Deck the Halls with Taraluna
I put up the Christmas tree today, with much enthusiastic help from my 4-year-old son Jojo.
This year we added some new ornaments to our collection from Taraluna Fair Trade, Organic, and Green Gifts.
Jojo was excited when he saw these new decorations!
These beautiful hand-beaded ornaments are made by artisans in India, under fair trade conditions.
I love elephants, having spent lots of time in Laos, a place that used to be called Lan Xang, meaning Land of a Million Elephants.
This Heirloom Quality Hand Crafted Grey Elephant Ornament is a meaningful addition to our tree.
He is 3 1/2 inches long, has a soft, satiny body with tightly sewn beads and sequins.
These ornaments are distributed by World Finds, a company who works with women’s self help groups and small artisan families to help them make a living from their craft.
This is Jojo’s hand holding the Heirloom Quality Hand Crafted Lion Ornament. It is a full 3″ long and very sturdy.
The whiskers and black outlines are made from tightly coiled black wire that is smooth to the touch. The beads are sewn on securely. The body is stuffed slightly and feels soft.
Our new Heirloom Quality Hand-Beaded Red Elephant Ornament fits right in with my red, silver, and gold Christmas tree theme that I seem to have unconsciously created.
These ornaments from Taraluna add a touch of whimsy to our holiday decor (who would expect to see an elephant amongst the candy canes?), but they also represent the good will of the season.
Buying fair trade products guarantees that your money is going to support a artisan who is being paid a living wage.
Taraluna has a wide selection of fair trade products, like housewares, beautiful handcrafted Christmas ornaments, green lunch products, baby clothes, toys and gifts, jewelry, spa, fair trade organic chocolates, teas, and other unique items!
I met someone two weeks ago who works in a sweat shop. She is a twenty-two-year-old girl who sews upholstery for 12 hours per day, earning $25 per month.
The factory is not air conditioned or heated, and is surrounded by high walls and barbed wire. Usually the workers are “given” a place to sleep within the compound walls. These are very simple, shared accommodations that are in worse shape than homeless shelters in the USA.
I don’t know if she gets the weekends off. Probably not, because most blue collar workers in Laos have a 7 day work week. But even if she only works 5 days a week (60 hours), that is about ten cents an hour, right? I do not want to support the people who are making money off of her loss of human rights. If we purchase products made under these conditions, we share the blame that they continue.
I usually try to avoid tangents in my review posts but I think the term sweat shop is glossed over and joked about in the United States, but it is real.
Please do shop mindfully; Taraluna encourages you to join them in “changing the world one purchase at a time” by buying fair trade, sweatshop free, organic, and natural.
Taraluna wants to give a special Christmas gift to one Mom Most Traveled reader!
One winner will receive there choice of up to THREE Christmas ornaments totaling up to $30!
To enter to win some fair trade Christmas goodness, simply visit Taraluna.com and comment on this post with another one of the holiday items that caught your eye.
One winner will be chosen at random.
This giveaway will close on Sunday, December 7th, 12 midnight CST.
*Contest ended! Congrats to clenna in NH, comment number one!!*
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29 November 2008, 4:23 pm
I really liked the Working Women’s Wreath, very unique.
29 November 2008, 4:35 pm
[...] Most Traveled has a post called Deck the Halls with Taraluna, in which she discusses some beautiful animal-themed tree ornaments made in India. They’re [...]
29 November 2008, 6:07 pm
Beautiful things. Ethical. Nice.
I love all the animal ornaments - my fav would probably be the Camel Ornaments. I have some similar hand beaded ornaments - can’t wait to deck the halls!
29 November 2008, 6:14 pm
I stumbled it - I’m coffecup
29 November 2008, 6:37 pm
I really like the cracked glass ornaments….
29 November 2008, 6:54 pm
I like the Handwoven Silk Trimmed bag.
Julies last blog post..What is a deal worth?
29 November 2008, 6:55 pm
You are a fav on Technorati (Mom2Ways)
29 November 2008, 6:55 pm
I stumbled (Mom2Ways)
Julies last blog post..What is a deal worth?
