INTRODUCTION
The Chocolate Elephant is a UK based company that provides a collection of unforgettable handmade gifts for men, women and children alike, whilst supporting Fair Trade and seeking to raise its profile. Launched in January 2006 by two sisters, - Emma Harrison and Victoria Nielson - the aim is to provide customers with a diverse range of original and beautiful products from around the world that would at the same time help give the manufacturers and producers of those goods a 'hand up' and not a 'hand out'.
If the products are not officially Fair Trade, they look to ensure that they are 'community trade' or ethically traded – in other words, sales still directly benefit such local communities where decent pay, working conditions and community support are encouraged and maintained.
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The majority of the collection is all individually handmade by highly skilled local artists in South Africa, Kenya, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Indonesia, designed to offer customers a very special shopping experience. All the products are from natural materials that are ensuring the environment is not being harmed, and all are reasonably priced and have a great philanthropic or community story. The products reflect their local culture as well as being appealing to customers.
THE CHOCOLATE ELEPHANT's collection includes original ceramic jewellery from Kenya; soft buffalo leather and sheep's suede photograph albums from India; beautiful hand stitched organic table linen from Zimbabwe; innovative candles and exclusive ceramic & grass placemats and bowls from Swaziland; stunning handmade clothing and accessories from Indonesia and South America; solid bookends, salad servers and other wooden gifts from many parts of Africa, including hand carved chess sets from Eastern Kenya; unique hand crafted silver and resin tableware from South Africa, and imaginative papier-mâché 'Piggy Banks' from Swaziland.