Recycled Materials
Fair Trade is all about sustainability, and at Handmade Expressions we always work on improving our processes and minimizing our environmental impact. All of our artisan groups understand the benefits of recycling, as more waste means higher costs. Three of our groups pride themselves on producing functional and stylish products made almost entirely from recycled materials.
All of the products made by Eco Friendly Papers contain tree-free paper, made from recycled cotton rags. The Vishwakarma group uses scraps recycled from the Indian textile industry (usually excess material from saris, a traditional Indian dress) to make its unique and beautiful Color Splash bags. The Very Special Arts group makes bags and and pouches as environmentally friendly as they are unique: They weave bags out of old video and cassette tapes.
$ 1.25
Newspaper Bags
This eco-friendly bag is made entirely of local newspapers in India. Lined with cardboard, it is sturdy and can serve as a great give-away or promotional bag. These are handcrafted by artisans who work for a school in India that teaches mentally and physically challenged students various crafts. These bags...
$ 15.00
Color Splash "V" Bag
This stylish bag has a broad should strap the opening creats a “V”. It is made from recycled embroidered patches that were collected from the textile industry. Each bag has a unifying red yarn but the recycled fabrics make each bag slightly different. This versatile and functional bag even has...
$ 11.00
Recycled Tape Folding Bag
These are very special products, made from recycled plastic and music tapes. They are lined with cloth inside. Comes as an assortment of colors. The bag itself can be folded into a small, zipped container, which is also the base of the bag when unfolded. Therefore, it’s easy to carry...
$ 20.00
Recycled Video Tape Totes
These tote bags are made from recycled video tapes and cotton yarn. They come in two colors: green and rust.
The bags are handcrafted by young, underprivileged adults with special needs. They belong to an organization that makes sure they get the vocational education needed to survive in the world....
$ 9.00
Recycled Video Tape Passport Bags
These sling bags are made from recycled video tape and cotton yarn. They have a thin shoulder strap for hanging.
The bags are handcrafted by young, underprivileged adults with special needs. They belong to an organization that makes sure they get the vocational...
$ 15.00
Small Recycled Pouches
NEW!!
Sets of 10 gift pouches. They come in assorted colors and designs. Idea for gifting jewelry.
These are fair trade items made in India. The artisans that make them are compensated fairly for their work. They are also given development help to help their communities rise above poverty.
...
$ 10.00
Recycled Gift Pouches
Gift pouches that come as a set of 4 assorted pieces. Made by recycling waste patches from the apparel industry. Ideal for wrapping small gift items like jewelry.
Color: Assorted
Composition: Cotton
Size: 7″ × 9″
Min Order Qty: 3 sets...
$ 15.00
Gift Wrapping Paper
This beautiful and colorful paper is made from recycled waste cotton. Each sheet is printed with different floral patterns. It comes in packs of 15 printed sheets.
This is fair trade gift wrapping paper. It is made by artisans in India, who are compensated fairly for their work. They are...
$ 3.00
Embroidered Gift Tags
These gift tags are made of recycled waste cotton and come in sets of 5. They have different base colors and have embroidered designs on them. They come with a ribbon to tie to a gift.
These are Fair Trade tags handmade by artisans in India. The artisans are compensated...
$ 7.00
Jot a Thought Box
This box contains 100 colored sheets made of recycled cotton. This means that they are 100% tree-free.
This is a Fair Trade product made by artisans in India. The artisans are compensated fairly for their work, and are given development help to help their communities rise above poverty.
Composition: Recycled...
$ 6.00
Large Eco Friendly Gift Bags
*Please be aware that some of these items are out of stock until late August*
These colorful gift bags are made of recycled cotton rags, making them 100% tree free! These gift bags come in sets of 3, each a different color and design and perfect for any occasion.
$ 5.00
Small Eco Friendly Gift Bags
Set of 5 gift bags with beautiful assorted prints. These are made from recycled cotton rags, therefore they are 100% tree free and environmentally friendly. They come with a little tag.
Artisans who work on these bags benefit from fair trade practices. They receive a living wage and are able...
$ 6.00
Bloom Box Printed Boxes
This beautiful box is made of recycled cotton rags from the textile industry. It is made through a handmade process by artisans in Rajasthan, India. This art has been passed down over generations. These boxes are embellished with floral prints.
The artisans who work on these boxes receive a living...
$ 6.00
Winter Bloom Boxes
These paper boxes are made of recycled cotton. They are adorned with colorful, floral prints. They come in sets of 2 boxes, a big one and a small one.
These are fair trade boxes made by artisans in India. The artisans are compensated fairly for their work, they work under...
$ 6.00
Sun N Swirl Boxes
These paper boxes are made of recycled cotton. They are adorned with colorful, circular prints. They come in sets of 2 boxes, a big one and a small one.
These are fair trade boxes made by artisans in India. The artisans are compensated fairly for their work, they work under...
$ 13.00
World Journal
This refillable journal has a world map embossed on the cover. The leather used to create the cover is also “cruelty-free”, which means that it came from animals that died naturally.
This is a fair trade item handcrafted by artisans in India. The artisans make the paper by hand by...
$ 13.00
BE Yourself Journal
Hand embossed journal with inspirational wording such as “BE yourself, BE happy, BE positive” and the like. The cover is made of cruelty-free leather, which comes from animals that died naturally. They come from an area in Rajasthan, India, that is strictly vegetarian, and animals are great assets around the...
$ 11.00
Peace Emboss Journal
This is a sustainable journal. The leather cover is made of cruelty free leather (comes from animals that died naturally) and is embellished with a hand embossed peace sign. The paper inside is blank, acid-free and made of recycled cotton paper. The leather cover can be refilled with a new...
