Would you like to be hands-on in helping WorldCrafts develop fair-trade businesses in the United States and around the world? You can—by creating a WorldCrafts market either in-person or virtually!
Why a WorldCrafts Market?
From hand-quilted throws created by artisans in India to paper bead jewelry crafted by HIV-positive widows in Uganda to cord keepers sewn by seamstresses in the Bronx, WorldCrafts offers high-quality products that represent hope to people in multiple countries and cultures.
It is one experience to view the products online, but it is a completely different experience to gather with others while learning the artisans’ stories. When you create a WorldCrafts market, you open a window on the world for people in your church and community.
How Can I Create an In-Person WorldCrafts Market?
- Take the online self-guided minicourse WorldCrafts: An Overview to learn how to share about WorldCrafts. You will learn tangible ways to support fair-trade artisans around the world and be equipped to teach others about WorldCrafts.
- Select a date, time, and location for your event.
- Choose and order the products you want to sell at your event.
- Once you’ve ordered your products, grab your market checklist and start planning. From working with your venue to promoting your event, this checklist has everything you need to get organized.
- Promote your market with customizable invitations, posters, announcements.
- Prepare your volunteers with WorldCrafts talking points. Using the talking points, you’ll be ready to share WorldCrafts’ vision with your guests.
- Help people connect with WorldCrafts artisans by displaying artisan story posters and country display cards, and prepare regional dishes found in our recipe cards.
- Connect visitors with WorldCrafts in the future with the WorldCrafts promotional flyer.
You’ll find many more resources for decorating and planning at WorldCrafts.org/Market.
How Can I Create a WorldCrafts Virtual Market?
- Take the online self-guided minicourse WorldCrafts: An Overview to learn how to share about WorldCrafts. You will learn tangible ways to support fair-trade artisans around the world and be equipped to teach others about WorldCrafts.
- Select a date, time, and social platform for your event.
- Download the suggested posts and images to use for your virtual market.
- Consider hosting a live video during the virtual market. Order a Display Set to have product to show at your virtual event, or order specific products you would like to share at your event. Plan to only share products currently available for sale on WorldCrafts.org.
- Download the WorldCrafts Talking Points document so you have a few talking points to share via posts or video.
- Make some fun international recipes, and send the link to others to enjoy while they participate in the virtual market.
- Print out a WorldCrafts map, and post the link for others to see all the WorldCrafts artisan groups around the world.
- Be sure to use #worldcraftsvirtualmarket, and tag WorldCrafts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Find all the other resources you need to host a virtual WorldCrafts market at WorldCrafts.org/virtualmarket.
How Does Creating a Market Impact WorldCrafts?
WorldCrafts works daily to transform the lives of people throughout the world. As a fair-trade partner, it helps artisan groups develop employment opportunities for men, women, and families who would otherwise live in poverty. WorldCrafts is committed to ensuring that its artisans receive fair wages, but the commitment does not end there. The artisan groups who become WorldCrafts partners holistically meet the emotional and spiritual needs of every worker as well.
By creating a WorldCrafts market, you have the opportunity to introduce WorldCrafts and share its vision with a whole new audience. As more people become aware of the plight of impoverished people and see how they can make a difference by shopping responsibly, we can all join hands to shine our Father’s light into darkness.
Thank you for supporting WorldCrafts as we seek to make an eternal impact around the globe.