A Revolutionary Model for Artisan-Own Direct Distribution of Jewelry…
Introductory Comments: In January, 2009, I visited the home ground of a model economic project in a traditional jewelry-making village about a half-hour by taxi from the colonial silver town of Taxco, Mexico. We were most graciously hosted by lovely old lady who graciously provided a sleeping place and served us up an astonishingly delicious dish of ranch chicken in chocolate sauce.
The fair trade artisan market is different from what is often discussed in this publication which is focused more on the jewelry sector. But issues regarding producer communities cut across the fair trade landscape. This is an update of the current situation from Martin Rizzi, who is very much involved in supporting this project in Taxco… Marc Choyt, FJA USA
The idea of an artisan direct marketing model
The idea of an artisan-direct marketing model is a long-term project to re-establish successful artisan economics in the Taxco area cottage industry (and, by extension, to cottage industry production communities elsewhere). Economic success seems to be impossible to achieve – if anyone were going to light the way to economic success, it might well be the producers.
Artisan-Owned Direct Distribution Has Been a Long Time Coming
Over years, necessity led to invention. The craftswomen’s cooperative eventually came out with a practical and entirely original economic model revolutionizing the process by which jewelry made in the third-world comes to the market, and to the public. The evolution of the Artisan Owned Directed Distribution Model (AODDM) is a long story, in its initial phase (years 2000-2005) support and financing was sought from a myriad of websites promoting “an end to poverty” and “helping third world communities”, and such. The AODDM, however, never got traction with NGO agencies.
Alternative Commercial Models
In terms of the selection, ordering, and payments-management requirements imposed upon the artisan-producers, the “alternative” commercial models are in reality the same-old commercial procedures. This may not be bad faith but rather have been due to an engrained idealistic belief structure and conditioned habits since childhood of typical Anglo American and European cultural commercial thought patterns and behavior.
Looking For a Credible Economic Model that Works for Artisans and Producers
The years passed and craftspeople never did receive benefits from these systematic and endlessly touted intentions to implement a credible alternative commercial model. The craftspeople found themselves even worse off than before; and still unable to take destiny into one’s own hands, …always having to endure humiliation, and privation. This idea of a commercial model benefiting producers thus has its roots in mortal necessity coupled with the artisan’s close familiarity with the ways in which the consolidators and wholesalers practice.
People are Sick to Commercial Marketing
People are sick of commercial marketing; at the same time, they passionately desire to acquire authentic handcrafted products, especially jewelry. The potential first-world customers of third-world jewelry producers have become allergic to commercial tactics, and hollow humanitarian appeals. Modern consumers of fashion are increasingly turned off by sophisticated commercial presentations perceived of as mere vulgar, conventional, buy-sell money-making operations.
By the Artisans, and On Behalf of the Artisans
The artisan own direct marketing model project (AODDM) represents a fundamental re-ordering of the priorities of commercial economics to benefit the interests of the creators and producers; it does this by locating economic value in the creative product, rather than in its nominal monetary cost-price score keeping. It is NO surprise that the artisans have fashioned an alternative commercial model that is suitable to their own interests. For artisans to have to support so many persons who are “helping them” and marketing in their good name, is, finally, scarcely feasible.
The Mexican Woman and the US Migration of their Men.
Over the years, many men have left their home villages, migrating to the USA to work illegally. Often, these men make other families over there, and consequently there are abandoned women and families all across the Mexican countryside. The parents and grandparents of these women gave to these women, an important tradition of handcraft jewelry, so they turned their attention to traditional jewelry making work, to support themselves, and their children and old people.
The Problem With Being Authentic
How does an authentic third world village craftswomen’s cooperative escape the trap of burnt out economic commercialism? These are native women whose instincts are not of making money. Theirs is an ancient history of village communalism together with individualism. The producer truly desires to have her distributor have the great profit margins – if only the distributor would understand her, and cooperate with her; if only the distributor will respect her experience and judgment, by letting her establish how it works.
How To Explain?
The Artisan Own Direct Distribution Model 2013 is a concept as simple it is hard to explain.
The AODDM is an indigenous implement, needing, not explanation, rather, productive use.
New World Women
http://handcrafted-ethnic-jewelry.com/i-am-maria.htm
an exciting entirely new and revolutionary commercial economic model.
