Hostess Gifts That Continue Giving

Embroidered Organic Cotton & Linen Aromatic Pillow
Set of 4  from the Amazon in Peru $40

Next time you are welcomed into someone's home for a special occasion, bring a truly unique Hostess Gift!

Handmade, fair trade gifts are a memorable way to show your gratitude to friends and family. Shopping for a Change® should be your first stop for the kind of conversation starters that become proud display pieces instead of hiding in the back of the pantry.

Our inspiring home decor collection features the best handcrafted pieces created by artisans from all over the world. For a fun, aromatic gift other than flowers, start with the hand-embroidered Organic Cotton Aromatic Pillows  by Tallerqata. These petite organic cotton and linen pillows are a great way to freshen up small spaces as part of a spirited home decor look.

Tableware Gift Set from
Swaziland Africa $35

Original gifts for your stylish hostess should include this Tableware Gift Set   from Gone Rural. This fantastic coaster, napkin, and napkin ring set is available in a variety of rich colors, or try the Woven Coaster Set of 6 in gift box. Handcrafted by artisans in Swaziland, these incredible sets will be a huge hit with any hostess.

Bamboo Fruit Bowl $35

For more great hostess options, check out the Horn & Bamboo Salad Set, Horn Butter Knives, Teak Wood Cheese Set, Woven Coaster Set, Bamboo Fruit Bowl, or Organic Cotton Napkin Set. Each gift promotes sustainable economies, fair trade practices, and supports the lives and livelihoods of the artisans who create it.

Shopping for a Change® (SFAC) empowering others, transforming lives® is a web-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization where artisans (predominantly women) from developing countries, sell their handmade creations enabling them to earn a sustainable income and lift themselves from poverty. The net proceeds subsidize community improvement projects abroad as well as help fund select U.S.-based non-profit organizations of the web shopper’s choosing from SFAC’s partner list.

Cinema Inspired Accessories

Pitch Perfect is this season's unexpected box office hit, and it's doing more than expanding the musical horizons of its audiences.

It's quickly popularizing a trend we can get behind. The modern, youthful styles in the movie were largely focused on a collection of eye-catching, flattering textile accessories. Based on layering lighter pieces, it creates a warmer fall look with spring and summer pieces, making your wardrobe last longer and go farther.

Handmade, fair trade goods from Shopping for a Change® are the perfect choice for the kind of fabric-based accessories that are elevating the average scarf to something more like jewelry. Knitwear is taking center stage with this trend, with highlighted layers made up of knit, crochet, and yarnworks that serve double duty as functional and fashionable pieces.

Scarves like the Any Which Way Scarf from Emilime are the perfect example. Versatile and eye-catching, it's the perfect fall accessory. With its 3 knitted buttons that can be fastened anywhere on the wrap, this alpaca wrap will become one of the most versatile pieces you own.

Handcrafted scarves, wraps, and sweaters from artisan shops at Shopping for a Change® do more than provide the top trends in fashion. Every purchase supports fair trade fashion, the artisans and their communities as well as nonprofit organizations right here in the United States.

Next time you go shopping, go Shopping for a Change!


Shopping for a Change® (SFAC) empowering others, transforming lives® is a web-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization where artisans (predominantly women) from developing countries, sell their handmade creations enabling them to earn a sustainable income and lift themselves from poverty. The net proceeds subsidize community improvement projects abroad as well as help fund select U.S.-based non-profit organizations of the web shopper’s choosing from SFAC’s partner list.

A Lasting Impression at the San Francisco Ultimate Women's Expo

Shopping for a Change® was thrilled to take part in the recent San Francisco Ultimate Women's Expo, where we had the opportunity to share our story, explain our mission, and show off the stunning handcrafted, fair trade gifts we offer. Our handmade jewelry, handcrafted accessories, fair trade women's and men's apparel, and home decor were a bit hit. 

Our unique business model really resonated with people when it was explained to them while in our booth. We explained that the artisans are paid up front, and then when our customers made a purchase, how we split our net proceeds between helping those in need here in the United States as well as funding Community Improvement Projects abroad in our artisans' communities, in areas of clean water, health care and education.

