Here’s your chance to bring into your home the stunning beauty of hand-knotted rugs from Pakistan, at the annual Fair Trade Rug Event at Ten Thousand Villages Pasadena.
One of the most popular events for the nonprofit fair trade store on South Lake, the event features more than 300 hand-knotted rugs, from intricate florals to hand-spun wool natural dye tribals, ranging in size from 2’x3’s to 10’x14’s.
Ten Thousand Villages partners with Bunyaad, a fair trade rug company that works with more than 850 families throughout 100 villages in Pakistan. Working with artisans in their homes, increasing employment opportunities for women and paying a living wage, Bunyaad is making lifetime changes in so many families across Pakistan.
The rug event will be held at the Ten Thousand Villages Pasadena store at 567 South Lake Ave., from July 14 through 18. Come anytime during regular store hours.
“We know that with every rug we sell, we are empowering women, fueling artisan’s creativity and preserving their cultural heritage,” said Yousaf Chaman, Bunyaad Director. “But most important, we know that all of these rugs are crafted by fairly paid adults. With parents earning a living wage, kids are having a childhood, playing and going to school, not working.”
And when artisans earn a living wage, the result is high-quality rugs.
“It’s quite simple. When artisans know they are paid for every knot they tie, they can take their time, pay attention to the fine details of these intricate rugs and use high-quality materials, all leading to producing a rug that will last for generations and generations,” said Chaman.
“People in the Pasadena area are deeply committed to the mission of fair trade,” said Rebecca Dunn, Ten Thousand Villages Store Manager.” Artisans in Pakistan earn a living wage and North American consumers get an excellent quality rug with an empowering mission behind it. Home decorating was never more beautiful!”
For more information about these rugs or the upcoming rug event, visit rugs.tenthousandvillages.com.
