Handcrafted Alexandria
Meet Ten Thousand Villages
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Behind-the-Scenes
What makes your shop Handcrafted?
Every item in our store was handmade by an artisan in the developing world, or as we like to say: every item in our store has a person’s face behind it!
Name one artist / artisan / brand that you think everyone should check out.
There are so many! We are especially fond of the cut metal from Haiti, especially in light of the devastating earthquake and now cholera epidemic there. The wall art is all made from recycled oil drums, and the artists clean and flatten the metal by hand, draw the design in chalk, and then hand cut it. We have painted and unpainted wall items, ranging in size from 8-inch geckos to climb your walls to 36-inch intricate filigreed pieces suitable for a window.
Over the holidays the staff all had a lot of fun telling customers about a new line of paper products from Sri Lanka. The paper is made from - are you ready? – elephant dung! The company was founded as a way to show farmers, who were killing the elephants into extinction due to land competition, that elephants could be useful. The notecards, photo frames, journals etc. are durable and clever, and a percentage of the profits go to support additional elephant conservation projects in Sri Lanka. So it’s “win, win, win, and win”!
What attracted you to Old Town Alexandria?
The people who established our store here in 1994 were attracted by the walkability of the neighborhood, as well as the fact that it had a good mix of residents who supported local businesses as well as visitors from all over the world. And being so close to Washington, DC, the local population is very global-oriented and cosmopolitan, and would appreciate the international flavor of our store.
Does your store have any upcoming special events or programs?
Every other month or so we hold shopping fundraisers to benefit local organizations. In March we’ll celebrate International Women’s Day with a fundraiser for a local women’s group, and in April we’ll hold a fundraiser for Earth Day. Keep checking our website for more details, as they develop.
Are there any new items to be on the lookout for?
We get new items every month. In January we’ll have some beautiful new sculptures and jewelry for Valentine’s Day. And we’re especially intrigued with a new slat crystal candleholder from Pakistan. Salt crystals, when warmed, release negative ions and help purify the air.
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looks great, would like to have a shop like this in Germany.
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Your store seems to me great. You guys are really creative minded. Can’t express how much I wish for beautiful new sculptures and jewelry for Valentine’s Day. I really appreciate on what you are doing. Thanks mate
Wow. Looks so beautiful hand made crafts for the international women’s day. Hope you share some new collection soon. Added bookmarks. Thanks!
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