About Us

Circle of the Sun began in 2001 with a conversation about Fair Trade & Living Wages, on a crowded tourist street in La Paz, Bolivia.

The woman I met and her family were artisans, living in the city, weaving textiles, hoping for an opportunity that would lead toward a better life. It turned out that they were originally from the beautiful countryside of Bolivia, but that like in most developing nations, life in the country had just become too challenging. With shortages of water, food, trees & energy, it was tempting to join the crowds of the new urban environment in search of an easier way.

They made beautiful textiles; shawls, scarves, ruanas, throws, hats, gloves. They offered me the opportunity to purchase their work and sell it in the United States.

Eight months later I returned to Bolivia and into this family's life. Trusting the connection, I purchased our initial batch of products and brought it with me in my luggage. It all sold right away. Of course we've continued, and year after grown in what we do. Our group includes as many as 30 members now during peak production and everything is done in a very Fair & Cooperative way.

We've been four times to Bolivia and Peru, living in the culture and learning the ways of the Andean People. We've brought prototypes for low watt LED Light Systems, highly efficient low cost Irrigation Kits, and worked with local NGOs on issues like Clean Cooking, Organic Farming & Tree Planting.

We also volunteer in an orphanage in Southern Peru that is home to over 25 children. We enjoyed Christmas of 2008 and the New Year with them. These children are being raised in a conscious environment, with High Academic Training as well as real hands on Sustainable Living Skills, preparing them for a bright future. Visit our Projects page to learn more and see our photos.

Our goal is to offer solutions to communities in the developing world, to serve as both an outlet for the sales of Fairly Traded Handicrafts, and as a source for training in Appropriate Technology and Sustainable Solutions