holiday gift giving! It's so exciting to see people wanting to make a difference by simply choosing to give a gift that makes a difference. Thank you.

We really hope you love the new look of www.World-Shoppe.com. We know there is still much to do in terms of updating our "recommendations" section and some other minor updates but we couldn't wait any longer to get the site up!

Please drop me a line and let me know what you think of the site - megy@World-Shoppe.com!

In the meantime, happy shopping and hope you're enjoying the holiday season!

With warmest regards,
Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com
312-560-2715

www.World-Shoppe.com featured in Cottage Living!

Check out http://www.world-shoppe.com/ in the last page of Cottage Living's holiday issue on Gifts that Give Back! Our Pistachio Green Baby Tagine Salt & Pepper Sets make an appearance and as we suspected, they are already selling quickly! We have plenty in stock but if you've been eyeing this bold and colorful set for yourself of friends for the holidays, I'd recommend acting sooner than later to place your order!

Also, on the NEW Web site front, I'm thrilled to say that we're so on target for an early November launch. I seriously can't wait. One of our categories (Personal Accessories) is being uploaded this week. Our "non-product" pages (such as our About Us, Press Page, FAQ, etc) have all been uploaded and look awesome. We still have to add in some of our images and proofread everything but I have to say, it's looking really great! Our Web designer is a true rock star. Not only does she understand Web design, but she understands fair trade - which is absolutely wonderful!

In any event, we'll be sending out our next e-newsletter this week so please be on the lookout for it. We've also been having several people forward on the email newsletter to friends and family - feel free to do so! The more supporters we have, the better for our artisan partners!

Thank you again for your amazing support. I hope you're enjoying this experience as much as I am!

Until next time,

-Megy Karydes, Founder

http://www.world-shoppe.com/

October is Fair Trade Month

This month we celebrate Fair Trade Month. Although it's wonderful to have a month dedicated to fair trade, fair trade shouldn't be something that we only think about during one month - just like breast cancer, which also celebrates its "month" during October.

Fair trade is a real way to make a difference - something very tangible. Although the model isn't quite that simple, we often make it more complicated than it needs to be. At its very basic, artisans in a developing country (heck, even in our own "rich" country), artisans make products that help feed their families. We purchase their products and continue to support them by continuing to purchase more of their products so their work doesn't "dry up" and they are left where they started. We then make their beautiful products available to you. At its most basic form, that's how fair trade works. It's really a poverty reduction method since the basis of the marketplace exists to reduce poverty in developing countries.

But here is where is gets more complicated - do we really "need" another basket? Some argue that we're just creating more "stuff" when we don't really need it.

Okay, back to our question...do we need another basket? Maybe not...but if we were going to buy a basket, why not make it one that you know someone was paid a fair wage for, a child didn't make it in a factory, and the way it was made didn't affect the earth? Most of us do give gifts for birthdays, weddings, graduations, you get the picture. Why not buy a gift that is fairly traded?

So this month, why not consider a gift for someone (or for yourself) that is fairly traded? And while you're at it, encourage someone to schedule that mammogram, too.

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.
-Indira Ghandi

I came across this quote by Indira Ghandi and stopped to think how really true this statement is. I've heard it before and each time I just think what power each of us has to turn a clenched fist, jaw, body, whatever, and reach out to someone with an open hand instead. I know it's easier said that done but even if we stopped for a moment and took a few deep breaths, can it really help diffuse a situation?

Our partners, both locally and internationally, are an amazing bunch who have overcome many odds. Rather than turning their backs to the injustices they've been dealt, they've tried to make things better. Often, they really didn't have a choice to even turn their backs - they had a family to feed, clothe and shelter. But despite all of their hardships, they've learned a way to use their skills to make beautiful pieces and, through the process, found dignity and a voice.

