Far and Wide Collective ♡ Connecting Artisans in Emerging Economies to the International Market

The most beautiful crafts are made with heart and the founder of Far and Wide Collective, Hedvig Christine Alexander, found a way to bring us some of the best crafts from locals in regions like Afghanistan, Africa, and India. Hedvig, who used to live in Afghanistan, connects us to small and growing entrepreneurs who are setting an example and making a huge difference in their restricted countries.

Through Far and Wide Collective, Hedvig created an online marketplace connecting the world, people like you and me, to a new segment of fair trade:

We are dedicated to connecting artisans in emerging economies to the international market. In doing so, we have created an organizational support system that revolves around artisan fair trade clothing, décor and jewelry. Our craftswomen and men focus on creating the best and most unique products while we take care of getting them to you.

♡Use promocode WHATHEDOOST for 15% off your order!

Everything that gets put in goes right back out!

We purchase the products from the artisans at their asking price – the difference between this price and the final retail price covers the cost of getting the product to market. These costs include freight, import duties, warehousing, packaging, marketing, customer service, sales and shipping. Profits are reinvested to help our artisans grow their businesses, as well as source new products and developing new artisans.

My two newest obsessions are these sweet crescent moon earrings from Afghanistan and the white on blue towel set from India. The earrings have become my go-to’s — light, gold, and meaningful!

These sweet crescent moon earrings are designed by UK designer Pippa Small in collaboration with Javid Noori for Turquoise Mountain in Afghanistan.

Scenes from Turquoise Mountain, Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, September 29, 2013. Photo © by Tina Hager fro TFBSO.

Afghanistan was once a great center of civilization found at the heart of the ‘silk road’. Their craft industry, a source of great pride for the Afghan people, suffered greatly after more than three decades of conflict and displacement. Turquoise Mountain trains a new generation of young Afghan artisans, ensuring the livelihoods of its students by connecting their work to markets across the globe. These craftswomen and men learn centuries-old skills and work with contemporary designers to produce their unique handmade pieces.

— read more about Turquoise Mountain here…

The towel set — which includes a bath towel, face towel and hand towel — is one I’ll actually travel with. It’s 100% cotton which is best for your skin and hair, I have frizz problems that a regular towel only makes worse, but something like this is ideal for my skin and hair control! Plus, it’s so light I can fit it onto my carry on — #winning!

Another favorite of mine is the Black Beaded Collar Necklace handmade from a local woman in Swaziland for $55.00. This rare and unique statement piece is made out of newspaper. There’s only ONE left — get yours here and remember to use promocode WHATTHEDOOST for 15% off!

Wearing Black Beaded Collar Necklace – Swaziland
$55.00 ║ Photo by Rufus Barkley

They even make these stunning earrings from a rare gold only found in Afghanistan from the Bactrian Gold Collection created around the time of Alexander the Great. Made by Shugufa Yousofzai:

[Shugufa] is 28 years old, educated and grew up in a middle-class home first in Pakistan and then, after the fall of the Taliban, in Kabul. She is exactly the kind of Afghan woman Afghanistan needs: intelligent, hard-working, confident and business minded – a champion and role model for others.

Aside from connecting us to a great products with a cause — Far and Wide Collective also helps these growing entrepreneurs with a wide range of tools including creating an Artisan Toolkit, a market access guide for artisans and small craft businesses.

Be part of what matters & help spread the good cause! 

Far and Wide Collective connects artisans in emerging economies to the international market bringing us the most unique products. A purchase for a cause!