Unique Batik: BlogBloghttps://www.uniquebatik.us/Thu, 28 Mar 2024 14:24:45 GMTurn:store:1:blog:post:55https://www.uniquebatik.us/three-questions-for-shoppersThe Do-Re-Me Standard for Shoppers<p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">We in the developed world live in a privileged economy. Most of us have excess resources for and access to surplus choices in the “managing of our households”. (<em>Economy</em> is borrowed from the Greek word <em>oikonomia</em> which means just that: <em>management of household</em>). These luxuries make us ideal targets for advertisements. We are bombarded with them everywhere we look and listen.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The questions I propose will be a pain to execute. Careful regulation of our commerce will cost us in time and energy, yet the wide range of gains will be profoundly motivational.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Are you ready to tip the scale?</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Buy (I made it as easy to remember as do-re-me.)</strong></span></p> <p><strong>1 DO... DO I have one?</strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Is there already one of these in my household? Is it still acceptably useful, fulfilling its function?&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The staggering statistic of annual textile waste in the USA, 100 pounds per person, is Exhibit A of the frequency and ease with which we shop for clothes. When I lived in Guatemala, “paca” shops stuffed with the overflow from thrift stores in the States were viable businesses. What resulted in a welcome resource for the locals also displayed the shocking reality of dissipation up north.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">We easily get tired of our old stuff, and the “lure of the latest” is real and strong. Instead of discarding, consider creative up-cycling or re-purposing for a fresh look. Recognize and value what you have, add to it, reconstruct it, or re-imagine a way to increase its life. A de-cluttered closet will only enhance your sense of well-being. Guaranteed.</span></p> <p><a title="upcycled bag" href="https://uniquebatik.com/cortehuipil-traveler-tote"><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><img src="/images/uploaded/0031748_cortehuipil-traveler-tote.jpeg" alt="corte tote" width="227" height="227" /></span></a></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><a title="corte/huipil traveler tote" href="https://uniquebatik.com/cortehuipil-traveler-tote" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This bag</a> was once a blouse.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><a title="eco closet" href="https://myecocloset.com/how-often-should-i-buy-new-clothes/#:~:text=e%20average%20American%20shopper%20will,of%20those%20are%20barely%20worn." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">My Eco Closet</span></a> shared some useful suggestions on the theme of sustainable shopping.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><strong>2 RE... Did I REsearch the seller?</strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Ethical vs Fast Fashion</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Since the year 2000, twice the amount of clothes are manufactured worldwide. An average person today buys 60% more clothes than fifteen years ago. Because clothing is replaced faster, the production rates increase to keep up with demand. This affects the accelerating negative impact on our environment. 92 million tons of textile waste per year! Read up on Fast Fashion statistics <a title="Fast Fashion statistics" href="https://gitnux.org/fast-fashion-statistics/#:~:text=Consumption%20of%20apparel%20has%20reached,increase%20in%20waste%20as%20well." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></a>.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The resulting low quality of Fast Fashion creates the need for replenishment, increasing demand, so the evil cycle continues. I spoke to an 84-year-old lady this week, who said she still wears clothes she made twenty years ago. I wonder if any of us still fit in our 90s outfits!</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Consider too the cost to human lives in the fast fashion industry. Atrocious conditions in factories and low wages of workers are well-documented. Find a list of 12 films about fast fashion that may quickly cure your shopping compulsions <a title="Films" href="https://remake.world/stories/news/12-films-about-fast-fashion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here.</span></a> &nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true"><img src="/images/uploaded/imagesthicla shop 1.png" alt="ethical fashion" width="232" height="217" /></span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The definition of ethics clashes with the popular philosophy of relativity in the third millennium: <strong>Ethics is the discipline dealing with what is good and bad, and with moral duty and obligation.</strong> The Cambridge Dictionary defines the meaning as “relating to beliefs about what is morally right and wrong.” If we propose an ethical attitude to shopping, we must “conform to accepted standards of conduct, involving or expressing moral approval or disapproval” (Merriam-Webster).&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">As much as we can know the facts about a company, let us make informed decisions about where we drop our dollars. Burying our heads in the sand, as ostriches do, won’t make the evil go away. Do the work: research and stop supporting the exploitation of vulnerable people and our beautiful earth.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">As a seasoned fair trade partner, <strong>Unique Batik</strong> has earned its place on the ethical shopping platform. Up-cycled garments form a large chunk of the items we offer. The stories of its decades-long personal relationships with the artisans are told in <a title="blogs" href="https://uniquebatik.com/blog"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">previous blog posts</span></a>. These individuals are not faceless numbers to us.</span></p> <p><strong>3 ME...Does this MEet my budget?</strong></p> <p><strong><img src="/images/uploaded/budget.png" alt="budget" width="277" height="182" /></strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Is this purchase within my budget limits? Advertisers specialize in appealing to our innate greed by offering credit – buy now &amp; pay later campaigns. The sale and discount aisles lie littered with the fallen! “My heart never beats as fast as it does when I see a 'reduced by 50 percent' sign,” admits Rebecca Bloomwood in Sophie Kinsella’s <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Confessions of a Shopaholic.</span> (How I do relate!)</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">The strong link between debt and poor mental health is widely known. The distressed mind chooses the temporary excitement of a new purchase, overspends, and so starts another cycle that is harder to escape from.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Stop and assess the benefits compared to the costs. Be wise.</span></p> <p><strong>The Sugar Boycott</strong></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Late in the 18th Century British and American Quakers launched a public campaign against purchasing products made by slaves. Brutal working conditions and inhumane treatment on Caribbean sugar plantations caused a high rate of mortality in slave populations. About 300,000 protesters participated in the two-year-long sugar boycott. The campaign, along with the tireless efforts of people like William Wilberforce, resulted in an effective end to British involvement in the slave trade.</span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">Change will happen much slower and harder than singing Do-Re-Me. But as a friend of mine constantly reminded us, <strong>“If you change nothing, nothing will change."</strong></span></p> <p><span data-preserver-spaces="true">What one thing can you change that will turn the tide?&nbsp;</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:54https://www.uniquebatik.us/why-choose-cottonLiving in High Cotton<p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Living in High Cotton</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">That is us, living in the 21st century. “Pretty cushy lives” compared to the limited choices our primitive forbears suffered, specifically when you consider clothing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The various raw materials woven into the fabrics we use every day are a fascinating discovery for those who care to check labels. Natural or synthetic, and blends of these. Fibers from organic cotton or recycled soda bottles. Claims of astonishing versatility and benefits to your skin, to reassuring protection of endangered species.</span><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><img src="/images/uploaded/cotton.jpeg" alt="cotton field" width="286" height="176" /><br /><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For our conversation today, we are looking at cotton, the most widely used natural fiber cloth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The Plant and Process</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Gossypium</em>, a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, <em>Malvaceae</em>, is native to tropical and subtropical climates. The plant develops short-lived white blossoms about three months after planting. In their place appear green triangular pods, which are called bolls. During the next two months, seeds and seed hair (or cotton fiber) develop inside the bolls. Once mature, the bolls burst into white fluffs, each containing about ten seeds embedded in the mass of seed fibers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The opened bolls are harvested by hand or machine. In most underdeveloped nations, cotton is still hand-picked – a labor-intensive, tiresome, and costly process. It takes about eight hours to pick a pound of cotton! However, this method generally produces cleaner cotton due to the selective capability of humans.</span><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><img src="/images/uploaded/cotton gin.jpeg" alt="cotton gin" width="254" height="198" /><br /><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In ancient times, the seeds were also tediously removed by hand. The invention of the cotton gin (short for engine) in 1793 by the American Eli Whitney lowered cost and allowed the removal of the seeds fifty times faster than the manual process. Modern gins operate on the same principle as the rudimentary contraption Eli developed: the harvested cotton passes over a cylinder covered in sharp teeth that grabs the fiber and pulls them into narrow openings, separating the seeds from the fiber strands.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The seedless fibers are cleaned from debris, packed into bales, and shipped off to be spun into yarn and eventually woven into cotton cloth. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="cotton gin" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur-IssVtWnI&amp;ab_channel=CottonLessons" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Watch a demonstration of the original cotton gin here.</a></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Cotton is a zero-waste product. Linters (shorter strands stuck on the removed seeds) provide cellulose for manufacturing plastics, explosives, paper products, and padding for mattresses. The crushed seeds become cooking oil, livestock feed, fertilizer, and high-protein concentrate in some food products. The stalks and leaves of the plant get plowed into the soil.</span><br /><br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><strong><img src="/images/uploaded/cotton vs wool.jpeg" alt="cotton or wool" width="307" height="164" /></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The His</strong><strong>tory</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ancient civilizations in the Americas, Africa, and Asia cultivated cotton and made cloth from the strands. The fabric made its way to the Middle East and was eventually traded by Arab merchants around 800AD in Italy and Spain. In Britain, wool was king of the fabrics. Compared to cotton, wool was easier and cheaper to produce. Wealthy English were so drawn to the exotic new cloth from the tropics that the wool industry suffered economic losses. So much so that in the late 17th century, the wool barons pressured the British Parliament into signing several laws against cotton imported from India. But, the tide could not be stemmed for long. Trendy cotton quickly became how the growing middle class could display their wealth and status.<br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The word cotton originates from the Arabic <em>qutun</em>, describing any fine textile. (I love the German word for cotton: <em>baumwolle</em> = tree wool.) Calico, our word for plain-woven textile from unbleached cotton, got its name from Calicut, the city in India where the fabric was traditionally woven, dyed, and printed in bright colors.<br /><br /><strong>The Quality</strong><br /><br />Cotton quality depends on how long the fiber strands are after ginning. The longer the thread, the finer the cotton.<br /><br />The many beneficial properties of cotton products led to its mass adoption globally. Cotton cloth is durable and tear-resistant due to the plant's strong cell structure. It is soft on the skin, comfortable, and static-free. Its absorbent nature makes it a breathable fabric and an unwelcome environment for lingering bacteria.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Corbel, sans-serif;"><img src="/images/uploaded/i-cotton-logo.jpg" alt="cotton seal" width="329" height="185" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The well-known cotton seal was designed 50 years ago. It is still a powerful influence on designers and an effective sales builder. When age-old cotton is compared to modern synthetic fibers so popular these days, it seems the verdict is still out on which fiber is superior in texture and sustainability. What do you say? Is Cotton King? For me, it is an easy yes when choosing clothes and linens.&nbsp; I'm very happy I live in an age where I have buying options and free access to information about the process and production of what ends up in my shopping cart.&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This month Unique Batik is highlighting a wide variety of cotton garments from Thailand. Explore our wide range of comfortable flowy tops, bottoms, and dresses. And choose cotton!</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Further reading:</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.eiu.edu/historia/Harzinski.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.eiu.edu/historia/Harzinski.pdf</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/importance.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.cotton.org/pubs/cottoncounts/story/importance.cfm</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: tahoma, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://sanvt.com/blogs/journal/the-history-of-cotton-fabric&nbsp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://sanvt.com/blogs/journal/the-history-of-cotton-fabric&nbsp;</a></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:53https://www.uniquebatik.us/what-is-indigo-dyeWhat's Your Favorite Color?<p>Most people love BLUE. Claimed to have soothing effects on humans, the color blue often evokes feelings of peace and tranquility. Blue is also the most common clothing color. Think the ubiquitous blue jean.</p> <p><strong>Blue Jeans</strong><br /><br />Genoa, Italy, was known for producing a hard-wearing cotton cloth, which became known as<em> jeane</em>, named for the city. Attempting to replicate this fabric, weavers in Nimes, France, developed a unique and sturdy fabric using a twill weave. They dyed the warp thread blue with indigo and left the waft thread white and called it <em>Serge de Nimes</em>, which became <em>de Nimes</em> and then <strong>denim</strong>. Read about it <a title="Jeans" href="https://www.hawthornintl.com/history-of-denim#:~:text=Jeans%20were%20originally%20created%20as,worn%20by%20miners%20and%20labourers."><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></a>:&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/indigo1.jpg" alt="indigo 1" width="294" height="392" /></p> <p><strong>King of dyes</strong><br /><br />Indigo blue is one of the seven primary colors in the color wheel and the rainbow. Natural indigo dye is an extract from the leaves of <em>Indigofera</em>, a tropical genus. Because the dye acts by attaching and wrapping its molecules to and around each string of fabric, it protects the fabric in a way that makes it last longer. And so they call indigo the King of Dyes.<br /><br />The name means “from India” since India was the primary supplier to Europe between 30 BC and 400 AD. But the origin of this fascinating natural dye goes back even further in time and to the other side of the world. Archaeologists discovered an indigo-dyed cloth in Peru and dated it at 6,000 years.&nbsp;<br /><br />Widely used among all the major ancient civilizations in the Americas, the Spanish started exporting <em>Maya Blue</em> in the sixteenth century from the region that is now Guatemala. France and England eventually joined the lucrative trade, and two centuries later, indigo was successfully cultivated in Mexico, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.</p> <p><br /><strong>Blue Gold</strong><br /><br />Eliza Lucas Pinckney, born in the Caribbean, was sent to the family’s Charleston plantations as a teenager, along with her mother and sisters. Passionate about and naturally skilled in botany, she started experimenting with indigo cultivation and processing. Persisting for years, despite setbacks and ridicule from her peers, she finally succeeded in growing enough to begin dye production in 1774.</p> <p>Indigo became a major export crop of the Atlantic economy, its profits fast outnumbering sugar and cotton. The colonists even used indigo dye bars as currency during the Revolutionary War!</p> <p><a title="Indigo Girl" href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/34412073"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Indigo Girl</span></a>, by Natasha Boyd, is a delightful re-telling of this remarkable person, the first woman inducted into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame.<br /><br /><strong>Green leaves to blue dye</strong><br /><br />Turning leaf into coloring agent is complicated, involving many chemical reactions. The green basil-like leaves are immediately submerged in water after being harvested, to initiate fermentation. They are left to soak for at least a day, after which the leaves are removed and used as a rich nitrogen fertilizer. The liquid in the tank is still lemon green with a purple-blue floating froth. Vigorous whisking for an hour oxidizes the water. Only during this phase does the green water turn reddish blue. Skilled artisans often taste the brew, ascertaining its potency and readiness. The final product, dye cakes or powder, is achieved after several additional processes. Indigo in this format is what a fabric dyer uses, adding only water and a reducing agent such as natural fructose or chemicals.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/indigo 2.jpg" alt="indigo 2" width="330" height="247" /></p> <p><br />We source indigo-dyed products from Thailand, where traditional indigo dyeing has been going on for generations. The <em>Indigofera</em> plant is called <em>hom</em> in Thai. The women artisans of northern Thailand demonstrate an unusual emotional relationship with their dye vats. They believe their brews are alive, of “having souls” needing loving care beyond maintaining the chemical balance. They often sing to their vats as they “feed” them, and the vats are kept alive by vigilant care and supervision.<br /><br /><strong>The Thai dye never dies.</strong></p> <p>Links to more:</p> <p>The rich indigo tradition in India: <a title="India" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/12/13/indigo-and-the-story-of-indias-blue-gold"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">India's Blue Gold</span></a></p> <p>For more about Thailand's indigo Guardians: <a title="Thailand indigo guardians" href="https://theculturetrip.com/asia/thailand/articles/thailands-indigo-grandmas-are-feeding-hungry-living-dye"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Culture Trip</span></a></p> <p>Curious to try your hand at dying with indigo: <a title="indigo dye diy" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_N-bQ4g9l7/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Banana Vat</span> Dye</a></p> <p>Shop at Unique Batik for featured indigo wear this month:&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/0021689_mystic-indigo-bag_600.jpeg" alt="indigo bag" width="218" height="279" /></p> <p><a title="Indigo bag" href="https://uniquebatik.com/mystic-indigo-bag"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mystic Indigo Bag</span></a></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/0029729_cotton-cap-sleeve-blouse-indigo_600.jpeg" alt="indigo shirt" width="248" height="248" /></p> <p><a title="indigo shirt" href="https://uniquebatik.com/cotton-cap-sleeve-blouse-indigo"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Indigo cap sleeve shirt</span></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:52https://www.uniquebatik.us/manage-holiday-stressArrive and Thrive<p style="text-align: left;"><span id="p0"><span id="55">I</span>&nbsp;always get&nbsp;<span id="64">excited</span>&nbsp;when&nbsp;<span id="56">I</span>&nbsp;<span id="417-418-65">see</span>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<span id="299-300"><strong>Arrivals</strong> sign</span>&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<span id="301-302">airport</span>:</span><span id="p1">&nbsp;the&nbsp;<span id="303-304">sense</span> of joyful anticipation in <span id="419-420">watching</span>&nbsp;for specific faces in the&nbsp;<span id="305-306">crowds</span>&nbsp;<span id="421-422">emerging</span>, the&nbsp;<span id="307-308">delight</span>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<span id="309-310">reunions</span>.</span><span id="p2">&nbsp;<span id="59">Up</span>&nbsp;<span id="70">in the&nbsp;</span><span id="337-338-70">air,</span>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<span id="339-340">passengers</span>&nbsp;have&nbsp;<span id="429-430">started</span>&nbsp;<span id="62">to&nbsp;</span><span id="431-432-62">gather</span>&nbsp;their&nbsp;<span id="341-342">things</span>, freshen <span id="60">up</span>, and fasten their seat belts in <span id="343-344">preparation</span>&nbsp;for landing.</span><span id="p3"></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><em><span id="p3"><span id="373">Arrival</span>.</span><span id="p4">&nbsp;<span id="386-387">Destination</span>&nbsp;<span id="453-454">reached</span>.</span></em></p> <p>Here at Unique Batik, the arrival of new merchandise from Guatemala and elsewhere always causes great excitement as well! The journey of our garments, bags, and jewelry, from the artisans to Raleigh, is a road strewn with obstacles. Anything from roadblocks or road washouts to volcanoes erupting or bureaucratic hurdles can be expected.</p> <h3><span id="p5">At this&nbsp;<span id="394-395">point</span> of our calendar <span id="54" class="s-bl">year, we</span>&nbsp;are&nbsp;<span id="462-463">entering</span>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<span id="396-397">season</span>&nbsp;of Advent.