I'm delighted to help facilitate making their work and sharing their dreams with you through www.World-Shoppe.com. Being an artist, anywhere in the world, is truly a passion. Being an artist in a developing country has a whole different set of challenges since, often, the only raw material you have from which to work comes from nature or something has to be re-used. While this makes a nice little entree into the fashionable "eco-friendly" movement we're experiencing, it's a matter of survival at a different level for our artisans.

New shipments are arriving daily now as we get into heavy holiday mode. We're unpacking, shooting images, writing our product descriptions and finalizing some holiday events we'll be at this season. We can't wait to share the products and the stories with you. Please bookmark www.World-Shoppe.com and visit often! We're delighted you're on this journey with us and look forward to bringing you items that are not only good for our artisans, but the planet, too.

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

Selling More, or Selling Out?

Starting a company like http://www.world-shoppe.com/ has been something I've wanted to do since I was little - I just didn't know it was going to look like this e-boutique. The goal was to start a business helping others, especially women, who may not have the opportunities to excel whether that's because of their society, polical climate, religious beliefs, or whatever. Because, I felt, if women could "work" outside the home and make money, their "worth" is looked upon differently because of the way they contribute to their family and community. They also gain a kind of voice that isn't always available to women.

http://www.world-shoppe.com/ was launched to help given women a voice by purchasing products from them - and paying them a fair wage for their work. Sometimes sales aren't stellar and other times they are great. But each day we plug away because we know that each sale does make a difference to that family - women, men, children and entire communities.

When some companies I've long admired started, I imagined they had their own specific goals in mind. In fact, my MBA admission cover letter said that I wanted to start a company helping others, just like Anita Rodham (The Body Shop) or Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen (Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream). I admired companies like Tom's of Maine, Burt's Bees, and Honest Tea. Sadly, most of these companies are no longer owned or operated by those forward-thinking entrepreneurs. They've sold their companies to larger companies - and I now wonder if their original goals are still even considered.

I was having lunch with some friends when this topic came out and I was surprised at how few of them knew that these companies sold - what a brilliant marketing tactic. Why not let people, their loyal buyers, think that nothing happened? Makes sense, don't you think, especially if you have an issue supporting the "larger" company for one reason or another? So, in case you didn't know, here are some companies that have sold in recent years:

• Odwalla - Coca Cola
• Honest Tea - Coca Cola
• Rhino Records - TimeWarner
• Cascadian Farms - General Mills
• Stoneyfield Farms - Group Danone
• Tom's of Maine - Colgate
• The Body Shop - L'Oreal
• Burt's Bees - Clorox
• Ben & Jerry - Unilever

There are countless press releases that tout why the founders sold to the larger companies: it was a way to broaden the brand and the mission, create more jobs, etc. I get it. But it just makes it that much harder to "support" their original brand/company/mission when I'm not, directly, supporting another larger company's brand/company/mission through my purchasing power. And that makes me pause and, often, reach out for a new company brand whose mission still aligns with mine.

You can do the same - shop fair trade whenever possible, shop locally, shop farmers market and organic food and clothing whenever you can.

I'm not naive to think I'm going to change the world - but by golly, if I can change the world even for one person, I'll keep doing what I'm doing until I can't do it anymore.

Thanks for sticking around and reading...and supporting http://www.world-shoppe.com/ in any way you can!

Warmly,

-Megy Karydes, Founder

www.World-Shoppe.com

www.World-Shoppe.com Web site Refresh on-target

Last month I posted that http://www.world-shoppe.com/ was going to get "refreshed". My goal is that after four years in business (I can't believe it's been four wonderful years!), it was time to let http://www.world-shoppe.com/ grow up from its baby stage.

When we first launched http://www.world-shoppe.com/, it was my first e-boutique venture and while I knew a bit about retail from my volunteering at various non-profit retail shops, this was a whole new ball game. To make our experience launching the site as easy as possible, my Web designers and I decided to use a Yahoo platform to make http://www.world-shoppe.com/ a reality. And while I know my Web designers were less than thrilled with the opportunity to really customize the site as I wanted it, we made it work because there were other things we needed to focus on which included getting the best selection of fair trade gifts, home accessories, kitchen accents and stationery to you (and I think we've done a pretty good job of that based on our increasing sales figures every year since we launched!).

