Several years ago, I took my youngest daughter on an excursion to downtown Birmingham for her birthday celebration. We spent the morning enjoying the McWane Center, then wandered around on a photo safari, exploring the various nooks and crannies in the city center.
During our adventure, we came across a little shop that was filled with wonderful and exotic items from across the globe, and my daughter found a necklace she adored. Needless to say, I ended up buying it for her, and she wore it proudly all weekend.
The shop we found was Sojourns, and the necklace was the first of many purchases I’ve made at the shop since that time.
Located on Third Avenue North between Twentieth and Twenty-First streets, Sojourns is a global marketplace. Owner Melissa Kendrick said the store has more than 6,000 items from 388 artists and co-ops in 55 countries. What makes the items unique is that they are handcrafted, and found through the, which acts as a communications conduit for store owners such as herself, and the artists overseas.
“Most of these artisan groups have an importer or a liaison,” she says. “These (artists) are people who don’t have electricity.”
“Fair Trade” is a business approach which helps support craftsmen, artists, and farmers in developing nations through honest dealing and sustainable approaches to manufacturing and farming. As Melissa put it, “Fair trade is the opposite of sweatshops.”
“Fair trade is a gift that gives twice,” she said. “First, it’s the gift you give to the recipient, and it is also a gift to the artisans.”
Sojourns carries a wide array of items, including decorative items for the home; organic coffees, chocolates, jams, jellies, and teas; items for the kitchen; unique art; soaps and skin care items; a wide range of jewelry and accessories; and much, much more.
Many of the items in the store are made from recycled materials, including Haitian art created from oil drums and purses made from candy wrappers or other materials. “I love the (bags) made out of soda tabs,” Melissa said.
The store recently added a new selection of items from Bali, including wall masks and some beautiful wooden Buddhas.
“We are trying to diversify into more functional art and home décor,” Melissa said. “We want people to think about how they use fair trade in everyday life.
“The question is simple,” she added. “Do you want big box convenience or justice and fairness?”
As for me, I’ll be skipping the malls and the big box stores this holiday season, and you will likely find me rustling up some last-minute gifts from Sojourns!
Sojourns is located at 2017 Third Avenue North. You can reach the store at (205) 323-5680, or visit their website at adventureartpeace.com. The store is open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. It will also be open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 23, and from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The store will be closed on Christmas Day.