OCTOBER 2015
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The October shipment has arrived!
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Last Shipment of the year is 
expected mid-November 
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Nepal in the News 
Lots has been happening in Nepal, for the latest read the BBC on Nepal here
Kitten Q & A Korner
Q: Any knits left? 
A: Yes, kitten. While we encourage our customers to order knits in advance each year, we know that sometimes you don't order enough and run out, so we ALWAYS have knits available though out the year! 

Order you knits here>>
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Introducing our new paper producer group: Bhaktapur Women Craft Paper! After BCP (our former paper supplier) closed it's doors, several of the women in that group established a new producer group. They are now up and running and producing some of the same products we have always carried, in addition to some new fun designs! See NEW PRODUCTS to the right for a few examples. 





Q&A with KEVIN
RETAILER:
 

KEVIN:
  This is a very personal choice. I am not a huge fan of sales or sale sections. Most of us are operating in small retail spaces (500-2500 sq ft). Our goal is to do as much in sales per sq ft as possible so every sq ft is critical to maximize sales. On an annual basis you can expect (with a well run inventory control system) to get rid of 1/3 of your underperformers on an annual basis. Assuming you have a good positive cash flow (which you should if you are doing inventory control) you should be able to pull underperformers on a monthly basis, eat the cost and bring in new items. I think it is OK to do after "season" sales- i.e. holidays, spring/summer, valentines, easter, etc. Again, evaluate sales for those items, pull the ones that don't make the cut, and put those on sale at 50% off. If an item makes the cut and you will carry it again next year, put it in a box and get it off the floor and make room for stuff that will sell. It is OK to hold over seasonal merchandise so long as it is a good seller and you will buy it again next year.

NEXT LIVE Q & A 
November 11th @ 6pm PST @
 Fair Trade Retail Support Facebook Group Page!

To join our private Fair Trade Retail Support Group on Facebook, please send us an email at with your store name to:
Notes from the Field:
Front Line Fair Aid

Watch Cameron and Grant's latest blog post "Peace, Primates & Productivity" here:



Cameron Conner 
Cameron Conner, son of Ganesh Himal Trading's co-owners is currently in Nepal learning more about how your donation dollars have impacted the needs of Nepalese people post earthquake. You can follow his blog here: https://ganeshhimaltrading.com/blog


Traditionally, Dharma items are used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals and for decorating and blessing temples, monasteries, and homes. Many items we sell (including mani stones, slates, bracelets, and rings) are inscribed with the Tibetan prayer "Om Mani Padme Hum" which loosely translates as "Oh praise to the jewel in the heart of the lotus".  This is a prayer to Avaloketishwara, the bodhisatva of compassion, who was the first being to vow to perpetually reincarnate in order to help humankind escape from suffering.  

The Dalai Lama is the emanation of Avaloketishwara. Tibetans carve this mantra into stones at holy locations so as to accumulate merit. Our mani stones and slates are hand carved in Kathmandu by a family of talented young men and our manager, Chunta, personally selects each one on our behalf. Read more here>>
Denise Attwood
Co-Owner
Namaste from Nepal!

Arriving in the midst of a "petrol crisis" where ancient and complicated international politics are at play I am reminded of how life takes us all in an ever-ending spiral, bringing us again and again back to the same place but always teaching us new lessons. In the '80's we walked everywhere in Kathmandu because there were no cars, now we walk again because there is no petrol.  In '84 we walked into the villages under the
Ganesh Himal and CCF is committed to FAIR AID
shadow of Ganesh Himal to learn from those who live in some of the most spectacular, yet challenging areas of the world.  And now almost exactly, to the day, 31 years later we head out into those same villages, to learn from and try to understand how these same people survive after Mother Nature has exacted her tremendous toll. 31 years ago we embarked on a path of partnering with artisans in Nepal to create a new system of trade based on long term relationships and mutual respect, Fair Trade. Today we embark on a journey to try to  highlight a new system of working together through trusted relationships to help those in dire need, Fair Aid. We come full circle to know this place again for the first time.

