Unique Batik works with batik artists, sewers, and beaders in Ghana and weavers, sewers and beaders in Guatemala. They work with artisan groups that produce high quality products using the age-old artistic traditions of batik printing in Ghana and backstrap weaving in Guatemala. They produce beautiful jewelry, bags, apparel, and kids items that we carry here at tradeasone.com and at our events across the country.
Unique Batik functions on the creativity, ingenuity, and energy of our good friend Sharon Gale, who spends a good part of every year traveling between Guatemala, Ghana, and North Carolina (where she lives). Her friendship with these artisans drives her to continue building markets in the US for the beautiful items they produce.
Our partnership in Guatemala and Ghana centers around the empowerment of women. Unfortunately, sexism and misogyny are too prevalent in many countries in the developing world. We believe that an effective way to bring about change is to enable women to provide a significant income to their families. By producing the items that we sell, these women receive stable, and dignified employment, and a voice in the households and communities.
We recently had a conversation with Sharon after her latest trip to Guatemala, and she told us that this income is more valuable than ever. Many of the women we partner with in Guatemala are the only wage-earners in their households, as most construction jobs have disappeared. These women were so happy and so thankful as Sharon brought them the orders we’d placed, knowing that many of the jobs lost by their husbands wouldn’t be returning any time soon.
In addition to empowering women, many of the products we feature from Unique Batik are especially eco-friendly. Some items are dyed with vegetable dyes, some are made out of recycled blouses from the Zunil region of Guatemala, and all are produced with an eye on the environmental effect of each product.
Beautiful, unique, fair, and eco-friendly. Take a look at some of items from Guatemala and Ghana by clicking here.
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