29 November 2008, 6:55 pm
I digged (Mom2Ways)
Julies last blog post..What is a deal worth?
29 November 2008, 6:57 pm
I am a HUGE supporter of all things Fair Trade and I very much appreciated your first hand account of the deplorable working conditions in non-fair-trade areas.
I would choose: Heirloom Quality Beaded Star Ornaments set of 3, one for each of my boys.
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Jennifers last blog post..Christmas Knitting
29 November 2008, 6:58 pm
Consider it dugg.
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Jennifers last blog post..Christmas Knitting
29 November 2008, 7:00 pm
I stumbled it as well. (knittingmomof3)
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Jennifers last blog post..Christmas Knitting
29 November 2008, 7:08 pm
Of course I blogged about it.
http://rundpinne.blogspot.com/2008/11/fair-trade-ornament-giveaway.html
knittingmomof3 (AT) gmail (DOT) com
Jennifers last blog post..Fair Trade Ornament Giveaway!
29 November 2008, 9:31 pm
I love the Lion and Lamb Ornament so much!
Ginnys last blog post..Giveaway ~ Norton PC Tune-up Service
29 November 2008, 9:32 pm
Stumbled ~ momof2ballerinas
Ginnys last blog post..Giveaway ~ Norton PC Tune-up Service
29 November 2008, 9:34 pm
I also like the Five Elephant Mobile. Thanks for the giveaway!
29 November 2008, 11:16 pm
I like the 5 elephant mobile.
http://www.taraluna.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=040729&Category_Code=
Totally different!
30 November 2008, 12:17 am
wow thay are realy cute and well thay even got hearts and butter flys and dragonflys and well every thing is just 2 cute i love to try and win this thay would look so nice on my tree thanks
30 November 2008, 4:32 am
The dragonfly is really cute!
30 November 2008, 12:36 pm
These are absolutely exquisite; I adore the Lion and the Lamb as that has always been one of my favorite ideologies; and the lion shall lie with the lamb. How beautiful.
The five elephant mobile is very nice also! I’m sure I could manage it but this would be difficult to choose should I win.
Thank you again!
30 November 2008, 1:09 pm
I like the Coco Fiber Reindeer
$16.00.
30 November 2008, 1:19 pm
My sister in-law and I both buy each other’s presents as donations to save the polar bears, so the polar bear ornament would be a very special gift for her.
30 November 2008, 1:42 pm
I just love the set of two Reindeers!
30 November 2008, 1:50 pm
I just love all of the holiday ornaments but I would have to say that the Cracked Glass Ornament,the Peacock Ornament,and the Capiz Angel Ornament are my favorites!!!
30 November 2008, 2:11 pm
I really like the Lion and the Lamb ornament. Plus the Coco Fiber Reindeer are very nice, Thank you!
30 November 2008, 2:21 pm
I love that Lion and Lamb Ornament,an I love the elephant one too,my mom collects elephants an this one if beautiful
30 November 2008, 2:50 pm
I love the Cocoa Fiber Reindeer-lovely!
30 November 2008, 3:03 pm
The Dragonfly Ornament really caught my eye!
30 November 2008, 3:13 pm
I like the cat ornament.
30 November 2008, 3:56 pm
Bring on those Zardozi butterfly ornaments.
30 November 2008, 4:05 pm
OH HOW I LOVE THE ORGANIC LAMB WITH SQUEAKER FOR MY STANDARD POODLE “JAZZ” SHE HAS LOVED LAMB TOYS SINCE SHE WAS A PUPPY AND THIS ONE LOOKS WONDERFUL
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
30 November 2008, 4:45 pm
The capiz angel ornament is very pretty!
30 November 2008, 5:18 pm
All the items look so very cute. My favorite has to be the Peacock ornament and the Working women’s wreath.
30 November 2008, 5:29 pm
I really liked the Working Women’s Wreath
30 November 2008, 5:36 pm
I like the Penquin Ornament but my fave is really the Elephant one. So cute! Thanks for the great contest!
30 November 2008, 5:39 pm
I’ve stumbled the post, coriwestphal. Thanks!
30 November 2008, 5:58 pm
I love the A Little Something for The New Mama gift set.
