About

The Work of Our Hands is a mission-driven non-profit retail outlet located in Pella, Iowa, dedicated to the principles of fair trade and social justice. Established in 1989 by the Faculty Benevolent Association, the store serves as a vital bridge between economically disadvantaged artisans from over 40 countries and the global market. By providing a platform for handcrafted home decor, jewelry, textiles, and gifts, the organization ensures that artisans—who would otherwise be unemployed or under-employed—receive a fair, living wage for their labor. Operating as an ecumenical Christian mission, the shop is powered by a dedicated team of volunteers and reinvests its profits into both local and international non-profit initiatives. Beyond retail, The Work of Our Hands acts as an educational resource, raising community awareness about global poverty and the ethical importance of conscious consumerism. Through interest-free loans and mentorship, they also support the growth of similar fair trade ventures across the United States.

Handmade Sustainable products Eco-friendly Products Ethical Sourcing Social Enterprise

Operating since 1989

Impact

Eco-system

Cities and Towns

Villages

Industries

Sectors

Retail and E-commerce

Ethical Supply Chains

Handicraft & Artisan Products

Social Enterprise

Products & services

A non-profit fair trade store in Iowa marketing artisan goods to empower global communities economically.

The Fair Trade Procurement and Volunteer Led Educational Retail Methodology Implemented by The Work of Our Hands

Method and Technique of The Work of Our Hands are:

Fair Trade Organization (FTO) Sourcing: The organization utilizes a specialized procurement technique, partnering exclusively with verified FTOs to ensure that supply chains are transparent and labor practices are ethically sound.
Ecumenical Volunteer Management: They employ a community-based staffing technique, coordinating a rotating team of volunteers from various local organizations to handle daily retail operations and customer education.
Zero-Interest Mission Seeding: A core financial technique involves providing interest-free loans to new fair trade ventures, acting as a social-venture incubator to expand the reach of ethical retail nationwide.
Artisan Storytelling and Labeling: The shop utilizes an educational labeling method where each product is accompanied by information about the artisan's country, culture, and the specific impact of the purchase.
Community-Centric Profit Reinvestment: The organization uses a systematic grant-giving technique, funneling surplus revenue into local Pella non-profits and international relief services to create localized and global impact.
Cross-Cultural Collaborative Marketing: They utilize a collaborative technique, working with artisans to adapt traditional designs for the US market while ensuring the original cultural integrity and craftsmanship are strictly preserved.