Recycled magazine frames are a great gift for every eco-conscious dad. Made in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, our recycled magazine products are part of a program aimed at helping street children, poor women, and people of ethnic minorities. The 3″x3″ and 4″x6″ frames are made of tightly coiled recycled magazines and candy wrappers; the paper is cut, folded into long strips, and then soaked in glue (pictured above).

Handcrafted in India, these tree of life picture frames can hold 3″x3″, 4″x6″, or 5″x7″ photos and. They are truly unique, each with slight color variations of hand-carved mango wood. Make it a complete set with a matching box!

These striking frames are hand-woven by women of the indigenous Bodo tribe of Assam, India. The artisan cooperative uses 100% cotton scrap fabric, woven on bamboo looms, to create stylish pieces that incorporate traditional Bodo design elements. The 5″x7″ recycled fabric frames come in a variety colors, in both single and double frames.

What better way to show off your treasured memories with Dad than with a one-of-a-kind frame? Stop by San Francisco’s Global Exchange Store to see even more handcrafted frames, and other great fair trade Father’s Day gift items! Remember – this week only – buy one frame, get the second 50% off!

Graduation season is upon us!

Here are a few ideas to get you started…

1. Semi-precious gemstone jewelry. Crafted in small villages in Bali, our earrings and necklaces feature radiant gemstones placed in delicately shaped sterling silver. The gemstones range from birthstones like Garnet and Peridot to the more unusual Jadite and Iolite. As each piece is entirely hand-fabricated, no two are exactly identical; each is an individual work of art.

2. Hammocks made from t-shirt production waste in El Salvador. Give the gift of relaxation with these 100% cotton hammocks. Using cotton trim pieces from a T-shirt factory that would normally be thrown away, the cotton is ground and re-spun into these beautiful striped hammocks. Recycled candle wax, gathered from local churches, is also used to lubricate the cotton for weaving. Even the machinery used to spin and weave these hammocks was purchased used!

3. Recycled Innertube Nature Bag. The ideal student bag: it’s sturdy enough to hold a laptop, textbooks, notepads, cell phones… and it’s fashionable! The Nature Bag is giving old truck tires a whole new life, with cut out green fabric leaf shapes to add color and decorative black on black stitching on the front pockets giving texture and style. The El Salvadorian artisans making these bags are collecting inner-tubes that have been accumulated and would be thrown into landfills that pollute the Earth.

4. Steel and Brass Handmade Scissors. The perfect gift for anyone crafty! These highly functional scissors work very well cutting everything from fabric to posterboard, and are comfortable to use with strong blades and large finger rings. They were made in India by a family that has been making scissors for generations. The blades are hand-forged carbonized steel, and the handles are cast brass.  Display box in photo is not included with scissors.

5. Mother of Pearl Inlay Picture Frames. Don’t let your grad forget you! These exquisite picture frames are made in the alleys of the Khan al Khalili market of Egypt, where craftspeople with extraordinary talent and patience inlay the mother-of-pearl onto metal or wood. The mother-of-pearl is cut into different shapes and then individually applied to form the finished design, usually a geometric or floral motif. Each piece may take several days to complete, resulting in a uniquely-patterned frame that is a work of art to be cherished.

Be sure to check out all of these gifts and more grad gift ideas online at the Global Exchange Online Store!

Have a great time celebrating, and conGRADulations to all those graduates!!

For that special woman in your life…

Butterfly jewelry! Real butterfly wings are encased in sterling silver to make this eye-catching, unique jewelry. Made in Peru, the butterfly wings are collected from naturally deceased butterflies, which are raised in a species rehabilitation center.

Scarves! We have cotton scarves, organic cotton scarves, 100% silk scarves, cotton-silk blended scarves, alpaca wool scarves, scarves with hoods… the list goes on! Whether you’re shopping for someone 16 or 65, a scarf is a  gift that’s both practical and beautiful!

More Ideas:

Le Souk Dishware

Tablecloth/Napkin Sets

For that special man in your life…

Recycled Inner Tube Wallet! We all know someone with a wallet issue. Credit cards and cash constantly falling out, maybe a rubber band or two holding it all together. Making someone’s wallet woes a bit easier with a new (recycled) wallet! Made out of recycled truck inner tubes tires in El Salvador, this wallet is vegan and functional!

Hand Made Scissors! Hand made by a family India who has been making scissors for generations, these scissors are actually used by the Indian tailors who make some of Global Exchange’s Fair Trade tablecloths! The hand-forged carbonized steel blades and brass handles are durable, and each pair is even signed by its maker!

More Ideas:

Recycled Magazine Frames

For your teen daughter/son/niece/nephew…

Alpaca Winterwear! Fingerless gloves, beanies, scarves, berets! All 100% alpaca wool! And, when you buy 3 of any alpaca wool gift item, you’ll get one free gift!

Tagua Jewelry! Lightweight, affordable, colorful and eco-friendly, jewelry made out of Tagua Seeds are an excellent choice for any teenage girl.

For your co-worker…

Tea Infuser Mug with Rishi Tea! Made in Vietnam, these tea mugs have their own tea infuser for loose-leaf tea! You no longer need tea strainers or bags with this dishwasher and microwave-safe mug! Complete the gift with loose-leaf tea, also available at Global Exchange Stores.

Palestinian Olive Oil! Made from hand-picked, tree-ripened organic olives, this olive oil has a rich taste traditional to Palestinian olive oil, and comes in a variety of flavors. Choose between Rumi Tree or Nabali Tree Olive Oils if you’re looking for something more conventional, or try the garlic, pepper, or chili-infused olive oil!

For someone who has everything…

Recycled Bike Chain Coat Hooks! (Pictured at top) Hand crafted in Moradabad, India, these post-industrial bike chains have been recycled into creative coat hooks! Be sure to also check out the Recycled Bike Chain Picture Frames, available at San Francisco’s Global Exchange Store in Noe Valley (map).

Pumice Feet! Carved out of volcanic rock in Indonesia, these Pumice Feet are a perfect gift for everyone who loves pampering themselves! Lightweight and affordable, mix and match Pumice Feet with soaps, vetiver sachets or fleece-lined booties for a thoughtfully put-together gift!

Need more ideas?

Come into your local Global Exchange Fair Trade Store and we will help you find the perfect Fair Trade gift for everyone on your holiday gift list!

Recyled Tire Messenger Bag

Join us at the Global Exchange Fair Trade stores in San Francisco and Berkeley where we will be featuring the most creative designs in Fair Trade gifts made from trash!  Purses, pouches, and a wide selection of accessories made from discarded truck and bike tires in El Salvador ; tableware made from recycled magazine in Vietnam; doormats made from recycled flip flop byproduct in the Philippines; and designer jewelry and accessories made from recycled pull tabs from Brazil.

Come learn about the production and impact on the local community!

SAN FRANCISCO STORE
4018 24th Street (near Noe)
San Francisco CA 94114
415-648-8068
map

BERKELEY STORE
2840 College Avenue (at Russell)
Berkeley CA 94705
510-548-0370
map