Apart from repainting in new colours, changes to the shop include increased space for accessories like scarves and bags, new displays for an expanded range of soaps and perfumes and books, and lots of blackboards to give customers the stories about how their purchases are changing lives for the better.
Sarah’s new range of unique dresses, shirts, tunics, tops and skirts has created a lot of interest and will help her build on the success of last year. Fabrics are produced in small quantities, which means pieces cannot be mass produced. Styles are loose fitting and easy to wear in vibrant and handmade patterned fairy traded eco-friendly fabrics bought from family producers in Ghana, South Africa and The Gambia.
Jewellery is made with fabric offcuts from the clothing range to make the most of leftover materials. Fabric is combined with recycled plastic beads made from old cassette boxes by an enterprising group of women in Kumasi, Ghana and Ntaka recycled glass beads made in Korforidua, Ghana. Fabric offcuts are cut and shaped into different forms and machine stitched onto cards to create unique, minimal designs. All card is forestry stewardship council certified.
These products are only available through fair trader and they are excited to be able to showcase such a local talent at this early stage of her career whilst helping sustain African artisans and farmers.
Members, guests, and visitors enjoyed some delicious nibbles prepared by resident chef Geraldine Clark including vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free and even citrus free options to suit the varied dietary requirements of members. This was washed down with samples from the expanded local beer range, fair trade wine from local coop Suma or blueberry fizz for the drivers.