BUSINESS ETHICS

These are difficult issues, but not ones I choose to ignore as a company, and I strive to ensure my suppliers share this view. There are several areas of concern (which I'm regularly asked about), including: 1. Animal testing. 2. Respect for nature.

3. Child labor in developing countries. 4. Fair trade. 5. Eco-friendly, recyclable, and sustainable products. 1. Animal testing. I'm passionate about gifts, but even more so about animals. I condemn any act of cruelty, which is why: None of the products I have in stock have been tested on animals.

2. Respect for Nature. Everything I make in my workshop with tree branches and trunks is collected from fallen branches. Always without harming the tree. 3. Child Labor in Developing Countries. I always do my best to determine if a company is likely to use child labor as cheap or slave labor and stay away. Of course, these days no exporting company from India or the Far East is likely to admit to it, so a certain amount of common sense and a nose for such things are vital to me. 4. Fair Trade. I visit suppliers not only to make deals, but also to see for myself how well the staff and subcontractors are treated. On more than one occasion, I've had to cancel orders because it seemed like the staff were being exploited. The way it works in India is that products for export are priced higher than products for domestic sale (in India), which means that exporting companies should be able to provide better conditions and pay their staff (and a better quality product). So either I or my suppliers visit the manufacturers directly every so often to observe all of this. I'm happy to work within this system. This is my version of Fair Trade. 5. Ecological, Recyclable, and Sustainable Products. I have a wide range of products, so it would be impossible to have only organic and recycled products, but I always give them extra value when introducing new products. I always look for, at a minimum, sustainable raw materials.

All packaging used in shipments is recycled (bubble wrap, boxes (except for the wands which are new), outer shipping paper...etc)

To reduce emissions, I only ship on Wednesdays; once shipped, they are delivered within 24-72 hours.