</span><span id="p6">&nbsp;</span></h3> <div><img src="/images/uploaded/advent candle.jpeg" alt="advent candle" width="299" height="168" /></div> <p><span id="p6">The&nbsp;<span id="398-399">word</span> "advent" <span id="464-465">means</span> <em><span id="63">to&nbsp;</span><span id="466-467-63">arrive</span></em>&nbsp;and is&nbsp;<span id="81">generally</span>&nbsp;<span id="82">used</span>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<span id="468-469-84">signify</span>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<strong><span id="400">arrival</span></strong>&nbsp;of an&nbsp;<span id="401-402">event</span>.</span><span id="p7">&nbsp;In Christian circles around the&nbsp;<span id="403-404">world</span>, Advent&nbsp;<span id="470-471">refers</span>&nbsp;to a four-week season&nbsp;<span id="472-473">celebrating</span>&nbsp;the&nbsp;<span id="405">arrival</span>&nbsp;of Jesus Christ on&nbsp;<span id="406-407">earth</span>&nbsp;many&nbsp;<span id="408">centuries</span>&nbsp;ago.</span></p> <p><span id="p8"><span id="409">Advent</span>&nbsp;is&nbsp;<span id="83">also</span>&nbsp;a&nbsp;<span id="410-411">season</span>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<span id="474-475">focus</span>&nbsp;on four&nbsp;<span id="412-413">topics</span>, one per&nbsp;<span id="414-415">week</span>&nbsp;leading up to&nbsp;<span id="416">Christmas</span>:</span><span id="p9">&nbsp;<strong>Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy.</strong></span><span id="p10">&nbsp;Four&nbsp;<span id="57-311-312">Advent</span><span id="311-312">&nbsp;candles</span>&nbsp;are&nbsp;<span id="423-424-66">lit</span>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<span id="58-313-314">Advent</span><span id="313-314">&nbsp;wreaths</span>&nbsp;as the countdown raises enthusiasm and&nbsp;<span id="315-316">longing</span>.</span></p> <p><span id="p11">Our unique holiday traditions are handed down from one <span id="317-318">generation</span>&nbsp;to another.</span><span id="p12">&nbsp;The specific customs around&nbsp;<span id="319-320">festivals</span>&nbsp;are simultaneously&nbsp;the distinguishing and unifying elements in&nbsp;<span id="321-322">families</span>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<span id="323-324">cultures</span>.</span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/christmas decorations.jpeg" alt="christmas tree deco" width="275" height="183" /></p> <p><span id="p13">One such&nbsp;<span id="325-326">practice</span>&nbsp;in America is&nbsp;<span id="425-68">decorating</span>&nbsp;an evergreen tree the&nbsp;<span id="327-328">week</span>&nbsp;after Thanksgiving.</span><span id="p14">&nbsp;The&nbsp;<span id="329-330">boxes</span>&nbsp;of tinsel and&nbsp;<span id="331-332">lights</span>&nbsp;come down from the attic, and many memories are revisited as each&nbsp;<span id="333-334">item</span>&nbsp;is&nbsp;<span id="426">unwrapped</span>.</span><span id="p15">&nbsp;The&nbsp;<span id="69">rich</span>&nbsp;<span style="color: #3598db;"><a style="color: #3598db;" title="History of Christmas tree decorations" href="https://starofnature.org/christmas-tree-decorations-history-and-symbolism/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">history</a></span> of this&nbsp;<span id="335-336">tradition</span>&nbsp;<span id="427-428">is</span>&nbsp;a fascinating read.</span><span id="p16">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>Take a look at these magnificent decorations from Unique Batik:</p> <p><a title="peace" href="https://uniquebatik.com/peace-love-joy-ornament"><img src="/images/uploaded/0031691_peace-love-joy-ornament_600.jpeg" alt="peace" width="265" height="265" /></a><a title="red star" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-star-ornament"><img src="/images/uploaded/0029495_beaded-star-ornament_300.jpeg" alt="star" width="300" height="300" /></a></p> <p><a title="star" href="https://uniquebatik.com/superstar-cotton-ornament"><img src="/images/uploaded/0031419_superstar-cotton-ornament_300.jpeg" alt="super star" width="300" height="300" /></a><a title="angel" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-holiday-ornament"><img src="/images/uploaded/0031646_beaded-holiday-ornament_300.jpeg" alt="angel" width="300" height="300" /></a></p> <h3>“Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, tradition, and myth frame our response.” (Arthur M. Schlesinger)</h3> <p>Indeed. Our emotions fray as we speed to the conclusion of 2023. And I am aware of the dread these holidays can conjure. However, helpful traditions can frame healthier responses. Think about your family's holiday customs for a minute. Do they draw your attention to deeper realities than the commercial overload this season often induces? (Feel free to share any in the comments below.)</p> <h3>Dread is the opposite of expectancy.</h3> <p>Jeff Hutchings shares a fresh insight by connecting the upcoming holidays: “Thanksgiving is like an appetizer for Advent... <strong>Thankfulness is the perfect soil for expectancy.</strong>” Read the article<span style="color: #3598db;"> </span><span style="color: #000000;"><a style="color: #000000;" title="Thanksgiving and Advent" href="https://gospelcenteredfamily.com/blog/reflections-on-advent-and-thanksgiving" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #3598db;">here.</span></a></span></p> <p>Here is how you connect the dots: Reflect on the past ten months. Remember. Count the gifts. Give thanks. Share gifts. Fill up on hope.</p> <p>A way to let off the pressure as we descend onto the tarmac.</p> <p><a title="angel" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-angel-ornament"><img src="/images/uploaded/0027658_beaded-angel-ornament_300.jpeg" alt="angel" width="300" height="300" /></a></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:51https://www.uniquebatik.us/weaving-tools-historyWhat Does Weaving Have to Do with Algorithms?<p>We weave in and out of traffic. Stories are experiences woven together. Long hair, baskets, and dough are braided. Knitting and crocheting are basically weaving with yarns.</p> <p>But when we speak about <strong>weaving</strong> here, it's in the context of textiles, the interlacing of fibrous threads to create fabric. Every piece of clothing on your body is woven fabric. The sheets you sleep on, bath towels and dishtowels, rugs, curtains, table linens. Living as we do in the modern age, most of us are oblivious to the intricate processes involved in manufacturing the items we daily use and enjoy.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Fabric is one such article commonly utilized and taken for granted.</h3> <p>Imagine yourself in 6000 BC, in need of a blanket or shirt. After planting and harvesting, you spin natural fibers like cotton or flax into threads. Or you twist sheared sheep wool or manipulate silkworms to obtain yarn. If you are feeling creative, you dye some of the threads with plant or insect extracts in order to incorporate a design in the weaving. For the next few days or weeks, you patiently insert the transverse weft yarn over and under the tightly stretched lengthwise warp yarn. Back and forth. Painstakingly slow. Mesmerizingly meditative.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/ECOIST_EcoSoup_Weaving_History_Egyptian2.jpg" alt="egyptian weaving" width="349" height="227" /></p> <p>Due to the use of fragile organic materials, we have no samples of these early woven pieces, as we do of ancient pottery shards. Tombs in Egypt unveiled fragments of woven textile, preserved in the dry climate of the sandy desert, as well as a 5000-year-old terracotta plate depicting women weaving on a vertical loom.</p> <p>The basic need for cover meant that a loom featured prominently in households everywhere, and the skill was passed on to each new generation. As an art form woven pieces also communicated cultural values, traditions, and personal emblems. The care, skill, and time it took to create a weaving enhanced its value, affording extra income or means of trade. Weaving remained the unique product of time-consuming manual operation for centuries.</p> <p>Similar to what happened with most “cottage industries” during the Industrial Revolution, the demand for mass production required the mechanization of looms. Thus, in 1786, the first power loom was introduced. This machine enabled a faster weaving process and larger output but came with certain limitations. One important feature, the weaving of complicated designs and textured fabric, remained a manual operation.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Until</h3> <p>Several decades later, French entrepreneur JM Jacquard, built an attachment to the loom that used interchangeable perforated cards to guide the warp threads automatically. A desired pattern could be woven by simply changing the cards, effectively automatizing even complex weaving.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Wooden_Jacquard_loom_MOSI-11_5544.webp" alt="jacquard loom" width="274" height="366" /></p> <p>An English inventor, Charles Babbage, adopted the idea of punch cards in 1837 to store programs in his “Analytical Engine”, a proposed general-purpose computer. Mathematician Ada Lovelace recognized the symbol-manipulating potential of Babbage’s computational machine. "We may say most aptly that the Analytical Engine weaves algebraic patterns just as the Jacquard-loom weaves flowers and leaves," she noted.&nbsp;Before the same century ended, an American inventor designed a tabulating machine to input data for the 1890 US Census. Punch cards were used in digital computing for close to another 100 years until electronic devices replaced them.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Mayan weaving</h3> <p>While punch cards and antique looms populate museum exhibits in fast-paced modern societies, manual weaving is still widely practiced as it has been for millennia in many cultures. In these places, everyday garments and house linens are still exclusively made with fabric woven on traditional looms.</p> <p>The rhythmic sound of the wooden treadle<br />The muted thud of reed against breast beam<br />The soft claps of hands shaping tortillas<br />The daily symphony in a Mayan household.</p> <p>As part of their traditional outfit, the Mayan women of Guatemala wear a skirt known as a “corte”. It is similar to a wrap-around skirt, except three times as much fabric is involved. It is generally the work of men to weave the 7-meter-long piece on bulky treadle looms. In dressing, the women wrap the fabric around, around, and around the lower half of the body and secure it with a decorative girdle. The final ensemble resembles a long, straight pencil skirt, which you can imagine being very restrictive. Till you encounter the same women in traditional dress on a steep mountain trail: sure-footed, graceful, and confident like a mountain goat!</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/kaqchikel-mayan-women-walking-single-file-in-countryside-patzun-chimaltenango-guatemala-408x544.jpg" alt="mayan women on trail" width="263" height="351" /></p> <p>The quality of these woven skirts is undeniable. Even used and discarded pieces are highly valued and repurposed. If you think of the hours that went into handwoven textiles, prolonging their lifespan in every possible format is a way to honor the ancient craft of weaving.</p> <p>Here are some of our unique re-creations of Mayan "corte":</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/0030033_sustainable-corte-overalls_600.jpeg" alt="overalls" width="202" height="408" /></p> <p>Sustainable Corte overalls <a href="https://uniquebatik.com/sustainable-corte-overalls">&nbsp;Buy here</a></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/0015618_explorer-corte-bag_520.jpeg" alt="explorer bag" width="266" height="266" /></p> <p>Explorer bag from repurposed corte&nbsp; <a href="https://uniquebatik.com/explorer-corte-bag">Buy here</a></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/0031588_corte-tourista-sling-bag_600.jpeg" alt="tourist bag" width="292" height="292" /></p> <p>Corte turned Tourist Bag!&nbsp; <a href="https://uniquebatik.com/corte-tourista-sling-bag">Buy here</a></p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Keep up with what “looms ahead” in the textile world.</h3> <p>More on the history of weaving: <a title="History" href="https://www.artemorbida.com/brief-history-of-weaving/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.artemorbida.com/brief-history-of-weaving/?lang=en</a></p> <p>To see the fascinating connection between weaving and algorithms: <a title="Weaving algorithms" href="https://bricklayer.org/weaving/"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;">https://bricklayer.org/weaving/</span></span></a></p> <p>The artist Ahree Lee, in an exhibit called <strong>Pattern:Code</strong>, connects the history of women in crafts to their role in computing. Worth a look here: <a title="Ahree Lee" href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90425067/weaving-coding-and-the-secret-history-of-womens-work">https://www.fastcompany.com/90425067/weaving-coding-and-the-secret-history-of-womens-work</a></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:48https://www.uniquebatik.us/student-book-bags-2Who's Going Back to School?<p>Can you remember your first day in kindergarten? Your first class in college?</p> <p>I was six years old on my first day in a formal school setting.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/sub a small.jpg" alt="sub a" width="273" height="406" /></p> <p>Those days first grade was called Sub A in South Africa. Three front teeth missing, two braids, a brand-new uniform a few sizes too big, an empty bookcase (the boxy kind), and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich wrapped in wax paper. Me being the firstborn, this was a well-photographed threshold in my development, and everyone in the family was equally excited. Our house was across the street from the primary school. My mom walked with me to the classroom on the hill, where many of the little faces were tear-stained as the new students clung to their mothers' legs in trepidation of the looming separation.</p> <p>Not me.</p> <p>“You can leave now, Mommy. I’m not a crybaby.” (My mom was quite offended by my declaration of independence that day.)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>SKILLS</h3> <p>Twelve years later, an immature 18-year-old emerged, again without tears because I was happy to be “free”. &nbsp;For a long time, I was ignorant of the benefits I gained by my enrollment year after year. Only after I met young people from different backgrounds for whom formal education was an impossible dream did I realize the extraordinary bonus of having parents and teachers investing in me. The necessary skills for learning that attending school equipped me with, like reading, concentration, and endurance, continue to bear fruit today.&nbsp;</p> <p>However imperfectly a traditional school system performs, the mere access to a world of knowledge and opportunities for growth that they provide justifies its vital existence in our communities. We often remember and talk about the positive influence of dedicated teachers in our formative years.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>So, who is going BACK to school these days?</h2> <p>Most to be admired and cheered are the individuals who return to college as adults in their second half of life. A friend of mine went to nursing school as a single mom in her late 30s, graduated, and celebrated with a backpacking trip in Europe!&nbsp;</p> <p>Distance learning became necessary during the lockdowns of the last few years and continues gaining momentum. The number of learners enrolling in MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) increased from 300,000 to 220 million in the decade between 2011 and 2021. Even so, most students will get on the bus or a bicycle, walk, drive, or be driven to a schoolhouse this month.</p> <p>We have heard, &nbsp;“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” &nbsp;Yet we know that <strong>filling bags</strong> with textbooks and computers is the reality all students deal with daily. At Unique Batik we offer a range of bags for this very purpose. Buying your bags <a title="bags" href="https://uniquebatik.com/bags"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></a> will <strong>enable a Guatemalan student to plan on going back to school too!</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>DROP OUT</h3> <p>Approximately 5% of high school students in the US do not graduate, and the drop-out rate for college students is around 40%. &nbsp;In striking contrast, the financial limitations and a general lack of motivation in Guatemala mean that 41% of teenagers (aged 13-18) do not attend school. Only 10% of youth enroll in college education. &nbsp;Fortunately, several non-profits in Guatemala are focusing on changing this trend. &nbsp;I have interacted with some of these organizations and have seen firsthand the impact of mentorship and practical friendship. <strong>Forging My Tomorrow </strong>is the brainchild of a dynamic Mayan couple in Panajachel. This leadership and mentoring program has been the instrument of breaking cycles of poverty and ignorance for many families in rural Guatemala. Read about their work <a title="Forjando mi manana" href="https://www.formaguatemala.org/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></a>.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/window2.jpeg" alt="window" width="273" height="168" /></p> <p>“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” (Sydney, J Harris, American journalist for the Chicago Daily News)</p> <p>And that is what any worthwhile education will do: develop the skills to see. To peer through to the expansive beyond, instead of fixating on the smallness of self.</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:47https://www.uniquebatik.us/big-bag-drawingTo Tote, To Lug, Or To Shoulder. That Is the Question.<p>These days you can explore virtually any place on Earth or under the oceans without getting up from your couch. Travel vlogs and blogs abound. Google Earth can zoom you to even the remotest locations for a 3D view, a street view, or a bird’s eye view. &nbsp;Very little is left for the imagination. &nbsp;Minimal risk and expense. Zero suffering.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;">ADVENTURE</h2> <p>Yet, as many who wander agree, virtual experiences pale against the thrill of live encounters in foreign contexts. To have your own adventure, to overcome the fear of the unknown, to live to tell the story – this is why we get up and go. &nbsp;For us, new friendships and firsthand knowledge far outweigh any awkward discomforts or hair-raising challenges. <em>Adventure, fortune, chance, risk, and wonder</em> - these words all share the same root. The same sense of <strong>momentum</strong> lurks in the word <em>Advent </em>as well. &nbsp;Advent on the Christian calendar celebrates the <strong>arrival </strong>of Christ.</p> <p>An anonymous 16th-century Danish educator wrote, "Go, my sons. Burn your books. Get away to the mountains, the valleys, the shores of the seas, the deserts, and the deepest recesses of the earth. &nbsp;In this way and no other, will you find true knowledge of things and their properties."</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;">LUGGAGE CLAIM</h2> <p>When you do head out for the open road, you very well need to consider luggage to transport your essentials. (Evidently, the word originates from a Middle English word which meant to pull by the hair or ear!)</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/mary-poppins.jpg" alt="mary poppins" width="217" height="342" /></p> <p>Long before suitcases on wheels enabled us to conveniently drag or pull our stuff around airports, carpet bags were the common carryalls of travelers. Does anyone remember Mary Poppins’ ever-present wondrous bag?&nbsp; “The carpet bag was invented as a type of inexpensive personal baggage, light enough for a passenger to carry, like a duffel bag, as opposed to a large rigid wooden or metal trunk, which required the assistance of porters.”&nbsp; (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpet_bag">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpet_bag</a>) Often these decorative bags were made from cut-off pieces of oriental rugs, and depending on the design, could also open flat and serve as a blanket.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;">CARPETBAGGERS</h2> <p>After the Civil War, many opportunistic Northerners traveled to the South seeking private financial or political gain. People in the South feared exploitation and referred to them as <em>carpetbaggers</em> because they typically arrived with their belongings in carpetbags. Today the term stands for political candidates who seek elections where they have no local connections.</p> <p>The exploitation of artisans in developing countries is still a matter of deep concern. This is why, as a <strong>registered fair trade company</strong>, Unique Batik is committed to operating in a manner that guarantees a sustained welcome on both sides. Our relationships with the artisans in Guatemala, Ghana, and Thailand have morphed into the dearest friendships over decades of trade.</p> <p>The various travel bags we sell resemble the carpetbag tradition. Woven and embroidered cloth pieces are made into fashionable luggage, with styles and sizes for every kind of passenger.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2 style="text-align: center;">LUCKY DRAW</h2> <p>Which bag do you grab when packing for a trip?</p> <p><span style="font-size: 26pt;"><span style="color: #e03e2d;"><strong>Our bag contest is on!</strong> </span>&nbsp;</span></p> <p>Of the four styles depicted below, do you have a go-to? &nbsp;Click on each picture to see the bags we offer in that style. Then, in the space for comments at the end of this blog, write the word <em>sling, tote, backpack, </em>or <em>messenger.</em>&nbsp;</p> <p>On August 31, we'll draw three lucky responders, each of whom will win a bag in the style of their vote.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/0021687_tricolor-sling-bag_600.jpeg" alt="tricolor sling bag" width="167" height="250" /></p> <p><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/filterSearch?q=SLING&amp;advs=true&amp;cid=0&amp;isc=true&amp;mid=0&amp;sid=true&amp;advs=false&amp;isc=false&amp;sid=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SLING BAGS</a></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/0024402_wild-blossom-embroidered-cotton-tote-bag_600.jpeg" alt="wild blossom embroidered tote bag" width="250" height="250" /></p> <p><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/filterSearch?q=TOTE&amp;advs=true&amp;cid=0&amp;isc=true&amp;mid=0&amp;sid=true&amp;advs=false&amp;isc=false&amp;sid=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TOTE BAGS</a></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/0016648_zunil-cotton-backpack_520.jpeg" alt="zunil cotton backpack" width="250" height="250" /></p> <p><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/filterSearch?q=BACKPACK&amp;advs=true&amp;cid=0&amp;isc=true&amp;mid=0&amp;sid=true&amp;advs=false&amp;isc=false&amp;sid=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BACKPACKS</a></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/0002434_trashy-messenger-bag_520.jpeg" alt="trashy messenger bag" width="163" height="250" /></p> <p><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/filterSearch?q=MESSENGER&amp;advs=true&amp;cid=0&amp;isc=true&amp;mid=0&amp;sid=true&amp;advs=false&amp;isc=false&amp;sid=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MESSENGER BAGS</a></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:46https://www.uniquebatik.us/the-cost-of-freedomIndependence: What's It to You?