We now have a good, solid groups of fair trade partners all over the world and we continue to source more on a regular basis while keeping our commitment true to our existing partners.

But, as we look to the horizon, we knew that we needed to make our site more effective and functional. Constructive criticism was noted (yes, we listened!) and things that we personally wanted to improve was added to our "wish list". We searched for a web designer that understood our need to be thoughtful to the mission of fair trade while still giving us some wonderful concepts from which to choose.

Well, today we received our first phase mocks up since our site map was approved - and I'm thrilled. While we still need to make some minor tweaks, I'm seriously amazed at how our Web designer took our "wish list" and translated them into a true reflection of easy-to-navigate and visually appealing pages.

I wish I could post some of the pages but that would spoil the "reveal" we're planning to share in just a couple of months. So you'll have to wait and see!

In the meantime, thank you again for your support - and let us know what you think we could do better with our site. Our Blog allows comments - send them to us!

Thanks again!

-Megy Karydes, Founder
http://www.world-shoppe.com/

www.World-Shoppe.com IN THE NEWS

www.World-Shoppe.com has been featured in not one but TWO national magazines this month - Every Day with Rachael Ray and Family Circle! We are so excited and we've been busy shipping out baby tagine sets and recycled glass beaded necklaces and earrings (since, yes, those were the items featured in the magazines respectively!).

Our Baby Tagine Salt and Pepper Wells handmade by artisans in Morocco were chosen as the very first item in Rach's FAVES feature - and, of course, in Rachael's favorite color - orange! http://www.world-shoppe.com/kitchen/k07.htm

Family Circle chose our Tiara Recycled Glass Beaded Necklace handmade by a women's cooperative in Ghana: http://www.world-shoppe.com/womenaccessories/wa12.htm.

We're always appreciative whenever we receive any editorial coverage because not only does that allow us to share the story of fair trade and our artisans, but it allows us to sell more of their items which translates into more work and opportunities for our artisan partners. What a win-win-win for everyone!

Thanks so much, Every Day with Rachael Ray and Family Circle and all of your fabulous readers!

Warmly,

Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

www.World-Shoppe.com On Its Way to a New Look

If you've been receiving our monthly e-newsletters you will have learned that we're in the process of "refreshing" our Web site! And we're so excited.

While you may have realized that we've been using a Yahoo platform to host www.World-Shoppe.com, we've realized that its functionality isn't doing it for us anymore. You've asked to be able to see images larger - we're doing that; you've asked for a better way to get gift certificates - we're doing that; you've asked for gift wrapping options - we're doing that, too! Honestly, I'm giddy with excitement as we're working on the new site. I feel like our "Phase I" was a great starting point and we've learned so much over the past 4 years...and now we're ready to give it the functionality you're really asking for based on the feedback we've been receiving.

We're hoping to go live over the next two month period and much of that will be dependent on how quickly we can re-shoot our product images and draft the product descriptions.

If you have any ideas on what you'd like to see with the new site, please let us know!! I know I say this over and over but it's true - we couldn't do this without you and your feedback is important!

I just approved the first rendition of the architecture site today and I'll be seeing the next phase Friday morning. After that I'll be reviewing the home page and a sample product page (yippee). www.World-Shoppe.com is growing up before my very eyes. I can't wait to share the results with you.

Keep me posted if you think of anything...I'm all ears!