30 November 2008, 6:05 pm
the working womens wreath
30 November 2008, 6:27 pm
I would love to get the gray elephant ornament for my mother. She loves elephants!
30 November 2008, 6:31 pm
My favorite is the Five Elephant Mobile!
30 November 2008, 6:57 pm
“A Little Something for the New Mama” gift set is great. Thanks for the contest.
30 November 2008, 8:14 pm
I like the Victorian Golden Heart Ornament the best. Thanks.
30 November 2008, 9:06 pm
The Lion and Lamb Ornament is really neat.
30 November 2008, 9:06 pm
I love the Cracked Glass Ornaments.
gkstratos@yahoo.com
30 November 2008, 9:22 pm
I like the Penguin Ornament. Thanks
30 November 2008, 9:25 pm
Zebra, lion and lamb, and the peacock are cool!
30 November 2008, 9:27 pm
as an elephant collector how could i resist the elphant ornaments.
30 November 2008, 9:34 pm
I’m fascinated by the Working Women’s Wreath…..actually, the whole website is fascinating!!!!
30 November 2008, 9:39 pm
i love the dragonflies
30 November 2008, 10:01 pm
lion and lamb ornament
30 November 2008, 10:31 pm
the Coco Fiber Reindeer is my favorite
30 November 2008, 10:34 pm
Too many great choices! I like the Cracked Glass Ornaments, Dragonfly Ornament, Beaded Star Ornaments and many others.
30 November 2008, 10:58 pm
Coco Fiber Reindeer
30 November 2008, 11:16 pm
I really think that the Mint Mills Crème would be yummy!
01 December 2008, 12:30 am
I think the Peacock ornament is stunning. What beautiful handmade decorations! I love to see Christmas decor that is a little out of the ordinary!
Thanks for the giveaway!
foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com
01 December 2008, 1:45 am
wow how beautiful theitems are…love the cracked glass but the three stars are amazing to me
01 December 2008, 3:01 am
I like the Polar Bear Ornament.
My husband and I went on a missions home building project for women with children who were homeless, a few years back in Mexico. Even in this country so close to our own, the people work 15 hour days in factories for only about 8 dollars a day. If they have a baby the formula costs over a dollar a can to last one day, so the take home pay of these women is even less. Men in Mexico often just abandon their wife and children if they can’t make enough money to support them, something in their culture about shame. This condition makes it actually even harder on the woman who is now suppose to take care of usually several children on this small amount of money.
01 December 2008, 3:56 am
I love the Coco Fiber Reindeer! They are gorgeous!
Thanks
01 December 2008, 4:13 am
I like the organic angel baby tee
01 December 2008, 6:23 am
I love all the animal ornaments especially the polar bear, penguin and peacock (reminds me of the peacock we had when I was a child). I also love the bright-colors-on-black of the animal ornaments with bells. Too cute! :0)
01 December 2008, 6:29 am
THE CAMEL
01 December 2008, 8:54 am
My favorite is the cracked glass ornaments.
01 December 2008, 9:44 am
I adore the Double Bird Mobile Ornament.
01 December 2008, 9:46 am
I stumbled you..username:AuntieThesis
01 December 2008, 12:32 pm
I like Heirloom Quality Silver Star Ornaments set of 2. So beautiful!
01 December 2008, 3:03 pm
I bought all of my Christmas gifts fair trade this year! And it feels so good
I love the Reindeer Ornament Set.
01 December 2008, 3:25 pm
I am taking a class on women in factories this semester. It is so sad what these women have to go through just to earn a little money. I love all the ornaments, but my favorite is sweet Rocking Horse Ornament!
01 December 2008, 3:52 pm
I love the cracked glass and the star ornament set. Such lovely things.
01 December 2008, 4:05 pm
the dragonfly ornamet is gorgeous!
01 December 2008, 4:55 pm
I like the Working Women’s Wreath. I’m delighted that you led me to Taraluna so I have another source for fair trade items.
01 December 2008, 6:23 pm
I like the Coco Fiber Reindeer
brn2lisn(at)gmail(dot)com
01 December 2008, 6:44 pm
I love the Diamond Shaped Ornament Set! Beautiful!