<p>A holiday means you can sleep in today. Or not.</p> <p>Ear-shattering machine-gun-like percussion jerks you from slumber before the day breaks. Incessant whistle blows, and cheering over a megaphone follows. Torch-runners arrive in the village after running all night. The annual celebration of Guatemala’s independence from Spain is in full swing.</p> <p>Across the Atlantic in West Africa, the national flag flies high on March 6th as our Ghanaian friends tune their trumpets and guitars in preparation for the parades and carnival to commemorate their country’s freedom, the first sub-Saharan nation to gain independence (1957). The family gathers to enjoy traditional food like <em>waakye</em> (rice &amp; beans) and <em>kenkey</em> (sourdough dumplings).</p> <p>And if you happen to wake up in Thailand on December 5th, a gentle prayer ceremony followed by renditions of the national anthem announces their independence festivities. The rest of the day is loud with flamboyant and ostentatious pageantry.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/fireworks.jpeg" alt="fireworks" width="266" height="190" /></p> <p>And what of fireworks? A standard crowd-pleaser everywhere in the world, no expense is spared to light up the sky when celebrating freedom.<a href="https://www.americanpyro.com/history-of-fireworks#:~:text=Many%20historians%20believe%20that%20fireworks,air%20pockets%20in%20the%20bamboo."><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> (They say the first fireworks were bamboo stalks that the Chinese threw in the fire, which exploded loudly as the hollow air pockets heated up.)</span></a></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/plaque statue of liberty.jpg" alt="" width="295" height="225" /><br />“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” So Emma Lazarus’ words ring out over the Hudson.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>What is this yearning? Do you recognize it? What would you give up for it?</h4> <p>INDEPENDENCE literally means “not hanging from.” The idea invokes sentiments of self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and autonomy. Liberty.</p> <p>(<em>Pendere</em> is the root meaning to weigh, estimate, or pay, from which we get words like pendant, pending, and appendage.)</p> <p>A strong desire for freedom is evident in all of us from a young age. Have you ever observed toddlers testing the boundaries and exerting their will forcefully as soon as they can sit up? A reach for self-determination seems wired into our DNA. And, especially in America, this freedom is highly valued and encouraged.</p> <p>The reality, though, for countless individuals worldwide, is quite the opposite. Economic and political restraints leave them “hanging” year after year. Dependence on handouts leaves people stuck in suffocating patterns. Their self-determination weakens, and their creativity suffers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>“For everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” (Albert Einstein)</h4> <p>That is why the stories of the artisans with whom Unique Batik does business are worth celebrating. They have reached beyond their grasp, attaining levels of financial independence that were unimaginable to their parents. This achievement is especially significant where women entrepreneurs succeed in places where their contributions have been strictly limited traditionally. Read about <strong><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/peddler-turned-employer">Diego</a>, <a href="https://uniquebatik.com/how-this-woman-finally-attended-school-at-the-age-of-33">Carmelita</a>, </strong>and <a href="https://uniquebatik.com/guatemalan-basket-weaving-story"><strong>L</strong><strong>uisa.</strong></a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>We watch them emerge as rulers, as per their original design.</h4> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/flag.jpeg" alt="us flag" width="179" height="119" /></p> <p>It was a woman who created the first Star-Spangled Banner. <a href="https://www.socialstudies.org/system/files/publications/articles/yl_25041327.pdf"><strong>Mary Pickersgill</strong></a> took up flag-making when she became a widow at a young age. Her business eventually supported a household of women whom she trained as seamstresses.</p> <p>It is important to note that these artists-heroes didn’t drift into freedom. Similarly, our treasured American rights would have remained a hollow dream if it wasn’t for the risks and sacrifices of individuals and communities. By disciplined choices, sustained efforts, and stubborn endurance, they were able to create a fulfilling life for themselves and their families. Epictetus, an ancient Greek philosopher, claimed,</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>“No man is free who is not master of himself.”</h4> <p>Furthermore, to gain freedom, reliance on multiple networks and the community is paramount. In other words, independence is not individualism.</p> <p>Which fact connects you, the customer, in a beautiful symbiosis with the families of artists around the globe.</p> <p>The words in the <a href="https://billofrightsinstitute.org/primary-sources/declaration-of-independence"><strong>Declaration of Independence</strong></a> adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776, which takes 18 minutes to read, were a bold line in the sand. A unanimous decision to stand against what the colonists perceived and experienced as oppression and tyranny. They did it TOGETHER, fully informed of the RISKS.</p> <p>So, on this day, savor every free breath you take and tip your hat to our celebrated heroes, past and present. Then, consider your inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – yours and your neighbors. And vote with your feet.</p> <p><strong>Freedom</strong><br />Freedom is never free.<br />Respect our liberty.<br />Enjoy its many rights.<br />Expect it may cause fights.<br />Democracy survives,<br />Only if backed with lives.<br />May we not let it die.<br />(Bartholomew Williams)</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:43https://www.uniquebatik.us/unique-handmade-bird-decorationsWhat Makes a Bird a Bird?<p>Ubiquitous and radiant, birds are true wildlife anyone can observe without flying to remote jungles. Since their presence is so commonplace, it is easy to be unaware of their magic. Yet they have the potential to mesmerize anyone sitting still long enough.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Stop and marvel</h3> <p>I only started paying attention when I lived on a forested hill in Guatemala in my forties. (Guatemala boasts more than 700 bird species.) Trills and choruses, flashes of vibrant colors, and leafy branches alive with feasting flocks were a compelling distraction right outside my windows. My curiosity was piqued. I wanted to know their names, to get closer looks through binoculars, and to keep a journal of my “sightings.” Fortunately, I knew the phone number of a phenomenal local guide, who graciously helped me with the correct identifications. Few moments in my life match the breathless awe I experienced the first time I saw the elusive Resplendent Quetzal in an impressive courting display on the slopes of the Atitlan volcano. Spiraling and plunging with his long tail feathers rippling like ribbons: the sight brought me to tears!</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20200129-WA0001.jpg" alt="quetzal" width="276" height="184" /></p> <p><em>Find out more about Guatemala's national bird, including audio of its distinct call <a title="Quetzal facts" href="https://abcbirds.org/bird/resplendent-quetzal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here</strong></a>.</em></p> <h3>&nbsp;</h3> <h3>Plumage</h3> <p>This is what distinguishes birds from other vertebrates. Feathers are fundamental to many aspects of a bird’s life. They function as insulation, aerodynamic power for flying, communication, as well as camouflage.&nbsp;</p> <p>Their colorful feathers are what inspire the women of Guatemala to embroider their blouses with bird images.</p> <p>The town of Santiago Atitlan’s original Mayan name is Tz’Kin Jay, House of the Birds. It follows then that the characteristic patterns on traditional textiles here are of birds. Long ago geometric designs of herons, ducks, two-headed eagles, people, and corn plants were popular.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20230524-WA0008.jpg" alt="modern Atitlan" width="197" height="145" /></p> <p>Over time, their embroidery developed to include finer details of birds. These days women tend to pay more attention to their surroundings when they pick coffee in the mountains, especially noticing the rich bird life among the trees. The embroidered great blue herons, painted buntings, and summer tanagers on their blouses would win all the blue ribbons at county fairs, in my opinion.</p> <p>&nbsp; <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20230524-WA0005.jpg" alt="tanager" width="215" height="143" /></p> <p><em>Example of modern-day designs.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Try embroidering this bird of paradise (an actual bird for which the plant is named!) Download a free pattern here. <strong><a title="embroidery pattern" href="https://www.needlenthread.com/2012/06/free-hand-embroidery-pattern-little-bird-of-paradise.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bird of Paradise pattern</a></strong><a title="embroidery pattern" href="https://www.needlenthread.com/2012/06/free-hand-embroidery-pattern-little-bird-of-paradise.html"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a></p> <p>The “House of Birds” in Guatemala also produces many of the beaded items we offer, among them hummingbirds and owls.&nbsp;</p> <p>Here is Mercedes at her craft, stringing beads to create the bright hummingbird ornaments.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20230526-WA0023.jpg" alt="Mercedes" width="193" height="257" /> &nbsp;<img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0022534_beaded-crystal-bird-ornament.jpg" alt="hummingbird" width="261" height="261" /></p> <p><em>Order beaded hummingbirds</em> <strong><a title="hummingbird ornament" href="https://uniquebatik.com/long-tailed-crystal-bird-ornament" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>South Africans are equally skilled with beads, although the style is significantly different. They usually combine wire and beads, while the Guatemalans use thread to string beads for their figurines. Compare this unique hoopoe bead birdie which strikingly resembles the real deal. Their name mimics their call: “oop-oop”.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20230526-WA0022.jpg" alt="hoopoe" width="163" height="163" /> <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/hoopoe.jpeg" alt="hoopoe" width="199" height="199" /></p> <p><em>Order this unmistakeable ornament here:</em> <strong><a title="hoopoe" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-wire-bird" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hoopoe</a></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20230526-WA0021.jpg" alt="gooney" width="183" height="183" /></p> <p>In contrast, our patchwork Gooney bird from Thailand is a playful rendition of the black-footed albatross. Gooney is its informal name. (You can pick different colors and order one to hang on your doorknob right <strong><a title="gooney" href="https://uniquebatik.com/hand-stitched-gooney-bird-ornament" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a></strong>.)</p> <p>&nbsp;During World War 2 the aircraft C-47 was nicknamed the “Gooney Bird” due to its similarity to the giant albatross in size and shape. The plane's role in supporting operations has been described as vital to the Allied victory.&nbsp;</p> <p>So, if it is FEATHERS that make the bird, what makes me a birder? &nbsp;Birders are amateurs. We enthusiastically engage in the study of birds for the love of it, without calling it a profession. Yet.&nbsp;</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:45https://www.uniquebatik.us/a-boost-for-rural-healthcareA Boost for Rural Healthcare<p>Thanks to your support last month, we're donating $2,234 to <a href="http://www.odimguatemala.org/community-programs">Healthy Mommy &amp; Me</a>! This program, based in rural Guatemala, provides mothers and babies with prenatal and postnatal health care, as well as health education, family planning, vitamins, supplements, and food vouchers.</p> <p>As you may remember, our donation represents 10% of our net sales in May. Without question, we owe the success of our fundraising campaign to your kindness and generosity.<br /><br />In communities where 8 out of 10 children are malnourished, <a href="http://www.odimguatemala.org/community-programs">Healthy Mommy &amp; Me</a> makes a real difference. Each year, the program enrolls about 120 mothers and babies. For their sake, we thank you again!</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Muchas-Gracias-Blog-Graphic-2.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="337" /></p> <p><br />Click <a href="http://www.odimguatemala.org/community-programs">here</a> to learn more about this wonderful program, administered by the <a href="http://www.odimguatemala.org/">Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya</a> (ODIM).</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:42https://www.uniquebatik.us/our-may-campaign-for-prenatal-postnatal-health-careOur May Campaign for Prenatal & Postnatal Health Care<p>During the month of May, you can help us support one of our favorite programs: “<a href="http://www.odimguatemala.org/community-programs">Healthy Mommy &amp; Me</a>.” Based in Guatemala, this program provides mothers and babies from rural communities with prenatal and postnatal health care, health education, family planning, vitamins, supplements, and food vouchers.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Healthy-Mommy&amp;Me.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="197" /></p> <p>In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re running a month-long campaign to promote the program, which is administered by the <a href="http://www.odimguatemala.org/">Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya</a> (ODIM). Specifically, we’ll be donating 10% of our net sales in May.</p> <p>According to Arely Juárez, Volunteer Coordinator for ODIM, Guatemala has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world. In the rural communities where ODIM works, 8 out of 10 children are malnourished. ODIM fights this by bolstering nutrition, education, and health practices from conception to a child’s second birthday.</p> <p>“Each year, we enroll about 120 mothers and babies in the program,” says Juárez. “You can be a part of this great effort!"</p> <p>We’re proud to lend our support, and we hope that you will, too!</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:41https://www.uniquebatik.us/jewelry-inspired-by-natureWho's Catching Dreams on the Slopes of Volcanoes?<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On a blue sky day, high up on the Atitlan volcano, under the quiet canopy of giant old growth, Guillermo sits and stares. Observes. Admires. The contemplative artist. A dreamer. This is his happy place.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/Screenshot_20230327-152514~2.png" alt="volcano view" width="232" height="238" /></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Here he discovers ideas for designing his skillful weavings: outside, in western Guatemala’s verdant nature where he grew up.</span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/guillermo.jpg" alt="guillermo" width="231" height="278" /></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Somebody showed him how to weave and embroider when he was only 8. His playmates were happy to receive his first colorful bracelets and this motivated him to keep at his craft into his teenage years. After a day of hard work in the fields, he would come home and make bracelets till the sun went down since his house had no electricity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Encouraged by the positive reception his bracelets generated, our dream catcher took his wares to the streets, where tourist shop owners quickly started buying up all he carried. Soon the demand for his work became too great for this one-man operation, leading Guillermo to search for helpers. He found a few able women in his village whom he trained carefully, and today his growing business provides for several more households than his own.</span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/Collage dream weavers.jpg" alt="dream mujeres" width="334" height="160" /></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">His product line is always expanding, and his designs are ever-changing to demonstrate the unique patterns that set them apart from what is commonly found in the markets. Take a look at his complex beaded dream catchers <a href="https://uniquebatik.com/dream-catcher-large"><span style="color: #ba372a;">here</span></a>. Or these fancy bracelets <a href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-woven-bracelet"><span style="color: #ba372a;">here</span></a>.</span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0022842_dream-catcher-large_550.jpeg" alt="dream catcher" width="140" height="140" /><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/beaded woven bracelet.jpeg" alt="bracelet" width="90" height="90" /></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Guillermo’s unusual curiosity and joie de vivre attract irresistibly like a magnet. One remembers a visit to his studio with great delight for a long time. His dad is turning 101 in a few months. We hope Guillermo also continues well into old age, catching dreams and weaving them into fine art.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/Guillermo dad.png" alt="101 years old" width="243" height="335" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">This is his dad at almost 101, dressed in the traditional outfit of the <strong>Tzʼutujil.</strong></span></p> <p>&nbsp; <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/guillermo young.jpg" alt="young Guillermo" width="244" height="263" /></p> <p>This is Guillermo as a young man, also dressed in his people's traditional dress, high on a rock hunting dreams.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:40https://www.uniquebatik.us/coconut-artThe Not-So-Nutty Nut<p>One way of describing a botanical nut is to say it’s a hard, round shell with something valuable or delicious inside. Not unlike a human head. And that is how the phrase “to be nuts about someone” came to mean thoughts about that person are filling one’s head, possibly driving one crazy.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/palm tree.jpg" alt="palm tree" width="333" height="208" /></p> <p>Allow me to dazzle you with the extraordinary coconut while I introduce you to someone in the tropics whose dedication to his craft spans three decades.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/coconut face.jpg" alt="coconut face" width="326" height="250" /></p> <p>Coconuts (not truly nuts but drupes, as any botanist would tell you) grow high on slender palm trees. Ubiquitous on tropical beaches, where the salt spray and sandy soil limit the growth of most other trees, a mature coconut palm tree can produce up to 75 fruits per year. The word coconut derives from an old Portuguese word, “coco”, meaning head or skull. This is probably due to the three “holes” resembling two eyes and a mouth on its side. The holes are germination pores; a new shoot will emerge from one of these to start a new tree. The shell is softer at the holes and easily punctured to access the delicious water inside.</p> <p>Apart from its culinary benefits, the shell and husk of coconut have proved functional in various ways: as fuel, as a source of carbon, as an abrasive to buff floors, or in making buttons, dishes, and musical instruments.</p> <p><br />In Guatemala you can drink hot chocolate from a coconut cup while watching a local artisan cut intricate designs in small coconut disks, creating earrings or pendants.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20230216-WA0013.jpg" alt="Rafael" width="241" height="321" /> &nbsp; &nbsp; <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20230215-WA0020.jpg" alt="hand saw" width="240" height="320" /><br />Amilcar Rafael Chocoj Jimenez has perfected this art with a tiny handsaw. Most artisans use laser these days to cut out the patterns, while Rafael takes two hours to gently carve the shell till the image appears in relief. He is a perfectionist. Painstakingly so. His work's quality stands out when compared to mass-produced copies elsewhere on display. Rafael gets serious about the general decline in quality as the demand for cheaper substitutes increases.</p> <p><br />Like many artists in Panajachel, he used to trade from a foldable table on the main street, but recently the town’s authorities have demanded all vendors have permanent and formal points of sale. This daily challenge has brought his goal of having a proper showroom to the forefront of his mind. He talks about wanting to demonstrate to his family and friends how art grows and that you can be successful when you strive for excellence in your work.</p> <p><br />Family is a core element of Rafael’s story. His wife, Lesly Marisol, weaves the macrame bracelets, working alongside him. They have three beautiful children. He insists the whole household is integral to what he does and proudly shows them off.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20230215-WA0028~2-Copy-1.jpg" alt="Rafael and family" width="322" height="241" /></p> <p>Because of widespread construction on Guatemala’s coast, obtaining his raw material is becoming increasingly complex and costly. Bamboo is an alternative he considers. We know he will continue to find a way.</p> <p><br />Rafael’s unique creations:</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0021882_coco-earrings_550.png" alt="earrings" width="233" height="233" /> &nbsp; <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0016396_coco-leather-deluxe-necklace_550.jpeg" alt="necklace" width="221" height="221" /> &nbsp; <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0023732_coco-wavy-macrame-trinket_550.jpeg" alt="bracelet" width="231" height="231" /></p> <p>They’re stunning, they’re light, they float, and they were once drupes!</p> <p><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/search?q=coco&amp;advs=true&amp;cid=1&amp;isc=true&amp;mid=0&amp;sid=true&amp;advs=false&amp;isc=false&amp;sid=false">Order yours <span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span> today!</a></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:39https://www.uniquebatik.us/a-wrap-for-every-occasion2022 Is a Wrap<p><span style="color: #000000;">As they say in Hollywood upon completion of a scene, “It’s a wrap.”<br /><br />Last year’s story was filmed, edited, and released. We have before us a new scene and a clean storyboard. It can feel fresh and exciting to imagine all the possible connections, adventures, and growth that can unfold this year. For some, the uncertainty can have an immobilizing effect. In reality, 2023 is only a sequel or the next chapter of the grand story of our individual lives. Many of the scenarios will look the same, yet we get to choose our costumes.<br /></span></p> <h3><span style="color: #000000;">This brings me to the timeless and versatile scarf.<br /></span></h3> <p><span style="color: #000000;"><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/a-variety-of-wearing-shawls-in-early-19th-century-france-lithograph-1802-1814-768x658.jpg" alt="shawls" width="433" height="371" /><br /><br />Audrey Hepburn supposedly claimed, “When I wear a silk scarf I never feel so definitively like a woman, a beautiful woman.” Shawls. Scarves. Shrugs. Mantles. Stoles. Capes. Ponchos. Pashminas. Rebozos. Let’s call them wraps. They have the potential to add chic and elegance to any outfit.