Hi, I'm Jodie Vieira, and the day I stopped bargaining and started listening, I learned what fair trade really is: shopping my values.

The Moment I Chose a Different Path

It started in Ecuador.

I had just stepped off a bus into a lively outdoor market in Otavalo, Ecuador — the market was so busy with color, scent, and sound. Stalls overflowed with handmade goods, and the energy was heavy with bargaining. My coworkers at the time, experienced in visiting this particular market, encouraged me to join in. They explained the art of negotiation — how it was expected, how it could be playful, how it was part of the experience.

But I couldn’t do it.

As I stood there, watching different exchanges unfold, something in me resisted. I saw the love and story in each woven textile, the pride in each artisan’s eyes, and I felt a quiet discomfort. Bargaining, to me, felt like asking someone to undervalue their work — to shrink the worth of something made with skill, tradition, and such heart.

That moment stayed with me. It was the beginning of a deeper journey — one that led to the origin of one little world.

one little world: Rooted in Respect

Fair trade, for us, means:

• Fair wages and ethical partnerships

• Safe working conditions and sustainable practices

• Empowerment through dignity, not discount

We don’t bargain. We cherish our artisans, their stories and the process. And we choose to shop with heart.

The Stories We Carry

Every item in our collection reflects a relationship built on trust and respect:

• A delicately made felt ornament from a women’s cooperative in Nepal

• A carved wooden and beautifully painted altar from a family workshop in Brasil

• A hand-poured beeswax candle from our tiny group in Rwanda

These aren’t just products. They’re expressions of tradition, resilience, love and care.

Why It Matters

Fair trade isn’t about paying more — it’s about paying fairly. It’s about recognizing the human hands behind what we gift, adorn our homes with, and what we wear. It’s about choosing to support systems that uplift rather than exploit.

For me, it’s personal. It’s a way of saying: I see you. I value you and your traditions. I believe your work deserves respect.

One Little World, Many Little Ripples

Since starting one little world, I've partnered with both individuals and artisan groups across continents. I’ve seen how fair trade can preserve traditions, support education, and create opportunities.

And I’ve seen how customers respond — not just with appreciation, but with curiosity, with care, with a desire to shop differently and an inspired enthusiasm that says, I want to be part of this!

An Invitation

That day in Ecuador, I chose not to bargain. I chose to ask questions and listen. And in doing so, I found a deeper way to connect — with people, with purpose, with the kind of world I want to help shape.

If that resonates with you, I invite you to explore one little world. To shop your values. To discover the stories behind the things you bring into your life.

Welcome to one little world.