Here at The Fair Trader, we are always excited when a new shipment comes in, because everything we carry is one-of-a kind.  Opening a box of new products is like travelling to a different part of the world, and meeting the artisans who create the wonderful items we offer our customers.  All our goods are handmade, with a sense of great design (and often whimsy) that just makes us smile!

One of our newest product lines is wonderful soap and body oil from Afghanistan.  We have several different groups of beautiful bath and body products, but these really represent to us how we can make a difference around the world.  The soaps, hand-shaped to resemble river rocks, are wonderfully scented, and made from pure ingredients grown in Kandahar Province, in areas which would otherwise be growing opium poppies.  We think soap is better.  The group that creates these lovely soaps is made up of both women and men, working under Fair Trade principles, who have an equal say in how the group is run.  We think that is better, too.

Fall brings cooler weather to Chicago, and we are ready.  Our newest shipment of embroidered wool jackets from Nepal will keep you warm - and they are so colorful!  Knitted and crocheted hats, scarves and gloves made from recycled sari silk, banana fiber or wool will keep you cozy, and we just received the cutest animal hats for little ones you have ever seen!  Sweaters are coming soon, too.

And how about a pot of stew or a cup of hot chocolate to warm your insides?  Our large, colorful mugs will cheer you right up, and the deep orange casseroles we have are perfect for your own kitchen, or for that original gift.  Or, pick up some  colorful kitchen linens - aprons, potholders, placements and napkins, to add sparkle to the coming gray days.

Visit The Fair Trader soon to stock up for Fall.  One of us is always on the premises, and we love to share our passion for shopping that makes a difference!