 Ready for Valentine's Day?Shop now for heart-shaped keepsakes and sweet gifts to help your customers share their love with the special people in their lives. |
Winter 2010 Gift Shows
Show season is here again! Please drop by our booths at the California and New York International Gift Fairs:
CALIFORNIA GIFT SHOW
New samples & selected items from past seasons
Opens Fri., Jan. 15, 2010
Closes Mon., Jan. 18, 2010
We're in the
Fair Trade Federation
member block of Kentia Hall
Booths 1001-1003
 NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL
GIFT SHOWThe entire Swahili catalog!Opens Sat., Jan. 30, 2010 Closes Wed., Feb. 3, 2010 At the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Handmade Level 1 Booths 5125-5127 |
A Fair Trade Federation Member
388 E 3rd Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
541-684-0688
info@swahili-imports.com
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Greetings!
Is there anything better than starting a new year off on the right foot? Even with mere days separating us from 2009, the air here is rich with an optimism that eclipses any trials we experienced last year. We're all ready to reach out in a bigger and better way toward a more beautiful existence.
Even as we applaud the possibility of the new year, we feel that last year's economic drought helped us better keep in mind the often tenuous situations surrounding so many of the artisans we serve. These amazing individuals maintain a standard of quality in craftsmanship even while rationing electricity and water, worrying for loved ones in war zones and seeing their families divided across borders to make ends meet.
It may be distilled through the machinery of commercial exchange, but there's beauty in our little network of artisans and buyers, and we are truly grateful to you for channeling the flow of modern African creativity into your communities.
Cheers,
Darla Robbins-Funkhouser
Swahili Imports, Inc.
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What's new, pussycats?
Cozy up to new items from Leslie's month in East Africa
 On January 12, more than 300 new products from Kenya and Tanzania will hit the site. From wildly colored soapstone decor accents and sensational jewelry to cool new safari stools, musical instruments, banana fiber and gourds...you'll just have to stop by the NEW ARRIVALS section to take it all in. I'll be sure to drop you a line once the curtain's up! |
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Prayer Mat Basket Update
 The sun was shining on the Swahili network the day an Elle Decor associate walked into our New York show booth and spotted our lovely Wolof prayer mat laundry hampers. Featured in the What's Hot section of the Jan/Feb 2010 Elle Decor, these stunning hampers are getting some priceless attention from readers around the world and suddenly orders are coming faster than ever. The only unfortunate part of this glorious scenario is that we can't seem to get them in stock fast enough. Initially set for departure from Dakar in August, our summer container didn't actually leave until Sept. 20. Once at sea, the shipment spent another two months hanging out in Dubai before taking a slow boat to Pusan, en route to Seattle.  In the meantime, we filled another container and set it on its way. We had bets that the second container would arrive before the first...a bad bet since we just unloaded the first container this morning; we're now full up on baskets. Hallelujah! We started shipping backorders today and we welcome your orders. The demand for these baskets increased greatly following the ELLE Decor feature, so get yours while you can! Congratulations to all the Wolof ladies who long envisioned their baskets being sold in America. You did it, ladies! |
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