Production Information

MANGO WOOD/TEAK PRODUCTS

Little Trove’s range of mango and teak wood products are all ethically sourced fromThailand.

Artisan workers have more than 10 years’ experience making these products. The items are handmade with the aid of small tools where applicable. The artisan workers comprising of many families have formed a sound and reliable working relationship with our UK importer. Our importer ensures that all products are made in good working environments and that the majority of materials used are from sustainable sources, reclaimed and where possible eco- friendly.

All our teak products are made from reclaimed teak and licensed by the Thai government. All our paper products from Thailand are made from the bark of the Mulberry tree so no trees are felled. Other wood products are also from sustainable sources.

By increasing trade in these artisanal products, we have helped increase the living standards of the workers and their families.

 

 FELT ITEMS (CHRISTMAS RANGE)

Most of our felt items are designed by En Gry & Sif, which in 2009 became the first Danish company in this industry to be certified by the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO).

En Gry was started by two sisters to help Nepalese women earn a living. As a result of supplier visits to Nepal and WFTO certification, En Gry is able to give an extra guarantee that their factories and workers in Nepal are secured:

 

-        a fair price for their products

-        regular purchases and a long term relationship which provides financial security for the worker and their families

-        good working conditions in which the workers have a say over their work and are unionised

-        basic human rights such as freedom from discrimination on the grounds of gender, race or religion

-        the right to send their children to school.

 

  

RAFFIA BAGS

Our raffia bags are supplied by Madaraff, a family business founded by brothers Stuart and Alan along with their wives Aurelie and Emma in 2004. Working passionately with Aurelie’s Malagasy family Madaraff takes great pride in bringing innovative beautiful handmade designs produced ethically by skilled artisans and friends in Madagascar.

Madaraff derives great satisfaction from, and is proud of the fact that; by bringing their beautiful and inspired handmade range, they are directly supporting and providing livelihoods for family and friends in Madagascar.

In addition, because of this unique background they can confidently assure us of the following:

• Their suppliers are either family run cooperatives working from home, or otherwise small artisan units.
• Every supplier is regularly visited by Madaraff in person.
• No young children are used in the manufacture of their products.
• Their products are fairly traded, the price paid being decided in discussion between Madaraff representatives from Aurelie’s family and the suppliers.
• The raffia used in the manufacture of these products is a renewable and sustainable raw material.
• The Zebu (cow) horn used to embellish their bags is a by–product of meat production.

KNOBS, HOOKS, HANDPAINTED ITEMS, KNITTED CUSHIONS

 

These items are made by Nkuku who specialise in eco friendly, fairly traded homeware and gifts. Nkuku passionately support fair trade and are members of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) and the British Association of Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS).

 Nkuku products are inspired by the traditional skills of artisans throughout Africa andIndia. They combine contemporary design with age old traditions, natural materials and sustainable methods of production. They work with a mixture of co-operatives, charitable enterprises and family businesses.

 Nkuku is also an environmentally aware company. They endeavour to create products using recycled and natural materials through a handmade process.

DESIGNER CANDLES