In America ?

Our Adult Sunday School Class recently had an interesting (though a little depressing) subject: "Breaking the Chains" - about modern slavery. It exists in foreign, poor countries as you would expect but also here in America. However, it reminded me that jewelry can have its problem with slavery too. If not real slavery, as such, many of our beads are made in "sweatshops" and just generally poor conditions. The first clue, of course, is really cheap beads. Most often they come from India but not all beads from India are made in poor conditions. I've been trying, as best I can, to purchase my supplies from places that buy from places that do not support such poor conditions. I've contacted most of my suppliers to check where they get their products. To my surprise, one said that they had been meaning to check that out and appreciated my concern. They then proceeded to contact their supplier who was pleased to show off his good conditions. They found that while the conditions would not be great, compared to the US, they were treated well and payed a decent wage. (So, see one can do something!) In the scheme of things, it really doesn't add much to my costs if any.

B