11 a.m.   Make a bracelet for Mom 

Create a one-of-a kind gift using recycled Fair Trade beads.  Children of all ages welcome. Registration not necessary but we do have a limited supply of materials. Donations to cover cost of materials gladly accepted.

1 p.m.   Your chance to try Tribal Belly Dance

The amazing Zayna will share her knowledge of Tribal Style belly dance. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about this eclectic and elegant art form, here’s your chance! All ages welcome.  No special attire needed, but dress comfortably.  If you have something that shimmies or jingles, even better – bring it!

3 p.m.  Fair Trade Fashion Show

Since our opening, Marafiki has been carrying men’s shirts and baby dresses.  Now, due to many requests, we have expanded our clothing line to include girls dresses, boys shirts, and women’s dresses and skirts.  Come see some of our beautiful and ethically produced items, modeled by the family and friends of Marafiki!

Mother’s Day Jewelry Sale

Saturday only, buy one regularly priced jewelry item and get the second of equal or lesser value half off.

Throughout the day – face painting, product giveaways, free samples

We look forward to celebrating with you!

These 100% hand felted wool birdhouses are decorative, adorable and functional. While they make a charming addition to indoor decor, they are also outdoor friendly and used by small adventurous birds – the 1.25” diameter opening is a good size for chickadees, wrens, titmice, nuthatches and downy woodpeckers. The hole can be enlarged to 1.5” to accommodate bluebirds and swallows by gently stretching the opening.   The naturally water and dirt resistant woolen fibers make them remarkably and naturally durable. They rarely get wet inside and surface moisture quickly dries out following exposure to any rain or snow.

Each birdhouse is made with sustainably sourced materials at a fair trade production center in Nepal.  They are made from naturally water resistant sheep’swool, braided hemp hanging cord and a bamboo perch.  To clear out a bird’s nesting material, use the convenient clean out door at the bottom of most styles.

You have to see these in person to truly appreciate how beautiful they are.  Stop by and have a look, and see what else is new this spring here at Marafiki Fair Trade.

What to bring:

• your knitting supplies (we will have some extra yarn available if needed)
• a beverage to share (totally optional)
• a folding chair (if possible – we’ll have a few available)

Experienced knitters will be on hand to offer help with your project if needed, but please note that this is not a class – we won’t be teaching knitting. If you don’t have a project in mind, you are welcome to contribute to a community project in progress (we’ll explain when you get here).

Need charity project ideas? Check out these links…

Chemo Caps - Participants make soft, stylish hats for chemotherapy patients who have lost their hair. Hats may be distributed to local hospital oncology units or sent away to be distributed in other communities.

Project Linus - “Blanketeers” sew, quilt, knit or crochet blankets to be given to seriously ill or traumatized children.

Shawl Ministry - Knitters create a shawl to be given to comfort the recipient, or as a gift during a special time of life. Prayers are offered during the knitting of the shawl and before it is given away.

Warm Up America! - Participants make afghans or 7″ x 9″ rectangles to be joined with others into afghans which are distributed to social service agencies within the community.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday!

Happy New Year!

PLUM CRAZY PUNCH
16 ounces of iced Plum Crazy Tisane by SerendipiTea

16 ounces of a berry flavored seltzer

8 ounces of cranberry juice such as Ocean Spray

Juice of one lemon or more

4 ounces of simple syrup or to taste (see note 2)

1 cup of plum wine or to taste

Ice

Slices of lemon for garnish

Whole fresh cranberries frozen into ice cubes for garnish

Pour brewed tea in a punch bowl that has been filled at least 1/3 with ice cubes. Pour in flavored seltzer and cranberry juice. Add juice on one lemon and simple syrup. Add Plum wine. Stir. Garnish with slices of lemon and frozen cranberry ice cubes. Makes approximately 10 five ounce cups.

Note 1 – When making ice tea use 50% more tea. Brew 1 and ½ teaspoons for each 6 ounces of water. For Plum Crazy Tisane pour boiling water over tisane and brew for 5 minutes.

Note 2 – To make simple syrup put one part water and one part granulated sugar in a sauce pan. Bring to boil. Stir until sugar dissolves. Cool.

