Excellent and challenging responses, as always Indochine.
(1) How is having a PayPal account a "requirement" of Fair Trade? I know many Fair Trade producers, organizations, companies, etc. who will have nothing to do with PayPal. If you are equating selling on World of Good with being part of the Fair Trade movement, you're really limiting yourself on the scope of what it means to be Fair Trade or sell Fair Trade goods successfully. There are hundreds of other avenues for selling your Fair Trade goods.
(2) I would certainly argue that small producers are benefiting from Fair Trade. Please don't let a few "bad apples" define the entire Fair Trade movement. Perhaps your situation in Viet nam is a bitter one with a local IFAT member, but the women of Njau, Gambia with whom I work would beg to differ.
I would be happy to share with you actual statements from the women about how they have benefitted from our grassroots initiative. They make more than 12 times what they were making selling their purses on the local market before being introduced to Fair Trade, and make 25-40% of the retail price. One craftsman expressed how, after just 6 months time, he was able to fix a leaky roof that he had not been able to properly fix for over two years, because the prices we paid gave him extra money he never had before. These are artisans that I have known for over five years and will continue to trade with and work relationships with to help them reach the point of self-sufficiency. And, in the true spirit of Fair Trade, we don't make "exclusive" contracts with producers. Anyone can buy from the groups I buy from and I will give out that information. Global Crafts is another Fair Trade and IFAT member that follows the same principle, in the true spirit of Fair Trade.
(3) I think you are narrowing the "loop" to be too small, and considering IFAT membership your only formal link to the Fair Trade movement. If you know what you are doing is Fair Trade, but cannot afford IFAT membership, join another group, such as the Asia Fair Trade Forum or one of many, many "Fair Trade" groups. If that's still not possible, work toward getting a grant or finding a sponsor for the fees for an organization that makes you feel "in the loop" if that is so important for your group. Or, provide your full documentation to a organization that "is" in the loop (i.e. Fair Trade Federation member) and sell your products through them to gain Fair Trade recognition. I work with several groups that are in the same position as you - no funding to get "accreditation" or membership. Through our help, the groups are now recognized as Fair Trade groups and work towards expanding and growth.
Bottom line, if you know you practicing Fair Trade - keep doing it - and don't change your standards or spend too much time dwelling on being "out of the loop"! And tell people about what you do and WHY you do it. Establishing a formal link with the Fair Trade movement might be important for you, but choosing the right link is also important. Don't join an organization just because you think you have to, or for self-interested purposes only - join because you want to strengthen Fair Trade and contribute to the movement as much as you feel you might benefit.
(4) If you're wondering where the voices of the artisans are, let your artisans post something on this forum, then! It all starts with us! I am visiting some artisan groups I work with in Africa again in 9 days, and I'll be posting what they would like to say!!
Do you think that much of what is being said on this community marketplace is contradictory to what artisans or producers would like to say?
The truth is, because we work in FAIR TRADE, many many of the artisans don't have email, can speak english, etc, so how do you expect the artisans to be typing directly on this forum? Most of the women I work with don't have running water, electricity, or have ever been to school. For the time being, they rely on people to share their stories on blogs and discussions for them.
If it weren't for the many fair trade organizations, companies, and individuals like you, their voices would not be heard.