About
OVERVIEW
Founder's story
New owners of Asian World Imports, David and Robin Crowell, were long time customers of the shop in its original Blue Hill, Maine location. Each summer we would visit and admire the collection. We own a historic brick schoolhouse in Canton, NY and once we learned the business was for sale, we bought it and moved it to its new location. We purchased the business in September of 2007 with the intent to remain members of The Fair Trade Federation and to use its principles to guide us. As new owners, we are thrilled to continue offering exquisite and unique items which in turn help build a just and sustainable world.
Our mission
The guiding principle of Asian World Imports has been to utilize fair trade and labor practices with cultural and environmental sensitivity. Our producers receive equitable wages for their work with consideration towards issues of child labor, and safety in the workplace, while offering reasonably priced goods to our customers.
Our philosophy
We value social justice, environmental sustainabilty and cultural diversity. In our shop we try to offer hospitality and welcome to all, providing a place where different cultures can meet and mix.
The types of products we sell
What might you find in our shop?
Handmade Papers in a spectacular selection of materials such as silk, tree bark, and flower petals, designed into an array of products including paper sheets, stationary, journals, lamp shades, and delicate life-like flowers.
Accessories come in an extensive assortment of natural and brightly colored scarves, belts, pouches, hairclips, wallets and bags.
Artifacts old and new include Tibetan cymbals, bells, singing bowls, traditional drums, shamanic tools, prayer flags, ceremonial masks, traditional knives and tools, Hindu, Animist and Buddhist ritual objects and figures.
Our Collectibles encompass a wide range of sizes, qualities and materials and include dolls, boxes, pies, buttons, coins, musical instruments, elephant, horse, turtle, pig, frog and chicken figures in porcelain, bronze, wood and stone.
Jewelry and Beads old and new, in silver, bone, glass, copper, brass, clay, various stones and woods.
Our Hand-loomed Natural Fiber clothing for children, men, women and PLUS sizes is made from wool, silk, hemp, cotton and rayon. We offer vests, jackets, dresses, sarongs, shawls, pants, shorts and hats using traditional weaves. Our collections of antique and new traditional fabrics including embroidery, cross stitch, appliqué, ikat and batik decorative pieces are extraordinary.
Certified Organic Tea
Where the producers live and work
Our producers live and work in a variety of countries, many live in small, remote villages.
At least one producer has been able to expand her operation to the extent that she is able to provide air conditioning and basic health coverage to her workers. Another producer teaches widows to weave, while also providing an education to their children.
Projects we support
We have recently begun to carry products from Maya Traditions a group of women's co-operatives in Guatemala producing traditional backstrap weaving as means of income generation for those living in extreme poverty.
How we select what we sell
We choose products from Fair Trade certified producers with a strong comitment to social justice.
We look for items that are unique and unusual. We especially value the use of traditional materials and techniques.
What makes us unique
We have many unique objects that are seldom found in Western markets.
Our shop is located in a very rural part of Upstate New York and serves as much as a cultural gallery and museum bringing world cultures as it does a retail gift shop.
More information about us
A little about us: David is a North Country native and has degrees in anthropology and counseling and has traveled and lived in various places throughout the world. Robin grew up in Ohio and has degrees in geography and educational training and development. She currently writes for a variety of publications and has lived and traveled to a variety of locations. We have two daughters – Emma (8) and Naomi (5) – who love adventurous family outings and helping in the family garden and orchard. We currently live in a pre-Civil war farmhouse (circa 1840), which is only .7 miles from our shop. Our home, along with the brick schoolhouse that houses the shop, are two historical North Country structures. We are 1.5 hours from both Lake Placid in the Adirondacks and Ottawa, Ontario.
We love to travel, learn about other cultures and landscapes and have a commitment to both environmental and social justice issues. Please feel free to share your stories with us! Through the shop,we have met so many wonderful and well traveled customers. We too, will be sharing travel, living and learning events through our quarterly e-newsletter and blog.
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