01 December 2008, 6:49 pm
I am a subscriber..
01 December 2008, 6:56 pm
Five Elephant Mobile
01 December 2008, 7:42 pm
Thanks for your thought-provoking comments, we do need to be reminded that, as consumers, we have an obligation to shop responsibly. I love the zebra and girtaffe ornaments.
01 December 2008, 7:45 pm
I really like the penguin ornament, the lion and lamb ornaments, the cracked glass ornaments. These are really neat! I was just thinking this morning that it would be neat to get my girls each an ornament for their stocking every year to put on the tree!
01 December 2008, 8:15 pm
I love the camel ornaments. Thank you!
01 December 2008, 8:59 pm
I like the Cracked Glass Ornaments
01 December 2008, 8:59 pm
The peacock ornament is really cute
01 December 2008, 9:00 pm
Fair trade gifts are the best ideas.
If I had to pick one item I really like, it would be the Heirloom Quality Silver Star Ornaments set of 2
01 December 2008, 9:19 pm
I like the Beaded Star Ornament/Pouch Set
01 December 2008, 10:00 pm
The lion and the lamb really caught my eye. Thanks for a great giveaway
02 December 2008, 12:01 am
This is fantastic! I buy fair trade certified items whenever I can find them, and I think it’s wonderful that you are featuring them here! I think the Cracked Glass Ornaments are really beautiful. Thanks so much for the chance!
Beeb Ashcrofts last blog post..Cyber Monday
02 December 2008, 12:52 am
Peacock Ornament
02 December 2008, 1:26 am
The Cracked Glass ornament is awesome.
02 December 2008, 2:28 am
Deck the Halls with Taraluna…
Taraluna wants to give a special Christmas gift to one Mom Most Traveled reader!
One winner will receive there choice of up to THREE Christmas ornaments totaling up to $30!
One winner will be chosen at random.
This giveaway will close on Sunday, Dec…
02 December 2008, 3:32 am
I like the dragonfly ornament.
02 December 2008, 4:47 am
The furniture is so colorful and unique. I just love them!
02 December 2008, 6:31 am
I like the Large Round Lapis Lazuli earrings, and the whole concept of fair trade jewelry!
02 December 2008, 8:14 am
The chocolate truffle assortment definitely held my attention!
02 December 2008, 3:28 pm
WOWZERS! the cracked glass ornaments are gorgeous!! This would be a HUGE blessing since I’m having to use my Christmas money to pay for my broken down van, My sisters and I ONLY exchange ornaments and I haven’t bought theirs.
Ginas last blog post..Clorox 2 - My New Friend!
02 December 2008, 3:36 pm
A good and interesting read, thank you.
02 December 2008, 5:51 pm
[...] Ornaments of Choice, up to $30 November 29, 2008 · Filed Under Home Decor Where: Mom Most TraveledWhat: Fair Trade Ornaments of Choice, up to $30How To Enter: Leave a comment on the giveaway/contest [...]
02 December 2008, 6:14 pm
The dragonflies are great!
03 December 2008, 4:22 am
I love ” Peacock Ornament ” and from jewelry ” Cascading Turquoise Necklace 10 Stones “
03 December 2008, 1:14 pm
I’d like to have one of the Animal Ornaments with Bell. Cute!
03 December 2008, 7:00 pm
I like the Lion and Lamb Ornament
03 December 2008, 9:22 pm
WOW! These are lovely!
I love the beaded Star Ornaments! How cute would they look on my tree?!
Honey Mommys last blog post..Over the River and Through the Woods
03 December 2008, 10:42 pm
I would love to win the camel pair. Thanks for the giveaway.
04 December 2008, 1:48 am
I love the Victorian Golden heart ornament. Very elegant.
04 December 2008, 1:54 am
Love the Lion and Lamb Ornament.
04 December 2008, 4:59 am
I love the red elephant ornament- it would remind me of a very romantic elephant ride.
04 December 2008, 5:25 am
I love the Cat ornament! I can already hear my little girl saying “kitty!” over and over, everytime she looks at it LOL!
