Junkyard Frog Guitarist Pen Holder

This cute frog guitarist pen holder is a product of the imagination and ingenuity of a Vietnamese engineer-turned-artisan. Working from his small home-based workshop, he transforms salvaged metal scraps into wonderful junkyard critters, home decor, and office/desk accessories. Over the years, demand for his creations have continued to grow. The success that began in his small workshop has now expanded beyond the borders of Vietnam to support artisans in India as well. It is a wonderful success story and a truly global fair trade product. Besides making a great gift for music lovers, animal lovers, and collectors, each whimsical critter proves that to recycle is a beautiful thing.

• Measures 3-1/2" high x 3-1/4" wide x 2-1/2" deep

Handmade in India and fair trade imported.

This item was handmade in India in a workshop sponsored by Noah’s Ark, an NGO that offers funding for raw materials, machines and workshop repairs to 100 artisan groups across India. In exchange for assistance, workshops must prove that all employees are paid fair wages for their products and work in safe and clean conditions. Noah's Ark also offers free classes in capacity building to its network of 600 artisans, a rigorous quality control check, and runs education and water sanitation projects to benefit the artisans’ children and the rest of the community. The company has established 20 new workshops in the past 15 years, and all employees are paid 10-15% above the local rate.

Noah’s Ark was founded by Mr. Samuel Masih in 1986 back before anyone was familiar with the concept of “Fair Trade.” A businessman from Moradabad, India, Masih observed his other business associates were taking a personal commission from the local metalworking artisans, on top of paying them very low wages for their work. This led to a distrustful and exploitative work environment, and inspired Masih to create a more collaborative environment based on trust and mutual respect.

After two difficult years, Samuel explained his objectives to Mrs. Sullivan of Sullivan Florist in the United States, who immediately placed an order for US$ 70,000. This led to collaborations with other international companies, including Tear Fund, Artisanat-SEL, Goed Werk, TEAM and Oxfam Australia. Today, the company produces a US $1.5 million in exports and funds Noah's handicrafts and Welfare society, an artisan association created in 2000 to promote artisan welfare, capacity building, childhood education and social work.