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4 days ago
2 min

The Fabulous Backstrap Woven Textiles of Zacualpa, Guatemala

Zacualpa is a small town in the Guatemalan department [state] of El Quiché that has become known for its fine backstrap woven textiles including huipiles [blouses], bedspreads [see above], and table coverings [see below]. Zacualpa is home to thousands of Indigenous K’iché Mayan families who make a living farming and weaving much as they have done for hundreds of years. This region of Guatemala is quite poor and the people here suffered horrendous abuses at the hands of milit

Feb 9
2 min

The Amazing Wool Blankets of Momostenango, Part of Guatemala's "Cultural Heritage"

We are now offering traditional handmade wool bedspreads from Momostenango [Momo], Guatemala in the Illuminate Fair Trade store. The wool blankets from this village were recently designated as part of the "National Cultural Heritage" of Guatemala. The artisans of "Momo" have been making them for centuries. Momostenango, in the department [state] of Totonicapan, has been the center of wool textile production in Guatemala since the late 1700s. Sheep, which were introduced by th

Nov 26, 2020
2 min

5 Wonderful Unique, Ethical, Handmade Gifts for 2020

We spend a lot of time looking for unique, ethically sourced, handmade gifts & we've shared some of our best finds below. Full disclosure; two of them come from our Fair Trade collection, but I think you will be pleased that we did. Enjoy! 1. Mango and Main's Fair Trade Baskets: Their baskets are unique and very attractive. And reasonably priced too! "Handmade by artisans in Rwanda, these baskets are crafted from sustainable sisal fibers that are hand-dyed and then woven into

Nov 25, 2020
1 min

This Holiday Season You Can Support Illuminate & Women's Artisan Co-ops in Guatemala & Get 20% Off

As many of you know, Illuminate supports artisan cooperatives in Guatemala. We are a "social business" that adheres to "Fair Trade" principles. We were established in November 2000 to support craft and weaving cooperatives in the Guatemala. Every product we sell was created by artisans in a "Sweatshop Free" environment. We strive to preserve traditional methods of hand weaving while providing a steady & fair income to the artisans. As Fair Traders, we pay artisans at least 5

Oct 19, 2019
1 min

Illuminate's Annual Fair Trade Holiday Sale for Our Readers, Members & Facebook Followers

Illuminate Fair Trade has been working with the same cooperative of Guatemalan artisans since 1999. Their patchwork quilts and other textiles are absolutely breathtaking and not available anywhere else in the United States. Each product we offer is unique, authentic, and individually handcrafted. Illuminate Fair Trade is a "social business" and we adhere to "Ethical Trading" principles established to support artisans in the developing world. Every product we sell was created

Sep 21, 2019
2 min

Fair Trade Movement Continues to Grow & Diversify Globally

The Fair Trade Movement began in the late 1940s with just a handful of companies like Ten Thousand Villages, an NGO affiliated with the Mennonite Church, and SERRV International. They wanted to create an alternative trading model dealing directly with farmers and artisans and cutting out exploitative middlemen and wholesalers. Fair Traders ensure that producers and artisans are paid a fair wage and that products are created in a sweatshop-free environment, The British organiz

Jun 12, 2019
1 min

Illuminate is Again Offering Fair Trade Patchwork Quilts Handmade by our Guatemalan Artisan Coopera

Fair Trade Quilts & Crafts and Illuminate have been working with the same cooperative of Guatemalan artisans since 1999. Their patchwork quilts and other textiles are absolutely breathtaking and not available anywhere else in the United States. And, over the years, they have received quite a bit of attention from the media including... "Our Patchwork Quilts were featured in "Lucky Magazine". They said, "Their quilts are simply beautiful." Our Quilts & Pillow Covers were also

Apr 2, 2019
1 min

Fair Trade Guatemalan Blue Zacualpa Bedspread Sets Back in Stock

We have been out of stock on these since Christmas, but plenty available now. Handmade King Size [108 x 95] Blue Zacualpa Bedspread & Two Matching Throw Pillow Cover Set. Beautiful Blue with a woven decorative band at the top and bottom. Cotton. Matching Pillow Covers are 18 x 18 inches. Fair Trade. See them here, or if you prefer, here on Amazon. How they are made: To make a Zacualpa bedspread on a back-strap loom, the weaver starts with raw cotton that must be washed, combe

Nov 29, 2018
1 min

This Weekend 15% Off Everything at Illuminate

15% off all of our handmade and fair trade bedspreads, throws, pillow covers and bags until Sunday at Midnight. Here is the link to our store. Use coupon code "illum2". Here are a few of our newest items and you can click the picture of each to go right to that product page. All Leather Weekender or Carry-on Bag Mixed Huipile Embroidered Lap Blanket or Throw. Queen Size Kuchi Patchwork Tapestry Bedspread & Pillow Cover Set. #FairTrade

