Handmade Expressions: Journals and Bags from India
IN Exchange works with several cooperatives organized within some of the poorest communities in India. These groups promote the proliferation of living wage employment opportunities in the area, and engage in democratically-run development projects. Our store displays their unique and beautiful bags, and cruelty-free leather journals. You can also purchase their journals online through our eStore!
Our hand-stiched tree of life bags are crafted in an all-women's cooperative located in western Rajasthan. The business currently employs, and supports the traditional craft skills, of 272 women in the area. These artisans are dispersed over the region in various villages. Women from far villages come once a week to the cooperative office, submit their products and collect more raw materials to take back 
to their homes and work on them. Profits from this art help in the overall development of the group. This region now has medical centers providing basic health services, electricity produced from solar energy, evening schools for kids and vocational colleges for women.
The company also works with a cooperative that creates cruelty-free leather journals with recycled cotton pages. These artisans are located in Rajasthan, India.
All the leather used is in the creation of these journals is obtained from naturally dead animals. Livestock has a lot of agricultural and household value for the vegetarian population in this region, which makes it economically unwise to kill animals for their skin.
The pages inside the journal are handmade from cotton rag paper, making the entire product 100% tree-free.
Income generated by this product supports numerous artisans and their families. Your purchase directly affects the development of the artisan community.
Current Items at IN Exchange:
- bags
- cruelty free leather journals