Fairtrade Today...

What’s exciting about being around today in this generation, where there’s a growing ethical movement, is that consumers are searching for more than just a product. The focus isn’t the price point, but rather the farmer, the produce, the story! We face ethical dilemmas everywhere with food, clothing, beauty; do I buy this super cool, of-the-moment t-shirt made in a sweatshop or do I invest in an organic Fairtrade t-shirt from a cooperative in Africa? Being ethical is a lifestyle, not just a fad!

With easy access to the internet and the media, these great ethical businesses, who are collaborating with workers in developing countries, are able to support, stand up and share the inspirational stories from the voices that cannot. Not only this, but also, through the use of social media, these sorts of companies, who ten years ago would have struggled, can now get their message out and most importantly, get their products sold to benefit their Fairtrade partners! Transparency is key.

So the challenge for us all is to pause for a moment to consider the product and its story, before we hit the ‘add to basket’ button...

Let's get painty...

I'm all about supporting companies that have a great ethos, are doing something great and are great! Compromising what you buy just because it's doing something good, in my opinion, isn't always the best way of going about life. There's so much great stuff going on out there that you can go for something that's doing good AND that you love. Go for the whole package!

So when I was looking for a more eco-friendly paint for a couple of projects I'm working on, the world wide web pointed me in the direction of the good folks down in Cornwall, Nature Paint. They're focussed on producing natural, non-toxic, safe paint, whilst sourcing ethically and to add to the pot, the paints are Made in Britain. The paint arrives in the form of a powder with instructions. All you need to bring to the table is water, your chosen mixer and a strong (ish) arm, and away you go....