<br /><br />Although the desire to enhance our image with feminine flair is why we tie a scarf around our necks, waists, wrists, or purses, they beautifully serve various additional purposes. We sometimes opt wearing a scarf or wrap for added warmth in place of a jacket or coat. Shawls feature widely in religious ceremonies, and some cultures require women’s heads and bodies to be covered with large mantles while in public. I have also seen women carrying babies or vegetables in a woven cloth, the next moment using the same shawl as a picnic blanket, or keeping their heads dry in a sudden downpour.<br /><br />Even the etymology of the word “scarf” suggests utility. The Old French root <em>escarpe</em> means “sash or sling, a pilgrim’s purse suspended from the neck.” Old Norse had a word with similar letters denoting a small bag or satchel, and Medieval Latin’s <em>scripa</em> meant a bag woven of rushes.<br /><br />(A weaving of rushes sounds a bit scratchy to me. Instead, head on over to Unique Batik’s collection of comfy, soft scarves <a title="scarves" href="https://uniquebatik.com/scarves-1"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here </span></a>)<br /><br />Style and usefulness aside, wearing a shawl can be a challenge. I’ve had my set of frustrations attempting a classy look while constantly having to re-drape. Fortunately, we have free access to countless experts online. </span>&nbsp;You can also turn your shawl into a vest. ( <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="shawl to vest" href="https://youtu.be/zJ1Cs5P-EQo">Demo shawl to vest</a></span> )&nbsp;</p> <h4><span style="color: #000000;">Time to wrap it up. </span></h4> <p><span style="color: #000000;">Whatever the challenges ahead, let’s dress up for it!</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:38https://www.uniquebatik.us/5-original-ideas-for-stuffing-those-stockings-under-205 Original Ideas (All Under $20) for Stuffing Those Stockings<p>The story goes that St. Nicholas knew of a poor family whose three daughters stood no chance of marriage without a dowry. He secretly slipped some gold coins into their stockings hung by the fireplace to dry, thus infusing their hearts with hope. Earlier European traditions hold that kids left straw out in their shoes for Odin’s horses, and discovered treats the next morning, which he left in exchange.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/stocking.jpg" alt="stocking" width="189" height="267" /></p> <p><br />Today we hang large, custom-decorated stockings up in our living rooms in expectation of them being filled on Christmas morning with fun treats, and what I consider to be teaser gifts. They usually bulge and overflow like a cornucopia! In my grandma’s house, we hung an empty pillowcase by the foot of the bed on Christmas Eve. Father Christmas would come while we slept and drop his gifts into our sacks.<br /><br />Whatever the size and type of your traditional receptacle, we offer a few unique Guatemalan options to surprise your family or guests of any age or gender. This good cheer will certainly spill over into the homes of our artisans, filling their hearts with hope much like St. Nick’s gold coins did long ago.<br /><br />1.<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #e03e2d;">Star Tassel $18</span></strong></span></span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0025283_stars-and-hearts_550.png" alt="tassle" width="299" height="299" /><br />Hang it on a doorknob or backpack. It is made of hand-embroidered felt, with a bright cotton tassel and a braided cotton loop for hanging.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/stars-and-hearts">order tassel here</a></strong></span><br /><br />2. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #e03e2d;">Beaded Pen and Pencil Cover $14</span></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0003154_beaded-pen-pencil-cover_550.jpeg" alt="pen cover" width="87" height="317" /></span><br />A brightly beaded cover featuring cool geometric designs and a topper with dangling stars<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-pen-and-pencil-cover">order pen cover here</a></strong></span><br /><br />3. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #e03e2d;">Doggie Pouch $16</span></strong></span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0020243_doggie-pouch_550.png" alt="doggy pouch" width="284" height="284" /><br />Handy to keep doggy treats when you’re out on a walk, this small drawstring pouch hangs conveniently from a nylon hip belt and is great for carrying plastic bags as well.<br /><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/doggie-pouch"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>order doggy pouch here</strong></span></a><br /><br />4. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #e03e2d;">Huipil Coin Purse $5</span></strong></span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0012621_huipil-coin-purse_550.jpeg" alt="coin purse" width="364" height="364" /><br />Embroidered cloth with zipper, perfect to stash coins or small items.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/huipil-coin-purse">order coin purse here</a></strong></span><br /><br />5.<span style="color: #e03e2d; font-size: 26pt;"><strong> <span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hackey Sacks $3</span></strong></span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0007893_crochet-ball_550.jpeg" alt="hackey sacks" width="268" height="268" /><br />This fun little ball is made of crocheted cotton, and filled with plastic pellets. They come in assorted colors and patterns. You can toss it around or use it as a stress ball.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://uniquebatik.com/crochet-ball">order hackey sacks here</a></strong></span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:37https://www.uniquebatik.us/little-coin-purseWhat's in Your Coin Purse?<p>I always carry a coin purse in my hiking bag. Inside the small zippered pouch, I store some cash, my lip balm, tissues, band-aids, and bubblegum. I find it easier and more pleasant locating the coin purse, than rummaging for a single band-aid, for example, among the flotsam that inevitably fills up the space inside a pack.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/hiker girl.jpg" alt="hiking" width="208" height="243" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h4>&nbsp;It turns out humans have found small pouches handy for centuries.</h4> <p>A glacier mummy (presumably 5,000 years old), discovered in 1991, had a small purse attached to his hip, containing knives, flint, and bits of food! In ancient Greece and Rome, simple drawstring leather purses were commonly attached to people’s belts or hidden in the folds of their clothes, in which they carried jewels, coins, or paper notes.</p> <p>Once paper bills also counted as currency, wallets became the primary mode of carrying purchase power, as it still does today. But in my experience, a small pouch, with my essentials within easy reach, is still indispensable when I hit the streets or the trails.</p> <p>Unique Batik offers a wide selection of coin purses: sewn from fabric or beads delicately woven into luxurious pouches. Catalina Felipe, from San Jorge la Laguna in Guatemala, is one of the artisans whose retro-style beaded purses are available to purchase<span style="color: #e03e2d;"> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a style="color: #e03e2d; text-decoration: underline;" title="beaded coin purse" href="https://uniquebatik.com/retro-beaded-coin">here</a></span></span>.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/catalina.jpg" alt="Catalina" width="488" height="274" /></p> <p>As it is the case with most artists, Catalina is barely getting by with the income her art generates. Sales are sporadic, and the market is frequently saturated with similar items. However, unlike many artists elsewhere, she does not have the option of earning extras by bussing tables or serving coffee. Apart from her husband’s salary as a welder, the ten-strong household subsists on the sales of her crafts and the periodic employment of her teenage sons as day laborers. They all live happily in a two-room house in this village of closely constructed buildings. She counts her family as precious blessings, but she wishes they had more space, specifically for planting a vegetable garden.</p> <h4>I wonder what Catalina’s coin purse holds?</h4> <p>How about filling hers today by ordering yours <a title="retro coin purse" href="https://uniquebatik.com/retro-beaded-coin"><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #e03e2d;">here</span></a>? (They make perfect stocking stuffers, by the way.)</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0022326_retro-beaded-coin_550.jpeg" alt="" width="188" height="188" /><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0025011_retro-beaded-coin_550.jpeg" alt="coin purse" width="177" height="177" /></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:36https://www.uniquebatik.us/guatemalan-tailor-taleHow Did the Sartorius Muscle Get Its Name?<p>It’s the longest muscle in your body, running obliquely across the front of your thigh. It engages when you fold your legs to sit cross-legged, helping the leg rotate into position.</p> <p>Before I share the etymology of the name, I want to take you with me on another virtual visit to Guatemala. Walk with me through the backstreets of <a title="Map Panajachel" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Panajachel,+Guatemala/@14.7425124,-91.1508286,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x85894b8cc176193b:0x9e3f675068327d28!8m2!3d14.7404929!4d-91.1520965"><span style="text-decoration: underline; background-color: #ffffff; color: #e03e2d;">Panajachel</span></a> as motorcycles and three-wheel taxis whiz by us. The sidewalk is narrow if present. The walls of businesses and houses come right to the street, and the open doors allow us to peep inside as we stroll by. A frequent scenario we observe is a male tailor bent over his sewing machine, the floor covered in bright scraps of woven cloth, and the radio tuned to a gospel station.</p> <p>Let’s stop for a chat with one of them, shall we?</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20220930-WA0013.jpg" alt="Francisco Panajachel tailor" width="252" height="304" /></p> <p>Francisco has been sewing bags and packs for Unique Batik for many years. His workshop is at his house, where he lives with his wife, children, and in-laws. Here is a man who finds great delight in his work! If a piece takes 3 hours or more to finish, he still smiles, because, he says, “It takes time to make something you love.” He enjoys seeing the “puzzle” come together, each bag a unique combination of patterns and colors, and finds sweet satisfaction in his finished creations.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20220930-WA0011.jpg" alt="Love work" width="256" height="392" /></p> <p><span style="color: #236fa1;">“It takes time to make something you love.”&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: #236fa1;"><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0014644_pocket-pack_550.jpeg" alt="Pocket pack" width="224" height="224" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #236fa1;"><a title="Pocket pack" href="https://uniquebatik.com/pocket-pack-1">Order Francisco's pocket pack</a></span></p> <p><span style="color: #236fa1;"><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0021052_adventure-pack_550.png" alt="adventure pack" width="225" height="225" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #236fa1;"><a title="Adventure Pack" href="https://uniquebatik.com/adventure-pack">Order Francisco's adventure pack</a></span></p> <p><span style="color: #236fa1;"><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0012798_zunil-backpack_550.jpeg" alt="zunil backpack" width="242" height="242" /></span></p> <p><span style="color: #236fa1;"><a title="Zunil Backpack" href="https://uniquebatik.com/zunil-backpack">Order Francisco's Zunil Backpack</a></span></p> <p>The friendships he formed through his trade are something he deeply treasures. Over the hum of the sewing machine, he shares with us his gratitude for the help of friends in making his childhood dream a reality, i.e., owning his own business. This has provided a way for him to maintain a roof over the heads of his family, and he hopes it will continue to ensure a steady income for him and his wife even in their old age. When sales are down, his main concern is that he can keep up with the school fees for his sons, because their education is a high priority. He would love to see his son’s goal of becoming a medical doctor through to completion.</p> <p>How does he feel about our rapidly changing world? On the negative side, he experiences increasingly elevated costs for his raw material, which the buyers do not always consider when negotiating prices for his products. The new online platforms on which he can promote and sell his work he sees as a positive aspect of modern times, albeit challenging to learn and navigate.</p> <p>We have poked enough. Let the man get on with his business. Three hoorays to Francisco, “Sastre de Excelencia” of Panajachel!</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20220930-WA0012.jpg" alt="Francisco and his wife" width="297" height="384" /></p> <p>This is where we arrive at the story behind naming our longest muscle “sartorius”. “Sastre” is Spanish for “tailor”. It comes from a Catalan word (“sartre”) that grew on the Latin root “sarcire”, which means to sew, patch, or mend. The muscle in focus, also known as the “tailor’s muscle”, is so called because of the typical cross-legged positions in which tailors once sat to do their work. We find pictures or drawings dating back to the 15th century demonstrating them sitting on tables in front of big windows. (You can read about this tradition and see some illustrations <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #e03e2d; text-decoration: underline;"><a style="color: #e03e2d; text-decoration: underline;" title="Cross-legged tailors" href="https://seasaltercross.com/2015/03/09/tradition-of-cross-legged-tailors">here</a></span></span>)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:35https://www.uniquebatik.us/peddler-turned-employerI Made My Own "Bootstraps"<p>Diego was a baby when his dad was kidnapped during Guatemala’s thirty-year-long civil war.</p> <h3><span style="font-family: 'courier new', courier, monospace;">They never heard from him again.</span></h3> <p>Little Diego had to do his part to help the family survive without the income and protection of a father. His work was to collect firewood from the forested slopes of the Atitlan volcano bordering their village.</p> <p>What kind of a future can a young boy imagine for himself in such traumatic and desperate circumstances?</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(Put on his sandals for a moment: what are <strong>your</strong> chances of "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps"?)</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/Collage 2022-08-29 14_02_24.jpg" alt="Bootstraps" width="397" height="192" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Diego’s new destiny was set in motion when he found a job at an American jewelry workshop down the street from his house. Still just a teenager, he learned the craft of turning seed beads into stunning fashion accessories. After working there for eight years, he ventured out on his own, making jewelry at home. He’d walk down to the docks and peddle his creations to tourists as they stepped off the boats.</p> <h3>That was his first bold move on the path <strong>up</strong>wards.</h3> <p>His integrity and talent were soon recognized by foreign buyers. Unique Batik made his acquaintance almost a decade ago and has happily kept him busy ever since. Today he employs 35 of his people, the Tjutujil of <a title="Santiago Atitlan" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Santiago+Atitl%C3%A1n,+Guatemala/@14.6423751,-91.2377643,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x858ecabc2be8a791:0x250c71b9a57f1e6e!8m2!3d14.6424469!4d-91.2277556"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Santiago Atitlan</span></a>, as well as a few family members.</p> <h3><span style="color: #236fa1;"><em><strong>He says his art is his passion...</strong></em></span></h3> <h3><span style="color: #236fa1;"><em><strong>and his happiness is beads!</strong></em></span></h3> <p>These days orders arrive from as far away as Canada. Quite often he is commissioned by interest groups to set their logos in a brooch or pin. This requires time and effort to get the colors just right, but the results are strikingly satisfying.</p> <p>What Diego likes best about his job is the moment an order is shipped and he receives his payment. <span style="color: #000000;">Ka-ching! </span>(Don’t we all?) It’s not just he and his 75-year-old mother who is thriving. The blessing extends to all 35 households involved in filling orders.</p> <p>Yes, he pulled himself <strong>up</strong>, one strand of beads at a time. His current goal is to open a boutique studio on the main street of his town, where his creations will be on elegant display.</p> <p>We salute you, Diego!</p> <h4>Check out samples of Diego’s popular creations below:</h4> <p><a title="kensington crystal" href="https://uniquebatik.com/kensington-crystal-bracelet"><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0022307_kensington-crystal-bracelet.jpg" alt="crystal bracelet" width="108" height="108" /></a>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">&nbsp; <a title="Kensington Crystal bracelet" href="https://uniquebatik.com/kensington-crystal-bracelet">Kensington Crystal bracelet</a></span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0019639_savannah-three-strand_550.jpeg" alt="three strand necklace" width="77" height="77" />&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Savannah Three Strands Necklace" href="https://uniquebatik.com/savannah-three-strand-necklace">Savannah Three Strands Necklace</a> </span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp; <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0003154_beaded-pen-pencil-cover_550.jpeg" alt="beaded pen case" width="46" height="168" /></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Beaded Pen and Pencil Cover" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-pen-and-pencil-cover">Beaded Pen Case</a></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0024748_hummingbird-earrings_550.jpeg" alt="hummingbird earrings " width="97" height="97" /> &nbsp;</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Hummingbird earrings" href="https://uniquebatik.com/hummingbird-earrings-1">Hummingbird Earrings</a></span></p> <p>&nbsp; <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0022053_moon-flower-earrings_550.png" alt="moon flower earrings" width="96" height="96" /></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="Moonflower earrings" href="https://uniquebatik.com/moon-flower-earrings">Moonflower Earrings</a></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:34https://www.uniquebatik.us/how-this-woman-finally-attended-school-at-the-age-of-33How This Woman Finally Attended School at the Age of 33<p>As a little girl, Carmelita could only dream of learning to read and write. One of fourteen children, she had responsibilities in the household from an early age. She took care of younger siblings and sold handicrafts to tourists on the streets. There were no resources, time, or hope for sending her to school. Watching her dream for education slowly fade as she grew up, she hoped that her <strong>own</strong> children one day would be afforded the opportunity.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20220728-WA0019.jpg" alt="Joy in beading" width="330" height="440" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Next generation</h2> <p>When she was old enough, her sister taught her how to weave seed beads into jewelry. Her skills and dedication paid off as she successfully traded these delicate creations in the subsequent years. So much so, that she has been able to support all six of her children through high school! Seeing them established in the professional careers they studied for is her pride and joy.</p> <h2>Serendipity</h2> <p>A kind foreigner whom she met while selling on the street one day, heard of her childhood dream and connected her with a tutor. This is how, at age 33, Carmelita was finally taught to read and write. This experience emboldened her to enroll in primary school, and eventually, she finished sixth grade along with the twelve-year-old students.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20220728-WA0022.jpg" alt="weaving with beads" width="376" height="501" /></p> <h2>Rainbows, flowers, trees</h2> <p>Inspired by the dramatic beauty and vivid colors of nature around her Guatemalan village, she designs and crafts intricate pieces, which you can view and buy here: <a title="bracelets" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded"><span style="color: #3598db; background-color: #ffffff;"><strong>bracelets</strong></span></a>, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3598db;"><a style="color: #3598db;" title="rings" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-ring-1"><strong>rings</strong></a>, <a title="choker" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-choker"><strong><span style="color: #3598db;">chokers,</span></strong></a></span>&nbsp;<a title="badge holder" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-key-badge-holder"><span style="color: #3598db; background-color: #ffffff;"><strong>badge holders</strong></span></a>, and <span style="color: #3598db; background-color: #ffffff;"><strong><a style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3598db;" title="eyeglass holder" href="https://uniquebatik.com/beaded-eyeglass-holder">eyeglass holders</a></strong></span>.&nbsp;What she appreciates about modern times are the technological advances that made communication much easier between her and the customers. Because Carmelita delights in getting orders and filling them on time! Finding the right colors for specific orders is sometimes a challenge. A challenge she doggedly accepts. She says her husband is her greatest support.</p> <h2>Faith seeds</h2> <p>And now Carmelita has a new dream: she wants to buy a car. Reality check: the percentage of car owners in Guatemala’s population is the same as the percentage of the US population who do <strong>not</strong> own cars (8%). In other words, this is a big ambition! Her children smile and tease her, but she has seen a few preposterous dreams dusted off and come to life already. The little seed beads strung into jewelry are called “mostacillas”, a word related to “mostaza”, which is Spanish for “mustard.” This reminds me of the familiar “faith like a mustard seed” challenge. With her sincere and indefatigable trust, I daresay she will yet see mountains move!</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG-20220728-WA0021.jpg" alt="seed beads" width="456" height="325" /></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:33https://www.uniquebatik.us/batik-roots-and-processsAll About "Batik"<p>"Batik." How do <em>you</em> pronounce this word? Most English speakers say buh-TEEK with emphasis on the second syllable. The word, of Javanese origin, is pronounced BAH-tik in Indonesian, with emphasis on the first syllable. According to some sources, the term evolved from Javanese <em>amba</em> (to write) and the Malay word <em>titik</em> (dot). Writing with dots…</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0023610_red-ryan-shirt_100.