Wednesday, December 3

Joobles...the Fairest of them all

Joobles.

Just the word itself makes me giggle like a little kid.

But the story behind it makes me one proud momma knowing that Buttercup is cuddling with a 100 percent organic knit-toy whose purchase benefits fair trade.

The founders of Fair Indigo have a new line of soft and squeezable pals for your little ones-just in time for the holidays! Meet Mel the Monkey (Buttercup already did. You can see our vlog below!) and his sweet little playmates, all of which are handcrafted in Peru where artisans have hand crafted a menagerie of stuffed animals under fair trade conditions. The company tagline-Responsible, Sustainable, Adorable-is proven time and time again in the environmentally-friendly dyes and organic cotton grown right in Peru!

And if that isn't enough to warm your little green heart, the Joobles are made with cotton grown free of pesticides, insecticidess, herbicides, fertilizers, or other harmful chemicals; workers are paid fair wages; and free breakfasts and school supplies are donated to workers' children!

I mean, really, did you ever imagine that one toy could make such a difference in the lives of so many?

And as I look around our house, I see exactly what I promised myself would not happen: Too much junk. Too many overpriced and forgotten toys and stuffed animals I will gladly give away to charity when the time comes.

But sweet little Mel the Monkey here with his friendly little heart-shaped face and adorable blue limbs and tail? Oh no,...he's staying for as long as I can help it. And I hope to explain to Buttercup why he's so important when she gets old enough to understand.

Joobles retail for $29 each and can be found online at Fair Indigo or at Oompa Toys.

(You can stop holding your breath now because we do have a contest!)

To enter, visit Fair Indigo and click on the Fair Trade button (look for it-it is there!). Your entry will consist of leaving me a comment about what you have learned about the concept and why it is so important to patronize businesses who practice it. You must also include your first and second choice Jooble in your entry for it to be considered valid. Entries will be accepted until midnight, EST, December 10 and the winner will have four business days from the announcement date to contact me with their information or analternate will be selected. US entries only, please.

Additional extra entries are also available if you:
* subscribe to my RSS feed and comment letting me know you did so.
* Blog about contest and link to this post.
* Non-bloggers can email three of their friends about the contest at berriesweet.info (at) gmail (dot) com and CC me on the email. Girl Scout's honor that I will never bother these sweet people. I promise!
* Grab my Berrie Sweet Picks button and place it on your blog page. I'll check!
* Follow me on Twitter! (nickname: berriesweetest)
* Tweet the contest using the term "fair trade" leave a comment with your username telling me what you said to your "tweeple"!

Please note all entries MUST include a valid email address to be considered for the drawing! That means that well, all entries must include an email address to be considered valid. Simple enough, right? ;)

66 comments:

Unknown said...

I think it means fair pay. I like the bear and the bunny.

rebbi511 at peoplepc.com

Aisling said...

This is an excellent definition of Fair Trade: "While there is no universally accepted measuring stick for what a fair price or a fair wage is, it is generally accepted that farmers or workers earning a fair price or wage are able to live relatively comfortable lives within the context of their local area. This means enough money for housing, a generous amount of food, health care, education for children, and some disposable income." Certainly sounds fair to me.

My favorite Joobles are Buzzy Bug and Mooey Cow, although every one of them is precious.

Unknown said...

Fair trade provides workers with a decent living wage. This helps the worker and her family and, by extension, her community. As more and more "fair trade" factories emerge, sweat shops will -- hopefully -- be forced to capitulate and cease their horrible practices. I like the Jiffy the Giraffe and Icy the Penguin Joobles.

superfizz said...

Supporting Fair Trade companies is so important. It helps workers earn a fair wage, live well, and make quality products. I always try to buy Fair Trade coffee, why not do the same for toys?

I'd love the Buzzy Bug or the Icy Penguin if I were to win. Thanks!