Our first few days in Kathmandu have been a whirlwind, but in the midst of the craziness there are those smiles and the continued, deeply felt, thank you's, so soulfully expressed. Meeting my dear friend, Meera Bhatterai, of ACP yesterday, we talked at length about relationship and about the community we share. I told her of how quickly all of you came forward, placed your trust in us at Ganesh Himal Trading and in our small foundation Conscious Connections Foundation. Of how without asking you all raised money and continue to raise money for your friends in Nepal. She and all of our Nepali friends are overwhelmed at your kindness. More even than the money, she said, it is the support and knowing that we all stand beside them in this amazing journey that they have not chosen for themselves but that we all share together as the fragile beings that we are on this planet.

So, we will be gone for a few weeks journeying through the upper areas of Dhading District and ending in Baseri to look at the rebuilding of the clinic. We will walk through villages that you all helped to support with immediate aid and try to understand how we can work together with them to rebuild their lives. Soon we will have much to report. Know that you all are walking beside us as we make this journey. Until then thank you for all of your support and love for these amazing people. Thank you for supporting the work we do in Nepal and for being a part of a community that is dreaming in a new way to be in the world. We are eternally grateful.

Phedi betola (see you soon),  
Denise, Ric, & Cameron
NEW PRODUCTS



Kitchen Potholder
STX-HB-NNF
$6
Felt Trivet
STX-D-FRT
$5.75

Scarf Silk
AC-DK-SCS
 $7.00
Joy & Musical Note Journals
XS, S, L
$3-$12.50
Kids Knit Hat
 KI-C-KSH
$6
Decor Ornament
OR-NK-FAN
$3.50
Joy & Musical Note Cards PR-B-MNC 
$7.00
Recycled Tire Bag 
BG-D-TRB
$30


Many of our artisans and their families are still living in tents or are homeless. Our weavers in particular are in dire need of financial assistance to rebuild their homes, as most of our weavers work from home. This holiday season, we are encouraging our customers to raise money for artisan homes. As you know a little goes a long way, and 100% of the donation goes directly to the artisan. 

Print off the above image to put on a jar in your store to help collect funds. DOWNLOAD IMAGE HERE>>
Adventure to Baseri
by Alison Thompson
We thank Alison Thompson for delivering 500 solar puff lights to Baseri Clinic Dhading in Nepal. We are so thankful for her getting them there! She also was also able to distribute them to the women of ACP and left us 200 more to distribute in Nepal! Below is her story about her trip.

Sitting at home watching yet another earthquake devastate a country always breaks my heart, and at the same time after helping with so many large scale earthquakes I knew what was needed: from medical, to solar lights, to LOVE. Climbing the mountain to Baseri village areas was probably one of the hardest climbs I've ever done, and a lack of sleep for a week and jumping off a plane with all the different altitudes didn't help much either.
     There were moments on the climb that I didn't think I would make it. We had first driven 5 hours in a jeep in mountainous, muddy, one lane dirt roads, and then we had to take a different longer, much steeper route up the mountain as the quicker way was flooded by monsoon rains. The climb took 7 hours in heat and then we were drenched in monsoon rains that never stopped.  There were also leeches jumping on us for the ride and the last hours were spent walking and stumbling in darkness.
      On reaching the village we were wet and hungry and set up camp inside a newly built shed and soon fell asleep in sleeping bags. The next morning we awoke to one of the most beautiful and unaffected communities and all the hardships of the day before were washed away by the sounds of children giggling and the smell of toast, eggs and coffee.  
     We communicated with the villagers through a translator and toured the destruction of the school, medical center and homes. Later that night the locals made us feel welcome and the elders danced for us. Afterwards we gave solar lights out to excited families and we all then danced for hours celebrating new light.
One of the hardest journeys turned out to be one of the very best in my life - so I have learned that if I push myself beyond my threshold there is great beauty on the other side. 
     On the way up I had asked "why do you live so far away from everything" and as I walked the community and got to know the locals- (who always smiled no matter what the hardships) and as I looked out across the beautiful mountains with streams of gold sunlight breaking through the clouds- I knew the answer.
     Days later we visited ACP in Kathmandu and toured their great artisan factory giving solar lights to the artisans and in return they gave us some of the biggest smiles we had ever seen. Even helping one person made the trip a success and I can't wait to return to my new found 
friends.
     Thank you for accepting us into your family. Thank you to Denise for guiding us to this wonderful secret on earth. I'm torn inside because I would love to tell people about this magical place but at the same time I want to shelter it from all the harm the world has to offer!