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" />&nbsp;<img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0023617_red-ryan-shirt_100.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" />&nbsp;<img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0021263_short-wrap-skirt_550.jpg" alt="" width="98" height="98" />&nbsp;<img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0023622_blue-ryan-shirt_100.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /> <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0023692_blue-ryan-shirt_100.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /> <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/0023698_green-ryan-shirt_100.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /> &nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mystique</strong></p> <p>When I start digging for origins, Indonesia features prominently. (Indonesian batik was internationally recognized when UNESCO added it to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2009. Read about it:&nbsp; <strong><a href="https://en.unesco.org/silkroad/content/cultural-selection-batik-world-exhibition-unesco#:~:text=Indonesian%20batik%20was%20added%20to,Asia%2C%20and%20the%20Middle%20East.">UNESCO Cultural Selection</a></strong>.)&nbsp;</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/Sekar-Jagad-Batik-Java-Indonesia_1024x1024.webp" alt="" width="371" height="244" /></p> <p>The Indonesian island of Java’s fine batiks were highly sought after by traders from Europe, the Arab world, and India, not long after the middle ages. Yet, it appears the art form was practiced in various ancient cultures. A batik-like linen grave cloth has been unearthed in Egypt, which dates from the 4th century BC. White patterns contrast with an indigo-blue background, which could very well have been made by scratching designs into the wax.</p> <p><strong>Technique</strong></p> <p>Wax is the keyword here. Hot, liquid wax. Patterns are created by dropping dots and lines with a spouted tool filled with wax onto cloth, or with wax-soaked stamps. Then the cloth is soaked in cold water dye. Everywhere the wax was applied, it resists the dye. When the piece is washed in hot water, the wax melts away, resulting in a two-toned printed piece of cloth. The process can be repeated multiple times with new wax designs applied once the cloth is dry, then dipped into new shades or colors.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG_1474.jpg" alt="" width="338" height="478" /></p> <p><strong>Unique</strong></p> <p>Phew! What a labor-intensive process! One can see why Unique Batik even re-purposes the precious batik fabric cut-offs into beautiful products. For example, check out these <a href="https://www.uniquebatik.us/batik-butterfly-earrings"><strong>earrings</strong></a> or these <a href="https://www.uniquebatik.us/scrunchie-batik"><strong>scrunchies</strong></a>.</p> <p>Since 1999 when Unique Batik first met a few small artists&nbsp;in West Africa, its own indelible impressions are clearly seen. Over the years trusting relationships with the families have slowly grown, as regular personal visits are made to the workshops. Unique Batik is still a vital link between them and customers on this side of the Atlantic.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG_6670.jpg" alt="" width="244" height="372" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <img src="/images/uploaded/BlogImages/IMG_6678.JPG" alt="" width="373" height="280" /></p> <p>So, big applause for tremendous and faithful effort is appropriate! And a little pause for reflection:</p> <p>I was thinking about the singularity of each hand-printed cloth. (The word “unique” has roots in the word “one”.) Have you thought about how we all leave our unique mark in the circles we move, intentionally or not? By our individual choices, we can resist common default reactions to what life throws at us, just like the wax repels the dye, with extraordinary results! Imagine how our environments can be custom decorated by forgiveness instead of bitterness, by thankfulness instead of complaining. Each one of our <em>pièce de résistance</em> is a jaw-dropping work of art.</p> <p><strong>Pique your “Interestique”</strong></p> <p>If you want to try your hand at the actual process of batik, you can follow this tutorial for a small beginner project: <strong><a href="https://youtu.be/2UWgHi4Yh5M">Handprinted Introduction to Batik</a></strong></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:32https://www.uniquebatik.us/guatemalan-basket-weaving-storyTo Market with My Basket<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Plastic.</em> The woven kind, standing tall among the reusable choices of our day. Not mass-manufactured, but individually plaited by the delicate fingers of a family I’ve known for two decades.</span></span></p> <h6 style="text-align: left; line-height: 2;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Come With Me</span></span></h6> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First, you need to endure several hours of winding mountain road travel in a crowded minibus from Guatemala City (the subject of another story, another day).</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img src="/images/uploaded/basket 1.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="274" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next, you ascend a precariously steep cement staircase of 144 irregular steps to arrive at our friends’ house in a hamlet clinging to the vertical sides of the San Francisco River Valley. If you still have breath in your lungs at this altitude, you’ll soon lose it to the priceless views of Lake Atitlan from here! <span style="text-decoration: underline;">(<a title="Lake Atitlan" href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lake+Atitl%C3%A1n/@14.6788048,-91.2714049,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x85894ac7c083b493:0xa6e33f7d6b54910!8m2!3d14.6906713!4d-91.2025207">Where in the world?</a>)</span></span></span></p> <h6 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stringed Instruments</span></span></h6> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our host comes to the gate to welcome us with a big smile. The walls are hung with loops of colorful plastic wire. Baskets in various stages of completion are sitting on the kitchen table amid open school books. Wooden frames in different sizes are stacked on top of the pantry cabinet. Chickens cluck in their pens and a pot of black beans is gurgling on the wood stove. This, right here, is where the magic happens.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img src="/images/uploaded/basket 2.jpg" alt="" width="488" height="367" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Luisa, her soft-spoken husband, and their six beautiful daughters (among them a set of twins) are all involved in the family business. He is a mason by trade and the girls are all in school, but everyone joins in weaving baskets when they have extra time. You can sense this Mayan family’s pride in their handiwork and shared excitement when an order comes in from Unique Batik. They are happy to show us how it’s done: each tight wound of the string around the rugged wooden pegs, in and out, over and under, culminating in symphonies of color.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Big baskets take her two days to finish, and the smaller ones are a full day’s work. (Here “hand” is put back in hand-crafted!) Once a week she totes (the pun intended) a collection of her baskets to the local market, where she trades on the sidewalk. The orders for baskets to export come periodically, and they are made the same way and with the same dedication. One by one.</span></span></p> <h6 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pack up your Troubles in a Handy Tote and Smile, Smile, Smile</span></span></h6> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">These woven baskets are ubiquitous in Guatemala and I have an assortment myself! In my opinion, they are the most practical option for produce shopping at the farmer’s market, packing a picnic, and transporting or storing all my general and specific paraphernalia. They are durable, easy to clean, and they are just plain pretty.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our short visit has brought smiles to all. We leave with several purchases, full hearts, and an unforgettable story to share.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img src="/images/uploaded/basket 4.jpg" alt="" width="388" height="496" /></span></span></p> <h6><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's why I say, choose plastic. Choose Luisa's <em>canastas</em>.*&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="order here" href="https://www.uniquebatik.us/market-basket">HERE.</a></span></h6> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">* “Canasta” is what they call a basket in Spanish, from Latin “canistrum”, which originated from earlier usages of “kanna” for “reed”. (You may know a fun card game by that name too.)</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Want to explore more about our Guatemalan artisans? </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look here: <a title="artisans" href="https://www.uniquebatik.us/unique-batik-fair-trade-guatemala">Unique Batik Artisans</a></span></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img src="/images/uploaded/basket 3.jpg" alt="" width="388" height="517" /></span></span></p> <h4>&nbsp;</h4> <h4><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sign up for news of new products, specials, and fresh stories from the frontlines. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a title="register" href="https://www.uniquebatik.us/register?returnUrl=%2F">REGISTER</a></span></span></span></h4>urn:store:1:blog:post:29https://www.uniquebatik.us/reading-the-beads-part-3Reading the Beads, Part 3<p>As we noted in our two previous posts, beads carry great significance in Ghanaian culture — marking key moments in your journey through life. What’s more, they can signify your status within society.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Reading-Beads-Social-Status-Graphic-Final.jpg" alt="" width="435" height="227" /></p> <p>A priest, for instance, would wear beads made of organic materials like bone, cowrie shell, or elephant teeth. A queen mother would wear white beads, symbolizing purity, as well as silver and blue beads, aligning her with the moon. A chief would wear bronze beads, plated with gold, and complementary yellow beads. According to our friends at <a href="https://suntradebeads.com">SUN TRADE BEADS</a>&nbsp;in Accra, these glowing colors represent “fire under control.”</p> <p>Not surprisingly, beads marking the end of life are especially meaningful. At funerals, mourners usually wear black and white beads to express their grief — but they might also wear red, to show their rage at the loss of a loved one. Beads of creamy red-brown bauxite, exclusive to Ghana, indicate an extremely profound loss.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Reading-Beads-Funerals-Graphic-Final (3).jpeg" alt="" width="430" height="230" /></p> <p>We hope you’ve enjoyed our discussion of beads and their significance<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>for the people of Ghana. Whenever you wear beaded jewelry, think of the ways different colors and styles can express something about your own journey through life.</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:28https://www.uniquebatik.us/reading-the-beads-part-2Reading the Beads, Part 2<p>In our last post, we noted the significance that people in Ghana attribute to beads. As we saw, beads can celebrate and commemorate your birth. Here’s how they reflect the later stages of your journey through life:</p> <p><span class="Apple-converted-space"><img src="/images/uploaded/Reading-Beads-Childhood-Graphic-Final.jpg" alt="" width="435" height="223" /></span></p> <p>Waist beads represent an intimate adornment once you reach adulthood. To quote our friends at <strong><a href="https://suntradebeads.com/">SUN TRADE BEADS</a></strong>&nbsp;in Accra, “they should be worn discreetly and not be seen by just anyone.” Beads worn around the wrist, however, can show status and express identity — for everyone to see.</p> <p>Beads can also designate major landmarks in your journey, such as overcoming an obstacle, surviving an accident, or even giving birth. To make these moments tangible, you might opt for white beads or disk-shaped beads.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Reading-Beads-Celebrations-Graphic-Final.jpeg" alt="" width="446" height="217" /></p> <p>In our next post, we’ll talk more about the way beads can communicate social status — and mark the end of life. Be sure to join us!</p> <p><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:27https://www.uniquebatik.us/reading-the-beadsReading the Beads<p>In Ghana, beads are more than beautiful objects; they are symbols with specific meanings for each person. To quote our friends at <strong><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="https://suntradebeads.com/"><span style="color: #000000;">Sun Trade Beads</span></a></span></strong> in Accra, they help “narrate your life from birth to death.”<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>At the start of your journey, for instance, beads tell your story in the following ways:</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Reading-Beads-Naming-Graphic-Final.jpg" alt="" width="438" height="219" /></p> <p>One week after your birth, you’ll have a naming ceremony, and you’ll receive a small string of beads. These may be blue or another color, chosen by your grandmother.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>If you’re a twin, you’ll get a special set of beads to reflect your special status. These beads represent seed and bone, and they’re usually made of glass, in a combination of black and white or brown and white.</p> <p><img src="/images/uploaded/Reading-Beads-Twins-Graphic-Final.jpg" alt="" width="444" height="236" /></p> <p>As you grow, your beads will be carefully restrung — continuing your story into the next phase of life. In our next post, we’ll explore that pivotal phase, so be sure to join us again!</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:25https://www.uniquebatik.us/making-a-difference-with-masksMaking a Difference -- With Masks<p>Earlier this year, when the COVID-19 pandemic reached America, thousands of people had trouble getting face masks. There simply weren’t enough to keep everyone safe and healthy.</p> <p>Beginning in March, we’re pleased to say, Unique Batik took action to address this problem. Working in tandem with skilled artisans and longtime retail customers, we were able to produce thousands of masks — and to make them freely available.</p> <p>In Guatemala, for instance, artisans created soft, colorful masks from traditional corte fabric. In Thailand, artisans made beautiful tie-dyed masks.</p> <p>We donated many of these masks to nonprofit organizations, and several of our retailers did the same, or facilitated the donation process. Here are some inspiring examples of fair-trade stores doing their part:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://thebridgefairtrade.com"><strong>The Bridge</strong></a><strong> (Holland, Michigan)</strong></p> <p>Volunteers bought masks and sent them to the Navaho&nbsp;Nation, a coronavirus hotspot with an infection rate among the highest in the country. Now, thanks to contract tracing, social distancing, and a mask mandate, the Nation has almost completely eliminated new infections.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlueHeronDesign"><strong>Blue Heron Design</strong></a><strong> (Lee’s Summit, Missouri)</strong></p> <p>Blue Heron gave masks away for free. With donations from its customers, the store raised almost $3,500 for four local organizations: Hope House, Lee’s Summit Social Services, Black Waters Market Food Pantry, and the Humane Society Animal Shelter (which received masks with a cat print). “I’m proud of our customers,” says owner Peggy Brown, “and humbled by their generosity.”</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.mosaicfairtrade.com"><strong>Mosaic Fair Trade Collection</strong></a><strong> (Eugene, Oregon)</strong></p> <p>Mosaic helped customers donate masks to the Navajo Nation. For more information about the Nation and its response to COVID-19, click <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/09/15/913246691/to-limit-covid-19-navajo-leader-says-listen-to-your-public-health-professionals">here</a>.</p> <p>Thanks to everybody who has helped us get masks to the people who need them!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><img src="/images/uploaded/Laura&amp;Francisco.jpeg" alt="When you buy a face mask from Unique Batik, you're helping talented artisans like Laura and Francisco -- hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic." width="370" height="295" /></em></p> <p><em>When you buy a face mask from Unique Batik, you’re helping talented artisans, like Laura and Francisco, who've been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.</em></p> <p><em><img src="/images/uploaded/Francisco.jpg" alt="" width="179" height="294" /></em></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:23https://www.uniquebatik.us/odimThe Impactful Work of ODIM Guatemala<p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">One of the universal truths in this world is wherever you go in the world you will find people just want to provide a good life for their families. At Unique Batik, we strive to present opportunities for the families and communities we work with to do just that.</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="/images/uploaded/ODIM-Impact-Blog.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">We also know our work is only one avenue of support, so we believe in advocating for organizations doing life changing and life saving work on the ground in these communities. One of our favorite such organizations in Guatemala is ODIM (Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya). </span><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">ODIM was founded in 2005, initially beginning its work by supplying humanitarian relief for the people of Guatemala after being devastated by Hurricane Stan.</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">In 2008 construction began for ODIM’s San Juan Clinic (Clinica Sanjuanerita), and in 2014 the San Pablo Clinic (Clinica Chuitinamit) was opened. One of the greatest things about these clinics is that they are staffed by bilingual Spanish/Tz’utujil speaking nurses and a local physician, and of their 42 staff members 82% are Tz’utujil Mayan staff, 13% are Guatemalan (but not Tz’utujil), and only 5% are foreign staff. Another bonus: 83% of ODIM’s leaders and coordinators are women!&nbsp;</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">Since ODIMs conception its staff has worked hard to raise funds to implement and maintain an array of incredible <a href="http://www.odimguatemala.org/community-programs">programs</a>:</span></p> <ul> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><strong>Healthy Mommy &amp; Me</strong> utilizes healthcare, informational sessions, cooking classes, food vouchers, psychological support groups, and medical appointments to combat chronic malnutrition.</span></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><strong>Adolescent Health</strong> is designed to equip youth with knowledge about puberty, sexuality, contraception, and gender equality to empower them to make sensible decisions for themselves and become peer educators in their communities.</span></p> <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="/images/uploaded/ODIM/ODIM Adolescent Health.jpeg" alt="Adolescent Health" width="201" height="150" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="/images/uploaded/ODIM/ODIM Let's Walk Together.jpeg" alt="Let's Walk Together" width="200" height="150" /></span></li> </ul> <ul> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><strong>Let’s Walk Together</strong> provides education, exercise, cooking classes and support groups for those living with diabetes, which affects more than 25% of the indigenous population (to compare, the CDC’s 2020 report estimates 10.5% of the US population has diabetes).</span></p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><strong>High Impact Home Improvement (HIHI)</strong> provides families with water filters and safe, smokeless, and environmentally friendly stoves in their homes, as well as informative workshops about Water, Sanitation &amp; Hygiene (WASH).</span></p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">ODIM provides medical care at their two clinics, their dental clinic Healthy Smiles, and goes above and beyond to address the root of issues in these communities. The importance of this simply cannot be overstated. While helping people to heal once they come to a clinic is certainly important work, having programs which assess and address the factors that lead to common issues is crucial to ensure the highest number of safe and healthy individuals. The fact that ODIM does both is truly impressive and heartwarming.&nbsp;</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">These are just some examples of ODIM’s phenomenal programs. You can visit their website, www.odimguatemala.org, to learn more about all of the work they do, the communities they work in (San Juan and San Pablo La Laguna), and ways you can get involved. Thank you to all of the staff at ODIM for your tireless efforts to make your communities the best they can be.&nbsp;</span></p> <p dir="ltr">&nbsp;</p> <p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;"><img src="/images/uploaded/ODIM/IMG_9909.JPG" alt="" width="220" height="220" />.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="/images/uploaded/ODIM/San Pablo waiting area.jpg" alt="" width="293" height="220" /></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:store:1:blog:post:22https://www.uniquebatik.us/hope-for-the-next-generationHope for the Next Generation<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-c25071ad-234f-55d5-6efc-373e7de89413"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As Unique Batik looks for nonprofit partners to support in the regions in which we work, one of the most important attributes we seek is sustainability. Will the organization be able to work effectively not only now, but in the future to make a long term impact instead of putting a temporary band-aid on the community&rsquo;s problems? One of the most impressive things about Asociacion La Libertad, or ALAS, is that they have a sustainability plan to secure the organization's future. ALAS, a nonprofit organization based in Guatemala, coordinates educational development and more for the neglected populations of Guatemala.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Students in ALAS&rsquo; educational programs contribute to the plan by working while they attend school. To launch a new school in a remote area, La Libertad must ensure that they can support the minimum number of students required by the government. &nbsp;Unique Batik has funded tuition for the seven qualified students needed to reach the minimum number required and start the new school. &nbsp;Once the school is established, the students will help sustain it through their work. &nbsp;Through this system, not only are they creating a future for the students who come after them, they are also empowered by knowing that they can contribute to the community.