My new favorite place to buy gifts is The Story Company. The Story Company markets quality, hand-made items for artisans in many struggling situations. The items are beautiful as are the stories behind the product.
I have recently purchased some of the baskets highlighted in the video above. They are beautiful. And everytime I touch them I think of the atrisans that spent hours crafting them a world away. They make my heart happy, and my home beautiful.
One thing that to me sets The Story Company one notch ahead of many of the other organizations that I have ordered products from in the past is in their presentation.
Each item comes wrapped like this.
Who does not want to receive a beautifully wrapped package in the mail?
Each package includes some bit of information about the artisan that created the product.
These stories make the item feel so personal.
I also love that if I ship an item directly to someone the presentation is special AND the reason I chose the gift (the story behind it) is easy to discover.
This is one of the baskets from the video above.
It is so soft and beautiful.
I can not imagine weaving it from grass!
This is a close up of a basket woven from banana leaves.
I planned to give it as a gift, but I am loving it so much that time will tell. . .
This is a super cute little Christmas ornament.
It is hand carved from wood.
It is so smooth and super light weight.
I am going to give them as teacher and neighbor gifts.
This is a scarf hand stamped by a woman in India.
She chose the verse that she stamps on each scarf in Hindi because it celebrates all God has helped her overcome. What woman would not love to wear her story? And be reminded each time she touches it of how God redeems and loves?
This purse is really cool.
It is made from coffee sacks.
It has a lot of fun features and zipper compartments.
Sierra and Krissy are begging for it.
And the story of the women behind the product is even more beautiful then the purse itself.
Does that not make you smile?
So, this Christmas join me in buying gifts that will bring hope and joy to both the maker and the receiver!
If you choose to make purchases throught Ths Story Comapny, please use coupon code Jemo. When you do the kids at the site in Ethiopia that my church partner's with will receive some of the proceeds. Which means, you get a fabulous product. "My" kids in Jemo will receive some very much needed funds. AND the artisans who made your gift are able to support their families!
That sure beats any Black Friday deal I have seen!
Check out The Story Company today! Believe it or not, I did not buy all their products. There are many more to choose from! Happy shopping! Be inspired!
PS - If you have links to great products that benefit real people, please pass them my way. I am not done shopping yet! And I am really hoping to not go near a store!