MOMFOREVERANDEVER said...

truly I am glad to see there are programs out there doing fair trade..which means fair living wages not pennies per hour and the person still not being ale to feed their family...fair trade equals fair wages
fairbare, then the monkey mrs.mommyyatgmail.com

Stephanie said...

fair trade is essential for fair wages and workplace rules and regulations. like pip the dog first and mel the monkey second.
tvollowitz at aol dot com

mverno said...

everyone is on the same playing field prices are the same for every business

Idaho Jill said...

I love Icy the penguin & buzzy bug. This sentence sums it up for me: "...ensuring that our high quality clothes are produced by workers who are paid and treated fairly"

Idaho Jill said...

Your button is on my blog here:
www.contestsandgiveaways.blogspot.com
thanks
oh, and my email is in my blog profile

Idaho Jill said...

I'm a yahoo reader subscriber, thanks

my email is in my blog profile

Anonymous said...

Fair trade means these craftsman can make enough money to support their familys. I like the Giraffe named Jiffy.

jenny said...

i think thay are all so nice any one would do fine for my little one thanks please enter me in to the giveaway

Anonymous said...

Paying fair wages instead of just minimum wage in the clothing industry. I love Calley the Cat and Icy the Penguin.

djsloan1953@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I subscribe.

djsloan1953@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I have your button

djsloan1953@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am following you.

djsloan1953@yahoo.com

Staci A said...

Fair trade means that the farmers or producers of products are paid fairly, according to their local economy. It allows workers to maintain an acceptable standard of living.

I love Mel the Monkey and Icy the Penguin, very cute!
princess3sah(at)cs(dot)com

Staci A said...

I subscribe to your feed.
princess3sah(at)cs(dot)com

Staci A said...

I follow you on twitter.
princess3sah(at)cs(dot)com

Dumaurier said...

It so very important for workers to get equal and fair pay! I like Pip the Dog and Mel the Monkey

Ashley said...

I believe it's important to support products and companies who compensate their workers fairly and protect them while on the job.

I like Mel the Monkey or Icy the Penguin.

Melanie said...

it means that all people have the right to make fair wages and that the workers who make the items aren't working in 'sweatshops" for nothing all day. very important human right topic.

giraffe or cat would be great!

melanieinaz2003@yahoo.com

Melanie said...

i have your button

Beverley said...

Fair Trade is equal pay for equal work, without exploiting children through child labor abuse.

I like Mel the Monkey and Mooey Cow.

valerie2350 said...

hooray for workers who are paid fair wages for their efforts!

valerie2350 said...

subscriber

valerie2350 said...

twitter follower :)
valerie
and.....forgot to list choices on the other entry
1) buzzy bug
2)calley cat

Anonymous said...

I've learned that eith the exception of Fair Indigo, teen retailer American Apparel is the only major brand selling “sweatshop–free” clothing in the United States. Wow, I'm thankful for the two of them, but overall very sad about the whole mess.

1st Joobles choice: Jiffy the Giraffe
2nd Joobles coice: Callie the Cat

mogrill said...

I love mel the Monkey!! Cute.

Kari said...

I believe it means Fair prices for the work they put into making the products. I always try to buy fair trade when possible, it really does make a difference to those families!!

I love the kitty cat!

Kari said...

I follow your blog!!

Anissa said...

I try to buy from Fair Trade stores when I can (like Ten Thousand Villages) so that the money actually goes to the people who need it (rather than to the corporation who bought the items for pennies and pockets the rest).

I like the giraffe and the cat:)

Tamara B. said...

They are eliminating Sweet shops and getting their fair value> I love the concept and support it. My grandson would just love the dog or the bear, too cute. Thank-you.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Tamara B. said...

Ia ma subscriber.
tamben7996(at)aol(dot)com

Shelley K. said...

I follow you on twitter

tskrush (at) cox (dot) net

Shelley K. said...

Fair trade is fair pay for equal work. I like the Calley cat and buzzy bug.

