Iron Lion Imports began as a branch of our glass business, when we saw the most amazing documentary on "free trade' practices in Jamaica. After an eye opening experience into the unjust working conditions so many are forced into, we couldn't help but feel the need to be involved. In 2004 we began our journey, after months of research, importing on a small scale for our ebay business, offering some of the only fair trade items on the site at the time. Focusing on customer service and spreading the message of fair trade, demand in the last 4 years has been incredible, and our humble start has now become a life's ambition.

One of the major problems we found with fair trade products on the market was the extreme cost. While we believe everyone would choose fair trade if they could, the cost made it very difficult for many to afford. One of the first decisions we made was to keep costs low by working with very low overhead and a low mark up on our end, in the hopes that we could make up for it in sheer quantity~ and we were right! We have been able to offer some amazing prices because we can sell it so fast~ sending more money to the people who so desperately need it. We have formed very close relationships with the families we work with and are committed to improving their lives through trade, and every purchase furthers that goal.

WHY FAIR TRADE?

As consumers we spend billions of dollars each year buying things we want and need, but what do we get for our hard earned money?

In todays' markets most of the goods we have available are produced in large facilities in third world countries. It's cheaper because the wages are dramatically lower and the laws are less protective, for the workers and the environment. We're told that FREE trade will help growth in these countries, by stimulating the economy with jobs. Trade agreements like NAFTA make it easier to import from member countries, in theory giving needy countries a larger market for their goods. But it also allows large corporations to set up facilities in underdeveloped countries without the need to comply with US environmental and humantarian laws, large scale production replaces small businesses that can't compete, and the new found revenue which was to stimulate the local economy is absorbed right back into big business and out of the area. So while the workers can barely feed themselves, the companies, many of which are American owned, make millions off the exploitation of foreign labor- calling it "FREE TRADE."



FAIR TRADE is meant to benefit the people and artists themselves. It is the idea that trade can support worker's rights, protect the environment and stimulate the local economy of countries who need it. As consumers we can make a huge difference by demanding change simply by supporting it with our purchases. The Fair Trade Federation says Fair Trade organizations in Europe and the US now account for some $400 million in generated business, just .01% of all global trade, but as a rapidaly growing movement could redefine world trade standards to be more socially and environmentally sound.

Given the choice, wouldn't you prefer to spend you money with companies and artists that don't exploit the vulnerable?



Fair trade supports the premise that all people should be paid a livable wage for their work, and not taken advantage of by big business just because of their socioeconomic status, education or ethnicity. Iron Lion Imports is working to offer as many fair trade imports as possible, hoping maybe our efforts will add to the many people fighting for international workers rights.

We work very closely with our producers and crafters, and look at what we do not just as a business, but a way of life. We treat everyone we work with as family, and make it our primary focus to grow their small cottage businesses, and in turn our business will succeed also.

We custom design many of the items we carry, and provide constant feedback on quality, design and style to the crafters we work with, not only for our benefit, but so they can advance they businesses on the worldwide marketplace as well.

Everything we sell is handmade with care, and each peice reflects that. Due to the handmade nature of these items, there are usually VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES available and then they're gone! Multiples will be noted, but always expect minor variations. As with all hand made goods expect funkiness, not cookie cutter perfection.

If you have any questions about your order or the order process, please just email

orders@ironlionimports.com