CRAFTWORKS CAMBODIA
Towards Fair Trade
ARTISAN STORY
There are 6 to 12 jewelry artisans, living in an underprivileged community approximately 30 minutes from Phnom Penh, Cambodia who make pure silver, recycled bomb shell and bullet jewelry. These artisans have been trained by a professional in their skill. Bomb casings are left over from Cambodia's wartime three decades ago. These artisans skillfully mold bomb shells into beautiful jewelry pieces, providing a small income to underprivileged communities.
With the support of groups such as Craftworks Cambodia, the artisans are hoping that the sales of these jewelry products and eco-bags, wallets, and more will generate an income that will provide their families and their communities the chance at a better future. This project (Craftworks Cambodia) ensures that the artisans are fairly rewarded for their work and provide support for education and training in the communities in Cambodia.
With the support of groups such as Craftworks Cambodia, the artisans are hoping that the sales of these jewelry products and eco-bags, wallets, and more will generate an income that will provide their families and their communities the chance at a better future. This project (Craftworks Cambodia) ensures that the artisans are fairly rewarded for their work and provide support for education and training in the communities in Cambodia.
Chantha is the jewelry production supervisor of his mini workshop.
Name: Chantha Thoeun
Age: 43
Favorite food: Dried organic fish ( Trey Ngeth Samyong)
Pet peeve: Parrot
Date : 2023
1. Tell us about your back ground, growing up, how you started working on jewelry?
I was born in Pursat province, I don’t have any siblings, my mother died when I was 4 years old, and my father was killed when I was 8 years old by a notorious Khmer Rouge soldier. It was a terrible time for me. I was only a young child and didn't realize my father was dead. I begged him to wake up. I wept and wept, imploring him, please dad please wake up, but he never answered me. Sadly, I did not know that he passed away.
I then went to live with my grandparents, and I was helped and supported by the Skip Organization and this allowed me to continue my studies in Phnom Penh. I started learning jewelry making from the age of 14 years at the Skip Organization (orphanage center). I learned for nearly 4 years in the jewelry section.
I got married in 2009 to my wife Thearny Kol, My wife can make jewelry and sews Eco-friendly bags as well. We have a daughter, her name is Rozannara Chantha. She is 11 years old. She goes to school Monday till Friday. We just have second child (son), Moss is nearly 8 years old now.
I managed to save some money and used that to study graphic designs, now I know how to use computer well, especially in graphic designs, I also had a good chance to learn how to make fine jewelry and place the stones in jewelry professionally.
2. What`s the most rewarding aspect of working in collaboration with Craftworks Cambodia - Fair Trade Crafts?
We collaborate with Craftworks Cambodia to promote fair trade crafts from Cambodia, especially our recycled brass bomb casing jewelry.
3. What`s your thoughts on the designs that are presented to you to work on? Are they difficult or unusual?
Most of the designs we make are difficult and unique ones, only a few designs are easy to produce for me and our producer group.
4. Can you tell us how being involved with Craftworks Cambodia - Fair trade has enriched your lifestyle?
Through purchases made through Craftworks Cambodia the artisans’ lives are getting better. The fair trade practices give us fair pay for our work. I am able to work from home; I have more freedom and independence. I also have more time to take care of my daughter
5. Do you feel proud of your work being sold locally and internationally?
We are very proud of our goods being sold local and international markets. It is unbelievable!!! We will continue to try our best as we are so very pleased to produce jewelry for our customers through Craftworks Cambodia. I hope we make even more and more jewelry in the near future. We are committed to collaborate with Craftworks Cambodia for the long term. Thank you very much for your help and support through purchasing our jewelry through Craftworks Cambodia.
Age: 43
Favorite food: Dried organic fish ( Trey Ngeth Samyong)
Pet peeve: Parrot
Date : 2023
1. Tell us about your back ground, growing up, how you started working on jewelry?
I was born in Pursat province, I don’t have any siblings, my mother died when I was 4 years old, and my father was killed when I was 8 years old by a notorious Khmer Rouge soldier. It was a terrible time for me. I was only a young child and didn't realize my father was dead. I begged him to wake up. I wept and wept, imploring him, please dad please wake up, but he never answered me. Sadly, I did not know that he passed away.
