Hidden Face of Globalization

Welcome 2014!  We at The One Eyed Turtle LLC have some excitement for you in the coming months.  

Welcome to 2014!  We at The One Eyed Turtle have some excitement for you in the coming months;the "we"  are co-owners Maria Carreño and Mary Anne Coleman.   Several years ago we both discovered the beauty of Fair Trade and the satisfaction of supporting many diverse artisan groups. Our passion is strong,  we decided merge our goals and passion into an online business that brings the globe to you, your decor, your clothing, and your accessories.  We are constantly searching for affordable, and artisan produced products that reflect a modern but an ethnic flair.  

 With emphasis on eco living we have included many products of sustainable origin and you will surely be surprised at the touch and "hand" of these fabrics.  Transparency is the key word in our search for what is new and not harmful to the worker, nor the environment.  Fair trade is not free!  Fair trade does not include sweatshops, but a warm and inviting environment to work and help with raising a family.  Many workers can even take their work home with them and watch the children who are not school age.  Most fair trade producers actually insist on education and harness the energy of the community to get clean water and healthy food for all.  

 Join us in our discoveries and we hope to keep adding to our business and our global insights.  Life is good!   

Maria and Mary          www.theoneeyedturtle.com

Fair and Ethical Trade is for Everyone

Fair and Ethical Trade is for Everyone

For the last few weeks we all were witness to the devastation in Haiti. I could not break away from the destruction, the dust, the large need and desperation. But, one night Anderson Cooper announced with a sweet surprise that the people in the streets were singing and dancing. Their spirits were united in hope, in faith that things would get better. For this small country it would perhaps be a unified effort in starting anew and maybe, just maybe there was a glimmer of success.

What was noteworthy was just how many organizations were already operating in this area of need before the earthquake. Besides their strong spirit and warmth, the Haitians are quite artistic, are adept at using simple materials such as recycled oil drums. The tools are somewhat primitive but the end results are unique and quite enchanting.

Small artisan groups are everywhere. The lucky ones are under the “fair and just” umbrella. Their working conditions are safe and the economic opportunities are more available. Fair Trade supports sustainable practices that minimize our environmental footprint.

Children can grow up as children, not just little workers. They have access to education and have better health care and nutrition. These families pretty much all agree that education is the key to their success. In many cases, these artisans and small farmers are able to invest earnings in their communities, improving housing, healthcare and schools.

The buyers and producers often form partnerships and provide a way for production of quality merchandise which showcase the many cultures and people around the globe; not mass-produced to sell inexpensively. My feeling is that if something is really “cheap” then the pay to the worker was really “cheap” also.

As a Fair Trade business owner I am always enlightened by the story behind the product. I am excited to see the artisan, generally smiling and happy to be working towards a better future. So, by purchasing something that is made in decent surroundings, with community involvement and for a fair price it is a win for the buyer and the seller. You are a part of the “fair and ethical” circle.

Maria Carreño,owner The One Eyed Turtle LLC

Welcome everyone!

This is the first in the blog world from The One Eyed Turtle. First you may ask, just what is a "one eyed turtle?"
Many years ago there was a One Eyed Turtle who swam close to the bottom of the sea. One day he decided to seek a sandalwood log in which to place himself perfectly to have the sun warm his back and cool his tummy. He went to the "wise one" to seek advice on how to find such a log. After searching without any luck, he went back to the "wise one" and wanted to know why he failed. The "wise one" said: "happiness must come from within, you have been seeking something which you carried with you all this time."

This story has Buddhist origins and you can be reminded of this great wisdom every time you enjoy the products from these innovative and creative artisans from around the world.

Hopefully, I can continue and explain my feelings on fair and alternative trade.