One of the wonderful benefits of travel is learning about other cultures. The histories and traditions of other places is fascinating to me, especially the art and craft. Each region of the globe has its own rich artistic tradition, but in many places it’s fading fast. How often do you think about where our goods come from? Who made them? It was eye-opening to watch this woman in Burano, Italy hand-tie lace, the traditional craft for the women of this island, while the men were out to sea fishing.

I came away from my experience of living and traveling abroad with a strong belief in supporting artisans around the world, helping them to use their art and craft to earn a living. That’s why I support Nest with a portion of the proceeds from all of my online courses. This wonderful organization seeks to “celebrate craftsmanship as a powerful way to promote prosperity and stability throughout the world,” as written in their recently-released 2011 Annual Report. Nest provides in-depth training and business development for artisans in developing economies, and partners with companies to create sustainable markets for the goods. It’s a win-win for all involved. I encourage you to learn more by visiting their website here.

For all of those who have participated in my courses over the last year, I would like to thank you for your support, which allows me to continue to support Nest. Together we have done a little bit to empower many women around the world who earn their living through traditional art and craft. Thank you!