Siesta Crafts

Know the story

Siesta Crafts

Siesta has been trading for over 35 years during which time many things have changed. They started importing from Mexico and Guatemala in 1983 when they sold their goods on a market stall. Now they import from many countries around the world.

This period of time has seen the growth in public interest in fair trade and Siesta has been involved in this for many years. Siesta has been a member of BAFTS (the British Association for Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers) for over 20 years and we are also a BAFTS recognised Fair Trade importer.

After many years of trading, they are proud of the fact that they have established good and long- lasting relationships with their suppliers. In many cases, they have become good friends with their suppliers – but there is much more to it than that. Most of their suppliers are small family businesses employing only a few people so they try and keep them in continuous work and they also help develop new products with them thus enabling their businesses to grow.

In virtually every case, they pay our suppliers for orders in advance, thus preventing them from possibly having to borrow money to start the order. They agree on prices with suppliers, rather than imposing prices. They do not allow the exploitation of children nor discrimination against gender. They try to ensure that working conditions are good by local standards and that raw materials are from renewable resources.

They have over the years helped local communities with numerous projects ranging from educational investment to building much-needed toilets for families. However, like the majority of their suppliers, they are a business and not a charity, and they hope to make a difference through mutually beneficial trade.

They take comfort from the fact that over the years, they have built up a business relationship with people from all parts of the globe which is based on mutual respect and trust rather than exploitation. They have been privileged to meet and work with some wonderful, skilled people and visit some truly amazing places.

The Ten Principles We Follow

• Opportunities for Economically Disadvantaged Producers
• Transparency and Accountability
• Fair Trading Practices
• Payment of a Fair Price
• Ensuring no Child Labor and Forced Labour
• Commitment to Non Discrimination, Gender Equity and Women’s Economic Empowerment and Freedom of Association
• Ensuring Good Working Conditions
• Providing Capacity Building
• Promoting Fair Trade
• Respect for the Environment

 

Siesta Crafts Collection