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Helping Hands
Crossroads Trade
by L'Tanya Durante

Kate Harris saw a void in the market and filled it -- creatively. Crossroads Trade started as a means of melding different aspects of Harris’ life: her work, aesthetics, political commitments and personal style. “I knew many ethnic art traditions that weren’t well represented. I also had adopted a little girl with special needs. I needed the flexibility of working for myself so that I could devote time to addressing her issues,” she explains.

{Diego's Lobster-Orange; pictured left}

Crossroads Trade is a retailer and wholesaler of ethnic arts with an emphasis on uncommon traditions and outstanding quality. "Crossroads Trade is first and foremost a retailer of exuberant ethnic arts. We look for items that are bursting with life: intense color, bold pattern and sumptuous texture. We seek out high quality work -- not necessarily expensive, but really well-crafted," says Harris.

"Ethnic textiles are the heart of Crossroads Trade. Weaving, embroidery and piecework are powerful means of cultural expression. Through their traditional textiles, the artisans recount the stories, motifs and rhythms of their lives and reclaim, or stay connected to, their cultures. A Kuna woman of Panama, for example, may portray her village's puberty ritual. A Palestinian refugee maintains her connection to her village by embroidering its signature motifs."

{Syrian embroidered bag; pictured right}

Crossroads Trade buys directly from individual artisans, cooperatives, economic development projects and fair trade wholesalers. "We are a fair trade company. Artisans are equal partners in our transactions. They are compensated fairly for their work. Working conditions are free of toxins, child labor and other forms of exploitation," Harris explains proudly.

"We work with people who want to retain their traditional lifestyles, but who often cannot because they are destitute. Every purchase makes a huge difference in artisans' quality of life," says Harris. Purchases of textiles, baskets, folk toys, and more can be made directly from the Crossroads Trades website, at their retail store, or by phone. There are many more items in the store than can be showcased on the website, so inquiries are welcome.

For more information, contact:
Crossroads Trade
271 Harvard Street
Brookline, MA 02446
{Coolidge Corner in the metro Boston area}
617-975-2001: Local Phone info@crossroadstrade.com: Email www.crossroadstrade.com: Web

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