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After the brutal 36-year civil war ended in in 1996, 410 refugee families were repatriated to a remote zone of the highlands of Guatemala in the Zona Reina area, to the village now known as San Antonio de Nueva Esperanza, or &ldquo;New Hope.&rdquo; Reconstruction began and the vision of the village elders included establishing education as a foundation for future development. With the lowest literacy rate in Latin America, especially among rural, indigenous populations, education is of paramount importance to the development of the lives of the Guatemalan poor. </span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fourteen years after the initial founding of La Libertad&rsquo;s educational program, which seeks to provide formal education ranging from elementary school through college, the village of San Antonio de Nueva Esperanza and its neighbors have seen over 450 people complete their education through the ninth grade. Approximately fifty students participating in extended vocational training for computers and agriculture have gone on to study at the university level. Considering the odds against them -- on average, only one out of ten rural Guatemalans completes middle school -- these figures indicate the tremendous success of ALAS.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">La Libertad continues to take on challenges, including the 2010 opening of the university satellite campus of the Mariano G&aacute;lvez University, the only one in all of the Zona Reina. With this, the original vision of extending local education from the middle school to university level has been brought to fruition, but sustaining this vision takes continuous work on the part of not only ALAS, but program participants. One benefit of local university classes is that it guarantees that local teachers who want to stay in Zona Reina and expand the educational system can achieve their own necessary education to lead and inspire future students. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Unique Batik is proud to partner with ALAS in providing educational opportunities for the people of Zona Reina and San Antonio Nueva Esperanza. Through the years, the community has shown its commitment to education and La Libertad has created a program that can achieve its goals sustainably, making the vision of the founding village elders a reality that will touch generations to come.</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:21https://www.uniquebatik.us/introduction-to-the-modern-mayaIntroduction to the Modern Maya<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-6d18ee2d-7169-68f9-3549-2d5c1d2f6e37"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Once one of the most powerful civilizations in Central America, the Maya people remain an integral part of Guatemala. The rise of the Maya civilization began thousands of years ago and spread across what it now southern Mexico all the way to modern day Honduras. The Maya civilization lasted longer than any other Mesoamerican culture that came to power in the area, and as a result, traces of the culture remain very much alive even today. </span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Today, there are about six million Maya living in Central America. Although they have relatively modern lives, most still live a lifestyle that is distinct from that of Guatemalans descended from a European heritage. Instead of Spanish, the official language of Guatemala, most Maya speak primarily &nbsp;indigenous languages, of which there are 22, each reflective of a disparate regional heritage. Because the Maya civilization was so widespread geographically, various dialects evolved into unique languages over time. </span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Many Maya women, in particular, may not speak fluent Spanish at all. Growing up in Maya households and, unfortunately, likely not to have attended school where the Spanish language would be taught, women and girls speak only their indigenous language. Only 48% of indigenous women are literate in Spanish. This language barrier contributes to many disadvantages including inequality in the labor force, limited access to adequate health care, and exclusion from the legal system. Unique Batik works primarily with indigenous women, seeking to create income and the possibility of an education for those who would otherwise have little to no opportunity.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A history of craftsmanship is still seen in the beautiful handicrafts of Maya people today. Although their work has evolved to take in new influences, assimilate them, and in some cases become something entirely new, a reflection of Mayan history remains in carving, painting, textiles, and more. Considering today&rsquo;s prevalence of beaded jewelry, it may surprise many to learn that although weaving has been an integral part of Mayan culture for centuries, the introduction of small glass beads and the subsequent creation of woven beaded jewelry did not occur until quite recently. Since the introduction of the tiny glass bead, women in Guatemala have used their traditional weaving skills to create a wide range of jewelry designs, which have become quite popular in the marketplace.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Weaving holds a position of high importance in Maya culture, not only as a handicraft tradition,but as a religious and social tradition. Ixchel, goddess of the moon, has a special connection to women. She is represented with weaving implements in her headdress, and is said to have taught the first woman how to weave. The tradition is passed from woman to daughter, and has been for centuries. Weaving is a social activity, as well; with the portable backstrap loom, women can weave virtually anywhere. Historically, it is one of the only sources of income available primarily to women. Maya women take great pride in their weaving skills, as can be seen in the amazing textiles that come from the region.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At Unique Batik, we strive to sustain both ancient and new traditions of Mayan handicrafts through marketing these special products to buyers across the globe. Having spent many years traveling to Guatemala and the heart of the Maya culture, not only observing its beauty, but learning about it personally through friendships and long term partnerships with our artisans, we recognize both the beauty of the Maya peoples and the struggle that they face. Through fair trade, we hope to preserve the one and alleviate the other. </span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:20https://www.uniquebatik.us/reducing-impact-recycling-inspirationReducing Impact, Recycling Inspiration<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-79f3a9e2-3b9d-838b-b102-ba4c66fc3bfa"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In today&rsquo;s struggle to preserve the earth for future generations, the inclusion of people in developing countries is more important than ever. Not only are those in developing countries more at risk for health problems caused by environmental factors, without their participation in taking measures to combat environmental problems, there is little chance of seeing real change. As fair trade producers operating within the principles of fair trade as defined by the World Fair Trade Organization, Unique Batik is committed to using materials sourced sustainably, minimizing waste, and using production techniques that reduce environmental impact.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Environmental risk factors across the globe are &ldquo;greatest for the poor and vulnerable populations in developing countries,&rdquo; says the WHO&rsquo;s Health and Environment Linkages Initiative. This brings an even greater sense of urgency to our need to not only stop environmental impact but to reverse it. For example, deforestation, one of the greatest environmental issues in Guatemala, is both exacerbated by the poor rural populations who must make use of whatever resources they can find, and puts them at risk for further tragedy such as the 2005 landslides that killed more than 1500 people. In order to prevent the continued disappearance of Guatemala&rsquo;s forest, there must be other employment options for its people.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fair trade seeks to create employment opportunities that offer not only the financial means to preserve the environment, but to do it in a way that is intentional in reducing the impact of productions. Outside of the production of our crafts, Unique Batik also participates in other environmental initiatives. There is the everyday, such as recycling at our home office in Raleigh, NC, and riding our bikes to work. There is also the truly inspired, such as a project in Guatemala that takes mundane trash such as the plastic bags and wrappers and the ubiquitous plastic water bottle, and turns them into eco bricks that are donated to build homes for the poor. With little infrastructure in the rural area of Lake Atitlan, there is trash but nowhere to put it other than scattered about the ground in otherwise picturesque villages (at worst) or in a giant pile on the mountainside (at best). By stuffing the bags and wrappers into the plastic bottles until they become sturdy and solid, the bottles can then be used as &ldquo;bricks&rdquo; in building adobe homes and other structures. </span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Despite the many challenges to environmental sustainability in developing countries, in some ways their people could teach those in the Global North a lot about reducing, repurposing, and recycling. The people with whom we work are masters of recycling -- wasting almost nothing. Some of the recycled materials they use include: textiles, metal, plastic, and glass. These recycling techniques may be as straightforward as using recycled glass bottles to make glass beads or as whimsical as making bangles out of broken guitar strings. We at Unique Batik are proud to work with artisans whose creativity and ingenuity can rescue items that would otherwise go to waste and instead transform them into beautiful and useful products. Somehow, it seems appropriate that in a fair trading relationship, inspiration and knowledge are not a one-way thing. It is through working together that we can make an impact for good, both on the lives of producers and on this world we all share.</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:19https://www.uniquebatik.us/tres-estrellas-a-story-of-transformationTres Estrellas: A Story of Transformation<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-aebdff17-fde7-78cc-cdcc-eed663af3559"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the most beautiful things about fair trade is the way it transforms things. It transforms people who have oppression into people who have opportunity. It transforms beggars into businessmen. It transforms kids on the street into kids in the classroom. And sometimes, with a little creativity, it turns trash into treasure.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Take the humble guitar string. People have been playing guitars (or guitar-like instruments) for over three thousand years, and steel strings have been in use since around 1900. If you&rsquo;ve ever played a guitar, you know how frequently the strings break or have to be replaced, but have you ever thought about what happens to those strings when they are discarded? Are they recycled, do they end up in a landfill, or what? One Unique Batik artisan group is transforming recycled guitar strings into fun bracelets, bangles, and rings, and in the process, they are creating not just jewelry, but jobs. </span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tres Estrellas, located in the Canton Pujujil region on the edge of Lake Atitl&aacute;n, was founded in 1995 in response to the dire poverty of the people in the region. Or, as co-founder, Juan Par, put it, &ldquo;so that people would not die of hunger.&rdquo; The Guatemalan Civil War, which began in 1960, plagued the country for more than thirty years. The Maya people were particularly targeted by government death squads, forced disappearances, and a scorched earth policy. After decades of war and hundreds of thousands of lives lost, it is no surprise that rebuilding has been a long and arduous process. </span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Many Maya women were left widowed by the war, desperate to find ways to feed and care for their families. Today, most of the young women in the Tres Estrellas artisan group are children of widows. The group is made up of thirteen women, ages 22 - 45 years old. When there is not enough work making jewelry, the women supplement their income making traditional baskets, but because there is so much competition in the basket market, their income from selling baskets is about half of what they can earn making jewelry with the group. Group leader Juan and his wife, Maria, design and develop the products and provide training and technical assistance to the other group members. Juan has been a hard worker since he was a child working in the coffee and cotton fields with his father, and is grateful that this employment has allowed him to provide for his family and educate his eight children.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The biggest challenge for the group is to create enough work for the artisans, who are still struggling to rebuild their lives and their community in the aftermath of such a long and brutal war. With each unique guitar ring and bracelet that they make, they get a little closer to that long awaited dream. We hope that you will love our Unique Batik guitar jewelry not only because it is funky and cool and old-into-new, but because you want to be a part of transforming struggle into success. Together, we can do it - one string at a time.</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:18https://www.uniquebatik.us/artisan-spotlight-carmelita-ramosArtisan Spotlight: Carmelita Ramos<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-8bf366da-bd3a-1946-ecc2-14e5b2f26ed1"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sparkling beads dance across her hands as Carmelita Ramos creates earrings and bracelets to sell to customers in the distant land of the United States. Her dreams of earning a living and educating her children were once just as distant, but through her work and creativity and her connection with fair trade, those dreams have become a reality. Carmelita&rsquo;s story did not begin so differently from that of many, many other women in Guatemala. Being able to sell her handicrafts to a fair trade company like Unique Batik has given her the hand up -- not handout -- that changed the course of her life.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Born into a family of thirteen children in the rural mountain village of San Jorge in the department of Solola, Carmelita&rsquo;s challenges in life started early. None of the girls in her family were sent to school. This is still true for many girls in Guatemala; of the two million children who do not attend school, most are indigenous girls living in rural areas. In fact, 90% of these girls do not attend secondary school. Carmelita was no exception.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">With no education, Carmelita&rsquo;s options were few. She became a maid at a young age, which is a typical path, with 98% of domestic workers being women and 70% of domestic workers being indigenous Maya. However, Carmelita&rsquo;s story took a turn when, through her employers, she began making jewelry to sell for export. She immediately showed promise as a designer, creating an original bracelet featuring bamboo and making oven mitts out of scrap fabric. For her first significant order, she received a paycheck of Q1200 (the equivalent of $150 US dollars). &nbsp;It brought tears to her eyes because she had never seen a Q100 note. </span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Carmelita&rsquo;s creativity and ingenuity have been a big factor in her success as an artisan. Now part of a jewelry making cooperative of eleven people, all family members, Carmelita sources the beading materials herself and trains co-op members how to make new jewelry designs. Unlike many other artisans in the area, when Carmelita&rsquo;s group creates exclusive new designs for a customer, they do not sell them to anyone else. The group members work from their own homes, but confer on pricing, production, and any other issues that might come up. </span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Today, not only has Carmelita&rsquo;s story defied expectations, but her leadership of the artisan co-op has influenced the lives of many others. Her own daughter, Maria, has graduated with a degree in business administration.&nbsp; She has partially paid for her education and transportation to school through part-time work making beaded jewelry with the artisan co-op. Another group member, Marta, has five children, for whom Marta desperately wanted an education. Her husband did not support her dream, but through her earnings as an artisan, all of Marta&rsquo;s children have gone to school. &nbsp;Since the time her jewelry work began, Carmelita and her husband, Juan, have gone from living with her mother-in-law to buying their own land and building a two-story cement block house -- an extraordinary accomplishment for a woman who started with no education and no means.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The journey has not been without its challenges. Competition in the area is fierce for beaders, keeping their wages low. There is even a &ldquo;bead mafia&rdquo; which controls the availability of beads, so Carmelita&rsquo;s group is not always able to source the colors they need. US buyers are not always reliable, and it is the long-term, fair trade relationship with Unique Batik that has made a difference in the success of Carmelita&rsquo;s group. Ten years ago, a US buyer placed a big order for beaded jewelry from women in Carmelita&rsquo;s village, then pulled out without paying the women for their work. A mutual acquaintance gave Carmelita Unique Batik owner Sharon Gale&rsquo;s phone number. Carmelita called Sharon for help, and that began the relationship between Unique Batik and Carmelita&rsquo;s cooperative.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Carmelita&rsquo;s talent as a designer is special, but without the opportunities created by fair trade purchases, even with all her hard work and creativity, the story might not have such a happy ending. Given the opportunity to be treated with integrity and turn her gifts into a secure life for her family, Carmelita has transformed her own narrative. Thanks for being part of her happy ending!</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:17https://www.uniquebatik.us/las-mujeres-de-panabaj-working-together-to-rebuildLas Mujeres de Panabaj: Working Together to Rebuild<p><img style="margin: 10px; float: left;" alt="One" src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></p> <p id="docs-internal-guid-2f7f4cf6-6d93-e5bd-6599-da3bb71f1447" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For indigenous women in the villages on the banks of beautiful Lake Atitlan, life is not always as picturesque as their placid surroundings. Although many of the villages in the Lake Atitlan region are renowned for their form of handicrafts, or artesania, earning a sustainable, living wage through sales of these handicrafts -- no matter how unique or well-made -- presents many challenges. The thousands of tourists who visit the region each year don't make it to every small village, and even if they did, competition for craft sales is fierce. It takes more than crafting skills to be a successful artisan. For the artisan group Mujeres Panabaj, working together as a cooperative instead of trying to make it as individual artisans has been the key to success.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Founded in 1996, Mujeres Panabaj, is a cooperative of women artisans in Santiago<img style="margin: 10px; float: right;" alt="two" src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /> Atitlan. The group started out as &ldquo;Arte Indigena T&rsquo;zutujil&rdquo;, a name reflective of the T&rsquo;zutujil Maya people who founded their village of Panabaj and that of nearby Tzanchaj, and whose culture and language are prevalent even today. The group has faced a long and sometimes arduous road to their current success. One of the most tragic times they faced was in October, 2005 when a mudslide triggered by the heavy rains from Hurricane Stan struck, leaving an estimated 600 of the 3,000 villagers dead or missing, and those who escaped with little more than the clothes they were wearing. Many of the artisan group lost their husbands, children, and houses.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img style="margin: 10px; float: left;" alt="three" src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/3.jpg" height="150" width="155" />At the time, it seemed uncertain whether Panabaj would even be rebuilt. Many people were relocated to government housing in settlement further east, but despite the efforts of the government, the call of their ancestral home brought back most of the villagers to rebuild. Now the town looks much as it did before the catastrophe, although those who survived will never forget those they lost. In honor of their village, the group became &lsquo;Las Mujeres de Panabaj&rsquo;. <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" id="docs-internal-guid-2f7f4cf6-728f-ca39-84a0-f411a715d2d0">Donations from Unique Batik and others provided the women with looms and materials to start working again, and a grant from another organization provided them with money to rebuild their workshop and store.</span><br /></span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Today, Las Mujeres de Panabaj provides a regular, viable income for the twenty members, ages 25 - 40. The <img style="margin: 10px; float: right;" alt="four" src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/4.jpg" height="150" width="164" />members only earn money through their artesania, and the group is run very democratically, with a legal board of directors that changes every two years. Their weaving and jewelry making allow the women who, as T&rsquo;zutujil Maya, speak little to no Spanish, to support their families despite this disadvantage in the Guatemalan business world. The women can earn approximately $6.50 a day, which in the local economy is a fair price for their work. Artisans are paid promptly, every fifteen days. The group also helps those who want to pursue furthering their education; a few women have received scholarships to go to high school. The group is not limited to its original members, but accepts and trains new members, who are taught the beading and weaving techniques, making jewelry and products woven on a flat loom, such as belts. </span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"></p> <p style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-2f7f4cf6-7290-4d78-2a81-9df4b5a458f8"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Unique Batik purchases woven belts, geo and animal wallets, and Christmas ornaments from Las Mujeres de Panabaj. We are proud to bring their meticulously crafted and vibrant artesania to our customers in the U.S. When you buy these items, you are ensuring that the strong women of Panabaj are not only surviving their challenges, but thriving in the face of adversity.