04 December 2008, 5:29 am
I Stumbled this post! I am Kelliebug
04 December 2008, 6:35 am
These are just gorgeous: Heirloom Quality Burgundy/Blue Lattice Heart Ornament Set!
04 December 2008, 6:40 am
I stumbled your giveaway
Username: wastebasketsa
04 December 2008, 6:41 am
I blogged about this giveaway: Here
04 December 2008, 9:36 am
The Silver Star ornaments caught my eye. Thanks for the contest.
04 December 2008, 12:45 pm
I thought the Dragonfly ornament was beautiful.
04 December 2008, 2:14 pm
Love the camel pair!
=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com
04 December 2008, 10:01 pm
I love the little orange and black spotted cat ornament! So cute!
ladyspy79[at]aol[dot]com
05 December 2008, 12:10 am
Bring on those Zardozi butterfly ornaments.
05 December 2008, 12:22 am
I like the burgundy/blue Lattice ornament set.
05 December 2008, 12:51 am
Mint Mills Creme look yummy!
05 December 2008, 6:23 am
I like Coco Fiber Reindeer.
Thank you!
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
05 December 2008, 8:26 am
I love the Capiz Angel–so divine!
05 December 2008, 12:11 pm
The dragonflies!
05 December 2008, 4:42 pm
I really like the rocking horse ornament.
05 December 2008, 5:00 pm
I like the Cracked Glass Ornaments
05 December 2008, 5:26 pm
I think the Lion and Lamb ornament is just perfect!
05 December 2008, 6:07 pm
Hairy the Lemur is the cutest thing ever!
05 December 2008, 6:35 pm
I thought that working wreath was very cute
05 December 2008, 6:59 pm
I like Lion and Lamb Ornament ($6.50), Heirloom Quality Handcrafted Peacock Ornament ($11), and Heirloom Quality Handcrafted Polar Bear Ornament ($11). Thank you.
05 December 2008, 7:29 pm
Oh! I love the Lion and Lamb Ornament! That is so cute! Great giveaway. Thanks!
05 December 2008, 8:41 pm
I love the Penguin Ornament.
06 December 2008, 1:17 am
I like the dragonflies! Thanks!
06 December 2008, 7:13 pm
Victorian Golden Heart Ornament
06 December 2008, 7:14 pm
love the Handwoven Silk Trimmed bag
06 December 2008, 8:24 pm
I like the peacock ornament.
Jennifers last blog post..Saturday’s Featured Giveaway Blog - Keeper of the Cheerios
07 December 2008, 12:11 am
I really like the Holiday Tree Ornaments!
07 December 2008, 1:00 am
I love the Coco Fiber Reindeer
07 December 2008, 1:07 am
I love the Heirloom Quality Amber Brocade Ornament Set of 3. Gorgeous!
07 December 2008, 1:11 am
I like the Working Womans’ Wreath
07 December 2008, 1:20 am
WOW! Their ornaments are beautiful. I love the Peacock and Dragonfly ornaments.
07 December 2008, 1:51 am
I love everything in that store. Thanks for sharing it with us! I picked the Beaded Star Ornament/Pouch Set to put here but I swear I love it all!
07 December 2008, 1:51 am
I stumbled (bluevioletof2)
07 December 2008, 1:52 am
I dugg (bluevioletof2)
07 December 2008, 1:52 am
I blogged here
Elizabeth M.s last blog post..Hand Art
07 December 2008, 2:00 am
I like the Zebra, the Peacock, the stars and the working woman wreath.
07 December 2008, 4:18 am
I really love the Silver Star Ornaments set of 2. Thanks!
Ilissa H.s last blog post..Words to Live By Giveaway!
07 December 2008, 4:33 am
Beautiful ornaments!! I think the Butterfly Ornament Set is so cute!
07 December 2008, 5:47 am
Coco Fiber Reindeer caught my eye. Thanks for the chance to win.
07 December 2008, 10:58 am
Cocoa Fiber Reindeer
07 December 2008, 12:28 pm
Beautiful ornaments! My favorite would probably have to be the Capiz Angel.
07 December 2008, 3:41 pm
The Handwoven Silk Trimmed Bag is fabulous.