Thanks for a great giveaway.

tskrush (at) cox (dot) net

Shelley K. said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed.

tskrush (at) cox (dot) net

Shelley K. said...

I follow you on twitter :)

Anonymous said...

It's an easy way that we as individuals can have a say and make an impact for change when we purchase fair trade items.

My first choice would be Jiffy Giraffe and second is Calley Cat.

doot65{at}comcast[dot]net

Anonymous said...

I'm subscribed!
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net

Anonymous said...

I follow you on twitter (blueviolet)
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net

Anonymous said...

I tweeted
http://twitter.com/blueviolet/status/1047364446
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net

justicecw said...

Fair trade means a fair wage for a days work not just the minimum required! I love Mel the monkey! thanks, justicecw@hotmail.com

Andrea Hatfield said...

Fair Trade is when people get paid what they deserve so that they can support themselves.

I like Icy the Penguin.

Andrea Hatfield said...

I have your button.

Andrea Hatfield said...

I am a subscriber.

rosannepm said...

Fair trade-that workers rebeing paid well enough to live within their country. I like Buzzy Bug and Icy the Penguin
rosans4@comcast.net

rosannepm said...

I subscribe
rosans4@comcast.net

rosannepm said...

I e-mailed 3 people and cc'd you about the giveaway
rosans4@comcast.net

Candes said...

Well, I have learned that they pay fair wages for the manufacturing of clothes and accessories. The reason it is important, is that if more folks buy those types of products, slave labor will become obsolete.

Fair Bear
Icy the penguin

Candes said...

Follow you at twitter

Candes said...

http://twitter.com/candes1/status/1048931759

Promote fair trade @berrisweetest enter to win a jooble http://tinyurl.com/6xbzaa

Just a note for my entries... Email address is in my blog profile.

Jennifer R said...

Having all of us support Fair Trade companies is very important. It helps workers earn a fair wage and make quality products.
I think Callie Cat is adorable.

Tylerpants said...

With fair trade, workers get fair wages and we get quality products from them.

I like Jiffy Giraffe and Fair Bear.

Jess said...

Fair trade is so important and should be the standard for everyone! It should be a basic right for everyone to receive a fair, living wage. Thanks for this giveaway! These things are so cute and I'd love Icy, Mooey, or Jiffy!

Jess said...

I tweeted this giveaway here:
http://twitter.com/mommy2ellagrace/status/1049531379

Jess said...

I follow you on Twitter! mommy2ellagrace

klp1965 said...

Quite simply, we pay fair wages to the good people who make our clothes and accessories instead of the minimum wages that dominate the clothing market today its important so people arent working in SWEAT SHOPS.

i love the jiffy the giraffe and mel the monkey

Jaye said...

Fair trade benefits everyone and is a great thing. I learned a lot about it while working in a coffee shop years ago and I'm happy to see its expanding to other industries.

My first pick is Jiffy the Giraffe and my second pick is Mooey the Cow.

Thanks!

jebuell(at)gmail.com

Jaye said...

I sent a request to follow you on Twitter! jebuell

fancyfeet48 said...

love Mel the Monkey and Icy the Penguin

leah said...

Paying workers fair wages instead of minimum wages help them support themselves.

I like Jiffy Giraffe & Calley Cat

Helen said...

Fair living wages for people as opposed to corporations taking the majority of profit and paying the minimum required for that product.

Helen said...

Fair, living wages for people as opposed to corporations taking the majority of the profit and paying the minimum as required.

My favorite are Jiffy the giraffe & Icy the Penguin.

masonsgranny59 said...

callie the cat

lilyk said...

I learned that currently, fair trade apparel largely consists of small shops selling indigenous clothing but is beginning to expand beyond this niche market. It is so important to patronize businesses who practice it because they make a positive contribution to workers' lives in developing countries. My first choice would be Icy the Penguin, and my second choice would be Jiffy the giraffe.