The Fair Trade Faerie was started by me, Sue Lindsay, in 2006 after I sadly had to retire from the NHS after 30 yrs service as a nurse and midwife, due to a long-term illness.
For years I had been frustrated at the lack of readily available fair trade gifts or affordable organic skin care. I began researching and discovered the vast majority of fair trade and organic outlets were food based, with the few 'gifts & skin care' shops aimed at an exclusive clientele. My dream was to source stylish, contemporary, high quality products and make fair trade & organic skin care available to a wider audience. We are all well aware of the brilliant campaigns to bring fairtrade edibles into the market place, but what about the arts and crafts?
The Fair Trade Faerie was born and I am passionate about my business. We have been trading online now since 2006, first via a major auction site, on our own web-site since September 2008 and now here on Ebid. All products on offer are selected by me for their quality & fair trade provenance; I personally photograph & stock all items advertised, ready for sale.
High quality goods, affordability and personal customer service are our priority and in order to maintain these standards, I work with a select number of certified Fair Trade importers and small, family based natural skincare manufacturers. We have grown from the original restricted level of stock into what it is today, with new products and ranges being added regularly.
We are very proud that we are recognised as a fair trade retailer and are accredited by BAFTS (the British Association of Fair Trade Shops).
My Personal Ethos:
I have a deep seated respect for the Earth, which stems from the hippy days of my youth and the recent reports of global warming have galvanised me into making permanent changes in my lifestyle.
In My Business:
- I offset the energy used on my computer by having a tree planted bi-annually with The Woodland Trust.
- Email is my communication tool, I use refilled printer ink cartridges and recycled stationery.
- I support via donations and voluntary work, the Shooting Star Hospice for children.
In My Personal Life:
- I recycle everything, have a compost and a worm farm (much to my grandaughter's horror!).
- I am a member of my local Freecycle group.
- Any paper used for my business is reused on the reverse side to make notebooks for around the house. It is then shredded and added to my compost heap.
I love trees and am lucky to live near to the Royal Parks, including Bushy Park, Richmond Park and Hampton Court Home Park. Woodland provides many more benefits than just timber, it plays a valuable role in improving the quality of all our lives. Woods and forests are home to a spectacular variety of wildlife, provide opportunities for recreation, help to reduce pollution levels, generate oxygen & store carbon, help to stabilise the soil, and provide renewable raw materials and shelter. They also contribute towards rural development, flood alleviation and tourism.
Trees and wooded areas are essential in the urban environment as they help to clean the air, trap dust, reduce storm water run off, reduce noise & pollution, and help to reduce asthma levels. Less tangible, but equally vital to us from an emotional and recreational standpoint, is their role in enhancing the local landscape, providing a tranquil environment for spiritual renewal.
In order to achieve better community spirit, action to reconnect people with their environment is vital. We should all make time to enjoy the natural world if we are to make sense of our part in it.
Susie
The Fair Trade Faerie
Company Registration Number: 264770
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