With warmest regards,

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

SmartHome - finally - at the Museum of Science and Industry

My family and I visited the Museum and Science and Industry this weekend and checked out the SmartHome (http://www.msichicago.org/whats-here/exhibits/smart-home/). Dubbed the "greenest home in Chicago," it's impressive because not only is it a beautiful home, but the materials used and the products in the home at eco-friendly in some fashion. The outdoor living spaces are wonderful and the landscape which includes a vegetable garden, is lovely for children to see and enjoy. If you've not had a chance to check out the home, I'd recommend it. It's great to see the eco-friendly options that exist for homeowners.

On another note, in our ongoing effort to teach our children where our food comes from, we're finally seeing the "fruits" of our labor these last couple of weeks. We've picked rasberries, cucumbers and some tomatoes from our backyard. Sometimes the kids plop them into their mouths before we have a chance to wash them but I love the fact that they are seeing firsthand where food comes from. They are too young to understand the significance (since they are both under the age of 4 right now) but we're hoping to build upon this experience so they'll understand what's going on as they get older.

I hope you've had a chance to enjoy some of the new items we've been introducing at www.World-Shoppe.com. The site is going to be getting an overhaul over the next couple of weeks which I'll keep everyone updated through the blog. I'm in the final stages of signing on with a web designer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I can't wait to begin in the process. I'll write more about what you'll be able to expect in the coming days, but suffice to say the site will be improved with many more functionalities and better information!

Thank you again for your support! Until next time...

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

Tree of Life Hanging Makes a Spectacular Statement

I recently visited a friend's home and noticed our Tree of Life Wall Hanging in her mudroom! I remember her purchasing it from http://www.world-shoppe.com/ last month but thought she would have placed it in her children's bedroom or her den. I asked her how she chose the mudroom and she said, "it brightens up my day when I leave and when I return home!" And, as a bonus, she said, her neighbors get to enjoy it, too, since her mudroom walls are visible to those who walk by her home.

What a lovely way to share her piece. Do you have a beautiful story to share about your recent fair trade purchases? Share them with me! We'll post them on our blog so others can see that fair trade can benefit everyone!

If you're interested in learning more about the Tree of Life Wall Hanging, visit http://www.world-shoppe.com/shared/sh01.htm.

Until next time...

-Megy Karydes, Founder

www.World-Shoppe.com

Trashy Totes - eco-friendly handbags from Ghana

A women's co-op in Ghana came up with an ingenious way to re-purpose the plastic bags they use to hold their drinking water - to make another sturdy and lightweight bag!

Our Trashy Totes (available at www.World-Shoppe.com) includes this fun large tote, a medium sized tote (not online yet), a messenger bag (which is online) and a wallet! Each of the bags retails for just $24.50 so you can choose the shape and style that you like best.

What a wonderful way to be enterprising, eco-friendly, fair trade and fashionable?!

-Megy Karydes, Founder

www.World-Shoppe.com

Fair Trade in the News - Chicago Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times covered fair trade in today's issue: http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/1042737,CST-EDT-edit07.article. It's a wonderful article about how Chicago Fair Trade is moving to pass a resolution to make Chicago a Fair Trade City.

If you haven't read the article, I'd encourage you to check it out and comment!

Thank you to the Chicago Sun-Times for a timely and well-written piece about fair trade!

Rising Costs Affecting Food Banks in U.S.

Much of the work with do within the fair trade movement affects our neighbors in third world countries. There is so much extreme poverty in many countries, you want to do all you can to help support families who just need a little help to get out of the cycle of poverty.

Unfortunately, the rising costs of living in the U.S. has taken its toll on many families state-side as well. We're seeing more and more families who are showing up at their local food banks to help feed their families. And, food banks are seeing the effects of serving more residents. Fewer donors mean less dollars to non-profits; less food being donated to the food banks; more users of food banks. You do the math. It just doesn't add up.

While many of us think of food banks around the holiday times, food shortage for families is often a reality everyday. If you have a chance to donate food or money or your time to your local food bank, please do. You may never realize how much your help will mean to a family.

Thank you.

