The Made By Node Exhibition at Design Museum for Fairtrade Fortnight

Made by Node was created by Chris Haughton, a designer and illustrator and also an author of popular childrens books such as 'A bit Lost' with his lovely owl character (see below) which incidently was the first image for the first rug sample![[posterous-content:pid___2]]

[[posterous-content:pid___3]]Chris and his business partner Akshay, work with Kumbeshwar Technical School, who we work with for AURA QUE handknitted banana yarn scarves.  Having visited the producer group with People Tree, Chris set about working with their Rug Weaving Unit to improve the way they interpreted designs and connect them with new illustrators and designers, so Made by Node was born![[posterous-content:pid___4]]

I am really excited about this project, as the rugs are really beautiful and creates work for a small department within Kumbeshwar, a very well organised and positive organisation run by the lovely Khadgi family. THe rugs are beautifully designed and made, and with such a positive story behind them, and such variety of designs, the collective will definately get a positive response, starting with the cover of Creative Review and some great UK press for the project!

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Take a look at their website - the video is really beautiful, and only two minutes long, and shows how the rugs are made in Nepal.

http://www.madebynode.com/

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See most of the rug designs by 18 different artists below in the picture gallery:

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Beatrice Alemagna | Sanna Annukka | Lesley Barnes | Petra Borner | Chamo | Benji Davies | Chris Haughton | Clayton Junior | Jon Klassen | Micah Lidberg | Joe Magee | Geoff McFetridge | Neasden Control Centre | Patternity | Serge Seidlitz | Marcroy Smith | Kevin Waldron | Donna Wilson

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Visiting the Divine Chocolate Pop-up Shop for Fairtrade Fortnight!

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At the weekend I managed to pop into the Divine Chocolate pop up shop in Monmouth Street, Covent Garden - with such combinations as Toffee & Sea Salt, how could I resist!![[posterous-content:pid___5]]

I loved the window display with all different divine chocolate bars suspended from the ceiling, it looks fab! I love the patterns and colours of the packaging, they looks so beautiful, its a shame to open! Of course we tried the free samples :) and stock up on choclate for presents, though me and my sister couldnt help tucking into the toffee/sea salt bar - hhmmmm!

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Divine chocolate is made by cocoa farmers in Ghana, who own 45% of the company. and as Divine says 'you can be sure our chocolate's made with pride' because of this! The chocolate is certified fairtrade with the fairtrade symbol on the packaging. They say its a challenge to compete with the big boys in the chocolate industry, but after trying their amazing flavours, I definately prefer to choose Divine!

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Here is the Divine Chocolate event calendar for the rest of the week:

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AURA QUE in Fairtrade Supporters Booklet for hometown Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

Growing up in Holmfirth, in West Yorkshire, may be a sharp contrast to the chaos of Kathmandu and the city brights of London, but I have been lucky to have much support from not only friends and family at home, but local businesses and mentors who have helped me establish and develop my business over the years.

So I am realy pleased to be part of the Holme Valley Fairtrade Supporters Group brochure which promotes local businesses, including AURA QUE but also promoting our fairtrade friends and other local businesses:

Fair & Funky, who provide fantastic creative and educational workshops for community groups and children across West Yorkshire, promoting fairtrade and recycling ethos.  https://twitter.com/fair_funky

Bolling Coffee who produce Grumpy Mule Fairtrade coffee from beans sourced from fair trade and small cooperative farming units far and wide. https://twitter.com/GrumpyMule

and the Fair Traders Cooperative, a local boutique for food, fashion and gifts from fairtrade sources, or recycled concepts or local companies - they even stock AURA QUE products! https://twitter.com/FairTradersCoop

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