Celebrating Labor

Labor Day will be here in just a few days. I officially launch my Noonday business the Friday before. Sitting here tonight, completely awash in emotion after hearing from fellow ambassadors about the work they witnessed our artisans do in their home countries this summer- I am struck with the thought that Labor Day weekend may just be the most perfect weekend possible to start my partnership with Noonday. On Monday, many people in our country will take a day of vacation to linger over our right to work. We will eat hot dogs with our family and soak in one final trip to the pool or the lake.  Labor day was created to honor the American worker and to recognize that all greatness in our country comes from the root from those who labor. If only we could remember this for the rest of the world as well. How often do we actually consider the people who make the products we buy? That belt you got for 9.99. Who made it? Or what made it? What is it made out of? What if you could put your belt on in the morning and think, wow... This belt was made by artisans in rural South America. They provide for their families using generationally handed down skills. This belt provides hope to that community and makes my life more beautiful.
 I've worried that my friends and social circle will soon tire of me talking about noonday, but I'm beginning to realize that I have nothing to be ashamed of. That big box store that wants you to buy that belt, plus another and that plastic crap at the doorway ( its only 1$!)... They are the ones hawking their carpet bag. Lets look at shopping differently. How can we make our life more beautiful, one smart choice at a time? How can we change the future for a woman in Uganda or a family in India? We can educate ourselves and choose to be choosy. We can celebrate the beautiful labor of artisans who we can in turn make sure are receiving a fair wage for their efforts. We can demand that they work in safe and healthy conditions and we can decide that it's okay to talk about these big topics without judgment or fear. I'm ready to start the discussion, who wants to join me?
Come visit my website this week. Read about the artisans and read some of the product descriptions. It will blow you away when you really consider the work, the labor, required to produce these beautiful items. If you are local, or even with a few hours of travel, I would LOVE to talk to you about hosting a trunk show. I promise, it will be unlike any trunk show you have ever seen.

The Wildflower Belt