1. It was a really bad day for our investments.
Well you probably don’t need ME to tell you this, but today was a really, really, really, really lousy day for your investments. And mine. Worst day since December 2008, in fact. And GUESS WHOSE FUNDS ARE TIED UP RIGHT NOW so she can’t buy? Although as one guy commiserated, “don’t worry. We haven’t hit bottom yet”. Steve Jobs and I are hurting together: our Apple stock dropped from $391 on Tuesday to $377 today.

2. GM’s profits increased by – are you sitting down?? — a freakishly incredible 89% last quarter compared to the same time last year. Did I mention MY FUNDS ARE TIED UP RIGHT NOW?

3. The Japanese Yen, like our Cdn. Dollar, has been increasing in value compared to the US Dollar (as it weakens) so today they deliberately intervened to weaken it (basically by flooding the market with yen). They did this because they want other countries to keep buying Japanese goods, without it becoming cost prohibitive – the tsunami wasn’t that long ago (seems like it though, eh?) and they need to keep getting their economy back on track.

4. And -quick! - take a look at your diamond. Was it extracted fairly? Or, god forbid, a blood diamond? I just heard about this company which uses only fair trade gems. That’s of particular interest to me as a northerner. Diamonds are mined up here and if you can get one of ours, you can be assured of the conditions under which it was extracted from the earth. I hope the business owner sources from the NWT!

Watch the video below (yay, Dragon’s Den for getting behind this!) Then buy this. I’m going to.

Guest Post by my high-school classmate Cheryl (thanks Facebook for the reintroduction!), a Jolica Gift Consultant residing in Saskatchewan.

I have been with Jolica since May 2009 and the journey has flown by, full of fun challenges and rewarding results.
This Fair Trade company showcases the quality hand-workmanship of artisans from Chile, Peru, Nepal, India, Thailand, and India. We focus on accessories: silk, cotton, viscose, pashmina, and alpaca scarves; leather and tapestry handbags, totes, briefcases, and wallets; 925 sterling silver jewelry; semi-precious stones; painted glass jewelry. The items are uniquely hand-crafted; no two are exactly alike!

Here’s my “Top 10” reasons I love being involved with Jolica:

1. Jolica’s products are Fair Trade. Our products are not mass-produced under questionable work conditions; we know who made our items and where they come from; we can even have a relationship with these individuals!

Jolica is proud to be a member of the Fair Trade Federation and to change lives in countries around the world through conscious commerce. We encourage our guests to be intentional about their purchases because their choices, about what and where to buy, matter.

2. We are proudly Canadian! Jolica began in September 2005, in Ontario, the dream of Ted and Darlene Loewen and friend, Ann-Michele Ewert.

3. The Jolica Foundation
Since Jolica began in 2005, five percent of every retail purchase has contributed to changing lives through the Jolica Foundation. We have been honored to provide insecticide-treated mosquito nets in Tanzania, space heaters for homes of the Chilean artisans, kitchen gardens for Afghani women, the gift of sight for people in India blinded by cataracts, or community respect and training for women who test milk in Pakistan.

4. Our prices are fair and reasonable.

–and as a gift consultant: –

5. We have an amazing leadership team by the names of Ted, Darlene, Ann-Michele, and others who listen to our input … and all of whom I would call “Friend”!

6. Sale items count towards party totals. Customers can order from our discontinued product list at reduced rates and still have it benefit their friend, who is hosting a party.

7. As part of our partnership with Jolica, we receive a wonderful free website that we can personalize.

8. Shipping is so very affordable -Only $5 to party host’s address! Our customers do not have to pay postage for returns. And we have an amazing Lifetime Replacement Policy.

9. We have Jump Start – this program lets you count your order twice: when you order as a guest and when you host your own party – it benefits both your friend and you, when you host your own parties.

10. Our incentive/reward trips visit the artisans with whom we partner; we don’t go on touristy cruises… instead we get to meet the locals and discover the true flavour of a place, and I love that!

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The products and business opportunity are open to people in both Canada and the United States.

There are several ways that you can partner with us to make a difference in our world:
*Purchase a gift – On behalf of our committed gift consultants, our talented artisans, and the entire Jolica team, we want you to know that your purchase matters; your party matters. Every Jolica party and every Jolica purchase matters to people in many corners of the world.
*Host a party or fundraiser – As a Jolica hostess you know that your party is not just about you. Of course you enjoy the benefits of a generous hostess plan, but the enduring rewards of hosting a party are felt in the effect that you have on artisan communities through Fair Trade and the Jolica Foundation. Your party can dramatically benefit the livelihood of an artisan in Thailand, the eyesight of an East Indian child, or the life of a Pakistani woman.
*Join our team of gift consultants – Jolica gift consultants love that they can help other people while earning an income themselves. They are delighted to find an opportunity that aligns with their values.

If you would like to know more about Jolica, please visit my website or send me an email: FairTrade @ sasktel.net
Find us also on Facebook and on YouTube.