Why are America and Beyond Handcrafted products so special?
Created using an age old embellishing technique which requires extremely delicate and difficult handwork, A & B is one of the only companies in the world whose artisans use this technique. Shopping with A & B helps to preserve this technique which, if lost, will sadly never be retaught and all such products will be made with inferior quality using machines.
Is your company Fair Trade?
Fair Trade is a special certification that ensures that a company pays extra for every item made in a factory. This extra money is put into a pool and given to the workers. They vote on how to spend the money. This is only an option when you don’t own your own facilities. At A&B, we own our own facilities and as such, we are able to do WAY MORE than just practice a Fair Trade money pool. We pay our workers fair wages, we provide many benefits including health care and maternity leave, we even offer higher education scholarships for the children of our employees. Bottom line, our employees are like family to us and we make sure we enrich their lives like they enrich ours with their skills, talent, and enthusiasm.
Is your company sustainable?
We strive to constantly improve our sustainable practices at A&B. We work to reduce our carbon footprint by upcycling, harvesting rainwater, and eliminating harsh chemicals from our production practices. We also work to use only sustainable materials such as jute and wool rather than cotton and polyester.
Are all your products handmade?
Yes, fabrics are hand loomed, bags and garments are hand stitched, and all embellishments are done by hand.
Are your products ethically made?
Absolutely! We ensure our products are made by artisans who are paid fair wages, given full benefits, and work in safe and happy environments. We use sustainable manufacturing processes and recycle and up-cycle as much as possible. Every year, we put in place more eco conscious practices so we are constantly improving.
How does A&B support the artisans who create the products?
Our artisans are paid fair wages, given full benefits, and work in safe and happy environments. We also offer lots of great support to the families of our artisans including scholarships for education, meal outreach programs, and health care to all family members of A & B employees.
Are the artisans paid fair wages for their craftsmanship?
Our artisans receive excellent wages, far above the average payment for employees in similar jobs. We want to ensure they live comfortable happy lives as they enrich our lives with their amazing talents!
Does A&B provide any additional support or benefits to the artisans?
Absolutely! Full benefits including health care, higher education scholarships, daily lunches, and more are provided to each and every artisan.
Does A&B ensure safe working conditions for the artisans?
Absolutely! Our artisans work in air conditioned, well lit facilities with tons of natural light and windows. They are also given the opportunity to work from home if they choose.
How does A&B promote sustainability in its production processes?
From eco-conscious production practices including harvesting of rain water, filtration of used water, and production of fabrics using minimal processing all the way through up-cycling of all scrap material, we work to ensure our products are both beautiful and sustainable.
Is A&B committed to ethical sourcing of materials?
Absolutely! We do not work with any manufacturers of materials who do not comply with the highest standards of eco-conscious production.
Does A&B have any initiatives to empower local communities?
Absolutely. We give back to women in need, support foundations which encourage higher education, and currently offer our own scholarship program for higher education. We also built and continue to support a hospital devoted to researching and treating childhood cancers.
Can you tell me more about the craftsmanship behind A&B products?
Created using an age old embellishing technique which requires extremely delicate and difficult handwork, A & B is one of the only companies in the world whose artisans use this technique. Shopping with A & B helps to preserve this technique which, if lost, will sadly never be retaught and all such products will be made with inferior quality us