global seesaw

The thing I love about blogging, more than anything, is the sheer amount of superb people you get to meet and chat to on an almost daily basis. Since I started writing, I've stumbled across some cracking, funny, intelligent, creative and beautiful ladies (and men!), who all continue to inspire and entertain me. Like the ace Lucy from Lulastic, a perfectly quiff-ed whirlwind of passionate campaigning, creative thrifting and gentle parenting. If you haven't read her blog, I strongly suggest you do - you'll be nodding along with her posts on world hunger and activism, and reaching for the (homemade) mod podge to get all crafty before you know it.
It was via Lucy that I stumbled across the fantastic new company Global Seesaw - an online shop that sells fairly traded, eco-friendly bags and accessories with a difference. The company exists to create sustainable employment for women who have been trafficked into prostitution - it gives them a way out, and the chance at a life with choices and freedom. The bags are all either jute, or organic fair trade cotton, and any images are printed with water-based inks, which means no chemicals being pumped into the environment. Ethically produced, environmentally sound and helping to fight back against the scourge of human trafficking - do you really need any other reasons to hot foot it over and get flexing your bank card?

After following them on Twitter, I ended up buying a bag, and they kindly sent me an extra one - which I've decided to give away to one of my lovely readers. I can't stress enough what an amazing company this is - if you've never read anything about trafficking, a quick Google search will tell you everything you need to know. Another blogging friend, Mel Wiggins, recommended a book called Half the Sky, which goes into this and many other social justice issues in more depth (it's sitting in my 'to read' pile as I type!), and the Global Seesaw website itself has a fair bit of information.

The bags are incredibly good quality, decorated with an ace bird print (who doesn't like birds?!), and have a popper fastening and a zipped inner pocket. The one I'm giving away is mauve and teal coloured, and is 37x38cm, nice and roomy - big enough for a few magazines, a wallet, a laptop, the kitchen sink....

To win this bee-yootiful bag, all you have to do is:

1. Follow Global Seesaw on Twitter or 'like' them on Facebook.

2. Leave a comment to confirm you've entered.

That's it! Please also do think about tweeting and sharing their details over Twitter and Facebook - they really are a superb company to support.

The giveaway will run for one week, and no entries will be counted after midnight on 30th January 2013.

Good luck!