We caught some of the action and products at the Marketplace.

The International Marketplace is just around the corner! We had a lovely vendor’s meeting last week and had a chance to get a preview of some of the products. Here’s a sneak peek!

Pretty and painless. Henna design on hand.

Henna is pretty to look at. Its floral design is a beautiful adornment (and addition) to your bare hands.

This form of body art has its own cultural significance and history in the Middle East, where women have their hands painted in varying designs for weddings and ceremonies.

Henna designer and painter, Nadia Tahir, hopes to share her knowledge about this craft to attendees at the International Marketplace this weekend.

“It [henna] stands for happiness, greetings, or just to beautify our hands,” she explained.

Yet, there are some misconceptions about henna. Many assume henna is a similar to a permanent tattoo, with ink penetrating to your skin, she said.

“Some people thought is it painful and permanent,” Tahir noted.

But the beauty of this art became notable when she began to share what henna entails with her customers and friends.

“When they hear about it, that it’s temporary, not permanent, they just love to have henna in their hands,” she exclaimed.

In fact, henna is au-naturel, made of dried leafs, pounded into powder to produce a paste-like consistency. It is cooling on your hands and very soothing in the summer, Tahir added. They dry quickly (5-10 minutes) and its dark brown colour on your skin could last 10-12 days.

Tahir is fond of this art form, saying that its femininity and decorative aesthetic adds beauty to one’s hand.

This is Tahir’s second time participating as a vendor at the marketplace. She immediately got involved upon moving to Hamilton from Pakistan two years ago.

Its cultural diversity encouraged her to continue getting involved at this annual event.

“Before that I haven’t had any experience here. It’s good to know people and people want to know about our culture and what’s the tradition of henna. It’s not even henna; it’s good to know different cultures and different people,” she said.

Get your own henna painted by Tahir at the International Marketplace, happening in the Immanuel Reform Christian Church, Friday-Saturday (Nov. 23 – 24).

Article by Alyssa Lai

Nancy (left) and Cinthia (right) are fundraising for those with HIV/AIDS in Honduras with Canada World Youth.

Nancy Tran and Cinthia Valdez never quite see themselves as crafts persons. As part of the Canada World Youth (CWY) program, they are working as interns at the Immigrant Women’s Centre to develop workshops about gender equity and violence.

But they found ways to showcase their artistic side by making jewellery. Together with their fellow CWY interns, they are making and selling them to fundraise for Faith & Hope, a charity based in Honduras. It is to help people living with HIV/AIDS.

Earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are what they have in store thanks to Tran’s host family, who generously donated beads to the cause . You won’t see precious metals or gems in these handmade personal adornments. What’s unique though is the material use to make them.

Earrings made with porcupine quills

For example, Tran and Valdez are selling colourful earrings made of beads – and porcupine quills. Unbeknownst to many, these prickly spines of the rodent have a hallow hole in the middle and is often used in native craft. Tran herself only learned to make use of the quills (safely) through her native friend, a skill passed down from her mother.

“We’re making earrings just for fun one day, why don’t we make them just to sell?” said Tran, describing the idea behind their fundraising initiatives.

Handmade jewellery aside, Tran’s host family showed the CWY group a few creative ways to make use of recyclable materials, such as Kleenex boxes. They cut out strips from those boxes to readily made wooden frames, transforming bare frames into colourful gifts.

“You’re using recycled material to make green art,” said Tran, explaining in this sustainable approach to making art.

There are about 40 pieces of jewellery (bracelet, rings, necklaces, earrings) and four frames made for the fundraising project. Purchase them at the upcoming International Marketplace, November 23 & 24.

Handmade jewellery for purchase at International Marketplace

Article by Alyssa Lai.

This year’s International Marketplace will be taking place at the Immanuel Christian Reformed Church on Hamilton’s Mountain! This location is easily accessible by bus (35, 41, 20, 27) and there is free parking available.

We are currently looking unique and creative vendors for our event! For information about becoming a vendor, visit our Marketeer Page. The due date for applying is November 8, 2012.

Thanks so everyone who came out to the International Marketplace! If you missed it or want more products, we will be selling IWC products on December 12 & 13 at St Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton and December 16 at the IWC 8 Main St E, Hamilton.

Tutalea is a social enterprise that works with grassroots Ugandan NGOs to develop creative projects that provide sustainability and empowerment, as well as establish a two way partnerships with the broader global community. One of these NGOs is Nurture a Child Uganda, where sales contribute to basic living expenses for 22 orphans. Tutalea sells jewelry that is handmade from gathering seeds and coconut shells, and bags are sewn from vibrant fabrics, all made by a team of designers in Uganda.

Tutalea centres itself around it’s beliefs and values. These include: 1)  Tutalea believes that everyone has something to give and to receive.
2)  Tutalea believes that the only way to experience lasting change is through trusting relationships. 3) Tutalea believes that when people are encouraged and equipped it gives them a sense of ownership and restores human dignity.

You can learn more about Tutalea at www.tutalea.org.