Respecting traditions...Promoting craftsmanship...Conserving resources...Meeting needs

About CustomMade

CustomMade was informally launched in 2003 as an initiative to expand the market for indigenous and rural crafts in order to create a regular source of livelihood for the upland dwellers and provide a venue for the continuation of their traditional arts. CustomMade, through continuous product development and market linking, finds new niches, uses and applications for the traditional products and skills. Thus, it creates a steady demand for it. However, the main goal is to generate income that will meet the daily requirement of an artisan and his or her family-- enough that will allow them to meet the expenses brought about by modern life such as sending their children to school, while still having the freedom to carry out their traditional way of life -- a life tied to the land and customs.

Aside from promoting indigenous artistry and its enduring relevance to present times, CustomMade also advocates fair trade and environmentally sustainable production practices. Documentation of raw material gathering practices is being carried out to ensure environmental friendly procedures. Its pricing system is guided by the principle of protecting both the rights of the artisans and the consumers while maintaining economic viability. Being a non-profit organization, generated income is reverted back to partner communities through services such as continuous marketing, product development, promotion and sales activities. A design premium added on to the retail price is given back to artisan as an incentive to improve and perfect their craft.

The organization behind the project is the Non-Timber Forest Products Task Force. It is a network of organizations working with upland and rural communities on issues of land tenure, resource management and livelihoods. In its effort to conserve forests, the organization works to improve livelihoods of forest and upland dwellers through the promotion of non-timber forest products as a source of income.

The network established the crafts center to provide a more active marketing strategy to the partner's handicrafts enterprise. It carries out product development, promotional and sales activities. It also provides skills and quality improvement trainings for the artisans.

Our core set of artisans and producers include the Mangyan of Mindoro through Mangyan Mission, Palaw'anon and Tagbanua of Palawan through Nagkakaisang Tribu ng Palawan, (NATRIPAL), Higaonon of Bukidnon thorugh Father Vincent Cullen Tulugan Learning and Development Center (FVCTLDC), and the rural artsians of Negros through Broad Initiatives for Negros Development (BIND). The larger circle of partner artisans include the T'boli of Lake Sebu and the weavers of Bolinao, Pangasinan.

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The Road to Fair Trade of Indigenous Crafts: The CustomMade Crafts Center (CMCC) Experience

The CMCC promotes the fair trade message and seeks to expand the market for fairly traded products in the Philippines and beyond. CMCC seeks a stable income source for artisans, and a venue for their self-expression through traditional art forms.

Through the following strategies, CMCCs ensures fair trade and respect for cultures:

Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
CMCC, through its creative marketing strategies and continuous product development open up new markets for products of marginalized communities thus increasing opportunities for handicraft producers.

Capacity Building. Continuous trainings provided by CMCC help improve the community’s enterprise. Learning opportunities allow rural artisans to access new designs, and to learn the techniques to improve their business.

Better Environment Practices. Indigenous handicrafts marketing is a more environmentally-benign livelihood compared to other extractive industries in rural settings thus resulting in less adverse impacts on forests. The CMCC also promotes eco-friendly practices such as use of natural dyes and sustainable harvesting procedures.

Consumer Education. CMCC strives to improve appreciation and respect for indigenous crafts through its marketing strategy and through its advocacy work. Prominent media features help increase the perceived value and generate interest for the crafts.

Respect for Cultural Identity. Business should not displace the culture of indigenous peoples. CMCC achieves balance by “customizing” crafts to the needs of the consumer, while respecting the lifeways of artisans. CMCC also promotes and supports initiatives to create mechanisms to protect community rights to their designs and creations.

Transparency and Accountability. CMCC’s pricing policy is shared with partners to ensure common understanding. Through constant consultation, costs at different levels are discussed with various stakeholders so there is understanding of investments and risks of each party.

Payment of Fair Price. Fair pricing seeks economic viability while protecting both artisans and consumers. CMCC’s pricing system includes a mark-up for capital build up of partner’s organizations. A premium for cultural sustainability and resource management is added and given back to artisans through services to ensure sustainability of their livelihoods.

Gender Equity. In rural areas, opportunities for women are limited. Handicraft production empowers women by increasing their income and capacity, and highlighting their contribution to household well-being.

Humane Working Conditions. CMCC discourages assembly line work and avoids overburdening producers with unrealistic schedules. It strives to ensure that handicraft production does not interfere with cultural practices or community lifeways.

Values and practices stated here are based on principles followed by the International Federation for Alternative Trade - IFAT and the Fair Trade Federation –FTF.