Just a little reminder Fair Trade Design will be at the Huge Fair Trade event in Victoria Square this Saturday from 10.00am until 4.00pm. There will be loads going on from Chocolate tasting (I think!) to a tea dance with music and lots of stalls aswell. Should be a great day so hope to see you there?

Hello and welcome to this update of Fair Trade Design during Fair Trade fortnight. I've been at Aston University today in the students guild for a couple of hours of Fair Trade, we had quite a few visitors and there were some other interesting stalls there. Aston is a Fair Trade University and has a very pro active steering group. Thanks to Caroline for inviting Sally and I along to sell our wares it was good to be back for the third year running.

Well we did indeed load up the car and head off for Birmingham uni wine tasting last night, the wine was great and a most informative evening wine wise, shame not as many people as last year so my lovely stall was a bit quiet as you can see ! Anyway onwards and upwards and lets hope for better sales at Aston Uni on Thursday. Also ( just to let you know!) We'll be at Strictly Fair Trade and event being held in Victoria Square on Saturday where there will be lots of things going on. Its hosted by Bham City council and Fair Trade Association of Birmingham Of which I am a proud memeber.

I had to put a picture of my latest creation on my blog! I will be making these to order if anyone wants one just let me know! please e-mail Gill@fairtradedesign.co.uk

A lovely long tassel necklace made up with silver plated chain, rings and lots of crystals

fantastic I'm loving it !

I'm looking forward to going to Birmingham University on Monday 22nd to set my stall out during the Fair Trade wine tasting which has be come a regular event  at the university during Fair Trade fortnight. It was great last year with lots of sales and people staggering around after the wine tasting lol. Watch this space for some photo's........

Fair Trade Fortnight starts on Monday and the theme this year is the 'big swap' can you swap one item in your shopping basket for a fair trade one? how about trying some fair trade tea for a change you can read more on the fair trade foundation website let me know if you swap anything and do people in the developing world a real favour

Hello and happy snowy day! here's a picture of my latest creation

I love making beady charm bracelets them and do them in lots of different colour combinations -this is one of the most popular and can be viewed in my shop on folksy.com all the button braclets are there too!

Here's one I made earlier! lovely rosy coloured pearls again listed on folksy.com

hello

My name is Gill Smith I'm 47 and live in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands. I am married to Rob and I am blessed to have one lovely son Robert who is at university in Hertfordshire. I worked in a bank for 27 years but left in 2006 to start running my own business Fair Trade Design, I campaign about Fair Trade by speaking to groups and doing parties for women at home. In my spare time I love to craft and have recently started making jewellery having been inspired by the things I sell through Fair Trade Design.

My Website

Bead and Button Charm Bracelet

A lovely mix of fair trade beads and mother of pearl beads put together with a collection of different size and shade pink buttons. They are hanging from a silver plated chain with toggle clasp it has 19 links and has at least two items attatched to each link. It measures approx 8.5 cm in lengh.

This is a fine labradorite pendant, a really deep shade of iridescent blue. Find it on Fair Trade Design