As a team of creatives, it’s always touching for us to find organizations who help other creatives and artists, which is why we’re so excited to tell you a little bit about an amazing initiative called Heart of Haiti. Started shortly after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Heart of Haiti is a “Trade Not Aid” initiative launched by artist and social entrepreneur Willa Shalit, Macy’s, and The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund that provides artists in Haiti with an opportunity to make a living, feed their families, and pay their children’s school fees. Instead of donating money to projects that may never come to fruition, Macy’s has provided Haitian artists with sustainable work in a field that they were already world-renowened for. This gorgeous collection features more than 40 home décor items including paper mache, metalwork, jewelry, and paintings all made almost entirely from recycled and sustainable items like old cement bags, cardboard, oil drums, and local gommier wood.
Heart of Haiti provides local Haitian artists with opportunities to work with U.S. designers, which helps international artisan relationships and makes their products visible in the U.S. market. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and despite the devastating earthquake, people there are filled with hope and desire to improve their lives through honest work and economic self-determination. When you purchase anything from the collection, the artisans receive half of the wholesale price for each item. If you’re looking for a meaningful gift for your wedding guests or a wedding present for a friend or family member getting married, these gorgeous Heart of Haiti products are a responsible choice that gives back.
Find more info about the Heart of Haiti campaign and products at www.macys.com/haiti.
Photography: Rylee Hitchner
Twitter: @HeartofHaiti
Facebook: www.facebook.com/heartofhaiti