SPICY COCOA TEA PUNCH

16 ounces of hot Xocatlatl Chai Tea by SerendipiTea

16 ounces of Spicy Hot Cocoa by Equal Exchange made with 2% milk

4 ounces or more of simple syrup (see note 2)

4 ounces of heavy cream

1 cup of tequila or to taste

Dusting of nutmeg

In a large heat resistant pitcher pour in Xocatlatl Chai and Spicy hot chocolate Mix in simple syrup and heavy cream. Add the tequila. Stir. Before serving grate a dusting of nutmeg over the “punch”. Makes approximately 10 five ounce cups.

Note 1 – Use one teaspoon of tea for 6 ounces of water. Bring water to boil. Pour over tea. Brew for 5 minutes.

Note 2 – To make simple syrup put one part water and one part granulated sugar in a sauce pan. Bring to boil. Stir until sugar dissolves. Cool.

For your shopping convenience, Marafiki has extended it’s hours during this holiday season.

Holiday Hours for Marafiki Fair Trade

Monday – 10am – 5pm

Tues – Thursday – 10am – 7pm

Friday 10am – 9pm (Festive & Fair 7pm-9pm)

Saturday 9am – 9pm

Sunday 12pm – 5pm

Open Christmas Eve – 10am – 5pm

New Year’s Eve 11pm – ??  for the fireworks – Stop by for some warmth, hot cocoa and general good cheer!                          

  From our families to yours – We wish you the

  Happiest of Holiday Seasons and

  Joy, Peace and Prosperity in the coming year!

Shopped until you dropped?? Left no bargain un-hunted?? Now it’s time to unwind. Join us for a more relaxed way to usher in the holidays with Holiday Punch Making by Tea Expert and Food Historian, Judith  Krall-Russo. Sample some wonderful Holiday Punches while Judith takes us on a trip through the history of  tea punches. She will be creating these taste tempting delights by using our fair trade teas and chocolates.  So when you’ve had enough madness, come to Marafiki, take the edge off and revive yourself for rest of the  holiday weekend!

Two Umbrellas on the Williamsburg Bridge

Barbara works primarily as a street photographer in New York City, taking her inspiration from the myriad, often unexpected sights that we all encounter in everyday urban adventures.  Her pictures of life in New York range from the traditional to the abstract, depending on what she comes across during her outings and on her mood of the moment.  Barbara aims to capture the essence or “soul” of the urban experience, while fully realizing that this is an impossible goal.

Here’s your chance to meet with this accomplished photographer whose work has been selected for many juried shows and is featured in several books as well as a literary journal.  Barbara also has several works on display as part of the Permanent Collection of the Yuko Nii Foundation, Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, Brooklyn, NY.

Please join us here at 20 New Street, Metuchen on Saturday, October 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. to meet Barbara and view a selection of her stunning photographs, which will be available for sale.  Complimentary wine and cheese will be served.

Gate on Pineapple Street

This October is the 9th annual Fair Trade Month.  Throughout the month, ethically-minded consumers, retailers and brands will unite to celebrate and promote Fair Trade.

What is Fair Trade exactly?  Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in international trading by creating opportunities for economically marginalized producers, paying fairly and supporting safe and empowering working conditions.

Why does it matter?   The traditional way of doing business creates a global “race to the bottom”  by lowering wages and safety standards which harm producers and also by lowering environmental standards which harms us all.

We are proud to announce the next event in Marafiki’s American Artists Series – a show featuring the work of potter Larry Quirk.

After thirty one years as a practicing trial attorney, Larry Quirk decided to shift gears and start a second career as a potter.  Quickly an avocation became an addiction and he is now fully dedicated to learning as much as possible about the art of making clay do what he wants it to do at the wheel and the slab roller.

Don’t miss the chance to meet this interesting and unusual individual who loves to talk passionately of his work.  In Larry’s words:  “My recent focus has been on making tea pots because the form is both confirning (it must have a spout, a handle and a lid) and liberating in the variety of shapes, textures and themes that can be developed.  Happily, working with clay is a never ending creative learning process.”

Please join us here at 20 New Street, Metuchen on Saturday, June 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. to meet Larry and view a selection of his beautiful creations, which will be available for sale.  Complimentary wine will be served.