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 210px;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/guitar strap (5).JPG" width="337" height="150" alt="guitar strap" style="margin: 10px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" /></span></p> <p style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" dir="ltr"></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:16https://www.uniquebatik.us/guatemalas-beautiful-lake-atitlan-part-2Guatemala’s Beautiful Lake Atitlan, Part 2<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Lake%20Atitlan.png" alt="Lake Atitlan" style="float: left; margin: 10px;" height="135" width="180" /></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; word-spacing: normal; letter-spacing: normal; vertical-align: middle; text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Picturesque volcanic Lake Atitlan is home to many Unique Batik artisans. This mountainous region is rich with Maya cultural traditions and handicrafts and has more to offer visitors than just its promise of beautiful vistas and eternally spring-like weather. The small villages that surround this huge body of water, formed in a caldera millions of years ago, are as captivating as anything the scenery can boast. </span></p> <p></p> <p><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/San Juan.png" alt="San Juan" style="margin: 10px; float: right;" height="122" width="164" /></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">San Juan la Laguna, located on the western shore of Lake Atitlan, is a quiet, clean village of about 8,000 residents.&nbsp;&nbsp;Off the beaten (tourist) path, its resulting relaxed atmosphere allows visitors to get away from the bustle of the city and experience the genuine friendliness of the indigenous Guatemalan people. This charming village is renowned for its painting, and boasts talented oil painters and several street murals. There is also a women&rsquo;s coop of weavers who use only hand-gathered natural dyes, keeping centuries-old traditions alive.</span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Ana weaving with natural dye.png" alt="Ana" style="margin: 10px; float: left;" height="189" width="142" /></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Across the lake, on the eastern shore is San Antonio Palopo, one of the oldest lake settlements and well known for its handmade majolica style pottery. Historically, each village has had its own distinguishing style of dress, or traje, and that of San Antonio Palopo features striped tops for both men and women. In this traditional village, it is not unusual to see people wearing this style of clothing even today. San Antonio Palopo also offers terrific views of the lake -- one can enjoy the vista as well as a completely unique view by hiking to the top of the village and the ancient terraced onion fields found there.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/San Juan Spinners.png" alt="San Juan Spinners" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right;" height="178" width="150" /></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The village of Santa Clara la Laguna offers a completely different experience; located high in the mountains among miles of coffee plantations and forest, it is home to the famous Rosto de la Maya overlook. Seen from below, Rosto de la Maya or &lsquo;Face of the Maya&rsquo; looks like a face in profile; from the overlook itself one can see the entire lake, and on a clear day, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. In Santa Clara la Laguna, making baskets is part of the traditional culture of the town because the baskets were historically used during the coffee harvest. Now, basket weaving also brings in income from craft sales, and there is a cooperative specializing in different styles of cane baskets for export.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/San Antonio Ceramics.png" alt="San Antonio Pottery" style="float: left; margin: 10px;" height="200" width="150" /></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The craft traditionse Lake Atitlan region are directly tied to history both ancient and modern. Whether artisans create because it is an integral part of their culture that must be passed down from generation to generation, or whether their skills were imported along with the many expatriates who are drawn to this enchanting region, the value of handcrafting is embraced and celebrated. Clare&ntilde;os make baskets and San Antonio Palopo is the place to find pottery. Each village around Lake Atitlan is unique, seeped in its own special Maya language, dress, and traditions. It could take a lifetime to explore them all, and it would be a lifetime well spent.</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:15https://www.uniquebatik.us/guatemalas-beautiful-lake-atitlan-part-1Guatemala’s Beautiful Lake Atitlan, Part 1<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-21500878-2d73-2e1e-9b0e-83189282238a"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Last week, we introduced artisan Diego Ravenal, who started his jewelry business selling his wares at a booth catering to tourists. Tourism is Guatemala&rsquo;s third largest source of income, with its main attractions being archeological sites of Mayan culture, the colonial city of Antigua, and beautiful Lake Atitlan, where Diego and his family live and work. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/2Lake Atitlan.png" width="200" height="150" alt="Lake Atitlan 1" style="float: left; margin: 10px;" /><span></span>Many of our artisans work in the region of Lake Atitlan, which is a huge volcanic lake in the Guatemalan highlands. Lake Atitlan is fifty square miles in area, and its thirty-one miles of coastline are surrounded by myriad villages, each unique. Famous travelers including writer Aldous Huxley and German explorer Alexander von Humboldt have described it as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, and anyone who has seen its expanse of pacific blue waters reflecting the looming volcanic mountains that etch out its perimeter would have to agree. A three hour bus ride from Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan is a popular tourist destination with both local and foreign tourists, who come for the scenic beauty and the cultural interest found in its surrounding villages.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There are seven main villages surrounding Lake Atitlan, with Panajachel being the most easily accessible and the launching point for most visits. Panajachel, or &ldquo;Pana&rdquo; as it is affectionately called, may not be the most beautiful of the villages, but with its amenities and panoramic view of the lake, it&rsquo;s the perfect base camp for a visit to the region. On Calle Santander, you will find cybercafes, a wide variety of restaurants, travel agencies, and plenty of handicrafts. All of the international visitors make Pana a somewhat cosmopolitan oasis in an otherwise rural area.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/4Louisa and Her Mom.png" width="150" height="200" alt="Louisa and her mom" /><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Louisa and her mom</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Across the lake from Panajachel, you will find Santiago Atitlan, the largest of the lake communities. Santiago Atitlan is predominantly populated by indigenous Maya and there you will find strong ties to the Maya life, including women dressed in the traditional striped skirts and embroidered blouses, or huipils. Traditionally, each village in Guatemala had its own style of embroidery and dress, and you could easily recognize someone by their garb, but the younger generation of women simply wear what they like, regardless of their village. Santiago Atitlan is known for its handicrafts and for the shrine of Maxim&oacute;n, a folk saint venerated by Maya people.</span></p> <p style="padding-left: 210px;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/6Elena.png" width="150" height="200" alt="Elena" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/7Carmen and Carmalita.png" width="136" height="200" alt="Carmen and Carmalita" /><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Elena &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Carmen &amp; Carmalita</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The village of Santa Catarina Palopo, two and a half miles south of Pana, is smaller and less visited by tourists. Those who visit enjoy the very pretty Santa Catarina Palopo Church, nestled at the foot of the mountain. Although the market is smaller than those of Panajachel or Santiago Atitlan, it is known for its exquisite handicrafts, especially for weaving. For the truly adventurous, a day hike from Pana to Santa Catarina Palopo and a return in the back of a pickup truck can be a fun day away from the tourist scene.</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/5vendedora.png" width="150" height="200" alt="vendedora" /><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; vendedora</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Just as one visit to Lake Atitlan could never be enough to enjoy all it has to offer, we can&rsquo;t possibly describe it in once post. Next week, look for more on why so many visitors have fallen in love with this unique spot in Guatemala...</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/1Lake Atitlan.png" width="200" height="150" alt="Lake Atitlan" /></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <span style="font-size: medium;">&nbsp; <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">village overlooking the lake</span></span></p> <p></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:14https://www.uniquebatik.us/artisan-spotlight-diego-ravinalArtisan Spotlight: Diego Ravinal<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-d124ab98-0666-83d9-a18a-932f70a197a8"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Everything old is new again, right? At its best, fashion takes classics that have been around for ages, and spins them into something new right before our eyes. Oscar de la Renta, Rachel Roy, Nicole Miller, and several other designers showed pearls for Spring 2014, but these weren&rsquo;t your granny&rsquo;s pearls. While pearls have an elegant, classic aesthetic, they take on a cool, young edge when mixed with more casual pieces. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">At Unique Batik, we are always looking for ways to translate fun fresh trends into our handcrafted jewelry and bags, so we&rsquo;re pleased to bring you the Pearl Circus Necklace and Pearl Circus 2 Strand as a great way to incorporate the pearl micro trend into your spring and summer wardrobe. These subtly dramatic pearl necklaces are created for us by the same family of artisans that makes our delightful Circus collection of jewelry, as well as our Rock Candy and Trapeze collections.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/pearl circus 2 strand.jpg" width="230" height="153" alt="Pearl Circus" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /> </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Led by artisan Diego Ravinal and based in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala, the group is made up of Diego, his four sisters, and his brother-in-law. When their father died thirteen years ago, Diego had to abandon his education, leaving school to work and support the family. Diego was able to get a bank loan of Q3500 (the equivalent of $450) and set up a stall on one of the main streets in town, near the beach. There, he sold jewelry and other trinkets to tourists, as the town in which he lives is on a beautiful volcanic lake and is a popular vacation spot. Although doing business this way was enough to get by, Diego was unable to grow his business until he could find a wholesale buyer.</span></p> <p style="padding-left: 120px;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Diego.png" width="171" height="199" alt="Diego" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Lake Atitlan.png" width="356" height="200" alt="Lake Atitlan" /><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When Diego connected with Sharon and started making jewelry for Unique Batik, he was able to generate enough work for all four of his sisters. Diego&rsquo;s family has not had the opportunity for much education -- both his mother and three of his sisters are illiterate and not all of them are able to speak Spanish fluently. This means that income generating opportunities are few and far between. Their work making jewelry allows them to contribute to the prosperity of the family, and gives them a voice in decision making. When making decisions about pay and production, the group dialogues and decides together. </span></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Chona.png" width="176" height="236" alt="Chona" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Elena.png" width="176" height="235" alt="Elana" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Maria.png" width="170" height="235" alt="Maria" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/The Kids.png" width="169" height="234" alt="Diego's Kids" /><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Diego is proud of his work; he has created his own designs, and when people come to his stall and admire his jewelry, saying it is unique, it gives him energy to continue creating. He has also continued his education, going to school in the afternoons, and is only one class away from completing his studies and getting his diploma. In the six years of working together with his family he has built a successful business and now dreams of growing that business and building his own home in Santiago. Sure, it&rsquo;s the same dream that people have had for generations...but some things never go out of style.</span></p> <p style="padding-left: 120px;"><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:13https://www.uniquebatik.us/fair-trade-principles-no-forced-or-child-laborFair Trade Principles: No Forced or Child Labor<p dir="ltr">It might surprise you to learn that there are more people enslaved today than there were at the height of the U.S. slave industry -- more than at any other time in human history. Although it is difficult to track, since human trafficking is a hidden business, the Walk Free Foundation estimates that there are over 29 million people being held in slavery across the globe today. Slavery is defined as being forced to work through fraud, threat of violence, for no pay.</p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>Although the rates of slavery are highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe, it happens in every country in the world. In the U.S., there are an estimated 60,000 people being held in slavery, many of them illegal immigrants. Something all of these populations have in common is that the workers are made more vulnerable by high rates of poverty, unemployment, and discrimination. Women everywhere are more at risk than men, as are children. Eighty percent of transnational trafficking victims are women, and fifty percent of them are children.</span></p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>The commercial sex industry is rampant with forced labor, and sadly, many men, women and children are trafficked into just such situations. However, not all trafficking is sex trafficking; many people are held through debt bondage as migrant farm workers, laborers, or in domestic servitude. One industry with the most rampant abuse of forced child labor is that of chocolate production, with an estimated 200,000 children working in cacao fields in the Ivory Coast alone.</span></p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>How does buying fair trade fight human trafficking? According to the WFTO, one of the principles of fair trade is that there is no forced or child labor involved. When you see an organization labeled fair trade, you can know that they have ensured that no forced labor and no child labor is involved in the production of their goods. When you see a food or beverage labeled fair trade, you can know that none of the farm workers were children or forced laborers. For example, if you want to continue enjoying chocolate, and you find it bothers you to think that your Hershey bar was produced by enslaved children, you can make your next chocolate purchase fair trade chocolate and feel good about that choice.</span></p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>Another important way fair trade fights human trafficking is that is creates sustainable employment opportunities for at risk populations. Poverty is a huge risk factor for victims of trafficking. People who are desperate for work leave their villages and go to the big city or even other countries to find jobs, and instead, they find themselves cheated and trapped. People who are desperate to feed their families send their children away under the belief that they will be cared for, they will be educated, they will be able to work for a while and send money back to their families and return safely. Instead, their children are forced to labor on cocoa plantations with machetes in the hot sun.</span></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-020b1e38-e55b-ebb6-aaaa-fa8c1af2a183"><br /><span></span><span>Fair trade work is done by fairly paid adults, who are paid enough to support their families, educate their children, and live lives of dignity and respect. When you choose to pay a little bit more for a bar of chocolate that is labeled fair trade, you choose to prevent child slavery. When you buy a handmade bag made by fairly paid artisans, instead of one made by laborers in a sweatshop, you choose to prevent forced labor. Human trafficking may sound like a far away problem, but it is not unrelated to our choices. The things we buy and the things we consume are paid for by us, or by those who are exploited to create them.</span></span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:12https://www.uniquebatik.us/the-sacred-grainThe Sacred Grain<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-9d4ab641-bed6-1ffd-c8c7-1a8c34932c0d"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The culture that brought us chocolate and guacamole is also the basis of Guatemalan cuisine. Mayan foodways reign supreme in Guatemala in traditional foods such as corn, beans, and chilis, although there is also a clear European influence. Rice, for example, now a staple of Guatemalan meals, was introduced by the Spanish during their rule which began in the 1500s. Before that, maize was the main crop, and it is still seen at almost every meal in the form of the ever present corn tortilla. Mayans first cultivated corn around 2500 BC; in fact, it was corn that helped form the great civilization when the formerly nomadic people began to settle in order to tend their crops.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A fundamental of everyday eating, the tortilla can be found virtually everywhere in Guatemala. Residents of the region have been eating tortillas for at least 3500 years. The Mayan creation myth even tells of the gods making humans out of various substances until they found one that was successful - corn. In Mayan culture, a meal is not complete unless it includes some kind of corn. In fact, the words for &ldquo;tortilla&rdquo; and &ldquo;to eat&rdquo; are almost identical. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mesoamericans made tortillas from maize that had been nixtamalized, or soaked in an alkaline mixture, usually lime. Although historians do not know when or how nixtamalized maize became a dietary staple, we do know that through using this preparation of the grain, the nutritional value of the corn is released for human absorption of niacin, B vitamins, and amino acids. Without this process, it is impossible to live on corn as a main food source. People who consume a large amount of maize that has not been nixtamalized suffer from pellagra, birth defects, and even death. When Columbus brought maize back to Europe and Africa and it was consumed widely without the traditional preparation, the result was a devastating epidemic of pellagra which remained a medical mystery for centuries. Though they did not have the benefit of modern nutritional information, the Mayans and other Mesoamerican peoples developed and used this fundamental process for corn thousands of years before the Spanish arrived in the New World.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Try your hand at making the thick, delicious tortillas of Guatemala. You don&rsquo;t have to boil your own maize in limewater -- a simple trip to a Latin grocery store will yield a bag of masa harina, or nixtamalized corn flour. The ingredients are simple - flour, water, salt, and a little love. &nbsp;It may take some practice to get the technique down, but that&rsquo;s half the fun!</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Guatemalan Tortillas</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yield: 16 medium tortillas</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ingredients:</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 cups masa harina</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 &frac14; cups water</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">&frac14; teaspoon salt</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Directions:</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, water, and salt until a soft ball forms. Continue kneading until the mixture has the consistency of play-dough. Cover and allow the dough to rest for ten minutes.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Divide the dough into sixteen pieces of equal size and roll them into small balls. Keep the dough covered with a damp towel to keep them from drying out. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3. Shape the tortillas by clapping the ball back and forth between your hands. If you&rsquo;d rather, you can roll them with a rolling pin between two pieces of plastic wrap, or use a tortilla press. Just remember that to be authentic Guatemala style tortillas, they should not be too thin (at least &frac14; inch thick).</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4. On a preheated griddle or large skillet over medium-high heat, cook tortillas for about one minute per side. When they are ready, there will be small black spots and the tortillas should easily come off the cooking surface without sticking.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5. As you finish cooking the tortillas, remove them to a plate or basket; cover and keep warm.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serve warm and enjoy! Try the tortillas by themselves with butter or guacamole, or as a side with black beans or stew.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:11https://www.uniquebatik.us/nutrition-vital-supportNutrition: Vital Support<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-96ed24b9-9d58-a58c-aa38-b6ad643f6518"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Among the many challenges faced by disadvantaged populations in Guatemala is that of providing adequate nutrition for themselves and their families. Guatemala has the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world. The mainstay of the typical diet is based on corn (in the form of tortillas) and beans, and also includes sugar, cheese, eggs, meat and fresh fruits and vegetables. Although many Guatemalans enjoy the exceptional coffee grown in their country, it is typical a much weaker brew than that preferred in America and is usually served with plenty of sugar. The most impoverished people in Guatemala often subsist on a diet of just corn, beans, and fruit, which provides inadequate amounts of many nutrients, including amino acids and fat.