Founder, Stacey Horowitz and Deidre Hall

Another exciting moment for us was when actress Deidre Hall, of Days of Our Lives fame, came to visit our booth to go shopping for a change.  We nearly burst with pride when she purchased two necklaces and admired a third, which personally belonged to our board member, Caroline Huo. Caroline being who she is, generously removed her necklace (which was in a color no longer available) and gifted it to Deidre, who graciously accepted it! 

We are more than pleased to see people taking notice, and we hope this is one step closer to making a real change for our artisans, our partnering U.S. based nonprofits and our overall mission.


Shopping for a Change® (SFAC) empowering others, transforming lives® is a web-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization where artisans (predominantly women) from developing countries, sell their handmade creations enabling them to earn a sustainable income and lift themselves from poverty. The net proceeds subsidize community improvement projects abroad as well as help fund select U.S.-based non-profit organizations of the web shopper’s choosing from SFAC’s partner list.

Fair Trade Month

Fair Trade Month is here! Celebrate with handmade jewelry and accessories for Shopping for a Change®. Artisan gifts and crafts from our collectives and gifted artists are all fair trade products, and every dollar you spend helps to improve the lives of craftswomen all over the world.

Shopping for holidays gifts is the perfect way to  celebrate Fair Trade Month. Shipibo Embroidered Organic Cotton Aromatic Pillows made by Tallerqata in Peru, comes in a set of four. Home goods such as these make great hostess and housewarming gifts, birthday, holiday or presents for any occasion. Perfect for freshening up small areas, these beautifully handcrafted petite pillows bring together the  geometric  embroidery of the Amazonian Shipibo tribes and the relaxing scent of chamomile and flax seed. Their natural fragrance is so relaxing.

Jewelry with subtle sparkle goes a long way toward making even casual, comfortable clothing feel like something special. Aid Through Trade's gorgeous new 18-Strand Glass Bracelet comes in an assortment of beautiful colors including tinsel (shown right) and is a lightweight, effortless addition to your fall wardrobe. Handcrafted by female artisans in Nepal, this intricate bracelet is just one more way to ensure your purchases go farther.

Looking for more ways to support community efforts through fashion? Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness, also celebrated during the month of October. 

Learn about how Shopping for a Change® business model works through our fun animated video. Read about our Community Improvement projects
 

Shopping for a Change® (SFAC) empowering others, transforming lives® is a web-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization where artisans (predominantly women) from developing countries, sell their handmade creations enabling them to earn a sustainable income and lift themselves from poverty. The net proceeds subsidize community improvement projects abroad as well as help fund select U.S.-based non-profit organizations of the web shopper’s choosing from SFAC’s partner list.

Think Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness
Multi-strand Bracelet

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and at Shopping for a Change® we're excited to support the crucial efforts to help find a cure to this devastating disease.

Fair trade jewelry that helps contribute (literally) to finding a cure for Breast Cancer are these handmade bracelets crafted by artisans from The Leakey Collection.  Ten percent (10%) of all sales from these bracelets is donated to women's health issues in Kenya as well as to women across the globe through the Estee Lauder Breast Cancer Research Fund. The Multi-strand Zulugrass Bracelet in soft shades of pink, is a worthy addition to every woman's ensemble, as it helps to promote both breast cancer awareness community support.

Bracelets and accessories in shades of pink are finding their way into this year's winter wardrobe. Check out our Same  Sky Glass Beaded Bracelet in honeysuckle, or the slimmer profile of the Same Sky Glass Prosperity Bracelet in sorbet. Each fair trade bracelet makes a beautiful gift, and Same Sky supports a fair trade initiative in Rwanda and Zambia that helps support the women's communities there.

Tagua Bib Necklace in Berry

Necklaces are getting in on the pink palette as well, with great bold colors like the berry hue of this Tagua Bib Necklace made by the Andean Collection. Handmade and fair trade, this artisan  piece is crafted from natural indigenous materials and provides sustainable alternatives to land sales for native peoples.

Fair trade, handcrafted accessories, jewelry, and gifts from Shopping for a Change® are perfect in any shade!

Learn about how Shopping for a Change works through our fun animated video.  Read about our Community Improvement projects.


Shopping for a Change® (SFAC) empowering others, transforming lives® is a web-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization where artisans (predominantly women) from developing countries, sell their handmade creations enabling them to earn a sustainable income and lift themselves from poverty. The net proceeds subsidize community improvement projects abroad as well as help fund select U.S.-based non-profit organizations of the web shopper’s choosing from SFAC’s partner list.