Global Girlfriend to Feature Crafts from Palomas Oilcloth Designs

Palomas Oilcloth Designs (POD) was recently chosen to be one of the women's cooperatives who are part of  Global Girlfriend, a marketing group that helps women worldwide gain economic security by vending unique  fair trade products. 

POD, a worker-owned microenterprise supported by Deming, N.M.-based Border Partners, provides opportunities for women in Palomas, Chihuahua (across the border from Columbus, N.M.), to produce and sell beautiful oilcloth products around the world.

The cooperative has been selling its products online via Etsy.com, which provides a global marketplace for crafters, artists and collectors to sell their handmade creations, vintage goods and crafting supplies. POD's total gross sales reached about $48,900 in 2011. Of this amount, about US$27,500 were paid to the seven artisans who made the oilcloth products, with their average weekly payment at $75 each. The remainder of the revenues went to the purchase of materials and other expenses.

Global Girlfriend gives POD another option to market its products and a potential to boost revenues. The first order is comprised of 700 totebags, aprons and tablecloths! The items will soon be listed on the Global Girlfriend web-based catalogue.

Polly Edmunds, a volunteer and a member of the board of directors of Border Partners, expressed hope that POD will continue its relationship with Etsy while expanding into its new role with Global Girlfriend. "They will sell different products at the etsy.com store than the ones on the GG site," said Ms. Edmunds.  She credited Tom Aageson, a POD advisor  and executive director of  the Global Center for Cultural Entrepreneurship, with establishing the connection between the Palomas women's cooperative and Global Girlfriend. Tom is also a member of Bread for the World in Santa Fe.