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Almost 20% of the population of Guatemala is categorized as undernourished by the World Bank. &nbsp;Children under the age of five are especially at risk, with over 25% being underweight and over 50% being stunted (short for their age). Most at risk are rural, indigenous people, who are also the less educated and poorest populations in the country. Anemia is big risk particularly for pregnant women and infants. The underlying cause of the much of the nutritional deficiency for the majority of Guatemalans is economic access to food. 54% of the population is living below the poverty line, and these people only consume about 60% of the minimum daily caloric requirement, leading to malnutrition.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Unique Batik &nbsp;provides vital income to just this at-risk population through fair trade purchases of their handmade crafts. Seeing the nutritional challenges faced by so many of the people of Guatemala, we wanted to do more, and when the good work of ODIM was brought to our attention, it seemed like the right partnership for advancing the cause of good nutrition in Guatemala. Unique Batik has been a supporter of ODIM for several years, funding their Children&rsquo;s Cultural Exchange (CCE) and Nutrition Project.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ODIM is an organization operating in the Highlands of Guatemala on the shores of Lake Atitlan in two villages, San Juan and San Pablo La Laguna, with a focus on healthcare and education. ODIM stands for Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya, and the two villages where they work have a total population of approximately 20,000 people, almost entirely indigenous Maya. ODIM&rsquo;s Nutrition Project was founded in 2010 after seeing a drastic increase in severely malnourished children at their healthcare clinics. The Nutrition Project is a comprehensive nutrition program that works with twenty families. Participants attend monthly classes in hygiene, nutrition, combating common illnesses, safe food preparation, and family budgeting. The program also includes cooking classes, bi-monthly health checks, emergency food assistance and a community garden where families in the program work and share in the vegetable harvests.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The nutrition, cooking, and budgeting classes, as well as the organic vegetables and herbs from the community garden established especially for them, has greatly improved the lives of both the mothers and children involved in the Nutrition Project. ODIM no longer sees such extreme cases as the month-old baby girl, weighing 4 pounds and the 10-month-old baby boy, weighing 8.8 pounds who were the impetus for the program. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You can support the good work of ODIM by visiting their website </span><a href="http://www.odimguatemala.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.odimguatemala.org/</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, connecting to their organization on Amazon Smile, and , of course, continuing your fair trade purchases through Unique Batik!</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:10https://www.uniquebatik.us/unique-batik-and-fair-trade-the-fair-in-fair-tradeUnique Batik and Fair Trade: The “Fair” in Fair Trade<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-183c4232-7125-d974-081e-ff429d5d894b"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Continuing our exploration of the ten principles of Fair Trade as outlined by one of the leading bodies in the fair trade world, the World Fair Trade Organization, let&rsquo;s look at what it means to pay a fair price. The idea that producers receive a fair price for their goods is the most basic idea of the fair trade movement. It&rsquo;s also the one most familiar to consumers. If you ask someone what &ldquo;fair trade&rdquo; means, that&rsquo;s the first thing that comes to mind. Some people equate &ldquo;fair trade&rdquo; with &ldquo;fair wage&rdquo; (although there&rsquo;s a lot more to it than that).</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It doesn&rsquo;t really seem necessary to explain why, if we call ourselves fair traders, we should be paying artisans a fair price. Even small children understand the concept of fairness. Maybe some of them understand it better than a lot of America&rsquo;s large corporations. Instead of talking about why it&rsquo;s important to pay a fair price -- which seems pretty obvious -- let&rsquo;s talk about what makes a price fair. Who determines what&rsquo;s fair? How do they decide how much is enough?</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">First of all, who determines a fair price? The answer is that the price is determined by both the producer and the buyer. We dialogue together to determine what price is appropriate for each product that is being made. If that seems unlikely to work because the goals of the two parties are mutually exclusive, consider this -- as fair traders, we </span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">want </span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">to provide a living wage to artisans. It&rsquo;s one of the reasons we&rsquo;re in business. But both the artisans and we at Unique Batik want that income to be sustainable, so the price that we pay them has to translate to a retail price that consumers are willing to pay us. In our mission to provide sustainable income to the artisans with whom we work, we must work together to find that fine line. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So, how do we determine what constitutes a living wage? There are a lot of factors that affect the answer to that, including where the artisans are working, the cost of materials, and how long they will work on the product. The cost of living in their local economy is relevant, as we are buying from artisans living in different countries, where the cost of living may vary. Producers know that we pay a fair price as we are familiar with the cost of living in the area and what local wages are. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The important thing is that wherever they are living, artisans earn enough to pay for the basic necessities of life. They should be able to provide shelter, food, and clean water to their families; they should be able to educate their children, and have access to medical care. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As any small child could tell you, we&rsquo;re supposed to treat others the way we want to be treated. When you look at it that way, it&rsquo;s fairly simple.</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:9https://www.uniquebatik.us/mixing-it-up-for-springMixing It Up for Spring<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" id="docs-internal-guid-75c03b2f-526e-9cc4-530a-3c86f1f0dfd7"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For Spring/Summer 2014, we&rsquo;re excited to introduce a new collection of Unique Batik bags and scarves made in Guatemala. These au courant accessories reflect a couple of spring trends, including nautical inspired stripes and animal print. Mixed with another spring trend -- florals -- polka dots and leopard print look fresh, fun, and ready to go anywhere.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">An important part of both our design process and our commitment as a fair trade organization is working with artisans to preserve cultural traditions while creating brand-new products that are on trend. Recycled </span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">huipils</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (embroidered blouses traditionally worn by Mayan women) have long been one of our favorite materials to use for bags of all sizes. Embroidery patterns from all over Guatemala make their way onto these beautiful, elaborate textiles and represent unique designs found in each region. As </span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">huipils</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> become worn and unwearable, they are sold at the marketplace, which is how Unique Batik can bring you hand-embroidered work at affordable prices...another reason to love recycling!</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">With a little bit of ingenuity, these recycled </span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">huipils</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> can become something completely new, both beautiful and practical for the way we live our lives here and now. Artisans appreciate design assistance, in regard to both functionality and form. Information, like what size to make a bag perfect for carrying your passport while traveling, and what colors are going to be hot this season, is exactly what they need to know to develop successful products. Often, it is an ongoing process. For example, when working on a new product, we talk about colors and they send us samples. Then, we communicate again and the samples are refined, until the artisans know exactly what colors to use to get consistent results.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Santos Perez is one of the many artisans who benefit from such design assistance. He and members of his extended family work together to create one of our favorite wardrobe staples, the striped scarf. Working in the village of San Antonio, the group makes foot loom and back strap loom scarves, with 21 women doing the iconic back strap weaving and three men working on the larger foot looms. The group is proud of the work that they do, both in keeping traditional weaving alive and in the quality of the products they make. They only use first quality thread that doesn&rsquo;t fade or bleed when washed. The biggest challenge they have faced is finding a market for their handicrafts; through their sales to Unique Batik, they can provide for their families, including sending all of their kids to school. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our new striped scarves crafted by Santos and his family feature color schemes influenced by two classic but always fresh trends. The red and white stripes reflect the nautical chic seen all over fashion runways for spring and summer. Earthy toned stripes are a take on the animal print craze that doesn&rsquo;t seem to be going anywhere. Both of these manage to be trendy but never faddish. We think they look great paired with the mixed prints of our new bags, so don&rsquo;t be afraid to mix it up and make it your own!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Purple%20Polka%20Dot.png" width="202" height="282" alt="Polka Pot Passport and San Antonio Stripe Scarf" title="Passport and Scarf" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Green%20Polka%20Dot.png" width="264" height="182" alt="Polka Dot Flap and San Antonio Stripe Scarf" title="Flap and Scarf" style="vertical-align: baseline;" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Red%20Polka%20Dot.png" width="204" height="284" alt="Polka Dot Eyeglass Case and San Antonio Stripe Scarf" title="Eyeglass Case and Scarf" /></span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:8https://www.uniquebatik.us/education-the-gift-of-a-lifetime-2Education: The Gift of a Lifetime<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In Guatemala, over a million children are not in school -- one in 28, according to a UNESCO educational report. Many kids are working to support their families, while others would go to school if their parents could afford the fees. Although primary school in Guatemala is ostensibly free and compulsory, only thirty percent of students who begin school finish the six years of primary school. While school is theoretically free, in reality, there are high registration fees, costs for materials such as textbooks, and more, putting even basic education outside of the realm of possibility for many families. Those who drop out are disproportionately rural and from indigenous families, just like the ten students who are receiving scholarships through Unique Batik.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks to your purchases from Unique Batik, ten children who could have been part of these dire statistics made it to school last year. Ten students at a rural school in the mountainous state of Solola , Guatemala, received scholarships through Unique Batik to continue their primary and middle school education. The group, composed mostly of girls, all come from families with limited economic resources who would otherwise be unable to provide an education for their children. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Because they know it isn&rsquo;t always guaranteed, these children value education and see it as a bridge to a better future for themselves and their families. Recently, we received a packet of thank you cards from Pedro, the local scholarship coordinator, which contained three handmade notes from scholarship recipients. Pedro also sent pictures of the students and the school. In their pictures, the girls, dressed in the traditional Mayan costume of embroidered blouses and a woven wrap skirt bisected by a wide belt of woven fabric, stare seriously at the camera, but their solemnity at having their pictures taken is belied by the sparkly stickers and handdrawn flowers that decorate their letters. The handdrawn strawberries, glittery stickers, and rows of fanciful flowers and a carefully cut out scalloped edge, express the pride and creativity of the girls who made them. </span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In a country with the second lowest literacy rate in the Western Hemisphere, simply being able to write a thank you note is a great achievement. Indigenous women are the most marginalized population in the country, with a literacy rate of only thirty percent. This is the group from whom we buy most of our handicrafts, and the ones we aim to help with our scholarship program. The education they are receiving has allowed these girls to dream of a life different from the one their parents have led; they can conceive of a bigger world, filled with opportunity. Filomena writes that she hopes to achieve her dreams of being a successful professional, and Elena anticipates finishing middle school, an accomplishment made by only the top third of the population.</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If the statistics seem overwhelming, remember that you can make a difference. You have made a difference. The support of Unique Batik customers has changed the narrative for at least ten kids. We couldn&rsquo;t express our gratitude any better than they did:</span></p> <p><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am grateful to you with all my heart for helping me with my studies and helping me achieve my dreams -- Belinda, 4th grade.</span></p> <p><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Belinda.JPG" width="147" height="196" alt="Picture of Belinda" title="Belinda" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Cartas de agradecimientos de los Becados (1)1.jpg" width="232" height="197" alt="Card from Belinda" title="Card" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Cartas de agradecimientos de los Becados (1)2.jpg" width="226" height="197" alt="Card from Belinda" title="Card" /></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am very happy that I completed the sixth grade. With your help, I will get my diploma -- Filomena, 6th grade.</span></p> <p><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Filomena.JPG" width="146" height="194" alt="Picture of Filomena" title="Filomena" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Cartas de agradecimientos de los Becados (1)3.jpg" width="225" height="191" alt="Card from Filomena" title="Card" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Cartas de agradecimientos de los Becados (1)4.jpg" width="225" height="191" alt="Card from Filomena" title="Card" /><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p> <p></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am very grateful to you for helping me in my studies so that I can achieve my goals -- Elena, 8th grade.</span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Elena.JPG" width="145" height="193" alt="Picture of Elena" title="Elena" style="float: left;" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Cartas de agradecimientos de los Becados (1)5.jpg" width="244" height="188" alt="Card from Elena" title="Card" /><img src="http://www.uniquebatik.us/Content/Images/uploaded/BlogImages/Cartas de agradecimientos de los Becados (1)6.jpg" width="122" height="160" alt="Card from Elena" title="Elena" /></p> <p><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:6https://www.uniquebatik.us/unique-batik-and-fair-trade-opportunity-not-charityUnique Batik and Fair Trade: Opportunity, Not Charity<p dir="ltr">Last week, in our first post, we promised you a glimpse into how your purchases from Unique Batik benefit artisans. Although a lot of consumers have become more educated about fair trade, it&rsquo;s a term with a lot of meaning behind it, so we thought it would be helpful to unpack a little of that meaning by taking a look at the principles of fair trade and what it means to be a fair trader.</p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>The WFTO, or World Fair Trade Organization, outlines ten principles of fair trade in </span><a href="http://www.wfto.com/?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=2&amp;Itemid=14"><span>this document</span></a><span>, called...10 Principles of Fair Trade. Hey, they&rsquo;re all about fair trade, not about making up clever titles!</span></p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>Principle #1 is &ldquo;Creating Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers.&rdquo; If you&rsquo;re a fair trade business, you&rsquo;re working with producers who don&rsquo;t have a lot of other opportunities; they are people who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. But it&rsquo;s important to remember that &ldquo;disadvantaged&rdquo; doesn&rsquo;t mean stupid, incompetent, or lazy. Many people in this world are born into challenging circumstances. They may not have an education or job opportunities, but given the chance, they can learn good business practices, work with dignity to support their families, and become self-sufficient. That&rsquo;s what fair trade is all about.</span></p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>At Unique Batik, we are working with people who have not had the opportunity for a good education. Most of our artisans are women who have been to less than five years of school; many have not been formally educated at all. Ways for women to earn an income at other work are scarce in these communities. They can clean houses, make tortillas, or sell gathered produce at the local market, making perhaps $2-3 a day. By producing the beautiful handicrafts that you love, women artisans are able to work in their homes and have the advantage of combining their household activities with their work. They earn $10 a day for about five hours of work. Sometimes, in order to supplement the household income, their husbands help them at night and on the weekends; they can earn over twice as much with this work as what they earn at their day labor jobs. </span></p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>What&rsquo;s the most important thing to the women when they have this extra income? How do they spend it? Educating their children. They want their kids to have the knowledge and the chances that they didn&rsquo;t have. It&rsquo;s pretty exciting to see how fair trade work can break the cycle of poverty for a family. There aren&rsquo;t many other things that can make such a difference in one generation, which is one of the many reasons we believe in fair trade.</span></p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>The other really important word in that principle? &ldquo;Opportunities.&rdquo; Fair trade is about opportunity, not charity. We&rsquo;re telling you about the challenges our artisans face not so that you will feel sorry for them, but so that you can be impressed at how they have overcome their circumstances to take that little boost they have been given -- and fly. At Unique Batik, we&rsquo;re not just buying things from producers; we&rsquo;re working with artisans, many of whom have become our friends, so that they can be self-sufficient. We help build their businesses by communicating about quality control, sourcing better materials, and redesigning products that don&rsquo;t sell. Our hope, and theirs, is not only to keep up steady purchases and income for our existing artisans, but to grow so that they can hire more artisans. </span></p> <p><span><span><br /><span></span></span></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><span>And, ultimately, change more lives.</span></p> <p><span>&nbsp;</span></p>urn:store:1:blog:post:5https://www.uniquebatik.us/unique-batik-behind-the-brandUnique Batik: Behind the Brand<p>What do you get when you combine innovative design with inspirational programs in developing countries? Charmed objects and changed lives!</p> <p></p> <p>Here at Unique Batik, we think it&rsquo;s time to let our fans know about the great work their purchases support, so follow our new blog to meet our artisans, get behind the scenes glimpses of our design process, and learn more about our fair trade business practices. There are so many stories to tell, and we can&rsquo;t wait to share them with you! In the next month, you will hear from Carmela, one of the artisans behind our beaded jewelry , get an in depth look at our scholarship program in Guatemala, and have a sneak peek at upcoming bags for spring. And that&rsquo;s just the beginning...</p> <p></p> <p>Have you ever liked a brand until you found out about their unethical business practices? Maybe you watched the collapse of the factory in Bangladesh last year, and wondered if any of the things you bought were made there. Think of this blog as an antidote to the daily discouragement brought on by hearing about child labor, sweatshops, and human trafficking. Instead of just talking about the problems, we can focus on the solutions. We think fair trade is an important solution that can alleviate all of those issues and bring lives of dignity and respect to people in developing countries. Every fair trade purchase you make, makes a difference.</p> <p></p> <p>Unique Batik is proud of the work we do and of the artisans with whom we work. Many of them face a lot of challenges in life, but they have overcome those challenges to create lives of quality for themselves and their families, and new possibilities for their children. Supporting education and opportunity for kids is a big part of who we are. Every one of our artisans&rsquo; children is enrolled in school. We also provide scholarships for other children, help support teachers in a remote village school, and offer nutritional programs for mothers and infants. There is nothing more uplifting than hearing from a child who is excited about getting to go to school, or having a mother say her work making jewelry means her children will get the education she never had.</p> <p></p> <p>Doing business in a moral and ethical way is something that happened organically for us. We simply believe that you should treat others in the same way you would want to be treated. Becoming part of the fair trade movement was a natural fit and has allowed us to expand our support for artisans and connect them to you, our customer. Every step of our process is about creating beautiful products, finding the fun and the funky, and doing it in a way that makes the world a better place.</p> <p></p> <p>We want to share these stories with you because they energize and inspire us, and we think the world needs more of that. More good news, more positivity, and more discovery. If that&rsquo;s what you want, keep reading!</p>