Go Fair Trade in Your Holistic Spaces

October is Fair Trade Month, which is exciting for us, because Fair Trade principles align closely with what we work toward in creating truly nourishing holistic spaces. There are numerous organizations dedicated to moving us closer to a Fair Trade society, and though each of them has their own set of specific standards and guidelines, there are a few underlying principles that really define what it means to encourage Fair Trade. 

First, let's define "fair trade." According to Merriam-Webster, fair trade is 

“a movement whose goal is to help producers in developing countries to get a fair price for their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for the ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promote environmentally sustainable practices.”

Following this general push to ensure that producers around the world are treated fairly and humanely, Fair Trade principles require that organizations participating in this trade meet the following guidelines:

  • Seek to create opportunities for disadvantaged producers

  • Maintain clear and understandable processes and procedures

  • Establish fair prices that will both benefit producers and find sustainability in market

  • Refrain from engaging in any sort of child labor or forced labor

  • Refrain from discrimination for any reason, including but not limited to, age, gender, caste, nationality, HIV status and political beliefs

  • Provide good working conditions

  • Provide training and beneficial opportunities for workers to build their skills

  • Actively promote fair trade

  • Respect the environment

These conditions ensure that employers and companies not only reach out to third-world producers to take an active part in relieving poverty, but that each of these service providers and producers are treated with humane, dignified conditions that establish an enhanced quality of life. 

This is all great, but what can each of us do to help encourage fair trading in our society? We can seek out Fair Trade products! The most common Fair Trade items are coffee, wine, fresh fruits and handicrafts. When you're creating a holistic space, Fair Trade handicrafts can be a fantastic way to fill your space with beautiful items while helping others at the same time! 

Keep an eye out for:

  • hand knit, organic textiles

  • hand carved statues and home decor

  • hand embroidered wall hangings and other art made from natural materials like jute. (Organic cotton is farmed with much higher regard for our environment, and often by family farmers in disadvantaged areas. Likewise, jute is a 100% biodegradable and recyclable rain-fed crop that grows predominately in Bangladesh and other Indian countries. )

  • fair trade essential oils, (like the ones we use in our home mists!)

Like everything, there are products that will give the impression of Fair Trade without meeting the requirements, so be sure to look for a Fair Trade seal and do your research! Check out My Favorite Things this month to get your search started!

by Anjie Cho

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The Secret to Flexible Decorating: the Picture Ledge

The Secret to Flexible Decorating- the Picture Ledge.jpg

Does this scenario sound familiar? You cuddle into the corner of your favorite chair. You pull a comfy throw onto your lap while closely hugging a cup of steaming tea, coffee or fire water. And you sigh, content and happy, until your eye rests upon that framed bit of artwork on the wall and you realize you’re ready for a change.

The good news is that the things we hang on our walls can be easily swapped out and updated for a fresh, new look. The challenge, however, can be finding a comparable piece to hang in that exact spot. Can the new piece use the same nail hole? Will it fit in the space of the item that you’re replacing? Will you need to create new holes in the wall for another sort of hanger? Do additional items need to be moved around to accommodate your new find? The more change this seemingly simple update requires, the more reluctant you may be to make it. 

Don’t worry! There’s a simple solution. Put down the hammer and don’t hang another thing before you read this. The secret to creating an easily updatable room is the picture ledge. Whether you like to replace your wall art each season or you want the flexibility to change things up on a whim, a picture ledge gives you a creative space to easily swap pieces without drilling new holes in the wall and alleviates spacing headaches each time your décor evolves. 

Let’s talk about the basics. Start by selecting the ledge length that best suits your decorating style and room size. You can find pre-made ledges in a variety of lengths or you can DIY a ledge to your specifications. If you’re going the make-it-yourself route, get creative with the materials you use. Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration and decorations for such a project. 

Generally, if you’re going to place the picture ledge over a couch, place the bottom edge of the shelf about 10 inches above the back of the couch. If you’re going to hang it elsewhere, keep in mind, you’re aiming for “eye level” artwork on a wall. A good rule of thumb is to hang your ledge 4 to 4 ½ feet from the floor. 

What goes on the ledge? For starters, there’s the obvious framed artwork. It is, after all, called a picture ledge. But don’t stop there! These ledges with their grooves and/or framed edges are ideal for displaying things like decorative plates, forward facing books, thin vases, and collectibles. Think outside the box! Hang some picture ledges in your bedroom and display your favorite shoes. Use these unique shelves in the kitchen to arrange your go-to bottles of spices and seasonings. Try a picture ledge in a child’s bedroom or play room to display those awesome Lego creations and favorite toys. Anything that will securely fit on the flat space available is fair game. Have fun with it, and the next time you glance up and realize it’s time for a change, go for it! Swap out your old shelf décor for something fresh and new without any worry.

by Anjie Cho

The Art of Hanging Art

Imagine you’re standing in the center of a room in your home, surveying the open wall space around you. In your hands is a piece of art that has spoken to you. It’s exactly what this room has been missing and you are about to affix it to the space that’s just made for it. 

While some may consider hanging a picture or other piece of art on the wall about as foolproof DIY as one can get, the truth is it’s not quite that simple. Follow these steps to make sure you get it right.

Make a plan

The worst time to figure out your new piece is off center (or otherwise not quite what you expected) is after the nail is in the wall. Whether you’re hanging a collection of pieces or just one, spend some time envisioning exactly where your art is going. Use a true-to-size paper template and painter’s tape for a trial run. When you’ve measured, admired and confirmed you’ve got it right, then grab the tools and hangers.

Remember, the eyes have it

In most cases, the best height for artwork is eye level, which means the center of your piece should fall at about 58 inches above the floor. If your ceilings are relatively low, however, you’ll want to adjust this. In that case, a good rule of thumb is to imagine your wall divided into quarters with your art falling in the third quarter. Another exception is when you’re hanging a cluster of pieces. In this case, align the center of your gallery at eye level and work the additional pieces in around it.

More than a nail

Is your idea of hanging art on the wall grabbing a nail and hammer? You’re not alone. There’s a better way, however. A single nail in drywall isn’t going to tolerate much weight. You may know already that hanging a heavier piece is a job best well suited for a stud in the wall. However, if you don’t find a stud in a ‘picture-friendly’ location, that’s okay; you have options. Consider using self-threaded anchors, screws, picture hangers or even a finishing nail hammered in at an angle. These tools provide greater holding power than a simple nail hammered straight into the wall.

Hang it straight and use bumpers

Remember the first step? Don’t eyeball this process. Grab a level and let the bubble lead you. Before you hang the picture, consider adding self-adhesive rubber bumpers to the back of the piece. These will help prevent movement on the wall, keeping the piece level once you’ve placed it. 

Don’t be framed

Framed art is gorgeous, but it’s not your only option. Get creative in what gets hung on your walls. Hanging clipboards to hold photos or art you wish to rotate makes a fantastic alternative! Empty frames, mirrors and other collections can be unique and eye catching wall art. The only thing holding you back is your imagination!

by Anjie Cho