Fair Trade Market Magic....

Every six weeks at St. Mark's Church in Marquette, Michigan

they host a

Fair Trade Market

to raise money for the poor and needy.

It has gorgeous, awesome goods from foreign countries that their artisans make.

Their wonderful, artistic goods are sold

and they get money back

to help their families.

"Sharing the Dream in Guatemala" is one of the organizations involved.  You can read about it HERE.

The Lutheran Community Foundation and the Lutheran World Relief is also involved.

The sale features handcrafted jewelry, purses, scarves, bags, wood products, garden and Easter items.

Women helping women.

I loved that idea, so of course I had to go.

The jewelry was calling my name.....(do you hear it, too?)

Here is the church's sign for the sale:

A world "mobile"...pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?:

As does this world wreath:

I loved the slogan on the wreath: "United for a Better Life".

It makes one wonder where one "fits in" on this globe of help:

Ooooo, look at the beautiful silk scarf!:

And for a person (like me!) that adores the woods and everything one can make from wood,

just LOOK at these marvelous wood spoons!:

And other products made from natural wood:

I loved all the things for sale:

Just LOOK at that adorable elephant!:

I wondered about every single person who made these things.

Who were they?

What was their family like?

Oh, gosh...the scarves!!!........And the knitted and woven purses and bags were so lovely!;

And my FAVORITE!: The jewlery!!!:

A cool bag for EVERY occasion:

Other generous shoppers:

(It's okay that I took their picture, and didn't get releases, it was a public event. Whew!)

A bird of peace windchime.

How appropriate for a "world wide" effort!:

The title of this book made me remember how many hungry people there are living on the streets

of the world.

That is not what the book was about, but it was a good reminder:

Little clay turtles.

Totally charming!:

All the women of the world:

It was whispering: "Where do you fit in when it comes to helping others?"

Look at the GORGEOUS embroidery on this vest!:

Intricate.

Lovely.

Full of work and caring.

Just like women.

Women helping women.

Who could not LOVE that concept???