You will find that in some of my designs I use Hill Tribe Silver.

It is nice to know that when you purchase a piece of jewellery which includes some Hill Tribe silver beads or clasps, not only do you acquire a unique item to wear, but you are supporting Fair Trade silversmiths too.

The Hill Tribes exist in Thailand and Burma, and the largest of these tribes is the Karen people.

Since the 1960's the Hill Tribes of Thailand have been handcrafting designs from silver using knowledge shared with then by silversmiths as a part of a royal project.  The money raised from this craft forms a valuable alternative to the traditional cash crop, which is opium!  Since then, later generations have been taught the craft, making these beautiful and unique small items from scratch using high silver content (purer than Sterling Silver at 95-99% compared to Sterling which is 92.5% silver). This has helped to preserve their culture, religion and art, and also provide a stable alternative economy for the Karen people.  The artisan villagers live and work at their own pace in their own homes, and despite any fluctuation in the price of silver, the artisan payment is exclusive of market silver prices, ensuring fair wages under all conditions.  The products are crafted in small handmade batches, each piece different from the next.

Improving education for the Hill Tribe people is important - only 25% of children complete their education and even fewer go on to university.  Schools are too far away and the families too poor to pay for transport or a meal during the day.

Through my website I have arranged to sponsor a young person through University from the Karen Tribe - click here for details about the student.   As I get more information about this I will post updates on the site.

For more information please see http://www.karenhilltribes.org.uk/ which is the website of the Karen Hilltribes Trust, based in York, England.