Gift Giving, Wedge Co-op Style

by Adrienne Vaughn, General Merchandise Buyer

The Wedge is happy to bring you some new and exciting gift options for this holiday season. It is not hard to find something for everyone on your list amongst our unique, sustainable, fairly traded and locally made gifts.

Several of our vendors are committed to fair trade practices. We have purchased hand knit alpaca scarves, gloves, children's ponchos, leg warmers and finger puppets from Andes Gifts, a group of skilled artisans who work in knitting co-ops in Bolivia. Due to the purchases the Wedge has made over the last few years, Andes Gifts was able to hire eight more people! Talk about making a difference. We are also offering 100% handmade alpaca knits from Artesania. Over 600 knitters work out of their homes and are paid fair wages to craft brightly colored mittens, hats, slippers and men's sweaters. Back by popular demand are the luxurious velvet scarves and silk and chenille shawls from Cocoon House. These fairly traded fabrics will bring class to any holiday function. To delight the children, be on the lookout for hand drums, wooden flutes, whistles and rainsticks from Serrv. Serrv offers fair trade handcrafts from around the world, using eco-friendly production methods, promoting women's rights and paying living wages.

Regional fair is always a welcome addition to gift giving. Luci Daum, a local artist, creates beautiful one-of-a-kind retro and warm hats, and we have many to choose from. To spice up the kitchen, look for unique glazed bowls and espresso cups from local potter Melissa Favaro. Green Glass turns recycling into art. You will find tumblers and goblets from this Wisconsin-based business, recycled from discarded bottles to create elegant glassware. Bryn Mawr Soap is a Minneapolis company with well-favored bar soaps, perfect for a stocking stuffer and on sale the month of December.

Candles are a staple during the winter season. Keep an eye out for 100% pure beeswax and soy wax candles. You may be used to purchasing pure, local honey and bee pollen from Ames Farms, and this year you can get beeswax candles, too. Candles from Santa Fe Candle Company, Sunbeam and locally owned HoneyGlo will also be available.

Please your senses with scents. Juniper Ridge will be gracing us again with sustainable, wild crafted products from the mountains and deserts of the West. Look for Christmas Fir sachets, Juniper incense and Douglas Fir tea. Reed diffusers are great way to scent the air without the use of electricity. Out of Africa uses pure essential oils in their diffusers and profits go to help create educational programs in Africa to empower young girls to gain leadership skills.

Fair trade jewelry has been a very popular recent addition to the Health and Body Care Department. We are excited about the beautiful collection of earrings, rings, and necklaces that will be featured over the holidays. Venus Imports of Nepal offers an assortment of amazing stones and silver. They have used traditional jewelry making methods for centuries, and their craftsmanship shows. Local artist, Robin Rife, creates delicate earrings and dazzling necklaces using antique beads, wood, glass and other organic material. The Tibet Collection features jewelry produced by skilled Himalayan artisans.

These are just a few out of the many things we will offer this year. Displays will be changing weekly, so stop by often and take a look. Shopping is voting, so come and promote local artists and fair trade!