Fair Trade Friday Earring of the Month Club

Closed.The website no longer loads.

What's in the box: A pair of earrings handmade by women artisans in fair trade groups arrived each month.

Fair Trade Friday Earring of the Month Club has closed, and its website no longer loads, so you can't sign up for it or manage an old subscription there. When it was running, the club was part of Fair Trade Friday, a program connected to the nonprofit Mercy House Global. Fair Trade Friday sold handmade goods made by women artisans working with fair trade groups around the world. Each month, members got a pair of earrings, usually handcrafted. The idea was that each purchase helped pay fair wages and provide steady work for the women who made them. The appeal was simple. You got a regular way to add new earrings to your collection while backing an ethical cause. Styles changed from month to month and reflected the materials and techniques of different artisan groups. That meant you had little say over what arrived. Some people enjoyed the surprise, but it could disappoint anyone with very specific tastes. Since the club is closed, shoppers who want fair trade jewelry should look to ethical retailers or artisan cooperatives that are still selling. If you were a member and have questions about an old order or charge, your bank or card issuer is probably the best place to start, since the site can't be reached.