About
OVERVIEW
Founder's story
We became involved in fair trade in the mid 90's after spending a year in Latin America. While we were in Nicaragua we met many artisans trying to support their families. The handicrafts they were making were amazing; intricately carved pottery, handwoven baskets and beautiful stone carvings. The constant problem was finding markets. At the time not many tourist were traveling to Nicaragua and Nicaraguan crafts were not well know outside the country. We came back to the States and opened a Fair Trade store and began promoting and wholesaling the crafts from the many artisans that we had met in Nicaragua. We expanded out work to Peru about 6 years ago.
Our mission
As our name implies we strive to provide a different approach to trade. We want the buyer to feel the connection to the artisan and in doing so reverse the depersonalization that often occurs in todays retail environment.
In our relationship with the artisans we work as partners considering their success as important as ours.
Our philosophy
The types of products we sell
Handthrown pottery from San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua and handthrown pottery from Chulucanas, Peru; Handwoven pineneedle baskets from Nicaragua; Handpainted earrings from Pisac, Peru; Gourds from Peru, Woven textils from the Highlands of Peru.
Most of what we carry is for home decor or garden decor.
Where the producers live and work
The artisans that we work with live in rural villages settings in Nicaragua and both rural and urban settings in Peru. The artisans either have their own family workshop or have formed a cooperative with other artisans.
Projects we support
We support many small projects that focus on training of new artisan groups and technical support to exisiting artisan groups. Most women in rural settings in Nicaragua can make the traditional utilitarian pottery but to offer them other pottery techniques opens up their markets and allow them options.
How we select what we sell
We have been working with the same artisans for more than 10 years. Each artisan or group has a personal style. We work with the artisan within their personal style to come up with new designs.
What makes us unique
More information about us
We began A Different Approach more than 10 years ago. We are just as amazed today as we were back then at the love, effort, and attention to detail that goes into each piece of pottery and basket that comes through our doors. It is a reflection of the artisan that created it. It is this never-ending optimism and energy from the artisans that keep up committed to Fair Trade. Please read our story below.
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