I then went to live with my grandparents, and I was helped and supported by the Skip Organization and this allowed me to continue my studies in Phnom Penh. I started learning jewelry making from the age of 14 years at the Skip Organization (orphanage center). I learned for nearly 4 years in the jewelry section.
I got married in 2009 to my wife Thearny Kol, My wife can make jewelry and sews Eco-friendly bags as well. We have a daughter, her name is Rozannara Chantha. She is 11 years old. She goes to school Monday till Friday. We just have second child (son), Moss is nearly 8 years old now.
I managed to save some money and used that to study graphic designs, now I know how to use computer well, especially in graphic designs, I also had a good chance to learn how to make fine jewelry and place the stones in jewelry professionally.
2. What`s the most rewarding aspect of working in collaboration with Craftworks Cambodia - Fair Trade Crafts?
We collaborate with Craftworks Cambodia to promote fair trade crafts from Cambodia, especially our recycled brass bomb casing jewelry.
3. What`s your thoughts on the designs that are presented to you to work on? Are they difficult or unusual?
Most of the designs we make are difficult and unique ones, only a few designs are easy to produce for me and our producer group.
4. Can you tell us how being involved with Craftworks Cambodia - Fair trade has enriched your lifestyle?
Through purchases made through Craftworks Cambodia the artisans’ lives are getting better. The fair trade practices give us fair pay for our work. I am able to work from home; I have more freedom and independence. I also have more time to take care of my daughter
5. Do you feel proud of your work being sold locally and internationally?
We are very proud of our goods being sold local and international markets. It is unbelievable!!! We will continue to try our best as we are so very pleased to produce jewelry for our customers through Craftworks Cambodia. I hope we make even more and more jewelry in the near future. We are committed to collaborate with Craftworks Cambodia for the long term. Thank you very much for your help and support through purchasing our jewelry through Craftworks Cambodia.
Jewelry Home-Based Producers Group
1.Mr.Chantha ( main production manager who is carrying his daughter) who has trained many jewelry artisans as below:
2. Ms. Thearny. 3. Ms. Sross 4. Mr.Kong 5.Mr.Rith. 6.Mr.Boun 7.Mr.Chanthorn 8. Ms. Anita Chea 9. Ms. Leakena Lee 10. Chan Heng Nhim 11.Sothea Lim 12. E-Ming Pheap |
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Chantha, melting down recycled Brass jewellery
he works at his mini workshop at his home. He has trained other jewellery artisans too.
Mini-workshop at outskirt of Phnom Penh city, Cambodia.
Ms.ThearnyMr.Chantha Mr.Rith Mr.Kong
Chantha is sawing the Angkor Motif cuff
Recycled Brass Bullet Shells
Transforming bullet shells into beautiful items.
Put the tools in safe place
Chatha was drilling the holes to keep his jewllery tools safely.
Put the tools in safe place
Keep it safe and tidy
Put the tools in safe place
Keep it clean and tidy often.
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Sopheak Chem has been trained by Chantha
Cutting recycled brass bullet shell for pendant
Polishing the recycled brass bullet shell for earrings.
Boun has been trained on how to make recycled brass bomb shell jewelry.
Bullet Casing Necklaces and natural stone hammered cuffs.
we have transformed bomb casings and bullet shells into items of beauty by recycling the brass into these bullet shell with natural stone hammered cuffs and necklaces, made by disadvantaged local artisans in Cambodia.
Recycled Brass Bullet Casings Necklace
we have transformed bullet shells into items of beauty by recycling the brass into these bullet shell necklace, made by disadvantaged local artisans in Cambodia.
Recycled Brass Bomb Casings for transforming them into beautiful Jewelry
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