BuzzFlash Reviews

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS

This brightly colored handwoven ornament is great for your tree or put a gift card or a wrapped chocolate or two in the secret zippered pouch on the back and tie it on a present. Measures 5" in height and 3.5" in width. The fabric is a typical Mayan design.

Made in the community of Xetonox in Guatemala.

The proceeds benefit a Mayan women's cooperative in Guatemala, directly through the non-profit agency, Maya Works -- and, of course, you will be assisting BuzzFlash.com. This is the ultimate win-win.

For more Fair Trade and other holiday gifts, go to the BuzzFlash Progressive Marketplace. This Holiday Season, support progressrive products and support BuzzFlash at the same time.

Here is a little more about Maya Works:

MayaWorks markets the work of Maya artisans who otherwise have no outlet for their handiwork. As a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation, MayaWorks pays artisans at prices they set, provides technical assistance and educational opportunities and meets other Fair Trade criteria.

MayaWorks is also much more than just an outlet for Mayan products. MayaWorks believes that community development happens through the economic development of women who otherwise have limited ways to participate or contribute to the economic stability of their families. Giving women an opportunity to earn an income from their skills gives them self-confidence and hope for themselves, their children, their family and their village.

And you can watch more about the women who make the luggage tags and Maya Works, interweaving lives, by watching this short online documentary.

In the coming months, BuzzFlash will be expanding its Fair Trade products, so that you can help improve the standard of living of those in economic need around the world. Many of these projects specifically benefit women eager to improve their lives, as does Maya Works.


Where are MayaWorks artisans located and what do they create?

MayaWorks artisans are located in Agua Caliente, Buen Esperanza, Comalapa, Patzun, San Pedro La Laguna, Santiago Atitlan, and Xetonox. Nine groups create products for MayaWorks. Their handcrafted items include placemats, table runners, bags of all kinds, beadwork jewelry, cornhusk dolls, hackysacks, yarmulkes and pastoral stoles. The artisans participate in MayaWorks funded workshops to improve the quality of their crafts and to learn better business practices.

What does it mean to be a Fair Trade Organization?

MayaWorks is a member of The Fair Trade Federation, Aid to Artisans, and The Craft Center. MayaWorks joins these organizations in a commitment to working with disadvantaged artisans by developing markets for their products in First World countries. Fair Trade Organizations (FTOs) assist artisans and farmers in developing new markets, reducing their need to rely on "middle men" and producing a much greater return directly to them. MayaWorks not only pays fair prices for products but also returns an additional percentage to artisans for girls' scholarships; microcredit loans; business training and support. FTOs also adhere to a strict set of criteria regarding wages, working conditions and environmentally sound business practices.



BUZZFLASH REVIEWS