Taking matters into their own hands

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

( Fair Trade Federation)In the 1990s, as the value of handcraft plummeted in a newly globalized market, local producer communities in Tecalpulco, Mexico were devastated. Despite a long tradition of jewelry production, these areas could not compete with cheaper imitations from Asia. The collapse of local industry drove many men in the villages to the United States to find work, leaving their wives to provide for their families. Today, about a third of the adults in Tecalpulco are in the USA.

In 1991, the women of Tecalpulco, Taxco El Viejo, Dolores, Paintla, Santiago Temixto, Tlamacazapa, Cerro Gordo, Itzala, and Mezcaltepec joined together to form Artesanas Campesinas (ARTCAMP) to meet their own needs. ARTCAMP joined FTF in 2001 and IFAT in 2004.

From the ancient wisdom of their Toltecan ancestors, the women of ARTCAMP seek to rejuvenate the local handcraft industry and revitalize their communities through the sale of abalone, silver, stone, and other handmade jewelry pieces. They developed original model making capabilities and centrifugal rubber mold casting technology. Learning as they went, they mastered color matching and crystal resin making. ARTCAMP prides itself on having always been 100% self-financed, supporting itself from the proceeds of its production.
When work is available, the women can cover the costs of food, clothing, education, electricity, gas, and medicine. In northern Guerrero, many single women support their entire family. In 2002, ARTCAP sponsored the donation of medical equipment to the local public hospital and helped Tecalpulco solve its serious water problems. The women have been empowered to participate in civic obligations in their communities. Daughters in the villages learn HTML programming and manage Excel spreadsheets and Quicken accounts.

Over the years, ARTCAMP survived and established themselves as a unique, design-development resource. “We manage [traditional] village cottage industry production for the fashion markets of the twenty-first century!” says Angelica Dominguez, the group’s coordinator.

ARTCAMP received the World Rural Women's Day Honors in 2003 and placed as a finalist in the Digital Partners Social Enterprise Laboratory competition in 2002.

Through an Artisan-Owned Direct Distribution Model, ARTCAMP would like to supply directly to stores, but often lack the linguistic and administrative capabilities to expand their operations. Working with local friends, they are developing their capacities, starting with the production of music videos to tell their story in. Their videos are even posted on YouTube to better publicize ARTCAMP’s work.

By combining traditional skills with new market approaches, the women of ARTCAMP have kept their communities alive. They continue to look for new ways and new fair trade partners in order to expand and grow.