While the gifts many exchange this time of year are no doubt important, how your wrap it also adds the festivity of gift giving. When one thinks of “Fair Trade,” wrapping paper probably isn’t the first thing you think of, but here at Mustard Seed, we’ve managed to track some down! Handmaid Expressions is distributing lovely… Continue reading »
Nov
09
Block Print Napkins from Handmade Expressions
Cloth napkins may have fallen out of fashion for some, but here at Mustard Seed that doesn’t phase us. Cloth napkins add a little gravitas to our much neglected dinner tables, and can be washed and re used over and over again. These block print napkins come to us from artisans in the Barmer Region… Continue reading »
Jul
26
Handmade Expressions’ Artisan Community Development
With Mustard Seed’s Support, Handmade Expressions is able to help artisans in India achieve sustainable development. Of course, with every purchase Mustard Seed makes from Handmade Expressions, we are helping artisans recieve a fair wage, sustain their traditional art forms, and overall improve their social and economic standing. However, Handmade Expressions goes even further. They… Continue reading »
Apr
14
Essential Spring accessories!
We’re showering the Seed this month! Come into Mustard Seed and pick up your essential Spring accessories! Paper Mache Bangles from Handmade Expressions Start off your Spring accessory collection by picking up some adorable and hand painted paper mache bangles made by artisans at Joo Handicrafts! Joo Handicrafts is based out of the Himalayan valleys of… Continue reading »
Apr
02
Shop sustainably!
These bags from Handmade Expressions are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Why go shopping and use the plastic sacks, when you can be fashionable and nice to the environment when you shop? The group of artisans who create these jute bags is called Amar Jyoti. It is a school in India that provides vocational education to… Continue reading »
Mar
29
Green ways to share thoughts.
Use these green ways to express your thoughts and feelings! Recycled School Paper Journals from Handmade Expressions These journal’s covers are actually made from recycled school papers that were used, so each of the journals are unique in their own way! The paper is also naturally died with tea leaves. Tea dyeing is an easy way to… Continue reading »
Mar
08
Fair trade uses materials that would normally be thrown away!
Fair trade artisans create many different types of products, for all different tastes. But one thing they have a lot in common is sometimes using materials that would otherwise be thrown away. Color Splash Photo Frames by Handmade Expressions These gorgeously embellished frames, along with many other products, are made out of recycled sari materials.… Continue reading »
Nov
23
Are you ready for the holidays? Mustard Seed is :)
Get in the decorative spirit with ornaments at Mustard Seed! Among the many different kinds of ornaments, Mustard Seed has beautiful Zari sphere and tree ornaments from Serrv. These elaborately designed satin spheres are decorated with metallic zari thread and glass beads. Artisans working with Tara Projects handcrafted the ornaments. Tara Projects has been working… Continue reading »