Nov 23, 2018
1 min

17th Annual Hampton Roads Fair Trade Festival and Fair Trade in Your Area

If Bands, Beer and Fair Trade Crafts are your thing, come on out and join us at the 17th Annual Hampton Roads Fair Trade Festival next weekend. We have been a fixture at these festivals since 2001, and look forward to it each year. If you are near the Hampton Roads area please come out and visit us on December 1st and 2nd at O'Connor's Brewery, 211 W 24th St. in Norfolk Va. The hours are 12-8 on Sat. and 12-5 on Sunday. Live rock, folk, and roots music, beautiful, unique Fair

Nov 18, 2018
1 min

Colorful Fair Trade Guatemalan Huipile Throw Blankets Back in Stock at Illuminate

Our colorful Fair Trade Guatemalan Huipile throw blankets have been out of stock since March, but we now have them again here. You can also buy them at Amazon here. The center is made from one entire Huipile [Mayan Embroidered Blouse]. Each is beautiful and absolutely unique! Rich pastels and jewel tones. 60 x 50 inches. Perfect to curl up under. Cotton with a Poly backing. Handmade by a Mayan artisan cooperative in the Highlands of Guatemalan. Beautiful embroidered designs.

Jul 25, 2018
1 min

Fair Trade, Guatemalan, Vivid Blue Throw Blankets Back in Stock at Illuminate

Our vivid blue throw blankets have been out of stock since January, but we now have them again here. Guatemalan Vivid Blue Huipile Embroidered Lap Blanket or Throw. The center is made from one entire Huipile [Mayan Embroidered Blouse]. Each is beautiful and absolutely unique! 60 x 50 inches. Perfect to curl up under. Cotton with a Poly backing. Each is absolutely unique. #FairTrade #news

Jun 21, 2018
1 min

Hugh Jackman and Laughing Man Fair Trade Coffee

Hugh Jackman wants to continue Paul Newman's legacy [Newman's Own] and use his celebrity to assist farmers in the developing world. In an interview with the Daily Beast he explained that "doing a social business was probably the best way to use the profile of someone in my position. ... I went on a trip with World Vision—we were doing a video about fair trade coffee and the impact that it has on the growers and on the farmers—and from that moment I started to think, OK I have

May 21, 2018
1 min

A New Alliance Between Fair Trade and Conservation Organizations

"Illuminate" and its predecessor, Fair Trade Quilts & Crafts, have been involved in the Fair Trade movement for almost 20 years and we have seen many organizations step up to carry the Fair Trade banner. It's not surprising that there would be some consolidation now in order to pool resources, especially between Fair Trade coalitions and other organizations with an interrelated mission. Such is the case with the Fair Trade organization UTZ and the Rain Forest Alliance, a Cons

Apr 15, 2018
1 min

"Illuminate" Supports Fair Trade

As some readers will know, I've been involved in the Fair Trade movement for almost 20 years; first with coffee producers in the state of Guerrero, Mexico and then through Fair Trade Quilts & Crafts which I founded in 2000. Its something I'm passionate about because I have seen first hand the benefits to the farmers and artisans involved. I will continue to support Fair Trade through my work with Illuminate and we will be offering Fair Trade products through this site in the

Mar 26, 2018
1 min

Fair Trade Chocolate This Easter

As you shop for Chocolate this Easter, please keep Fair Trade in mind. Its especially important in the chocolate industry because of child labor abuses which have been common in the industry for decades. Additionally this Easter, please consider signing on to the Fair World Project's petition drive to convince Cadbury and Modelez to adhere to Fair Trade principals in their supply chain. See the article and sign the petition here. #FairTrade

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Beautiful Handmade Mixed Huipile Guatemalan Patchwork Quilt Sets. See them here.

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The Fabulous Backstrap Woven Textiles of Zacualpa, Guatemala

The Amazing Wool Blankets of Momostenango, Part of Guatemala's "Cultural Heritage"

5 Wonderful Unique, Ethical, Handmade Gifts for 2020

This Holiday Season You Can Support Illuminate & Women's Artisan Co-ops in Guatemala & Get 20% Off

Illuminate's Annual Fair Trade Holiday Sale for Our Readers, Members & Facebook Followers

Fair Trade Movement Continues to Grow & Diversify Globally

Illuminate is Again Offering Fair Trade Patchwork Quilts Handmade by our Guatemalan Artisan Coopera

Fair Trade Guatemalan Blue Zacualpa Bedspread Sets Back in Stock

This Weekend 15% Off Everything at Illuminate

17th Annual Hampton Roads Fair Trade Festival and Fair Trade in Your Area

Colorful Fair Trade Guatemalan Huipile Throw Blankets Back in Stock at Illuminate

Fair Trade, Guatemalan, Vivid Blue Throw Blankets Back in Stock at Illuminate

Hugh Jackman and Laughing Man Fair Trade Coffee

A New Alliance Between Fair Trade and Conservation Organizations

"Illuminate" Supports Fair Trade

Fair Trade Chocolate This Easter

Images of the Week

Follow Us

Please visit our Friends at Feline Design: Making superior quality cat furniture in the US since 1986.