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Mata
Ortiz Originals
was
created by owner Nancy Spada in August 2000. We were granted
membership in the Fair Trade Federation in
2001, becoming the first trader of Mata Ortiz Pottery to belong.
This remains a proud distinction.
As
member of the FTF we are committed to providing fair wages and
employment opportunities to low income artisans in
Mexico, aiding in the preservation of their unique art forms and
cultures, and the improvement of their impoverished lives.
In
the 2001, partner Roger Gee joined the ranks. Singing Shaman
Traders emerged as an umbrella organization for Mata Ortiz
Originals and our lines of Huichol
bead art,
Tarahumara
folk art, and
Taxco
silver jewelry. In 2007 we introduced our exciting
new line of Mata
Ortiz pottery shard jewelry.
Singing
Shaman Traders buys each of these one of a kind pieces from the
artisans, keeping the cost to the consumer reasonable, paying
the producer fairly and developing relationships based on
reciprocal benefits and mutual respect.
We
have finally successfully retired from confining careers,
allowing us to devote additional time and energy to our
producers, customers and projects.
We
are making at least two buying trips a year to Mexico, always
searching for new products and producers groups in need of our
support.
In
addition, we are involved in sponsorship of a Tarahumara
Cultural Festival, development of a small rural beading co-op,
participation in countless educational forums and the
co-founding of, and ongoing participation in, the Northwest Fair
Trade Network.
We
are excited about the direction Singing Shaman Traders is taking
us! The opportunities to enrich the lives of our producer
friends are limitless and are made possible by your ongoing
support of us and of Fair Trade.
Thank
you
Nancy
and Roger
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