If Artisans’ World Marketplace were a talisman it’d represent inspiration, ingenuity, community, fairness, dignity, dream allower, beauty, non boundaries, creativity, fair trade and more. The stories as you’ve read are the harvest of many individuals’ inspired ideas. Artisans’ World Marketplace’s response? Where else can we give? So, I designed a Country Club Card that its customers receive when they make a purchase. Branding and quick recognition even on a small 3.5 x 2 inch card. The image of the flattened globe visually represents all the places Artisans’ World Marketplace makes its purchases. Logo, same fonts, etc. And the message? Travel anywhere you like, because the more you purchase from around the world, the more you save. Follow yourself around the globe on this handy Country Club Card; find something you want; the clerk writes in the country that your product came from, and once you have five countries you redeem your card for a whopping 20% off the most expensive item. The customers love the idea and appreciate the savings.
The back story on your first purchase and the corresponding country, Peru. Artisans’ World Marketplace represents a product line developed by Brenda Hart of Wanderlust Jewelry Imports. Brenda loves Peru and her trips in the eighties led to a business idea-importing pottery. Which led to developing her art career. Given Brenda’s talents as a painter and designer, it was a natural fit for her to work with the artisans in Peru; she created many of the designs and took care of ordering beads, etc. As this blossomed, she increased her trips to Peru and usually arrived with much-needed items (children’s clothes, etc). This all led to The Undie Fund, which allows her to continue her efforts in aiding the people in Peru—the fund raised enough money to provide shoes, socks and undies to children in the entire farming village of Perka.
In Artisans’ World Marketplace ad campaign, The Many Faces of Fair Trade, we highlighted these hand-painted Peruvian earrings and the artisan, Dante. Beautiful work. Excellent return. As for travel, I usually like to get right in the thick of it and experience the area first hand, but in this instance, arm-chair travel is equally rewarding.