-Megy

GlobalFest - a celebration in Chicago

As most of you know, I'm an active board member of Chicago Fair Trade. So it's only natural that I'd be promoting our annual fundraiser this coming Saturday - yes, our Summer Soltice, too!

Come support our annual benefit event! Celebrate our Global Partnerships!

Where: Little Black Pearl 1060 E. 47th St.

When: 7pm Shop at the fair trade marketplace

8pm Musical Program

Shop for fair trade gifts during our Marketplace (beginning at 7:00 p.m.) before the musical act goes at at 8:00 p.m. Yes - http://www.world-shoppe.com/ will be there!

Music by The Hurricane Reggae Band led by Cleve "Hurricane" Jean Jacques. AND...Inti Raymi,“Festival of the Sun” , a musical group that promotes the music and culture of the Andes.

Tickets are just $25.00 in advance ($35.00 at the door) which includes tasty appetizers and a drink ticket.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.chicagofairtrade.org/. See you there!

-Megy

Free Trees and Plants - what a great way to "recycle"

This posting isn't exactly about fair trade in the strict sense, but it is about treating people fairly and being good to our earth.

Cheryl Richter began a little Web site called www.FreeTreesandPlants.com because she realized that when large catalog companies or nurseries don't sell out there trees and plants, they are destroyed. Yes, that means that healthy, live plants that could have been planted never make it in the garden or space where they can be enjoyed.

Cheryl is a gardener and horticultural photographer and felt there had to be a better way to distribute these trees and plants. She's also a strong supporter of sheltered workshops. So, she meshed her interest and passion and launched www.FreeTreesandPlants.com.

Yes, the trees and plants are free, but you do have to pay for shipping and handling which runs about $7.95 per unit. This cost covers not only the shipping but part of the "handling" which includes digging, washing, inspecting the items, size sorting, packing, labor, addressing, labeling...you get the picture.

Regardless of the nominal fee, the fact is that you'll not only receive beautiful trees and plants for your garden, but you'll be saving these trees and plants from destruction and creating work for hundreds of thousands of disabled persons.

Fall bulbs are already sold out but you can order perennials, trees and shrubs.

Visit http://www.freetreesandplants.com/index.html for more information.

Happy shopping!

Until next time, stay warm!

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

Women of Islam - Photographs by Rania Matar

The Chicago Cultural Center hosts an exhibit of photographs by Rania Matar this month and through the end of March. I checked out the exhibit this week and found the images interesting, exciting and haunting.

Matar is a Boston-area photographer but she was born and raised in Lebanon where she repeatedly returned in pursuit of images of her war torn homeland and its people. The photos at this exhibit are all in black and white and they tell the stories largely of women in Lebanon today, with a specific focus on Muslim women and the very volatile issue of the head scarf in Islamic society.

Matar’s striking images combine an unusual skill at composition, very strong contrast in tone, and a sensitive approach to her subjects that brings their humanity into sharp focus by getting up-close, “intimate” shots.

There’s a photo called “Playing with the Doll” that really made me stop. You can see the photo on Matar’s Web site: http://www.raniamatar.com/portfolio/warAftermath/index.html. It’s the picture of a little girl playing with a little doll. The girl can’t be much older than 3 or 4 years old. A woman, perhaps her mother or someone taking care of her, sits idle along the wall – she just sits there. She sits next to this large gaping hole in their home. The hole was most likely the result of a rocket bomb. What struck me was the fact that this family just went on living - despite the fact that they had this big gaping hole in their home and a war is going on. The girl just wanted to play with her doll.

If you have a chance to check out the exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center, I highly recommend you take the time and look at the images. It definitely makes you stop and wonder what life is all about.

You can also check out the images on Matar’s Web site: http://www.raniamatar.com/.

Until next time,

Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

Creating a World Without Poverty Is Possible

Yesterday evening I had the opportunity to attend an event hosted by the Chicago Counsel on Global Affairs. The organization invited Muhammad Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, founder and managing director of Grameen Bank, to speak to us about what prompted him to start Grameen Bank, what his challenges were, and what he has seen happen so far.

