Looking for an art block like the one Oprah bought for her Leadership Academy? A hand painted silk scarf, or even a glass with the state of Michigan etched on it? Local businesses offering unique treasures from all over the state, county and world are more popular than ever and are right here in Greater Lansing. 

Kirabo Fair Trade

Kirabo in East Lansing has the unique distinction of being the Lansing area’s only 100 percent fair trade store. “Artisans who create merchandise in developing countries are paid fair wages within their local context,” says Gail Catron, managing partner of Kirabo Fair Trade.

Catron says the fair trade movement was prompted by concerns that artists were being taken advantage of in the production and sale of their work.

For instance, in the typical purchase of Third-World items, artisans are paid less than one percent of the sales price. Fair trade stores give artists as much as 40 percent of the artist’s set prices. That, Catron says, is what empowers the artists to lift themselves out of poverty.

Catron says she came upon the concept of fair trade quite by accident. After being a music teacher for years, she went back to school to get her business degree. “I couldn’t even get an interview,” she remembers. “I didn’t know what I was going to do.” But a chance visit to a craft show in Haslett changed her life. “It was being put on by a community church where members kept talking about fair trade.”

Catron, with her newly achieved business knowledge, thought they meant free trade. “I’d never heard of fair trade so I did some reading and I really started to connect to the concept.” That was two years ago.

Part of the company’s success is providing handmade, recycled products that reflect the artist’s culture. “If an artisan lives in Peru and is used to hand painting finger puppets, we let them do what they’re comfortable with and try not to change anything,” Catron says.

Items like the art block purchased by Oprah are made of dried tea bags. Other pieces of art are made from scrap metal that’s washed ashore. Everything, it seems, can be art.

While Kirabo sells items like coffee and tea, crafts are also a big draw for the store. Catron says, contrary to popular opinion, the cost of her craft items is often comparable, if not lower, than larger department stores. Food items, she admits, can cost a bit more but she says most people don’t seem to mind. “When they find out what a good cause they’re supporting with their purchase, they feel good about helping out.”

In preparation for the holiday season, Kirabo is offering benefit shopping nights. “If a company wants to do some private shopping we can close down and stay open late,” she says. “The best part is a portion of the sales proceeds will be donated to the charity of their choice so they can be involved in giving locally as well.”

Mackerel Sky Gallery of Contemporary Craft

Those looking for unique domestic art need travel no further than next door to Kirabo. Mackerel Sky Gallery of Contemporary Craft, also in East Lansing, is a nationally recognized fine craft gallery with items chosen specifically for Lansing area clientele by Tom and Linda Dufelmeier, who owned the gallery for 19 years. Their tagline says it all: We bring art to articles in everyday life. They offer primarily functional art but also have exhibition space for fine art shows.

The Dufelmeiers aren’t shy in touting all Mackerel Sky has to offer. “We went to a craft gallery in Traverse City and our jewelry collection was hands-down better than anything we’d seen,” says Tom.

Hand crafted jewelry is the store’s biggest seller, but they also offer handmade pottery and women’s items, like clothing, handbags and scarves. Linda says part of the popularity of these items is due to their origin, 95 percent of which are made by artists in the United States. Linda says they only purchase from elsewhere in the world when there is no alternative to be found domestically.

The Dufelmeiers admit the cost can be a bit higher than purchasing items from China or larger stores but say “buying American” leaves shoppers with a good feeling.

“Not only are they getting better quality, they’re also leaving our store with clothing they won’t see anywhere else or artwork they can enjoy for a lifetime,” Linda says. Tom says the economy has hurt the business a bit but they’ve been here before.

“We opened in the 90’s during a recession. That gave us the experience we needed to deal with this one. And so far, so good.”

Michigania

While the economic downturn has taken its toll on Michigan, state souvenirs are more popular than ever. In fact, there’s been such interest in the history of the Great Lakes State, a store dedicated to “all things Michigan” has had to expand.

Michigania, or the “Michigan store” as some know it, is celebrating its 25th year of operation. The last nine years have been under current owner, Tom Beauvais, who jokingly says he was “forced” into the business. “We read that the owners were going to close up shop and my wife made me buy it. Seriously, my wife told me I couldn’t let it close. Long story short, we bought it and have no regrets.”

The store has changed locations three times, but with each relocation came more space and the ability to carry more inventory. That inventory now includes Michigan-made products from at least 20 food producers, jewelry, clothing and even oven mitts in the shape of Michigan.

Gift baskets filled with various state products are big sellers for everyone from retirees to dignitaries. Prices can be a bit higher due to items that are labor-intensive or those produced in limited quantities, but that doesn’t keep shoppers from buying. “If I can get someone in the door, nine times out of ten they leave with a bag of our products.”

Beauvais says the first ten months of the year can be a toss-up financially. The remainder of the year, however, is very important. “Some months we lose money, make a modest increase or break even, but holiday sales in November and December are where we hope to make it all back.”

Michigania’s online operation is also a big money maker, shipping Michigan-made products all over the world. In fact, the items have become so popular, Beauvais has expanded the operation by opening a store at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Beauvais says he has no complaints about his location but wishes there would be more cooperation with Lansing officials. “They’re so restrictive with signage like we’re 5th Avenue in New York. There’s significant prohibition on what you can and cannot do.”

He says that makes it difficult for businesses to advertise and grow their business. Despite the problems, Beauvais says he’s here for the long haul. “They’ll have to carry me out of here.”

Whatever it is you’re looking for this holiday season, you’re sure to find it in East Lansing at Kirabo Fair Trade or Mackerel Sky Gallery, or downtown at Michigania.