Dec 14, 2012

Artisan Resource Introduces Resources From Eighteen Countries at Winter 2013 Market

Companies from 18 countries around the globe have confirmed their participation in the second semi-annual edition of Artisan Resource™, a one-of-a-kind market offering U.S.-based volume importers, direct import retailers and wholesalers the opportunity to meet with international artisanal producers. Artisan Resource runs January 27-29, 2013, at New York City’s Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 92, in connection with the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®).

Nine countries, which were represented in the summer 2012 debut of Artisan Resource, will return for the second edition: Afghanistan, Bolivia, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal and Pakistan. In addition, artisans from the following nine nations will be represented at Artisan Resource for the first time in January 2013: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Morocco, Peru, Tajikistan and Vietnam.

“Artisan Resource is truly a global market, with resources from the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East,” said Allison Rober, Artisan Resource sales manager. “The products they bring to market from all corners of the globe also bring the unique stories of the artisans who made them.”

Companies are selected to participate in Artisan Resource based on their dedication to design innovation and cultural preservation. First-time Artisan Resource participants will include the Women’s Button Cooperative of Sefrou, a group of 40 female artisans who are growing an enterprise in the art of hand-knotted buttons; and Damalina, represented by the Consulate General of Indonesia, a small company which trains artisans in Bali, Indonesia, to produce handcrafted leather fashion and accessories.

Among returning participants are Tilonia, a social enterprise helping rural artisans in Mexico market pottery reflecting their centuries-old heritage; ABN – Artisan Business Network, offering a wide range of artisanal products from the independent ateliers of Haiti.; Caribbean Craft, a Fair Trade Federation member, working with artisan groups from several villages in Haiti and its own 300-artisan workshop to craft recycled paper mache and steel sculptures made from used drums; Talentos, Bolivian Handcrafts, producing and promoting knitted products under Fair Trade philosophy; and Zardozi – Markets for Afghan Artisans, providing hand embroidered gifts, accessories, home furnishing and clothing by afghan women living in Afghanistan and refugee camps in Pakistan.

Sustainable materials and production processes from select Artisan Resource exhibitors will be showcased in NYIGF’s SustainAbility: design for a better world® exhibit, January 26-29, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. This curated display features more than 125 eco-friendly and socially-responsible products and production processes available in the New York market.

Artisan Resource is a semi-annual tradeshow which runs concurrently with NYIGF, offering a production-sourcing venue for overseas artisan enterprises to showcase their products and production capabilities – at export terms – from their country of origin. Artisan Resource is managed by GLM and organized with the assistance of ByHand Consulting. Information and registration is available online at www.artisanresourceny.com.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,800 exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. The winter market takes place Saturday, January 26, through Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.