What if you could harness the power of the free market to solve the problems of poverty, hunger, and inequality? To some, it sounds impossible. But Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus is doing exactly that. As founder of Grameen Bank, Yunus pioneered microcredit, the innovative banking program that provides poor people—mainly women—with small loans they use to launch businesses and lift their families out of poverty. In the past thirty years, microcredit has spread to every continent and benefited over 100 million families.

Now, Yunus—in partnership with some of the world’s most visionary business leaders—has launched the world’s first purposely designed social businesses. From collaborating with Danone to produce affordable, nutritious yogurt for malnourished children in Bangladesh to building eyecare hospitals that will save thousands of poor people from blindness, he offers a glimpse of the amazing future with a planet transformed by thousands of social businesses. Yunus puts forward a pioneering model for nothing less than a new, more humane form of capitalism.

What I found most interesting (and inspiring) is that most of the people who have loans from Grameen Bank are women – women who are illiterate and often have never held money in their hands before. These are the same women whose husbands have felt don’t know about money or business. These women are now starting their own businesses and paying back the loans. They are contributing to the economical development of their communities. They are an integral part of their community and seen as such – and that’s powerful.

I’m so happy Dr. Yunus was able to visit us in Chicago and share his experience. It’s exciting to see so many great things happening all over the world to help reduce global poverty – and all because he and his bank are giving tiny loans to people who need it most.

Until next time…

Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

What Counts?

I recently read a blurb in this month's Conscious Choice magazine that I wanted to share with you. The information was compiled by Jenny Rough and she sources the Potentia Foundation, International Women's Health Coalition. I thought the stats were particularly interesting and thought you might like to read them:

67% of the world's work is done by women
10% of the world's income is earned by women (Megy's note: so where does the other 57% go?)
1% of the world's property that is owned by women
15 - age by which 1 million of the world's girls will be forced to marry
15-19 - the typical age of brides in Sub-Saharan African (the average groom is 10 years older)
76 million girls in the world who have never received a single day of schooling
$35 is the cost of sending an Afghani girl to school for one year
$10 billion is the amount it would cost each year to send all the world's children to school by 2015 (less than the annual amount the world spends on ice cream)

Makes you stop and think, doesn't it?

Until next time...make it a fair trade day!

-Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com

www.World-Shoppe.com's New Year's Resolutions

As we ended 2007, we were thankful for all of the support and kind words of our customers, friends and family. Since 2004, when we launched our e-boutique, we’ve been seeing sales increasing annually which is a wonderful testament to how far fair trade has been growing.

I wanted to share some www.World-Shoppe.com New Year’s resolutions with you so you can become more involved in our company’s growth, too!

1) Reach out to more customers to communicate the importance of fair trade
2) Educate more American consumers about our artisan partners and their handmade products.
3) Better merchandise and tell the story of our artisan partners at our new retail shop at the Andersonville Galleria (5247 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s popular Andersonville neighborhood).
4) Post blog entries more regularly so our customers and friends can hear and learn about things happening in our www.World-Shoppe.com community.
5) Continue to be involved in our local non-profit organization, Chicago Fair Trade. As an active board member, I feel we’re stronger as a team and we can do so much when we involve others! You can learn more about the group by visiting www.ChicagoFairTrade.org.
6) Continue to find great, high quality, handmade items from more artisan groups all over the world for our customers.

Think we’re missing something? Please let us know. Fair trade is more than just great handmade items from artisans – it’s about living. It’s about sharing our neighbor’s cultures and heritages with others. It’s about sharing. It’s about giving and receiving more than just physical and tangible products.

I’m excited to be a part of this movement and hope you’ll be right there with me this year.

Until next time…

Megy Karydes, Founder
www.World-Shoppe.com