Ten Thousand Villages!

Center City Philadelphia

      One of the regular categories Kia and I plan for our postings is the “Fashion Fieldtrip.” For our first outing we ran through the rain to Ten Thousand Villages located at 1122 Walnut Street. This charming and colorful store was chosen to be our first review because of the wide range of styles and prices for home goods, coffee, and accessories from artisans and farmers located the world. 

     Additionally, Ten Thousand Villages is an awesome nonprofit organization where absolutely everything for sale within its walls or on its web page is FAIR TRADE. For those of you who are new to this term, this means that instead of being taken advantage of and exploited, as is so often the case in our world, these artisans are paid fair wages for the products they create. This allows them to use their resources and talents to support their families and maintain their cultural and personal dignity. So just remember, FAIR TRADE is flippin’ awesome!

    Ok let’s get down to the nitty gritty; let’s talk handbags, jewelry, and scarves. For those of us on a budget there are funky rings for as little as $3, that’s right gentle readers, three smackers (my favorite rings, the iridescent beaded in various colors and the bronze colored disc, are currently only available in stores and not on the internet). 

SO many ScaRVes!

 

         For the stylish gal with a little more money in her pocket, there is a descent array of more expensive merchandise including this beautiful "Flowering Shadows Scarf" from India.

     As far as bracelets go, there are tons of options, ranging from elastic beaded numbers to decorative silver. Kia was especially interested with the variety of bronze colored options, which as you can see, look especially chic mixed and matched.

BraCeLEts!

 Also, when in the store be sure to take a look at their silver jewelry. You’ll find some funky pieces from cultures around the world. The staff is happy to allow you take a look and try them on.  As their purses and bags are made with everything from palm leaves to leather, the prices range from $3.50 to about $80.00.

What You Need to Know: 

• You can shop at www.tenthousandvillages.com or in Center City at 1120 Walnut Street and in Chestnut Hill at 8331 Germantown Ave.

• All the products are certified fair trade and all artists have been paid in full. 

• For the most part the products are well worth there price, but if quality is an issue with something you have purchased, be sure to take it back and let the staff know. There has been once or twice I’ve had an issue, but I have found the store very willing to help. 

To SaVE MoNeY! 

• Sign up in the store to receive coupons in your email inbox and actual mailbox. Some of the coupons are for 25% off!

•    If you are a Jefferson Hospital employee you can receive 10% off of your purchase if you show your ID at the Center City store on Walnut.