Ten Thousand Villages

A cool imports store in the Pearl!
This place has handmade goods from artists all over the world. The store is broken up into various regions/​countries of the world, and showcases the typical handmade goods that come from there. They often provide a little blurb about the tradesmen or craftswomen. I believe that a portion of their sales of certain goods support these artists in impoverished parts of the world.
Now, I’ve traveled around the globe a bit, and have seen where these goods come from, and met the people that make these items. I know what these people charge, which is a fraction of a fraction of a percent of what Ten Thousand Villages is charging, but it’s a nice store, and the clerks are friendly. You’re not in the Kalahari, don’t expect to pay Masai prices.
They sell a lot of cool items that you stick around your home to dust later. Lots of tchotchkes to take up space on a shelf. They have some jewelry, handmade soaps, and clothes too.
If you show up on the weekend, you can often get a sampling of their fair trade grown coca.
It’s a great place to check out.

Fair trade artisan crafts from around the world– great place for a meaningful gift or décor with heart, everything from furniture and jewelry to wallets and wall art. Friendly staff is almost entirely volunteers, and they’re always looking for folks willing to pick up a shift.
Items may come off as pricey, but considering most products have a plaque detailing it’s origins and who benefits from the sale, it’s a feel-​good kind of expense. Feels good to make a purchase going to help others around the world, items also serve as unique conversation pieces in the home.

This shop located at the Pearl is so different than others. Here the items you can buy are homemade from artists all over the world. You can find anything from home décor, jewelry, or clothing and more that I probably missed. My favorite would have to be the magazine strips formed to make bowls, table setting, clocks, and other cool designs. Learned on this recent visit when I noticed they had a clearance section if the artists were compensated and they are :) This shop has great gift ideas and so many things to browse through. The shop is always clean and well lit. The employees are very knowledgeable and friendly. So easy to talk to and you can ask them all kinds of questions. Next time you visit the Pearl, pop in and check this place out. You won’t be disappointed! I’ll be going back again, and again, and again. I love Ten Thousand Villages

Good selection of items from across the world. Many different price points are available; it is a good place to come for hostess gifts. I visited on a cold morning, the day of the Tamale festival. Customers were being greeted with offers of hot coffee, a very nice touch. I would rate this store a little higher, but I have seen many of these items at other places, and though they have a good inventory, I’d prefer to see some items that were truly unique.

Fair trade for over 70 yrs of all sorts of crafted items from clothes to wall art. You will see and want touch many unique and beautiful items from around the world. You can find something for almost anyone you want a gift for or maybe even one or two items that you can’t live without.