$ 9.50 - $ 14.00
Bound in Leather Journals
This is a collection of fair trade and environmentally friendly leather bound journals made in Rajasthan, India. The leather is embellished with hand embossing and an elastic band secures the flap. All the Leather used is “Cruelty Free”, which means leather obtained from naturally dead animals. Livestock has a lot...
$ 11.50 - $ 14.50
Life comes to Leather
Sell out Risk very high for JEB 423 & JEB 423A
A new range of handcrafted leather journals. The leather is dyed into various colors and then the...
$ 2.00 - $ 6.00
Breast Cancer Awareness Journal Collection
Sell out risk is very high!
These beautiful journals are a great way to raise awareness about breast cancer. Each journal has 30 white sheets of paper inside, made by recycling cotton waste from the textile industry (making the journal 100%...
$ 12.00
Mirage Journals
Cruelty free leather journals with detailed artwork in the shape of flowers. Small mirrors and colored leather pieces are beautifully put together to get this mesmerizing effect.
This is a fair trade item handmade by artisans in India. These artisans have been practicing the art of paper making for generations....
$ 4.50 - $ 5.00
Tree free inserts
Recycling is the mantra!
These are tree free inserts to reuse the leather covers of your journals. Most of our leather journals come with pockets where the blank paper diary is inserted. Thus, you can use your precious leather journals for years.
Sizes:
INS 103...
$ 6.50
Hay in Sunshine Journal
Soft bound journals with embroidery and colored pages inside. This thick journal is made from recycled cotton waste, meaning that the paper is 100% tree-free and eco-friendly.
Artisans in Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, India, are able to practice the art of paper making thanks to fair trade practices....
$ 4.00
Jot a Thought journals - Embroidered
Trendy, small sized journals to carry your thoughts. A soft bound, compact book to write notes, reminders, shopping lists etc. Entire journal is handmade and embellished with beautiful embroidery.
Artisans in Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, India, make these journals using traditional skills. Fair trade has opened international markets...
$ 4.50
Jot a thought Journals - Printed
These intricately designed journals are screen printed with unique floral designs. Hard bound and compact, these journals are great for notes, reminders and shopping lists.
Artisans from a cooperative called Eco Friendly Papers in Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, India, make these journals using traditional skills. Fair trade has...
$ 6.00
Pocket books - Embroidered (sets of 3)
Small, beautiful piece of art to carry your thoughts around. These pocket books come as a set of three journals in assorted patterns and colors. Wonderful patterns are embroidered on handmade, recycled cotton rag papers.
These are Fair Trade items made by artisans in India. The paper is made of...
$ 6.00 - $ 10.00
Toy Garden
Soft bound journals with animal designs appliquéd and embroidery on the cover. The entire journal is made of recycled cotton rags, making it 100% tree-free and environmentally friendly. They come in 2 sizes: large (8″×8″) and small (6″×6″).
This journal is made by artisans in Jaipur, a city in the...
$ 6.00 - $ 8.00
Wood Log Journal
Wood free – wood log Journals. These beautiful journals are made by an innovative concept; where sheets of paper are rolled and then chopped into slices to give a wooden effect. The entire journal is 100% tree-free and environment friendly, handmade by skilled artisans in India from cotton rag paper....
$ 4.00 - $ 10.00
Traditional Dolls
Sell out Risk moderate!
These dolls are dressed and decorated in the traditional daily attire of the women from the rural region of north western India. Every small detail is taken into account from their hairstyle, to jewelry to...
$ 10.50 - $ 12.00
Slip On Cover Journals
This journal is sustainable and animal-friendly! The leather cover is made of cruelty free leather (comes from animals that died naturally) and is embellished with hand embossed details. The paper inside is blank, acid-free and made of recycled cotton paper. The leather cover can...
$ 6.50
Recycled Sari Pocket Bag
New!
*Please note this item is out of stock until late August*
This extremely lightweight, yet durable bag is perfect for many uses. Large enough to hold groceries or books, you won't believe how small this bag can be when folded into...
$ 8.00
Bird Note Cards - set of 4
NEW!
Set of 4, with 2 brown/pink and 2 brown/blue. Includes 4 matching envelopes. Screen printed and embroidered.
These are Fair Trade cards made by artisans in India. The artisans are compensated fairly for their work, and...
$ 8.00
Swirl Note Cards - set of 6
NEW!
Set of 6, with 3 purple/green and 3 orange/cream. Includes 6 matching envelopes. Screen printed.
These are Fair Trade cards made by artisans in India. The artisans are compensated fairly for their work, and are given development help to help...
$ 8.00
Fern Note Cards - set of 6
NEW!
Set of 6, with 3 white and 3 black. Includes 6 matching envelopes. Screen printed with glitters.
These are Fair Trade cards made by artisans in India. The artisans are compensated fairly for their work, and are given development help...
$ 8.00
Deer Note Cards - set of 4
New!
Set of 4, with 2 turquoise and 2 brown. Includes 4 matching envelopes. Screen printed with embroidered deer motif.
These are Fair Trade cards made by artisans in India. The artisans are compensated fairly for their work, and...
$ 6.00
Color Splash Box
NEW!
These beautiful boxes are made of recycled cotton rags from the textile industry, through a handmade process by artisans in Rajasthan, India. This art has been passed down over generations. These boxes are covered with recycled sari fabric, many embellished...
$ 7.00
VSA Wristlets
New!
*Please note: this item is out of stock until late September*
These fun wristlets are made of cotton woven together with recycled video tape. They close with a zipper at the top and have a convenient...
$ 6.00
VSA Pencil Case
New!
This handy pencil case is made from cotton and recycled video tape woven together. Perfect for the office, school, or home.
- Made of cotton and recycle video tape
- 9" x4.5"
- Min....
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Member of Fair Trade Federation