WIREWORX was accepted as members of the Fair Trade Federation in March 2016. As members of the Fair Trade Federation, we make the deepest commitment to 360° fair trade. We undergo rigorous screening and strive
to create positive change through all of our work; socially, economically, and environmentally. We work with artisans in holistic partnerships built on trust. These relationships go beyond ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions — they empower producers to strengthen their communities and grow their businesses sustainably.

Why did we only become fair trade members after 12 years?

It was a few years after we opened that we heard about “Fair Trade”. We didn’t feel the necessity to pursue fair trade certification or membership because we’d naturally been running our business from day one based on fair trade and socially responsible principles. We were raised to care about others and that is how we ran our business.

A number of years passed and the fair trade community grew considerably. We came to the realization that not becoming certified or members was unfair to both our artisans and the fair trade community.

How so?

The demand for ethically traded products has grown and today there are thousands of shops across the globe that are members of a fair trade organization which obligate them to purchase from fair trade certified sources. Even though we considered ourselves a fair trade business, without certification or membership we were unable to market our artisan’s works to many retailers and consumers committed to fair trade.

As their advocate on the international market it’s our responsibility to do everything possible to promote our artisan’s goods to the expanding fair trade community. The more business we can bring them, the better their lives and the lives of their extended families will be. Plus this enables them to bring more artisans on board, helping to improve their lives as well.

On the flip side, as there are few, if any, fair trade certified or member sources offering comparable quality products, we were preventing the fair trade retailers from offering (and profiting from) an ethical alternative to the non fair trade African and particularly Chinese versions sold by neighboring shops. Now Fair Trade retailers and committed fair trade consumers have access to high caliber fair trade bead and wire products from WIREWORX!