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Buying handmade means you'll give one-of-a-kind gifts without a huge production footprint—but if you want to take your do-gooding one step further, look for shops that put a special emphasis on helping lift women out of poverty. By supporting entrepreneurial practices all over the world, you'll be putting your money toward the bigger picture and having an positive impact on impoverished populations. Here are five that are worth looking at when it's time to buy.
GIanna: Women in Laos, Thailand, and India create unique goods—scarves, shawls, vases, quilts, dishes, pillows—that give your home a Fair Trade touch.
Inca Kids: Several groups of Peruvian artisans, including some made up entirely of women, make bags, hats, finger puppets, and more kid-friendly goods to provide for their own families.
SERVV: Artisans all over the world—Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East—offer handmade items including nativity scenes, bracelets, rings, baskets, serving dishes, and more.
Women's Peace Collection: Focused specifically on empowering women in "conflict and post-conflict" areas, Women's Peace Collection offers bracelets from Afghanistan, candles from Israel/Palestine, and baskets from Nepal—among others.
The Andean Collection: Give your accessories collection a makeover with beaded necklaces, earrings, and bracelets made from natural materials (instead of synthetics.)
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