The sewn goods industry is in trouble. Millions of tons of fabric waste are generated each year. The process of growing cotton for new products is often highly pollutant and toxic for the environment. Many overseas factories are dangerous environments for their workers, and pay them barely anything at all. China – the source of …
“The World Turned Upside Down” was the name of the tune the British band played as Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington, thus effectively ending the revolutionary war. The politics of the world had been upended and things never returned to the previous status quo. Somehow, this fife and drum tune feels like a rather modern …
June is just barely out the door, and we’re already planning for the fall. Yikes! As we prepare new product lines and plan for ESL & sewing classes, it’s time to clean out some inventory – in particular, some of the Journey Home Kitchen collection towels and napkins. This collection was sewn by two of our …
Just in time for Mother’s Day week! It’s our Flash Sale extravaganza. Every day, we’ll feature a different category of fair trade products on deep discount. May 9th Sale All head tie scarves are $3.00 off, even the African print sets. Remember, when you buy, you’re directly supporting our ESL + Sewing program with refugee …
“My father’s name was Paul*,” shared a leader in the ESL conversation class.”Paul Thomas.” With surprise, the woman sitting next to her exclaimed, “That was my father’s name too! Except turned around: Thomas Paul*.” These two women, one born in the United States and one born in southern Africa, had found a connection. This type …
Persona Grata Goods sprang out of a sewing class for refugee moms. This sewing class started in a small apartment off Central Avenue with just a few students twice a month. Now, the Make Welcome Refugee Sewing School meets 4 days a week with many, many refugee students! One of the school’s co-founders recently wrote …
One of our top selling items on the Persona Grata Etsy store is our collection of Carpet Bags! Our first released collection was a globe spanning affair. An individual in the United States donated a large amount of upholstery textiles to a sewing collective in Burundi. The ladies in that group designed and sewed up …
August I was unprepared, basket of peppers and zinnias in hand, yard-sale pots and pans in the back of the car. I was unprepared when she opened the door, ninety pounds of worn woman with black eyes deep in malnourished sockets. Black eyes that lit up and shone bright with delighted surprise at the simple …
Heads up: Persona Grata Goods will have a booth at the Starving Artist Market, located at the Charlotte Art League on February 12th, from 12-5. Come join us! We’ll have African Print cowl scarves, Upcycled rice bag purses made by refugee ladies, Boho crochet earrings from an Afghani artisan…and more!
Wallets are a necessity. Don’t believe me? Try finding your credit card at the maternity store when your purse is full of the miscellaneous stuff that moms somehow accumulate during the day. I’d just had it in my hand, stuck it back in my purse (note, NOT in the wallet) and now, it appeared as …
