ACTIVITIES

P.A.C.E.S. stands for Production of Artisanal Crafts for Empowerment of Society. Our mission is to produce exclusive & western designed handicrafts to empower vulnerable women through fair trade employment. Our workshop is located close to Ranchi, in Jharkhand, India.

Unemployment rates are very high in Jharkhand, especially for tribal women. With our workshop we give them a chance to take their lives into their own hands, and to make a positive impact on their environment. By offering decent work opportunities, close to their homes, these women will less probably emigrate to the big cities in search of a better destiny where they often end up in situations of exploitation and abuse.

We believe that emancipated women can play an important role as change makers. Their impact reaches much further than just economic growth. Their fair remuneration enables them to invest in better education and improved livelihoods for their families. But these women also function as role models that question conservative ideas and inspire future generations to do things differently, affecting the entire community in a positive way.

In our workshop women are trained in the crafts of handweaving, crocheting, sewing and embroidery, to make exclusive handmade products for the international market. Each of these products tell the unique story of the artisan who made it and her journey of empowerment. Paces Crafts makes products of hope that aim to contribute to a positive change for people who wear and make our clothes.

ROOTS

Paces Crafts is founded by the Belgian non-profit organization Solid.

Solid puts people in the South on track to take their lives in their own hands and to make help, on term, unnecessary. Solid strongly believes in the combination of two strategies, to empower people on the long term: responsible commercial entities that provide employment and social organizations that accompany the most vulnerable.

Solid Crafts is a subdivision of Solid. It establishes and guides sustainable handicraft workplaces, in Peru, India and Kenya, where disadvantaged people can be employed in an honest way and where the focus is on qualitative materials and authentic handicrafts. Solid Crafts functions as a sales platform that connects conscious brands and retailers with these artisanal production units in the south.

The profit generated by these commercial activities is reinvested by Solid in social activities for these women and their communities, with specific attention to personal development and awareness of one’s own strength.  

More information on: www.solidinternational.be

PRODUCTS

Paces crafts develops exclusive handmade textiles for the export market. We produce sustainable collections for conscious designers and responsible brands abroad in different techniques like handloom weaving, crocheting and kantha-embroidery. This interesting meeting between international design and traditional textile techniques prevents hand craft skills from dyeing and sustains the livelihood of many artisans.

We have trained a skilled team of female artisans that produce these unique textiles, but we also collaborate with local partners for dyeing, garmenting and other specific techniques. None of our products are factory made. They are all produced in our workshop where the makers are known by name and where their stories matter.

All our raw materials are sourced from a sustainable point of view. We try to be good to people and planet and therefore all our yarns and raw materials are animal friendly, organic, natural, or recycled. We offer a wide range of high-quality handmade textiles to meet our clients’ requirements: Handwoven recycled sari rugs, kantha-embroidered throws and kimono’s, handwoven cushion covers and baskets and many more.

ARTISANS

People matter. We choose to work with women from disadvantaged rural communities, with limited access to resources, seeking to present their skills and talents to the world. Because we know that supporting our artisans means uplifting the communities they live in.

Our artisans live in places where jobs are very scarce, and people are at risk for trafficking, poverty, and violence. In this environment our artisans have shown the courage to choose hope, and we are privileged to walk alongside them as they transform their livelihoods.

Currently, we support 60 artisans. It is our goal to continue to grow this powerful community and break the bonds of poverty. Each member of our team truly brings something special and valuable to the table.

At PACES artisans have found a meaningful community with each other, a steady income to keep their families together, and learned the art of weaving and crocheting. But most importantly, they learned to believe in themselves and new opportunities.

Meet https://solidinternational.be/allposts/paces-crafts-more-than-a-workplace

Meet https://solidinternational.be/allposts/meet-the-maker-soni

Meet https://solidinternational.be/allposts/meet-the-maker-shashi