BUY SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, BUILD A NEST

By Danielle on November 19, 2009 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

m o r e (nest-building for women around the world)

Nest is doing something noteworthy. It's a nonprofit that combines microfinance, fair trade, women's empowerment, and artisanship.

Here's the scoop: Instead of lending money to international women artisans, it engages in "microbarter," providing the supplies and training the women need to make their wares. In return, the women don't have to pay anything back in cash. They pay back in product.

I love it because it helps women on the road to self-sufficiency doing something they love and that has meaning and value. I also love it because it allows people all over the world to see the work they do, to buy handcrafted objects of art and beauty, and to give credit where credit is due.

Learn more about the project or get involved.

Or, shop for items that help build two nests with one purchase, yours and theirs. (Some of them are deemed "loan recipient products," others "domestic designer products," made by women in N. America who are simply supporting the cause by lending a hand.)

My picks:

Vibrant Guatemalan scarves.